Bull Terriers are very adorable dogs. They can be a good companion or good guard dogs. That is one of the reasons why many people in different parts of the world started breeding Bull Terriers. Well, how many puppies can a Bull Terrier have in one litter?
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How Many Puppies Can a Bull Terrier Have?
Bull Terriers can have an average of 5 puppies per litter. However, the number of puppies that they can have may differ because of several factors. Basically, their litter size is dependent on the breed quality and the health and age of the female and male Bull Terrier parents-to-be.
There are lots of considerations before breeding a Bull Terrier. Some countries have banned this kind of breed because of its aggression history. For this reason, you must make sure that breeding of Bull Terrier is allowed in your area before doing so.
Factors Affecting the Litter Size of a Bull Terrier
Just like any other dog, there are lots of factors affecting the litter size of a Bull Terrier. She can either give you more than 5 puppies or less depending on these things. Below are the factors that can affect the number of puppies your Bull Terrier can give.
Breed and Quality
- The number 1 factor and has the most contribution to the size of the puppy litter is the breed of the dog. There are some dog breeds that can produce up to 14 puppies in one litter or more. There are also dog breeds that can produce only 3 to 5 puppies in a litter.
- Usually, larger breeds tend to have more puppies than smaller ones. Since the Bull Terrier is considered a medium-sized breed, their litter size lies in the middle. The quality of the Bull Terrier can also affect the number of puppies that they can have.
- Bull Terriers that are raised by responsible breeders have the possibility to produce healthier and larger litter sizes.
Inbreeding
- Inbreeding means mating two closely related dog breeds, like a mother and a son Bull Terrier. This process can highlight both the negative and positive traits and even diseases of the parent dogs. That’s why inbreeding is not highly recommended. Inbreeding can also affect the litter size of your Bull Terrier.
- If the size of the litter before the inbreeding is small, there is a big chance that the next set of puppies will also be few in number. Research done in the Boyko Lab concluded that inbreeding can result in infertility, reduced lifespan, and a lesser number of puppies in a litter.
Gene Pool
- The genes of the Bull Terrier can affect not only their appearance and personality. It can also affect the number of puppies that they can produce. If their genes are not so diverse, they have a tendency to produce fewer puppies.
- Also, you cannot just look for a female or male Bull Terrier that has genes that have a history of producing many puppies. That is not a guarantee that they can always produce a big size of puppy litter.
Female Bull Terrier’s Age
- Another big factor that affects the size of the puppy litter is the maturity and age of the dam or female Bull Terrier. Female dogs’ heat cycle can start at the age of 6 months. However, they should not be allowed to get pregnant at a very young age.
- Their body is considered mature and ready to get pregnant when they reach the age of 1.5 to 2 years. This is the peak of their fertility stage and it is also the stage when their uterus is at its healthiest. You should not allow your dog to get pregnant once they are very old already.
- Expect the first batch of puppy litter to be smaller than the following litters to come. Late breeding can also be the reason for smaller litter sizes.
Female Bull Terrier’s Health
- Aside from the age, the current health of the dam is also important to consider before breeding. Some health issues coming from the mother Bull Terrier can be inherited by the puppies. Sometimes, the growth of the puppies during the gestation period will also be affected if the mother is sick.
- The health of the dam can affect the number of puppies. If she has a disease during pregnancy, some puppies may also die in the process. If your female Bull Terrier is not overweight, she has a chance to produce the healthier and bigger size puppy litter.
- Be particular when it comes to your female Bull Terrier’s diet as well – whether she is pregnant already or you’re still preparing her for pregnancy. A high-protein diet can help her to have a healthier body and puppies.
Male Bull Terrier’s Age and Health
- The age and health of the male Bull Terrier also matter and will affect the size of the litter. Immature male Bull Terriers can produce more yet immature sperm cells. While older ones will produce less and low-quality sperm cells. A male Bull Terrier should also be at its proper age before breeding.
- The recommended age for a male Bull Terrier to breed is at least 2 to 5 years old. A more mature and proven Bull Terrier can produce larger litter by fertilizing many eggs after mating.
Related Questions
How Much Is a Bull Terrier Puppy?
The average price of a Bull Terrier puppy ranges from $1,000 to $2,000. The price of a Bull Terrier puppy can increase or decrease depending on their sex, age, pedigree, popularity in your area, and breeder’s location. Premium quality puppies can cost as much as $4,500.
How Long Is the Gestation Period of a Bull Terrier?
The gestation period of a Bull Terrier can last up to 63 days from the day of conception. They can give birth earlier or later than this depending on their conception period and whether or not it’s their first time.
Conclusion
Bull Terriers can have an average of 5 puppies per litter. They can have more or less depending on many factors. These factors include the breed and its quality, the female and male Bull Terriers’ age and health, and their genes.
