bull terrier

American  

[bool-ter-ee-er] / ˈbʊlˈtɛr i ər /

Or bullterrier

noun

1. one of an English breed of medium-sized, short-haired dogs having a white, brindled, or tan and white coat, produced by crossing the bulldog and the terrier.

---

bull terrier British  

noun

1. a breed of terrier having a muscular body and thick neck, with a short smooth often white coat: developed by crossing the bulldog with various terriers See also pit bull terrier Staffordshire bull terrier

---

Etymology

Origin of bull terrier

First recorded in 1840–50; bull(dog) + terrier ¹

Example Sentences

Then there was the time her pit bull terrier, Thor, barked at a cat outside, jolting the feline skyward.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

In May, her 3-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier was dying after a complication during a C-section.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 17, 2024

A DNA test has revealed Bailey is 74% American Staffordshire terrier, 16% American pit bull terrier, 3% Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the rest a mix of other bull type breeds.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2024

One dog, described as a bull terrier mix, was captured in early December, and the second, whose breed was not immediately known, was caught Dec. 31, KTRK-TV reported.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 5, 2024

Up to now he had merely been an interested spectator, taking a keen interest from a professional point of view, for a good fight is meat and drink to a bull terrier.

From "The Incredible Journey" by Sheila Burnford