Referred to as Bull Terriers, Bullies, or EBT's, Bull Terriers were originally bred as a gentleman's sporting companion when the blood sport of dog fighting was still legal. Dog fighting, bull baiting, bear baiting and cock fighting were popular 19th Century gambling sports in England. To this day, the Bull Terrier breed still displays it main characteristics of strength, courage and agility. Through many years of careful breeding, today's Bull Terriers are playful, fun loving, affectionate and sensitive dogs, who make excellent pets and companions, despite their 'tough' appearance.

The Bull Terrier is believed to have been discovered by cross breeding a Bulldog to the now extinct White English Terrier. The dogs from this cross were known as the "Bull and Terrier" dogs - hence the origination of the modern name Bull Terrier - and were extremely rugged and well suited for pit fighting. The careful crossing of these breeds meant that the Bull and Terrier dog took selected characteristics from each parent - from the Bulldog, tenacity, courage and it's high threshold of pain were desired. From the English Terrier, lightening speed, agility and its unsurpassed killing instinct were transferred into the new breed of sporting dog. It was not a pretty dog with extremely bowed legs, and colourings that were described as 'smutty'. Even though the new breed of Terrier was a tough, strong killing machine, one characteristic that shone through was the dog's unfaltering devotion to its owner.

Over many years, few other ingredients were added into the genetic soup of the Bull and Terrier breed - The Dalmatian, Greyhound, Foxhound, Borzoi and the Black and Tan Terrier's were used to improve the build, character and overall appearance of the dog. Through this mixing process and selective breeding the Bull Terrier standardised.

The Bull Terrier was reputedly the best fighting dog of its day. Declared as the 'Gladiator' of the canine world, this breed had to be strong and courageous. Bull Terriers were bred 'for gentlemen, by gentlemen in an era that valued fair play and scorned liars and deceivers in any game'. The dogs were trained to defend both themselves and their master courageously - yet they were not permitted to provoke a fight. Because of this trait, the true white Bull Terriers became known as 'the white cavalier', a title that the breed holds with distinction to this day.

24 REASONS WHY IT'S GREAT TO BE A DOG

• No one expects you to take a bath every day.
• Your friends never expect you to pay for lunch, dinner or anything else for that matter.
• When it's raining, you can lie around the house all day and never worry about being fired.
• If it itches, you can reach it.
• And, no matter what itches, no one is offended if you scratch it in public.
• It doesn't bother you if your favorite television show is a rerun.
• You can wear a fur coat and no one thinks you're insensitive.
• Your friends don't think less of you for passing gas.
• No one gets mad if you fall asleep while they're talking.
• As an adult, it's OK if you haven't "amounted to anything" except being a dog.
• You can sleep late every day.
• If you grow hair in weird places, no one notices.
• You never get in trouble for putting your head in a stranger's lap.
• There's no such thing as bad food.
• You don't have to worry about good table manners.
• Someone else combs your hair.
• Having big feet is considered an asset.
• If you gain weight, it's someone else's fault.
• Everything smells good to you.
• A garbage can is a fast-food stop.
• No one tells you to wipe your nose because it's wet.
• No matter where you live, you own the place.
• Your mate never complains because you whine.
• Puppy love can last.