Are Bull Terriers Good Dogs? What Science Says

Last Updated: Nov 22, 2022

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Introduction to the Temperament of the Bull Terrier

The are many descriptions of the temperament of the Bull Terrier out there. However, most of these descriptions are difficult to verify or prove. They are based on mere speculations.

In this article, we will provide a factual description of the temperament of the Bull Terrier based on solid scientific research. This will give you a better understanding of what you can expect from the Bull Terrier breed.

We obtained our description of the temperament of Bull Terrier by analyzing raw scientific data from The Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) database.

The C-BARQ dog temperament standard was developed by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania. It is considered the gold standard for measuring the behavior of dogs.

Over the years, the C-BARQ study has collected data on the temperament of thousands of dogs of different breeds including the Bull Terrier.

The C-BARQ study obtains its data by asking dog owners to score the behavior of their dogs on different behavior patterns.

The idea behind the C-BARQ study is that if it collects thousands of scores from thousands of dog owners on different aspects of dog behavior, a clear pattern will emerge on the temperament of different dog breeds.

The C-BARQ questionnaire measures 14 behavior aspects of dogs:

  1. Aggression towards stranger
  2. Aggression towards its owner
  3. Aggression towards other dogs
  4. How well they get along with other dogs
  5. Fear of strangers
  6. Fear of new things (new objects, unfamiliar loud sounds, etc)
  7. Fear of other dogs
  8. Separation anxiety
  9. Clinginess
  10. Trainability/ Stubbornness
  11. Prey drive
  12. Excitability
  13. Touch sensitivity
  14. Energy level

In this article, we will discuss the score of the Bull Terrier for each of these 14 characteristics. This will let you know the real temperament of the Bull Terrier.

The summary table below shows the score of the Bull Terrier for the different behavioral characteristics.

High percentage scores close to 100 are bad. Low percentage scores close to 0 are good.

Behavior Score
Dog Directed Aggression 75.2 percent
Energy Level 68.2 percent
Stubbornness 55.2 percent
Separation Related Behavior 51.5 percent
Prey Drive 44.3 percent
Dog Directed Fear 43.8 percent
Owner Directed Aggression 41.0 percent
Dog Rivalry 38.8 percent
Stranger Directed Aggression 36.5 percent
Touch Sensitivity 29.7 percent
Excitability 29.1 percent
Attachment Attention Seeking 23.3 percent
Nonsocial Fear 15.7 percent
Stranger Directed Fear 14.0 percent

Note that with proper training, you can better your Bull Terrier`s temperament. To learn how to properly train your Bull Terrier, I highly recommend that you go through Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.

I learned most of the things that I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.

Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Bull Terrier.

See also our complete ranking of dog breeds from the `best` to the `worst` based on temperament.

Are Bull Terriers Aggressive Towards Strangers?

Dog breeds that are aggressive to strangers show hostile responses to strangers approaching or invading the dog`s or the dog owner`s personal space, territory, or home range.

Stranger-aggressive dog breeds are quick to show aggression to unfamiliar people.

Typical signs of moderate aggression in dogs include barking, growling, and baring of teeth. More serious display of aggression generally includes snapping, lunging, biting, or attempting to bite.

Bull Terriers are somewhat aggressive towards strangers.

This is because the Bull Terrier ranks average for aggression towards strangers.

The Bull Terrier ranks number 50 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards strangers.

This information is based on what 12 Bull Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Bull Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Bull Terrier has a stranger-directed-aggression score of 36.5 %.

Other dog breeds that are somewhat aggressive towards strangers just like the Bull Terrier are listed in the table below

Stranger-Directed-Aggression Rank Breed Stranger-Directed-Aggression Score
47 Redbone Coonhound 38.8 %
48 Rottweiler 36.8 %
49 Afghan Hound 36.5 %
50 Bull Terrier 36.5 %
51 American Bulldog 36.3 %
52 Great Pyrenees 36.0 %
53 Border Collie 35.2 %

The dog breeds that are most aggressive towards strangers are the:

  1. American Eskimo Dog
  2. Dachshund
  3. Miniature Pinscher
  4. Dachshund (Miniature)
  5. Miniature Schnauzer

The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards strangers are the:

  1. Siberian Husky
  2. Greyhound
  3. Irish Wolfhound
  4. Samoyed
  5. Black and Tan Coonhound

Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most stranger-aggressive breed to the least stranger-aggressive breed.

