Bull and Terrier vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison

Bull and Terrier is originated from United Kingdom but Australian Kelpie is originated from Australia. Both Bull and Terrier and Australian Kelpie are having almost same height. Both Bull and Terrier and Australian Kelpie are having almost same weight. Both Bull and Terrier and Australian Kelpie has almost same life span. Both Bull and Terrier and Australian Kelpie has almost same litter size. Bull and Terrier requires Low maintenance. But Australian Kelpie requires Moderate maintenance

History

The Bull and Terrier is a blend between a number of Old English Terriers and the Old English Bulldog. It is believed that this extinct dog was the start of breeds such as the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

They were excellent for hunting rats and weren’t a true breed. The dog was popular in the British Isles and in the United States in the 19th Century. They became rare as different varieties of Bull and Terrier were bred and standardized.

Most terriers have a good deal of Old English Bulldog blood in them so as to provide them with the courage to fight and hunt prey, while the English Terrier blood provided a feisty temperament and longer legs for speed.

Around 1860, the Bull and Terrier breed split into 2 categories – the pure white Bull Terrier and the ones of color. The Bull and Terrier was never recognized as a standardized breed by any of the kennel clubs.

australian kelpie - historyThe energetic Kelpie came into being around 1870, with this working dog breed having a role to play with the herding of sheep in the harsh Australian outback.The sheep and wool industry in Australia has always been big business, and Australian ranchers were looking for a tough dog that could cope with sheep but also cope with the harsh environment.

These are adaptable dogs too and their ancestors include the Coley or Collie, a British herding-type dog, the English- and the Australian Shepherd and the Dingo. In fact it is believed that up to 4% of their genes comes from the Dingo. These adaptable dogs were also brought to North America where they quickly adapted to the different climate and different livestock.

The Australian Kelpie isn’t your regular pet as they are essentially an outdoor, working dog. They are recognized today by the United Kennel Club and registered by the North American Australian Kelpie Registry.

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Working dog
Origin:
United Kingdom
Australia
Height Male:
38 - 50 cm
14 - 20 inches
46 - 51 cm
18 - 21 inches
Height Female:
36 - 50 cm
14 - 20 inches
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
11 - 22 kg
24 - 49 pounds
14 - 20 kg
30 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
9 - 22 kg
19 - 49 pounds
12 - 20 kg
26 - 45 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 9
4 - 7
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Bull & Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier
Kelpie, Barb
Colors Available:
White, fawn, tan or brindle
Many Colours, from solids to bi-colours - tan, fawn, blue, red, black, chocolate
Coat:
Short and smooth
short and dense
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

There isn’t too much detail and information on the Bull and Terrier but we can be sure that with the cross between the Old English Bulldog and the Old English Terrier, he would have been a small to medium sized compact, muscular dog, standing roughly between 38cm to 50cm in height and weighing anything in the region of 11 to 22kg.

He would have had a big head, and most of the dogs had a medium to long tail. His coat was of many colors such as white, fawn, tan or brindle and would have been short and smooth.

As far as temperament goes, the Bull and Terrier would certainly be courageous, feisty, independent, strong and energetic. Socialization wasn’t available in those days but with training, this intelligent breed would be affectionate with his human family.

The Coat

australian kelpie puppy - descriptionThe Kelpie is a medium-sized dog with a coat that comes in a number of colours – black, chocolate, fawn, red, blue, tan, white and gold. . The nose colour blends in with the dog’s coat colour and can be black, brownish and even pinkish.

A Sharp, Intelligent Look

The Kelpie has a medium-length tail which is low-set. The ears are pricked, giving the dog an intelligent, alert appearance. The dog’s head is also narrow and long, and his eyes are bright and inquisitive.

Lithe and Athletic

The Australian Kelpie has an athletic appearance, with a body which is longer than their height, similar to that of a German Shepherd. Because the Australian Kelpie is such an energetic, active breed, he’ll need plenty of ‘jobs to do’, lots of ball games and other exercise to keep him free from boredom and to ensure he maintains his lithe, lean, muscular limbs.

Characteristics

Nobody seems to be 100% sure when the classic Bull and Terrier dog became extinct but it is strongly assumed that it was some time between 1890 and 1920.

People believe that there are actually surviving breeds that could be considered Bull and Terriers. One thing is sure, when you consider that the Bull and Terrier is actually made up of several breeds such as the Bull Terrier, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Boston Terrier and American Pit Bull Terrier then you can imagine the character of the dog – brave, hardy, intelligent, feisty, bold, confident and fearless. He was a dog who loved his human family and would have been both friend and protector.

These dogs have been popular around the world, and have had a strong influence in the development of a number of other breeds. Even today, breeders are always looking at ways to develop new breeds based on the descendants of the Bull and Terrier.

Friend of Children

australian kelpie dog - characteristicsThe Australian Kelpie is an active, busy, intelligent, loving breed who is highly protective of his human family. He gets on well with children and other pets in the home but you’ll want him trained if you want him to be gentle around children and smaller pets. He does tend to gravitate towards one particular family member as his ‘favourite’ though.

