Grooming!
One of the great things about Bull Terrier's is the LACK of grooming needs.
Don't get me wrong- They still need some maintenance.
How ever, its not nearly that of a Poodle, Labrador, Collie, Bull dog or Basset hound.
The fur is pretty wash and wear, plenty of times i have allowed my dogs to get down right filth, splashing through much and mud puddles and generally making pigs of themselves while out on a walk thinking "Boy am I ever gonna have a mess in the bathroom when we get home!"
Only to have most of the muck worn off by the time we get home and them looking almost good as new before the water hits them and thankfully only need to be rinsed off in warm water.
I would say my dogs only need a REAL bath about 6 times a year, otherwise a good rinse is perfectly acceptable.
Bathing:
Bull Terrier's really only need baths when they get dirty or once a month.
If your Bully has sensitive skin then rinsing in warm water without shampoo is best should they need a quick rinse of mud or dirt.
Due to Bull Terrier's skin sensitivities, a mild dog specific shampoo is better then a human baby shampoo or dish soap.
DO NOT use human shampoo or dish detergents unless you REALLY need to such as if a dog gets into some oil or similar.
for just a wash of muck or poop (Yes- it'll happen sooner or later) then a dog specific shampoo is best.
Shampooing too often can cause the skin to become dry and itchy and in dogs who are already suffering skin allergies athe last thing you want is to make things worse.
Brushing:
Bull Terrier's do not need to be brushed very often, Mostly just when they are blowing coat or shedding.
A Rubber curry brush or a “Zoom Groom” is the best brush for them.
Avoid Pin brushes as they can scratch and tear the skin causing pain.
Nail Clipping/ Grinding:
Some Bull Terrier's need there nails trimmed more often then others
My female needs hers done more often then my male does. Keeping nails trim and at a good short length is for more then just looks or for dogs who jump around.
Keeping nails trimmed is important to a dogs well being, not only can over grown nails cause pain in the feet or curl around and actually grow into the dogs paws, it can cause the dog to walk unevenly thus causing spinal problems and back pain, pain in turn can cause aggression because they are in pain and being touched in certain ways can cause a snap or growl or just plain moodiness.
You are not your cheery up beat self when you are in pain are you? why would your dog be?
Keeping the nails trim are very important to keeping them healthy and happy.
I personally recommend Nail Grinders, Ever since I bought mine I will never go back to clipping and trimming!
Grinding the nails is more accurate more comfortable to the dog
and makes the nail less sharp.
It takes time to get a dog used to the grinder- but it is worth it.
And don't bother spending an arm and a leg on a dog or cat specified grinder's, they are cheaply made and rarely work- a regular Dremel grinder works best for half the cost.
Ears:
Some Bullies are prone to chronic ear infections, this is usually caused by diet and allergies.
If your finding your Bull Terrier's ear becoming stinky, goopey or full of dirt, you would be wise to look into switching your dogs diet to a better quality and contacting your vet.
My Dogs are fed a Prey Model Raw diet and only need ears wiped out once a year- usually in the spring when pollen builds up and irritates the allergies.
Some people say to use Baby oil as it will help kill any mites that may be in the ears, Mites are relatively rare unless your dog has been around other dogs with ear mites or living in poor conditions and baby oil can cause more harm then good.
Do not use baby oil to wipe out your dogs ears as it can cause yeast infections. You would be better off to use Apple Cider Vinegar with the “Mother” (it will specify on the label:”with Mother”)
if you suspect your dog has ear mites, speak to a veterinarian about treatments.
DO NOT USE RUBBING ALCOHOL OR PEROXIDE IN THE EARS!
Eyes:
I do not often see Bull Terrier's with Tear stains, If your Bully has tear stains, again, it would be wise to look into switching diets as this is a sign of food allergies.
Eyes should be left alone other then wiping the out side corners in the morning to remove eye boogers away with a wash cloth or your finger- DON'T use soap, DON'T use vinegar, DON'T use peroxide or rubbing alcohol or ANYTHING.
Why risk blinding your dog?
If your Bull Terrier is suffering from dry eye's- CONTACT YOUR VET!
DON'T use anything made for humans unless reccomended by your Vet- it can do more harm then good.
Teeth:
Tooth care is VERY important to any dog's health, Bullies are no exception!
Some people brush there dogs teeth with a tooth brush and doggy tooth paste (NEVER USE HUMAN TOOTH PASTE IT IS TOXIC TO A DOG!)
some people use water additives that clean away plaque, some people give there dogs teeth cleaning toys and chews.
Its really up to you and your vet how you keep your dogs teeth clean but making sure you have some sort of tooth care schedule in place is a must!
Tooth care might seem like no big deal, until your Bullie is 6 or 7 years old and is suffering from tooth decay and needs a 2,000$ surgery to remove a few painfully infected teeth.
Prevent major surgery as best as you can by keeping teeth clean and checking regularly for any cracks or broken teeth.