Temperament of the Bull Terrier

Are Bull Terriers Aggressive Towards their Owners?

Due to human effort over the course of many centuries, the dog has become a very domestic animal. Dogs have learned to live well with humans. As a result, dogs respect and love their owners. Nevertheless, some dog breeds are less respectful to their owners than some other dog breeds.

Owner-aggressive dog breeds show threatening or hostile responses to their owner or other members of the household when challenged, manhandled, stared at, stepped over, or when approached while in possession of food, objects, or toys.

A dog that is owner-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite their owners.

Bull Terriers are very much aggressive towards their owners.

This is because the Bull Terrier ranks very high for aggression towards its owner.

The Bull Terrier ranks number 15 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards their owners.

This information is based on what 12 Bull Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Bull Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Bull Terrier has an owner-directed-aggression score of 41.0 %.

Other dog breeds that are very much owner-aggressive just like the Bull Terrier are listed in the table below

Owner-Directed-Aggression Rank Breed Owner-Directed-Aggression Score
12 Fox Terrier (Toy) 45.5 %
13 Basset Hound 43.2 %
14 Beagle 41.6 %
15 Bull Terrier 41.0 %
16 Dachshund 40.0 %
17 Cairn Terrier 38.2 %
18 Chihuahua 36.7 %

The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards their owners are the:

  1. Pekingese
  2. Basenji
  3. Australian Silky Terrier
  4. Lhasa Apso
  5. Alaskan Husky

The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards their owners are the:

  1. Chinook
  2. Pointer
  3. Irish Water Spaniel
  4. Rhodesian Ridgeback
  5. Italian Greyhound

Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most aggressive to their owners to the ones that are least aggressive to their owners.

Are Bull Terriers Aggressive Towards other Dogs?

Dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs will direct aggressive threats or actions toward unknown or unfamiliar dogs.

A dog-aggressive dog will threaten or show hostile responses when approached by unfamiliar dogs

A dog that is dog-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite other dogs.

Bull Terriers are very much aggressive towards other dogs.

This is because the Bull Terrier ranks very high for aggression towards other dogs.

The Bull Terrier ranks number 8 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards other dogs.

This information is based on what 12 Bull Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Bull Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Bull Terrier has a dog-directed aggression score of 75.2 %.

Other dog breeds that are very much dog-aggressive just like the Bull Terrier are listed in the table below

Dog-Directed-Aggression Rank Breed Dog-Directed-Aggression Score
5 Dachshund 81.3 %
6 Akita 80.9 %
7 Alaskan Malamute 76.1 %
8 Bull Terrier 75.2 %
9 Miniature Schnauzer 75.1 %
10 Australian Silky Terrier 74.9 %
11 Fox Terrier (Wire/Wire-haired) 73.0 %

The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards other dogs are the:

  1. American Eskimo Dog
  2. Parson Russell Terrier
  3. Chinese Crested
  4. Pit Bull mix
  5. Dachshund

The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards other dogs are the:

  1. Pointer
  2. Black and Tan Coonhound
  3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
  4. Irish Wolfhound
  5. Keeshond

Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most aggressive to other dogs to the ones that are least aggressive to other dogs.

Personality of the Bull Terrier

Are Bull Terriers Afraid of Strangers?

Some dogs breeds tend to be fearful of strangers.

Dogs that are fearful of strangers will avoid strangers. These dogs will crouch, cringe, or tremble when approached by strangers.

Extreme fear in dogs is characterized by serious attempts to escape or hide from the feared stranger.

Bull Terriers are not fearful of strangers.

This is because the Bull Terrier ranks very low for fear of strangers.

The Bull Terrier ranks number 97 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of strangers.

