Bull Terrier mix breed dogs are often loyal, loving, tenacious and bold. The iconic Bull Terrier has a long face, patchy fur and a domed head, but your typical Bull Terrier mix doesn’t always inherit these classic looks. They are usually medium build, short coated and relatively high shedders. Today we’ll look at a variety of Bull Terrier mixes, what characteristics they can be expected to have and how well they fit into family homes as pets.
Contents
- How big are Bull Terrier mixes?
- Bull Terrier mix temperament and behaviors
- Do Bull Terrier mixes shed a lot?
- Health and lifespan
- Meet the Bull Terrier mixed breeds
The Bull Terrier has become a staple of mainstream life today, thanks to more than one multinational corporation’s choice of the breed as spokesdogs! But Target and Bud Light certainly aren’t the first to discover these sociable, sturdy, personable pups! In fact, the Bull Terrier has been hobnobbing in high society since the late 19th century. In this article, meet some of the most popular Bull Terrier mix dogs.
Bull Terrier Mix Size
The Standard Bull Terrier weighs between 50 and 70 pounds and stands up to 22 inches tall. The Miniature Bull Terrier weighs 18 to 28 pounds and stands 10 to 14 inches tall. The height and weight of your puppy when full grown will depend on which Bull Terrier type their parent is, but also how large their other parent breed is. They could be a similar size to either parent, or somewhere in between.
Are Bull Terrier Mixes Friendly?
The Bull Terrier comes to us courtesy of an original hybrid dog pairing between an English Bulldog and, it is thought, an English White Terrier, with perhaps just a splash of Dalmatian also added in. What is important to know about today’s Bull Terrier is that this pup inherits both the Bulldog’s amiable, calm disposition along with the terrier’s spirited, fiery temperament.
Bull Terrier Mix Coat Care and Shedding
The Bull Terrier has a short, neat, flat coat that needs only weekly brushing and the occasional bath to maintain. However, this dog can shed! Expect more shedding at the changing of the seasons and light shedding year-round. Even when bred together with a curly coated dog like the Poodle, the Bull Terrier cross is unlikely to be allergy friendly.
Are Bull Terrier Mixes Healthy?
The Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) recommends that Standard Bull Terrier parent dogs be pretested for patellar luxation, heart and kidney issues, and congenital deafness. CHIC recommends that Miniature Bull Terrier parent dogs be pretested for the same issues. Researchers have recently identified another genetic health issue called lethal acrodermatitis (LAD), affecting both breeds of Bull Terriers.
Bull Terriers of both sizes and breeds can be particularly affected by genetic obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) which can manifest in tail chasing, spinning in place, and other repetitive behaviors. It’s possible for their hybrid puppies to inherit any of these conditions, or issues related to their other parent breed.
Are Mixed Breeds Healthier?
Hybrid breeding programs have contributed to the development of some of the most beloved modern purebred dog breeds – including the Bull Terrier! But over the decades, breeding to strict appearance or temperament standards has created some known heritable health conditions in many purebred dog breeds.
For this reason, many of today’s hybrid breeding programs have a different focus. That is preservation of purebred dog health. It is thought that hybrid breeding can infuse new genetic diversity to strengthen health for future generations (a theory called hybrid vigor).
How Long Do Bull Terrier Mixes Live?
The Standard Bull Terrier’s typical life expectancy is 12 to 13 years. The Miniature Bull Terrier’s lifespan is 11 to 13 years. Your Bull Terrier cross’ lifespan will vary depending on the health of their other parent too, so it could be far shorter or a little longer.
Bull Terrier Mix Breeds
Here are some of the most popular Bull Terrier hybrid breeds. We’ll dive into each one to help you compare them and decide which is the best fit for your lifestyle, home and family.
- Bull Terrier American Pit Bull Terrier Mix
- American Staffordshire Terrier Bull Terrier Cross
- Bull Terrier Australian Cattle Dog Mix(Bull Terrier Heeler)
- Australian Shepherd Bull Terrier Cross
- Bull Terrier Beagle Mix
- Boston Terrier Bull Terrier
- Bull Terrier Boxer Mix
- Bulldog Bull Terrier Mix (BD Terrier)
- Bull Terrier Chihuahua Mix (Bullhuahua Terrier)
- Chinese Shar-Pei Bull Terrier Cross
- Bull Terrier Chow Chow Mix
- Dalmatian Bull Terrier
- Bull Terrier German Shepherd Mix
- Jack Russell Terrier Bull Terrier (Bully Jack Terrier)
- Bull Terrier Labrador Retriever Mix
- Miniature Pinscher Bull Terrier Cross
- Bull Terrier Miniature Schnauzer Mix
- Pug Bull Terrier
- Bull Terrier Rottweiler Mix (Rottbull)
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier Bull Terrier
American Pitbull Terrier Bull Terrier Mix
This affectionate, friendly, and protective mix breed dog has an adult weight range of 30 to 70 pounds and a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. Your dog will shed year-round and seasonally but will have an easy-to-maintain short, neat coat.
