Please tell me about English Bull Terriers

[BrownOwlknowsbest]

A friend has asked me to look after her 3 year old EBT for a few days. I shall be meeting the dog for a few walks before she stays with me. This is not a breed I know very much about, although I have had dogs all my life. If you own one or know someone who does, please would you give me a few tips. Thank you

Not that many around ?
My vet had one.

Can't say anything else - sorry.

Oh ! except they are obiv not a large dog i.e. not Labrador size
and not to be confused with Bull dogs of any type.

Sorry you have had hardly any response. I have little useful to add because the last one in my family was when I was quite small though I do remember him. He was lovely, excellent guard dog, fairly bombproof and perfect with children. When my brother was 2 or 3 my mother found him standing on the recumbent dog(who had been snoozing in front of fire) to reach something on the mantelpiece - the dog did not move a muscle. There are 2 or 3 where I live now. Always on lead but friendly and well behaved. One older one used to bark at my dog across the road. I think they can be quite stubborn. If no-one with more knowledge contributes, maybe move this to Chat?

I have an EBT!

I love my boy and wouldn’t swap him for the world, he’s loving, affectionate, likes a cuddle, wants to be everybody’s friend and has so much personality - their reputation as a clown dog is bang on and he makes me laugh every day.

but…… EBTs are not for the faint hearted.

He is soooooooo needy, has to be touching me at all times, has zero concept of personal space and follows me around like a shadow. Will literally cry if he deems he is not getting enough attention. Sounds cute, but can be tiring!

He can be temperamental with other dogs and there seems to be no rhyme nor reason as to which ones he decided he likes (best mates with my friends Boston) and which ones he vehemently hates (next doors border collie).

He has 2 modes. “Off” which means sleeping, snoring and generally not moving for the foreseeable. “Full on” which means boisterous and literally like a bull in a china shop. I often have bruises where he has either ran into me or just decided he wants to sit on top of me (he is 38kg). There is no middle ground.

He is strong willed and stubborn. If he doesn’t want to walk, wild horses ain’t moving him.

All food must also be shared.

Can’t be left alone - they get bored and up to mischief!

That being said, DS(17) once jokingly asked me “how come I’m an only child but still not your favourite” 😂

I would have a houseful of EBTs.

DH said he never wants another dog. Ever.

I think you have hit most of the nails on the head there Frangi!

I’d definitely say not for the faint of heart. But wonderful dogs, quite obsessive and not lovers of cats ( in general)

A little bit like a shrunken horse with an egg head and triangular eyes… my ‘perfect’ !

Love my EBT boy!! Agree with everything written 100% - they may look thick but they are very smart and sensitive souls. They seem utterly self-willed and selectively deaf and tend to decide to please themselves. Mine has sporadic recall so leads are a must. His bloody neck is bigger than his head so has a harness not a collar as he slips them all. You'll be fine for a couple of days 😄 be prepared for the spinning zoomies!