Buying a Bull Terrier Puppy
What to expect from a breeder who puts Health, Welfare and Temperament first.
Essential Documents
- Heath Certificates (both parents)
- Signed AWF Puppy Contract
- KC Registration Certificate (if applicable)
- Microchip Registration Certificate
- Temporary Pet Health Insurance
- Vaccination Certificate
A Good Breeder Will:
- have socialised and habituated the puppy
- provide a supply of food
- provide a blanket smelling of Mum
- follow the Code of Practice for Dog Breeding
Official Health Schemes
- BAER testing for congenital deafness
- more likely in white dogs, affects one or both ears
- BVA/KC screening for eye disease. DBRG recommends that all dogs should be visually examined by an ophthalmologist before breeding (includes checks for multiple inherited diseases)
- checks for many inherited abnormalities that can cause progressive blindness or pain
- The Bull Terrier Club heart scheme
- examination by a veterinary cardiologist before breeding – tests for many abnormalities including aortic stenosis and mitral valve disease
- The Bull Terrier Club kidney scheme
- tests for symptoms of kidney disease (several types)
Other Diseases
No current health scheme or DNA test available.
- Dental problems
- misplaced teeth
- Allergic skin disease
DNA Tests Relevant to Breed
- LAD – lethal acrodermatitis
- progressive thickening of skin, eventually fatal
- Polycystic kidney disease
Other Tests
- Putnam scoring for patella luxation