Be sure to check with your state’s dog laws (as well as with your insurance carrier) before inviting a Pitbull mix dog into your family. These dogs are not permitted in all areas.
American Staffordshire Terrier Bull Terrier Mix
This dog will weigh 45 to 70 pounds in adulthood with a life expectancy of 12 to 16 years. This dog is likely to make an excellent family guard dog as well as a loyal and affectionate companion canine.
Expect some moderate shedding year-round and seasonally. To avoid preventable heartache, double-check your homeowner’s insurance policy and your state’s dog laws before making a commitment to this dog.
Bull Terrier Australian Cattle Dog Mix (Bull Terrier Heeler)
The Bull Terrier Heeler will weigh 35 to 70 pounds with a lifespan of 12 to 16 years. This dog may not be the best choice for families with young children due to the Blue Heeler parent’s strong herding and heel-nipping instincts. Expect moderate year-round and heavier seasonal shedding with this pup.
Australian Shepherd Bull Terrier Mix
The Australian Shepherd Bull Terrier mix will weigh 40 to 70 pounds and live 12 to 15 years on average. This dog inherits natural smarts, courage, and strong protective instincts from both parents. Expect more brushing duties and shedding because of the Aussie parent’s long, lush coat.
Beagle Bull Terrier Mix
Your Beagle Bull Terrier mix dog will likely weigh 20 to 70 pounds in adulthood and have a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years. While this dog is likely to make a half-hearted guard dog at best, you can expect a devoted and cheery family companion. This dog will shed somewhat year-round and more heavily seasonally.
Bull Terrier Boston Terrier Mix
The Boston Terrier Bull Terrier will weigh 12 to 70 pounds and live 11 to 13 years. This dog will shed somewhat year-round and seasonally and should inherit a smart, friendly, lively temperament from both parent dogs.
This pup will inherit the brachycephalic (flat-faced) muzzle shape from the Boston Terrier parent. In other words, be prepared for potential health problems.
Boxer Bull Terrier Mix
This dog will weigh 50 to 80 pounds and live 10 to 13 years. The Boxer Bull Terrier will be smart, funny, and very loving towards “their” people. This dog is likely to be a very good family guardian and protector with appropriate training.
Expect some year-round shedding. The Boxer Bull Terrier will be influenced to some degree by the shortened muzzle shape characteristic of the Boxer parent. Therefore, be careful of overworking them in hot weather.
Bull Terrier Bulldog Mix (BD Terrier)
The friendly, sociable, and moderately active BD Terrier will weigh 40 to 70 pounds and live 8 to 13 years. This dog will shed moderately year-round and seasonally. The BD Terrier will likely be affected at some level by the Bulldog’s short, flat (brachycephalic) muzzle shape.
Chihuahua Bull Terrier Mix (Bullhuahua Terrier)
The Bullhuahua Terrier may weigh as little as 3 pounds or as much as 70 pounds. This dog’s life expectancy is 12 to 16 years.
They are likely to have an outsized personality for a smaller pup, along with an easy-to-maintain and lightly shedding coat. Your Bullhuahua Terrier puppy will be influenced by the Chihuahua parent’s flat-faced (brachycephalic) muzzle shape.
Bull Terrier Shar-Pei Mix
Your Chinese Shar-Pei Terrier mix will weigh 45 to 70 pounds and live 8 to 13 years. This dog is likely to make an excellent, protective family guard dog.
You can also expect mild year-round shedding. This dog may inherit some of the special health needs of the Shar-Pei parent dog, with this breed’s unique deep skin wrinkles and folds.
Chow Chow Bull Terrier Mix
This dog will weigh 45 to 70 pounds with a lifespan of 8 to 13 years. The Chow Chow Bull Terrier will be dignified and loyal to you with strong protective and guarding instincts when presented with strange animals and people.
Your Chow Chow Bull Terrier may inherit some special health needs due to the Chow parent’s deep skin folds. Be sure to check with your homeowner’s insurance and state dog laws before making a commitment to care for a Chow mix dog. These pups also aren’t permitted in every area.