He Must be Busy

Your Kelpie won't do well in an apartment as he is a working dog who wants plenty of place to run and play. If he is bored, it manifests itself with constant barking. Make sure to provide a stimulating, active lifestyle for your Australian Kelpie, provide him with everything a dog needs and you’ll be rewarded with a devoted and loyal companion.

Health Problems

The Bull and Terrier was no doubt a robust breed with few health issues. However his owners of that time would have had to be aware of eye diseases such as cataracts that could have lead to blindness.

Other health issues they would have had to contend with would have been hip and elbow dysplasia, a disease which can cause lameness in a dog accompanied with pain. Because the Bull and terrier was mixed with the English Bulldog, the dog owners would have had to be aware of respiratory health problems, as the Bull dog is a breed that is susceptible to these problems.

A Healthy Breed

australian kelpie puppies - health problemsYour Australian Kelpie is a hardy breed and you won’t find many health problems with him. Yes, every dog is susceptible to illnesses which are common with all dog breeds, and these are illnesses such as hip dysplasia and cryptorchidism.

You will need to check your Kelpie out for eye disease such as PRA or Progressive Retinal Atrophy, a group of genetic diseases which are found in some breeds of dogs. This can lead to cataracts and blindness.

Lifestyle and Environment Impact Health

Health problems in your Australian Kelpie can certainly be partially prevented by the way you feed your dog and by the environment you provide him with. Every dog has the potential to develop genetic health problems, but as we’ve said, the Kelpie is a generally healthy breed.

Always find a reputable breeder whose focus is on breeding healthy dogs and who can provide certification that the parents of the dog are clear of defects and are in tip-top condition for breeding.

Puppy Vaccinations

Along with quality food and fresh water, getting your puppy vaccinated is hugely important. Australian Kelpie puppy shots will protect your new 4-legged family member from the likes of distemper, parvovirus and hepatitis. Your puppy will also need additional booster vaccinations after his first shots which start at around 8 weeks of age.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

Long ago the Bull and Terrier was developed to be a hunting dog, and because he was a blend of the English Bulldog and Terriers such as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and English Terrier, he no doubt had a short coat that would have required being brushed down from time to time.

Diet:

The Bull and Terrier dog was bred for hunting, and he would have in all likelihood have caught some of his own food. He would therefore have got a lot of protein in. His owners would also have fed him some of their own food too which would have been eggs, home-made bread, rice, fresh vegetables and meat.

He would have had a good quota of raw meat in his diet too and this would have ensured that his coat was shiny and glossy, free of rashes. Dogs such as the Bull and Terrier wouldn’t have eaten commercially produced kibble as that was only introduced in the 1930s.

Grooming

australian kelpie dogs - caringAustralian Kelpies are low maintenance and their coat is easy to groom and maintain. You want to give him a good brush twice a week to get rid of loose hair. Australian Kelpies are moderate shedders.

Feeding your Kelpie

It is important to get your puppy off on the right foot to avoid health problems later on. Homemade dog food which includes chicken, rice and vegetables is always the best food for your dog. If you can't prepared your own meals for your Kelpie, top grade commercial dog food brands are recommended.

When looking at dog foods, remember that your Kelpie is a working dog – a naturally active breed and you’ll need to look at dog food which has been specially formulated for active dogs. Every dog will need raw meat in their diet if you want to avoid a dog with an itchy, flaky skin, a dog with poor energy levels and a dog that has no resistance to infection.

Training

Every owner who cares for their dog will provide him with socialization and training. The Australian Kelpie is an intelligent breed who responds well to training.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. American Bulldog vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  2. Border Collie vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  3. Sakhalin Husky vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  4. Alaskan Husky vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  5. Catahoula Leopard vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  6. German Pinscher vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  7. Portuguese Water Dog vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  8. Puli vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  9. Griffon Bleu de Gascogne vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  10. Borador vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  11. German Spaniel vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  12. Canadian Eskimo Dog vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  13. McNab vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  14. Porcelaine vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  15. Finnish Lapphund vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  16. Berger Blanc Suisse vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  17. Griffon Nivernais vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  18. Hokkaido vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  19. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  20. Pumi vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  21. Australian Kelpie vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  22. Griffon Fauve de Bretagne vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  23. Basque Shepherd vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  24. Istrian Sheepdog vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  25. Jamthund vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  26. Schnauzer vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  27. Fox Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  28. Bull and Terrier vs American Pit Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  29. Bull and Terrier vs Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  30. Bull and Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Bull and Terrier vs Bedlington Terrier - Breed Comparison
  32. Bull and Terrier vs Austrian Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  33. Bull and Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Bull and Terrier vs Blue Paul Terrier - Breed Comparison
  35. Irish Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  36. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  37. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  38. Lakeland Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  39. Jagdterrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  40. Indian Bull Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  41. Irish Bull Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  42. Japanese Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. Brazilian Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  44. Old English Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  45. Scoland Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Skye Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  47. Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  48. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  49. Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  50. Welsh Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds