English Bull Terrier in the Family

Fancy inviting a rescue English Bull Terrier to join the family?

Then here’s some advice from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA). It applies to all dogs, but is particularly relevant for big, strong muscular specimens like the EBT.

Meet the parents

First of all, they say, you should go and meet the mother. Preferably the father, too, if he’s around. Always be suspicious of breeders who are unwilling to let prospective doggie owners meet the dam and the sire.

Check the parents’ temperament and don’t pick out the tiniest puppy because you feel sorry for him, or the one with the round fat tummy because he looks so cute. The runt of the litter could be tiny because he has problems feeding. The one with the huge tummy could have worms. It’s also wise to check the rear end of each puppy for signs of diarrhoea. Puppies with runny eyes and noses or a cough should also be investigated.

All of these problems can be resolved in time and the puppies restored to full health, but it is not a good idea to adopt them until they are healthy.

Fleas and ear-mites

Puppies with fleas and ear-mites should also have their problems resolved before being adopted. The parents may well need treatment too. Gums should be pink and healthy, the breath should not smell.

Assuming that everything is in order and all parts of the puppy’s anatomy pass with flying colours and that he is at least eight weeks old, then the adoption process should run smoothly. But do ask the breeder to provide as much background information as possible.

Vaccination certificate

The puppy’s original owner should have had the little one vaccinated before changing hands. The certificate should be handed over with the animal and the name of the veterinary surgeon should be clearly legible. It is wise to check with the vet that the puppy has a clean bill of health. It is also advisable to check what type of diet the little one is used to so that he can continue eating the same food.

Not like your Tesco order

From all of this it will be gathered thatshopping for a pedigree puppy is a complicated procedure and bears no relationship to shopping for food… where you can simply place the grocery order on line, someone else selects the goodies and they’re delivered next day. This is not your Tesco order. It’s a real, live, breathing ball of fun that will grow up to be a big, strong bundle of mischief, that will hopefully be part of your family for years. The English Bull Terrier is not a dog to be taken on lightly.

Not for the myopic elderly

These dogs need a lot of training and can be destructive if left on their own for too long Serious consideration should be given to how appropriate a choice they might be for the family.

The ‘bullie’ breeds are not always suitable in a house where there are toddlers and very small children, likely to pull their tail or poke their eyes. By the same token they are not ideal for the elderly either. A short-sighted pensioner is likely to tread on the dog’s tail, or trip over him when he’s lying down, fast asleep at the top of the stairs. Having grandma and the dog piled together in a heap at the bottom of the stairs is not exactly what you want for a harmonious household.

Unloved and unwanted

An alternative to buying a pedigree puppy is adopting one who is unloved, unwanted and possibly the victim of cruelty and neglect.

Adopt a rescue dog from the RSPCA and the cost will have covered microchipping, neutering and (where relevant) vaccination.

Animals in their care are not just dogs. They are also constantly in search of new homes for cats, horses and ponies.

Silent sufferers

A recently new innovation Pet Retreat (begun in 2002) has already helped 500 families and 600 pet victims of domestic abuse. Its function is to help pets belonging to families going into refuge. It works through a network of animal fosterers, in collaboration with Women’s Aid, which supports victims of domestic abuse.

These animals are known as the ’silent sufferers’ and foster parents are in constant demand.