Bull Terrier Dalmatian Mix
Your Dalmatian Bull Terrier will weigh anywhere from 45 to 70 pounds with a lifespan of 11 to 13 years. This dog will be smart and energetic with strong guarding and protective instincts.
Also expect plenty of shedding from this pup. The Dalmatian Bull Terrier may be affected by known issues with congenital (inherited) deafness from both parent dogs.
German Shepherd Bull Terrier Mix
The German Shepherd Terrier mix will weigh 50 to 90 pounds in adulthood with a lifespan of 7 to 13 years. This is a pup that is likely to make an excellent working K-9 and guard dog with appropriate and ongoing training and socialization.
This dog will shed year-round and more heavily seasonally, due to the German Shepherd parent’s influence.
Bull Terrier Jack Russell Terrier Mix (Bully Jack Terrier)
Your Bully Jack Terrier will weigh 14 to 70 pounds with a life expectancy of 12 to 16 years. You may find this dog is best kept as an only dog, unless you bring two pups into your family at the same time. However, your Bully Jack Terrier will be a fine guard dog in adulthood.
This dog will shed year-round, but simple brushing and the occasional bath is sufficient for coat maintenance.
Labrador Retriever Bull Terrier Mix
The Labrador Retriever Bull Terrier will weigh anywhere from 50 to 80 pounds and live 10 to 13 years. This will be an interesting mix between the protective terrier temperament and the famously friendly Lab. This dog will shed year-round and much more heavily during the seasonal coat blow.
Bull Terrier Miniature Pinscher Mix
This diminutive pup will weigh anywhere from 8 to 70 pounds and live 12 to 16 years. This dog is going to be a great guard dog as well as a confident companion with a big dog personality.
The Miniature Pinscher Bull Terrier will have a short, neat coat that is easy to maintain but will shed year-round.
Miniature Schnauzer Bull Terrier Mix
The Miniature Schnauzer Bull Terrier mix will weigh 11 to 70 pounds and live 12 to 15 years. Both parents hail from the terrier group, which can make for an energetic and tireless worker and a brave guard dog as well as a loyal companion.
This dog will definitely come with regular brushing and grooming duties thanks to the Schnauzer parent.
Bull Terrier Pug Mix
The Pug Bull Terrier will have an adult weight range of 14 to 70 pounds with a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. This dog will shed moderately year-round and seasonally.
The Pug Bull Terrier will receive the brachycephalic (flat-faced) muzzle shape from the Pug parent dog, which may present some special health issues.
Rottweiler Bull Terrier Mix (Rottbull)
The Rottbull brings together two former fighting breeds who have become popular companion canines. Both dogs contribute personalities that are lovable, loyal, and very playful.
This dog will weigh 50 to 135 pounds and have a life expectancy of 9 to 13 years. You can expect mild year-round and some seasonal shedding from your Rottweiler Terrier mix.
Bull Terrier Staffordshire Bull Terrier Mix
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier carries the unofficial nickname of “nanny dog” for their patience with kids. This dog can weigh 24 to 70 pounds with a lifespan of 12 to 14 years. Expect mild shedding year-round and perhaps more seasonally.
This dog will inherit the traditionally spicy terrier temperament along with the sweet nature of both parents, making early socialization and training a key to a happy family life.
Are Bull Terrier Mixes Good Pets?
Depending upon which breed they are mixed with, these pups can make amazing family pets. Just make sure that both parents are health tested and from happy, friendly breeds.
Let us know your favorite mix in the comments below.
References
- Peakin et al. “A Brief History,” The Bull Terrier Club, 2015.
- Bellumori et al. “Prevalence of inherited disorders among mixed-breed and purebred dogs: 27,254 cases (1995–2010),” 2013.
- Risio et al. “Prevalence, heritability and genetic correlations of congenital sensorineural deafness and coat pigmentation phenotype in the English bull terrier,” BMC Veterinary Research Journal, 2016.
- Kilkenny et al. “Training an MBT,” Miniature Bull Terrier Club of America, 2019.
- Bauer, A. “Genetic cause of deadly skin condition afflicting bull terriers discovered,” Science Daily, 2018.
- Tiira et al. “Environmental Effects on Compulsive Tail Chasing in Dogs,” PLOS One Journal, 2012.
- Karrlson et al. “Scientists identify genes linked with OCD…in dogs,” BMC Journal, 2014.
Adrian says
Can my mini bull terrier female be mixed with a normal male bull terrier?