Bull Terriers can have different lifespans because of several reasons. Some Bull Terriers can live a long wonderful life, some can live a short yet touching one. So, how long does a Bull Terrier live?
How can you make sure that your Bull Terrier lives to its fullest?
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How Long Does a Bull Terrier Live?
A Bull Terrier can live at an average of 10 to 14 years depending on its diet, exercise routine, and care that it receives. Some Bull Terriers can live shortly because of some health problems associated with their breed or their lifestyle.
Some Bull Terriers can even live above this average lifespan.
On a positive note, Bull Terriers don’t have as many complications compared to other dog breeds. If you want your Bull Terrier to live a long and happy life, you should provide proper care. They also need a loving family and a home where they can play, sleep, and be trained properly.
How to Keep Your Bull Terrier Healthy
Just like other dog breeds and animals, Bull Terriers should receive proper care and attention to ensure that they will grow healthy and strong. Improper lifestyle can result in different health problems and even a shorter life.
Here are some of the ways on how to keep your Bull Terrier healthy and be able to live the longest life possible.
Proper Food and Nutrition
- A Bull Terrier is an energetic kind of dog. This means that they need a balanced meal that contains lots of energy-giving components.
- Protein should be the biggest component of their food to help build their muscles and fill them with the right amount of energy that they need for the day.
- You can give your Bull Terrier some portions of vegetables or plant-based food. However, the main ingredient of their food should be meat-based.
- Feed your Bull Terrier at least twice daily. The amount of food that you should give them should be based on their age, size, and weight.
- Do not overfeed your Bull Terrier to avoid obesity and other health complications.
- Avoid giving them human food as much as possible. Some of our food is not healthy for them and can even be poisonous.
Routine and Exercise
- Provide a routine and daily exercise for your Bull Terrier. Though they are so energetic and playful, they still have a tendency to be overweight.
- Exercise ensures that they have the proper muscle and fat ratio in their body, which can lessen the possible diseases that they can experience.
- They need at least 30 minutes to an hour of daily physical and mental exercise.
- A regular walk, fetch, and puzzle games can be enough as a daily routine for your Bull Terrier. If you are giving them several toys, make sure to give those simultaneously so they will not get bored.
- During your outdoor exercises, always keep him on a leash to prevent accidents.
- Make sure that their exercises are age-appropriate to prevent some injuries, especially to the joints and bones.
Training and Socialization
- Training your Bull Terrier puppy can’t only prevent accidents. It can also sharpen their mental capacity and help them live better.
- If your Bull Terrier is not trained yet, it is good to put him in a cage or crate to protect your belongings and keep him safe.
- Training and socialization also help your Bull Terrier to treat other dogs without aggression. If they are properly socialized, they can also deal with humans very well.
- Do not shout at nor hit your dog during training. Your Bull Terrier is a bit stubborn when it comes to training. So if you use negative reinforcement, then he might disobey all the more.
Regular Check-up
- Another possible way on how to allow your Bull Terrier to have a longer life is to visit a vet regularly.
- If you feel that there is something wrong with your dog, you should take him to the vet immediately and don’t attempt to give any medicine without a prescription. It can trigger an allergic reaction and may worsen the situation.
Proper Attention and Care
- Your Bull Terrier may act like a 2-year-old sometimes because it wants some attention.
- They can also feel affection from humans. In as much as they give love to their owners, they also need to receive it from you.
- Giving them proper care can also add up to their overall being and personality. If they are living in a happy family, they can also be happy and well-behaved dogs. Anxious dogs can also be a result of an anxious owner, study shows.
- Proper care and attention can also prevent your Bull Terrier from munching on things that they should not eat.
Common Health Problems of a Bull Terrier
Taking care of your Bull Terrier is not the only thing that can affect their lifespan. There are also some health problems that you should take into consideration. Here are some of the most common health complications that they may experience.
- Deafness. It can happen mostly in solid white Bull Terriers. However, it can also happen in colored Bull Terriers. Deafness is caused by their genes and it can happen even if they are still a puppy. If your puppy came from a reputable breeder, it should have undergone BAER (brain-stem auditory response) testing to ensure that they have normal hearing.
- Lens Luxation. It happens when the ligaments that hold the eye deteriorate making the lens of the eye out of its place. Some cases can be treated with surgery or medication. In severe cases, the eye needs to be totally removed.
- Hereditary Nephritis. Another breed-related and hereditary disease that can happen in a Bull Terrier is a kidney problem known as nephritis. It happens when the kidneys are not functioning well. If the kidneys did not develop well, renal dysplasia can also happen.
- Heart Disease. Bull Terriers can also have heart murmurs that can be the first sign of some serious heart complications and heart failure. It can be detected early by your vet and medication or surgery may be offered.
- Spinning. It may look like they are just playing with themselves when they are chasing their tail. However, spinning can be obsessive and may be a type of seizure. Mild spinning can be eliminated while obsessive ones should be treated.
Related Question
What Other Diseases Can Bull Terriers Have?
Bull Terriers can also experience patellar luxation if they are overweight or because of their legs’ appearance. They can also have some skin and environmental allergies. They can also experience having cherry eyes and dry eyes.
Conclusion
Bull Terrier’s average lifespan is up to 10 to 14 years. Some can live shorter than that because of their congenital disorders and lifestyle. Some Bull Terriers can live more than the average years also because of their overall upbringing and breed quality.
