JUDGING THE BULL TERRIER

Victoria Corse, Corsaire Bull Terriers

Originally published in "Just Terriers" Magazine, Fall 2003
revised 11/05
Raymond Oppenheimer, arguably the most influential Bull Terrier breeder-judge of the Twentieth Century, once wrote, "Lack of virtue is the greatest fault of all."

Any judge would do well to keep that statement engraved in their brain as they step into the ring to begin sorting through their Bull Terrier classes. The Bull Terrier Club of America encourages judges to reward virtue in their entries, as opposed to "fault judging", or attempting to eliminate an animal because of an easily discernable flaw. To that end, the standard clearly states that, "Any departure from the foregoing points shall be considered a fault, and the seriousness of the fault shall be in proportion to its degree…"

Bull Terrier exhibitors seem to be most incensed by the propensity of the non-breeder judge to eliminate from consideration any animal lacking a perfect scissor bite. The bite is the perfect example of "degree of fault", because the correct egg-shaped Bull Terrier head asks for what should be impossible; that the lower jaw must in some way manage to compensate for the upward arch of the top skull and meet in the required "level or a scissor bite", as opposed to undershot, or narrow, with in-standing canine teeth. The balance between that lovely, type-defining head, and a functional and healthy dentition is an ongoing struggle for breeders and judges alike, and must be carefully weighed in any decision. When I judge a class of Bull Terriers, there is always the breeder's eye lurking in the back of my decisions; the question of whether I feel that the particular Bull Terrier has the type and virtue to contribute to the progress of the breed. Because the head defines our breed most clearly, it is what I focus on first. "Begin at the front, and work your way to the back" is a good way to orient yourself to priorities in this breed

Bull Terriers should be particularly three-dimensional dogs. While a lovely silhouette can make you catch your breath, there must also be width, and a sense of substance and muscle to a Bullie. When you put your hands on a Bull Terrier head, and you MUST put your hands on that head to know what it really is, especially if it is a solid colour, or if white, has dark markings, you should feel your palms "filled completely up giving the impression of fullness with a surface devoid of hollows or indentations, i.e., egg shaped." A dramatically curved profile that has no width and fill, also known as the toucan's beak head, is of no more value than a big, fat head with a concave profile, or an angular head, with eyebrow so defined as to resemble a stop. That Bull Terrier head must say "Bull Terrier" from every view… eggs, after all, don't have angles.

Correct eye and expression are also vital to that correct head; there must be the high, triangular and obliquely set dark eyes that give the characteristic "piercing glint", and triangular ears right on top of the head. A Bull Terrier with rounded and gentle eyes, or ears set low on the sides of the head does not convey, "keen, determined and intelligent expression, full of fire…" but instead reminds one of a cud-chewing cow.

If a dog with a particularly lovely head and expression is hampered by an incorrect bite, the question becomes one of degree; how far a departure from perfection is the bite? The US Standard asks for a "level or scissors" bite. I pause only minimally for a bite that is undershot, but that still has upper incisors in contact with the lower. Often referred to as a "reverse scissor", this configuration causes no discomfort or inconvenience to the dog's health and well being, nor does it offend the eye to any great extent. The further out the lower incisors move from the upper, the more likely that the lower jaw will appear disproportionate, and that the dog's ability to pull apart its food will be affected. Far more serious, to my mind, than a minimal underbite, is the perfect scissor bite that is allowed only by a narrowed bottom jaw. This narrowed jaw sets the lower canine teeth inside the gum line and digs them into the hard palate. While the Bull Terrier standard makes no mention of premolars, or of counting teeth, it is still extremely important that judges look past the incisors and back into the mouth. Both lower canines should be visible from gum to tip, and set outside the upper jaw, and the incisors should be uncrowded and in alignment with the gum line.

Despite the importance of head and expression, a Bull Terrier should still be unmistakably a Bull Terrier, even if its head is hidden from sight. Keeping in mind the three-dimensional importance of the Bull Terrier, a strong, arched neck should meet the body at a shoulder that is broad and flat, covered by smoothly sculpted muscle. The body should be shapely, with a visible definition between ribcage and abdomen, and equally well muscled. The strength of the front end should be carried through the short, gently rounded loin into a powerful rear end with well-developed second thighs. Don't be fooled by extra weight, packed onto a skeleton that lacks the good round bone that can support the bulk. Fat can never substitute for honest substance, made up of hard-earned muscle and solid, round bone.