This information is based on what 12 Bull Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Bull Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Bull Terrier has a stranger-directed-fear score of 14.0 %.

Other dog breeds that are not stranger-fearful just like the Bull Terrier are listed in the table below

Stranger-Directed-Fear Rank Breed Stranger-Directed-Fear Score
94 Brittany 15.3 %
95 Pembroke Welsh Corgi 14.9 %
96 Kuvasz 14.5 %
97 Bull Terrier 14.0 %
98 Samoyed 13.6 %
99 Collie 13.0 %
100 Labrador Retriever 12.8 %

The dog breeds that show the most fear of strangers are the:

  1. Dachshund (Miniature)
  2. Chinese Crested
  3. American Eskimo Dog
  4. Italian Greyhound
  5. Chihuahua

The dog breeds that are least fearful of strangers are the:

  1. Old English Sheepdog
  2. Irish Wolfhound
  3. Norwegian Elkhound
  4. Siberian Husky
  5. Giant Schnauzer

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most fearful of strangers to the ones that are least fearful to strangers.

Are Bull Terriers Afraid of Other Dogs?

Some dogs breeds tend to show fear when an unfamiliar dog approaches them.

A dog that is fearful of other dogs will try to avoid meeting other dogs.

Bull Terriers are quite a bit fearful of other dogs.

This is because the Bull Terrier ranks high for fear of other dogs.

The Bull Terrier ranks number 42 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of other dogs.

This information is based on what 12 Bull Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Bull Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Bull Terrier has a dog-directed-fear score of 43.8 %.

Other dog breeds that are quite a bit other-dog-fearful just like the Bull Terrier are listed in the table below

Dog-Directed-Fear Rank Breed Dog-Directed-Fear Score
39 Australian Cattle Dog 48.3 %
40 Border Collie 46.8 %
41 Afghan Hound 46.1 %
42 Bull Terrier 43.8 %
43 Weimaraner 43.6 %
44 Staffordshire Bull Terrier 43.4 %
45 Flat-Coated Retriever 43.3 %

The dog breeds that are most fearful of other dogs are the:

  1. Dachshund (Miniature)
  2. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  3. Chinese Crested
  4. Chihuahua
  5. Lhasa Apso

The dog breeds that are least fearful of other dogs are the:

  1. Giant Schnauzer
  2. Ibizan Hound
  3. Eurasier
  4. Kuvasz
  5. Borzoi

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most fearful of other dogs to the ones that are least fearful of other dogs.

Is the Bull Terrier a good pet

Do Bull Terriers Have Non-Social Fears?

Dogs that are fearful of sudden or loud noises, traffic, and unfamiliar objects and situations are said to exhibit nonsocial fear.

Bull Terriers are not fearful of unfamiliar sounds, situations, and objects.

This is because the Bull Terrier ranks very low for non-social fear.

The Bull Terrier ranks number 103 out of 124 dog breeds for being fearful of unfamiliar things and situations.

This information is based on what 12 Bull Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Bull Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Bull Terrier has a nonsocial-fear score of 15.7 %.

Other dog breeds that are not nonsocial-fearful just like the Bull Terrier are listed in the table below

Nonsocial-Fear Rank Breed Nonsocial-Fear Score
100 Basset Hound 17.5 %
101 Airedale Terrier 17.2 %
102 Anatolian Shepherd 16.5 %
103 Bull Terrier 15.7 %
104 Bouvier des Flandres 15.2 %
105 Norwegian Elkhound 15.1 %
106 Gordon Setter 15.0 %

The dog breeds that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:

  1. Australian Silky Terrier
  2. Dingo
  3. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  4. English Bulldog
  5. Italian Greyhound

The dog breeds that are least fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:

  1. Giant Schnauzer
  2. Siberian Husky
  3. Irish Setter
  4. Kuvasz
  5. Borzoi

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations to the ones least fearful of unfamiliar situations.

Do Bull Terriers Get Along Well With Other Dogs?

Some dog breeds display high dog rivalry. These dog breeds will threaten or act hostile to other familiar dogs in the same household.

These dog breeds will compete with other dogs. Also, these dog breeds do not get along well with other dogs.

