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ORIGIN OF BREED
This breed's originator was James Hinks from British town Birmingham, family Hinks precisely, cause it took several generations for rigorous selection and crossing. In the year of 1862, on the dog show in London, Hinks showed out his white bitch "Pussy" and that was first written proof about Bull Terrier's existence. There is an anecdote about that event, but for reason of understanding of what had really happened, we must get back to the very beginning of 19th century.
During that period very popular aspect of entertainment throughout Europe were dog fights against bear, bull and mutual dog fights. Only rich people had privilege to own a bear or a bull so dog versus dog fights were organized at most.
British were the leaders in breeding quality specimens and the most desirable attribute was courage. They crossed various specimens and got the conclusion that combination of bulldog and terrier attained greatest success.
At that time every dog which had success in rat, mice and other pest hunting was considered as a terrier. There were competitions in which dog got in enclosed ring with rats. Goal of the game was for terrier to strangle as many rats as it can in specified time. Main attribute which Bull Terrier should derive from terrier beside courage was agility and well coordinated movement.
Bulldog in James Hinks time also had not much likeness with its actual couterpart. It had big, heavy head and strong front part, wide chests and compact, well balanced, muscular body. We can tell that it was similar to present day Staffordshire Bullterrier. Main quality required for a bulldog were strong head with extremely strong jaws and determined, relentless jaw pinch..
Mental structure of these two "breeds" had crucial significance for Bull Terrier's character developing. Proficient breeders know that character, not the head is what differs Bull Terriers from other dogs
When in the year 1835. dog fights were finally banned in England, large kennels like Hinks' had to begin with dog breeding (and selling of course) so the word spread about the dog who is a friend, a nanny and a bodyguard in the same time.
Finally, let's get back to that anecdote from the beginning of a story. Bitch Pussy was one of the first representatives of Hinks' Bull Terrier vision. She had different look from the dogs which were strictly bred for fighting, from which she originated because Hinks intended to combine fine crupper, shoulder and higher parts with firm back and steady joints so he took a Dalmatian and maybe even a Collie for breed crossing.
Pussy was higher, more elegant and apparently subtile than the dogs other breeders showed, who still bred same seamy fighters. Because of that Hinks' colleagues sneered at him at first, one of them even challenged Hinks to fight Pussy with his dog. Pussy killed that poor terrier and went out of fight without a single wound to receive a Cup.
Standard
Before you start with standard analyzing it's important to know that standard is image of ideal dog of certain breed, dog that doesn't exist. However, standard refers to way progression of a breed should be routed, helps us to select which dogs to mate, lead us to spot faults in characteristics of every dog apart. Cynological judges evaluate dogs on standard basis i.e. dogs who coincide standard the most, get better evaluation, which indirectly affects breed improvement.
Bull Terrier belongs to III FCI group - terriers
FCI is international cynological organization, which standards are used in many countries, including Yugoslavia. There is British version of standard, but differences are minimal so there is no need to quote it.
General appearance: Strongly built, muscular, well balanced and active with a keen, determined and intelligent expression.
Characteristics: The Bull Terrier is the gladiator of the canine race, full of fire and courageous. A unique feature is a downfaced, eggshaped head. Irrespective of size dogs should look masculine and bitches feminine.
Temperament: Of even temperament and amenable to discipline. Although obstinate is particularly good with people
Size: There are neither weight nor height limits, but there should be the impression of maximum substance for size of dog consistent with quality and sex.
Colour:
a) For white - pure white coat. Skin pigmentation and markings on head not be penalised
b) For coloured - colour predominates; all other things being equal, brindle preferred.
Black brindle, red, fawn and tri-colour acceptable. Tick markings in white coat undesirable. Blue and liver highly undesirable.
Coat: Short, flat, even and harsh to touch with a fine gloss. Skin fitting dog tightly. A soft textured undercoat may be present in winter.
Head and skull: Head long, strong and deep right to end of muzzle, but not coarse. Viewed from front eggshaped and completely filled, its surface free from hollows or indentations. Top of skull almost flat from ear to ear. Profile curves gently downwards from top of skull to tip of nose which should be black and bent downwards at tip. Nostrils well developed and underjaw deep and strong.
Eyes: Appearing narrow, obliquely placed and triangular, well sunken, black or as dark brown as possible so as to appear almost black, and with a piercing glint. Distance from tip of nose to eyes perceptibly greater than that from eyes to top of skull. Blue or partly blue undesirable.
Ears: Small, thin and placed closed together. Dog should be able to hold them stiffly erect, when they point straight upwards.
Mouth: Teeth sound, clean, strong, of good size, regular with a perfect regular and complete scissor bite. Lips clean and tight.
Neck: Very muscular, long, arched, tapering from shoulders to head and free from loose skin.
Forequarters: Shoulders strong and muscular without loading. Shoulder blades wide, flat and held closely to chest wall and have a very pronounced backward slope of front edge from bottom to top, forming almost a right angle with upper arm. Elbows held straight and strong, pasterns upright. Forelegs have strongest type of round, quality bone, dog should stand solidly upon them and they should be perfectly parallel. In mature dogs length of foreleg should be approximately equal to depth of chest.
Body: Body well rounded with marked spring of rib and great depth from withers to brisket, so that latter nearer ground than belly. Back short, strong with backline behind withers level, arching or roaching slightly over broad, well muscled loins. Underline from brisket to belly forms a graceful upward curve. Chest broad when viewed from front
Hindquarters: Hindlegs in parallel when viewed from behind. Thighs muscular and second thighs well developed. Stifle joint well bent and hock well angulated with bone to foot short and strong.
Tail: Short, set on low and carried horizontally. Thick at root, it tapers to a fine point.
Movement: When moving appears well knit, smoothly covering ground with free, easy strides and with a typical jaunty air. When trotting, movement parallel, front and back, only converging towards centre line at faster speeds, forelegs reaching out well and hindlegs moving smoothly at hip, flexing well at stifle and hock, with great thrust.
Feet: Round and compact with well arched toes.
Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
http://www.bulterijer.co.yu/engindex.htm
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