Like many other breeds, there has also been a move towards mistaking "big boned" with "mammoth". Our standard clearly states "not to the point of coarseness". As you step back from the dog, the overall picture should be of a versatile athlete; one with strength, flexibility, and explosive power. All the components of a good Bull Terrier may be wrapped in a 45 pound, Terrier style package, or in a 75-pound Bull type one. Bigger does not necessarily equal better, and the deciding factor should go beyond personal preference to the overall type, proportion, and balance of the dog in question. Equally, a big dog with correct proportion and balance should not be penalized for its size. There is no mention of height or weight in the Standard for Bull Terriers.

Movement may answer any questions still remaining as to the relative virtues of the dogs in the ring. Bull Terrier movement is not best evaluated at high speeds. The movement should be clean and parallel, but instead of the racing trot of a Working or Sporting breed, each step should exhibit power and agility, with an air of supreme indifference to the forces of gravity. The standard describes ideal movement as both "jaunty" and "smooth". Therefore, there should be no unevenness to the gait, nor should there be any hint of restriction. Both a coarse Bully and an overly refined one will exhibit compromise in their movement; one caused by its ungainly bulk, the other by its lack of power. If a dog is moved out at racing speeds, by all means ask the handler to slow down. Excessive speed can be an attempt to hide deficiencies of power, and attempt to dazzle by side gait when impulsion is lacking.

As for any breed, type and soundness combined will produce the ideal Bull Terrier. Faced by the usual spectrum of sizes and styles, judges must ask themselves which exhibit best combines the presence of virtue and the absence of fault. In what animal lies the unmistakable and unique head quality and presence that "screams" Bull Terrier (Bull Terriers are not subtle dogs) while also demonstrating structural integrity and athletic movement?

As a breeder judge, I am looking for proper expression. To me, a Bull Terrier that lacks a "small, triangular and obliquely placed" eye lacks type, as I know how hard it is to consistently produce that varminty, wicked eye set. That keen expression is a virtue on which I place a high value, just as I prize a correct topline and front. Avoid the commonplace dog, and the animal whose deficiencies of make and shape seem to limit its abilities to function effectively. Reward the Bull Terrier who demonstrates its virtues of type and structure in a package that demands your attention, and whose confident, outgoing demeanor reflects its sound temperament.

BTCA Futurity, October 2003
Judge Tom Lecki looks at the head-on expression of D-Bar Mr. Peponita, handled for owners James and Kay Davis by Michal Docker. Both Tom and Michal have since left us for the Rainbow Bridge, where they have surely surrounded themselves with their beloved Bullies. I know they have love to spare for ours, too.

Bull Terriers are primarily an owner-handled breed. An additional burden for the judge is the need to see past deficiencies in presentation to the virtue of the dog. It can be exasperating to watch while a neophyte handler fusses with bait, mishandles the lead and generally confuses the situation… and their dog. However, as more and more Bull Terrier breeders encourage their puppy buyers to venture out into the dog show world, it is deeply satisfying to watch a newcomer's eyes light up and their chest swell with pride as they achieve even minor wins in the all-breed ring. It is also gratifying to hear, "The judge was SO patient with me; I was so afraid I wouldn't do my dog justice, but he made me feel like I did just fine!" That's an actual quote, made in reference to someone's first time in the ring, under the Airedale breeder, and all-Terrier judge, Charlie Foley. That "newbie" and their Bull Terrier have finished an owner-handled championship, thanks to the encouragement they received, and their ring skills have improved markedly with experience. A good dog's virtue should be discernable under any circumstances, although complete disregard for ring procedure and protocol shouldn't be rewarded. Look past the loop end of that leash, and focus on what is presented, even if the presentation lacks polish.