Bull Terriers are somewhat competitive when dealing with other dogs.

This is because the Bull Terrier ranks average on dog rivalry.

The Bull Terrier ranks number 60 out of 124 dog breeds for displaying dog rivalry when dealing with familiar dogs.

This information is based on what 12 Bull Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Bull Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Bull Terrier has a dog-rivalry score of 38.8 %.

Other dog breeds that are somewhat competition-driven just like the Bull Terrier are listed in the table below

Dog-Rivalry Rank Breed Dog-Rivalry Score
57 Ibizan Hound 42.0 %
58 Basset Hound 40.2 %
59 American Staffordshire Terrier 39.1 %
60 Bull Terrier 38.8 %
61 German Shepherd 38.6 %
62 American Pit Bull Terrier 38.3 %
63 Pit Bull 38.3 %

The dog breeds that do not get along well with other dogs are the:

  1. Miniature Pinscher
  2. Parson Russell Terrier
  3. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  4. French Bulldog
  5. Treeing Walker Coonhound

The dog breeds that get along well with other dogs are the:

  1. Chinook
  2. Saint Bernard
  3. Norwegian Elkhound
  4. Italian Greyhound
  5. Scottish Terrier

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how well they get along with other dog breeds.

The Bull Terrier. Is it aggressive?

Are Bull Terriers Easy to Train?

Dogs have high trainability have the willingness to listen to their owner. These dogs are not stubborn. These dogs obey simple commands, and they learn very quickly.

Highly trainable dogs excel at fetching objects. They also respond positively to correction and ignore distraction.

Bull Terriers are not easy to train.

This is because the Bull Terrier ranks very low for trainability.

The Bull Terrier ranks number 112 out of 124 dog breeds for easiness to train.

This information is based on what 12 Bull Terrier owners reported on the trainability of their Bull Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Bull Terrier has a trainability score of 44.8 %.

Other dog breeds that are not easy to train just like the Bull Terrier are listed in the table below

Trainability Rank Breed Trainability Score
109 Beagle 45.3 %
110 Yorkshire Terrier 45.1 %
111 Greyhound 44.9 %
112 Bull Terrier 44.8 %
113 Fox Terrier (Wire/Wire-haired) 43.7 %
114 Borzoi 42.0 %
115 English Bulldog 40.9 %

The dog breeds that are most easy to train are the:

  1. Belgian Tervuren
  2. Belgian Malinois
  3. Border Collie
  4. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
  5. Irish Water Spaniel

The dog breeds that are difficult to train are the:

  1. Dingo
  2. Treeing Walker Coonhound
  3. Basenji
  4. Afghan Hound
  5. Pekingese

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are easiest to train to the ones that are most difficult to train.

Learn more about how intelligent the Bull Terrier is and how the intelligence of the Bull Terrier affects its trainability in this article on how smart the Bull Terrier is.

Do Bull Terriers Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?

Dog breeds that have high chase-drive will run after (chase) cats, birds, and/or other small animals, given the opportunity.

Bull Terriers are a little bit into chasing after other smaller pets like cats, squirrels, chickens, and birds.

This is because the Bull Terrier ranks low for small-pet-chasing.

The Bull Terrier ranks number 76 out of 124 dog breeds for chasing after smaller pets.

This information is based on what 12 Bull Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Bull Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Bull Terrier has a chasing score of 44.3 %.

Other dog breeds that are a little bit into chasing after smaller pets just like the Bull Terrier are listed in the table below

Chasing Rank Breed Chasing Score
73 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 45.4 %
74 Cardigan Welsh Corgi 45.0 %
75 Portuguese Water Dog 44.6 %
76 Bull Terrier 44.3 %
77 Rottweiler 44.3 %
78 Yorkshire Terrier 43.5 %
79 Norwegian Elkhound 42.8 %

The dog breeds that like chasing after cats and other smaller pets are the:

  1. Basenji
  2. Dingo
  3. Ibizan Hound
  4. Parson Russell Terrier
  5. Borzoi

The dog breeds that will not chase after cats and other smaller pets are the:

  1. Pug
  2. Bulldog
  3. Shih Tzu
  4. Bernese Mountain Dog
  5. Great Pyrenees

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their prey drive.