One of the great things about Bull Terrier's is the LACK of grooming needs.
Don't get me wrong- They still need some maintenance.
How ever, its not nearly that of a Poodle, Labrador, Collie, Bull dog or Basset hound.
The fur is pretty wash and wear, plenty of times i have allowed my dogs to get down right filth, splashing through much and mud puddles and generally making pigs of themselves while out on a walk thinking "Boy am I ever gonna have a mess in the bathroom when we get home!"
Only to have most of the muck worn off by the time we get home and them looking almost good as new before the water hits them and thankfully only need to be rinsed off in warm water.
I would say my dogs only need a REAL bath about 6 times a year, otherwise a good rinse is perfectly acceptable.
Bathing:
Bull Terrier's really only need baths when they get dirty or once a month.
If your Bully has sensitive skin then rinsing in warm water without shampoo is best should they need a quick rinse of mud or dirt.
Due to Bull Terrier's skin sensitivities, a mild dog specific shampoo is better then a human baby shampoo or dish soap.
DO NOT use human shampoo or dish detergents unless you REALLY need to such as if a dog gets into some oil or similar.
for just a wash of muck or poop (Yes- it'll happen sooner or later) then a dog specific shampoo is best.
Shampooing too often can cause the skin to become dry and itchy and in dogs who are already suffering skin allergies athe last thing you want is to make things worse.
Brushing:
Bull Terrier's do not need to be brushed very often, Mostly just when they are blowing coat or shedding.
A Rubber curry brush or a “Zoom Groom” is the best brush for them.
Avoid Pin brushes as they can scratch and tear the skin causing pain.
Nail Clipping/ Grinding:
Some Bull Terrier's need there nails trimmed more often then others
My female needs hers done more often then my male does. Keeping nails trim and at a good short length is for more then just looks or for dogs who jump around.
Keeping nails trimmed is important to a dogs well being, not only can over grown nails cause pain in the feet or curl around and actually grow into the dogs paws, it can cause the dog to walk unevenly thus causing spinal problems and back pain, pain in turn can cause aggression because they are in pain and being touched in certain ways can cause a snap or growl or just plain moodiness.
You are not your cheery up beat self when you are in pain are you? why would your dog be?
Keeping the nails trim are very important to keeping them healthy and happy.
I personally recommend Nail Grinders, Ever since I bought mine I will never go back to clipping and trimming!
Grinding the nails is more accurate more comfortable to the dog
and makes the nail less sharp.
It takes time to get a dog used to the grinder- but it is worth it.
And don't bother spending an arm and a leg on a dog or cat specified grinder's, they are cheaply made and rarely work- a regular Dremel grinder works best for half the cost.
Ears:
Some Bullies are prone to chronic ear infections, this is usually caused by diet and allergies.
If your finding your Bull Terrier's ear becoming stinky, goopey or full of dirt, you would be wise to look into switching your dogs diet to a better quality and contacting your vet.
My Dogs are fed a Prey Model Raw diet and only need ears wiped out once a year- usually in the spring when pollen builds up and irritates the allergies.
Some people say to use Baby oil as it will help kill any mites that may be in the ears, Mites are relatively rare unless your dog has been around other dogs with ear mites or living in poor conditions and baby oil can cause more harm then good.
Do not use baby oil to wipe out your dogs ears as it can cause yeast infections. You would be better off to use Apple Cider Vinegar with the “Mother” (it will specify on the label:”with Mother”)
if you suspect your dog has ear mites, speak to a veterinarian about treatments.
DO NOT USE RUBBING ALCOHOL OR PEROXIDE IN THE EARS!
Eyes:
I do not often see Bull Terrier's with Tear stains, If your Bully has tear stains, again, it would be wise to look into switching diets as this is a sign of food allergies.
Eyes should be left alone other then wiping the out side corners in the morning to remove eye boogers away with a wash cloth or your finger- DON'T use soap, DON'T use vinegar, DON'T use peroxide or rubbing alcohol or ANYTHING.
Why risk blinding your dog?
If your Bull Terrier is suffering from dry eye's- CONTACT YOUR VET!
DON'T use anything made for humans unless reccomended by your Vet- it can do more harm then good.
Teeth:
Tooth care is VERY important to any dog's health, Bullies are no exception!
Some people brush there dogs teeth with a tooth brush and doggy tooth paste (NEVER USE HUMAN TOOTH PASTE IT IS TOXIC TO A DOG!)
some people use water additives that clean away plaque, some people give there dogs teeth cleaning toys and chews.
Its really up to you and your vet how you keep your dogs teeth clean but making sure you have some sort of tooth care schedule in place is a must!
Tooth care might seem like no big deal, until your Bullie is 6 or 7 years old and is suffering from tooth decay and needs a 2,000$ surgery to remove a few painfully infected teeth.
Prevent major surgery as best as you can by keeping teeth clean and checking regularly for any cracks or broken teeth.