One final word… in many breeds colour and markings are a critical component of breed type. In Bull Terriers, there are really only four issues regarding colour. In order of importance, they are:

Number one is a potential disqualification for Coloured Bull Terriers. "Any dog which is predominantly white.", is a mandatory disqualification. There are animals who visibly walk a razor's edge as regards the amount of white coat. However, unless a judge chooses to actually disqualify the dog for too much white, the amount and placement of white markings are irrelevant to its quality and should be disregarded.
You be the judge... "predominantly white" or predominantly black-brindle?

Aunty Joan of Caliber, Photo: W. Lambert

Number two is a serious fault in the White Variety. Our standard reads, "The COLOR is white though markings on the dog's head are permissible. Any markings elsewhere are to be severely faulted." A White Bull Terrier who has a coloured marking from about the 3rd cervical vertebrae or lower, down the neck and onto the body, should be penalized for that colour. However, a Bull Terrier of obvious virtue with a body patch of colour should not be ignored in favor of a snow-white nonentity.
Tail-base mismarks are the most common placement, although they may appear anywhere.

Jazmine at 7 weeks, Photo Linda Woodruff

Number three is the notorious "brown" issue. There is no mention of the liver pigmented Bull Terrier in the standard for the breed. However, it is important to note that the standard for both Varieties requires a BLACK nose and an eye "as dark as possible". A liver pigmented Bull Terrier, whether white or coloured, will have a light brown or gold eye, and nose pigment is invariably brown. Therefore, that dog should be penalized for its departure from the standard for the nose and eyes, although again, colour should not eliminate from consideration an otherwise virtuous Bull Terrier. Please remember that BLUE eyes are a disqualification in both Varieties.
Red-liver brindled dog, with incomplete brown nose pigment & light eyes.

"Mojo" Photo credit: Chris Chisholm

The fourth mention of colour rarely comes into play, as it contains the defining phrase, "All other things being equal…", a situation so rare as to be practically unheard of. In that case, should it ever be a consideration, the standard specifies that "brindle is the preferred colour". The brindle factor is dominant in Bull Terriers, and to produce brindle puppies one parent must be a brindle. Without a conscious effort to maintain the presence of the brindle factor, the breed runs the risk of losing it altogether. I would personally be delighted to have a class of Coloured Bull Terriers in which the depth of quality was so uniform that I would need to resort to placing a brindle first.
Classic mahogany brindle solid, Ch Brigadoon Believes In Magic.
Solids are very valuable in a breeding program but can be regretably overlooked in the show ring by the novice judge. True solids will not produce white pups.

"Merlin" photo credit: Gail Thomson

The Bull Terrier Club of America offers extensive materials, including a brilliant Illustrated Standard for the interested judge. The Illustrated Standard, drawings by Cynthia Lord Ruddy, is also available online at http://www.btca.com, the official website of the Bull Terrier Club of America. The BTCA National Specialty Show in 2006 will be held during the week of October 11-16 at the Ferncroft Resort in Danvers, Massachusetts, 20 miles north of Boston. For details, visit Silverwood 2006.

Also on the weekend is the annual showcase for North American Bred Bull Terriers, the Silverwood Trophy Competition. Silverwood is patterned after the Bull Terrier Club Trophy Shows in England and is judged by a total of three judges, who work through their morning rounds in pairs but without consultation, then as a team on the final placements in the afternoon. Only dogs owned by BTCA members are eligible, and they must be qualified through wins at Specialty and supported entries, or by virtue of a Championship title in the US, Canada and Mexico. A win at Silverwood is prized more highly by the die-hard Bull Terrier breeder than any other possible win, and the Trophy itself, donated by Raymond Oppenheimer for the inaugural 1970 competition, is the apex of a breeder's career.
Judges interested in attending the BTCA National Specialty are always welcomed to attend and breeder-judges are happy to volunteer to sit with attendees and discuss the proceedings. Please contact the BTCA Judges Education Committee for informational packages and news of upcoming seminars, also through the website, or call the Judge's Education Chair, Carl Pew, DVM, at 801-942-1719.

2003 Futurity, Silverwood and BTCA Specialty photos by Louis Ruediger, Pittsburgh, PA 10/2003