Things to know before getting the Bull Terrier

Do Bull Terriers Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?

Some dog breeds like to stay close to their owners all the time. These dogs like attention, and they like to receive the affection of their owners.

These dogs get jealous when their owners give attention to other dogs or other people instead of them.

Dogs with these traits are described as attachment/attention-seeking.

Bull Terriers are not attachment/attention-seeking.

This is because the Bull Terrier ranks very low for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.

The Bull Terrier ranks number 111 out of 124 dog breeds for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.

This information is based on what 12 Bull Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Bull Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Bull Terrier has an attachment/attention-seeking score of 23.3 %.

Other dog breeds that are not attachment/attention-seeking just like the Bull Terrier are listed in the table below

Attachment-Attention-Seeking Rank Breed Attachment-Attention-Seeking Score
108 Akita 27.8 %
109 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 26.2 %
110 Samoyed 24.7 %
111 Bull Terrier 23.3 %
112 Great Pyrenees 21.6 %
113 Irish Wolfhound 21.1 %
114 Cairn Terrier 21.0 %

The dog breeds that are always seeking the attention of their owners are the:

  1. Poodle (Toy)
  2. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  3. Australian Silky Terrier
  4. Australian Cattle Dog
  5. American Eskimo Dog

The dog breeds that are aloof are the:

  1. Norwegian Elkhound
  2. Borzoi
  3. Kuvasz
  4. English Setter
  5. Chow Chow

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their clinginess.

Do Bull Terriers have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?

Dog breeds that have separation anxiety do not like to be left alone.

These dog breeds tend to bark and destroy things when separated from their owners.

They become restless or lose their appetite when left alone.

Bull Terriers are quite a bit prone to developing separation anxiety.

This is because the Bull Terrier ranks high for separation anxiety relative to other dog breeds.

The Bull Terrier ranks number 31 out of 124 dog breeds for separation anxiety.

This information is based on what 12 Bull Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Bull Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Bull Terrier has a separation anxiety score of 51.5 %.

Other dog breeds that are quite a bit prone to develop separation anxiety just like the Bull Terrier are listed in the table below

Separation-Related-Behavior Rank Breed Separation-Related-Behavior Score
28 Cardigan Welsh Corgi 53.0 %
29 Pit Bull mix 52.3 %
30 German Shorthaired Pointer 51.7 %
31 Bull Terrier 51.5 %
32 American Pit Bull Terrier 51.4 %
33 Basset Hound 51.0 %
34 Jack Russell Terrier 50.8 %

The dog breeds that are most prone to develop separation anxiety are listed below. These dog breeds do not like to be left alone. These dog breeds are the:

  1. Treeing Walker Coonhound
  2. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  3. Chinese Crested
  4. Miniature Pinscher
  5. Australian Silky Terrier

The dog breeds that are least prone to develop separation anxiety are the:

  1. Kuvasz
  2. Borzoi
  3. Giant Schnauzer
  4. Eurasier
  5. Bernese Mountain Dog

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their tendency to develop separation anxiety.

Temperament Profile of the Bull Terrier

Are Bull Terriers Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?

Dogs that are touch-sensitive are fearful of `painful` procedures such as bathing, grooming, nail clipping, and veterinary examinations.

These dogs do not like going through these `painful` procedures, and they will react to show they do not like the procedure.

Bull Terriers are somewhat touch-sensitive.

This is because the Bull Terrier ranks average for touch sensitivity.

The Bull Terrier ranks number 56 out of 124 dog breeds for touch sensitivity.

This information is based on what 12 Bull Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Bull Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Bull Terrier has a touch-sensitivity score of 29.7 %.

Other dog breeds that are somewhat touch-sensitive just like the Bull Terrier are listed in the table below

Touch-Sensitivity Rank Breed Touch-Sensitivity Score
53 Standard Schnauzer 31.0 %
54 Pomeranian 30.6 %
55 American Bulldog 29.8 %
56 Bull Terrier 29.7 %
57 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 29.3 %
58 Brittany 28.5 %
59 Miniature Schnauzer 28.5 %

The dog breeds that are most touch-sensitive are the:

  1. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  2. Miniature Pinscher
  3. Pekingese
  4. Australian Silky Terrier
  5. Chihuahua

The dog breeds that are least touch-sensitive are the:

  1. Kuvasz
  2. Borzoi
  3. Pointer
  4. Gordon Setter
  5. Portuguese Water Dog

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their sensitivity to touch.

Are Bull Terriers Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?

Excitable dog or hyper dog breeds display strong reactions to potentially exciting or arousing events, such as:

  • going for walks
  • car trips
  • sound of the doorbell
  • arrival of visitors, and
  • the owner arriving home

Highly excitable dog breeds have difficulty settling down after arousal.

Bull Terriers are not hyper (excitable).

This is because the Bull Terrier ranks very low for excitability.

The Bull Terrier ranks number 103 out of 124 dog breeds for excitability.

This information is based on what 12 Bull Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Bull Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Bull Terrier has an excitability score of 29.1 %.

Other dog breeds that are not excitable just like the Bull Terrier are listed in the table below

Excitability Rank Breed Excitability Score
100 Chow Chow 31.4 %
101 Basenji 31.3 %
102 Shiba Inu 29.5 %
103 Bull Terrier 29.1 %
104 Mastiff (English) 28.9 %
105 Akita 27.8 %
106 Lhasa Apso 27.4 %

The dog breeds that are most hyper (excitable) are the:

  1. Australian Silky Terrier
  2. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  3. American Eskimo Dog
  4. Parson Russell Terrier
  5. Miniature Schnauzer

The dog breeds that are least hyper (excitable) are the:

  1. Borzoi
  2. Samoyed
  3. Great Pyrenees
  4. Italian Greyhound
  5. Anatolian Shepherd

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how hyper they are.

The Bull Terrier

Are Bull Terriers Playful? What is the Energy Level of Bull Terriers

Energetic dog breeds are very playful dog breeds. These are the dog breeds that do not get tired easily.

Bull Terriers are quite a bit energetic.

This is because the Bull Terrier ranks high for energy level.

The Bull Terrier ranks number 34 out of 124 dog breeds for energy level.

This information is based on what 12 Bull Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Bull Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Bull Terrier has an energy-level score of 68.2 %.

Other dog breeds that are quite a bit energetic just like the Bull Terrier are listed in the table below

Energy-Level Rank Breed Energy-Level Score
31 Chesapeake Bay Retriever 70.1 %
32 Fox Terrier (Wire/Wire-haired) 68.9 %
33 Australian Shepherd 68.5 %
34 Bull Terrier 68.2 %
35 American Pit Bull Terrier 68.2 %
36 Rat Terrier 68.1 %
37 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 67.5 %

The dog breeds that are most playful and most energetic are the:

  1. Belgian Malinois
  2. Belgian Tervuren
  3. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  4. German Shorthaired Pointer
  5. Ibizan Hound

The dog breeds that are laziest are the:

  1. Kuvasz
  2. Anatolian Shepherd
  3. Greyhound
  4. Great Pyrenees
  5. Pekingese

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most energetic to the least energetic.

Conclusion on Bull Terrier Temperament

The temperament of your Bull Terrier comes from a combination of its genetics and what environment your Bull Terrier is exposed to.

You cannot change your Bull Terrier`s gene but you can change the things you expose your Bull Terrier to.

Exposing your Bull Terrier to dog training sessions early in its life can help you mold the temperament of your Bull Terrier to what you desire.

Again, with proper training, you can better your Bull Terrier`s temperament. To learn how to properly train a dog, I highly recommend Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.

I learned most of the things I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.

Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Bull Terrier.

If you think the Bull Terrier is the right dog breed for you, see our article on how much Bull Terriers cost and Bull Terrier puppy buying guide.

Also, see our list of reputable Bull Terrier breeders in the United States and the prices of their Bull Terrier puppies.