Temperament and care ratings
The American Kennel Club rates every breed from 1 to 5 on the traits below. They describe how the breed tends to be, not a promise about one dog.
Coat: Smooth coat, short.
A Bull Terrier suits
- Runners, hikers and active households (energy 4 of 5)
Think twice if
- You can't offer daily training or puzzle games (mental stimulation needs 4 of 5)
- You have other dogs: rated 1 of 5 with other dogs
What the ratings mean day to day
An energy score of 4 and mental stimulation needs of 4 mean plenty of daily exercise plus training games or puzzle feeders. With barking at 3 of 5 and a watchdog score of 3, expect some barking at the door. Grooming at 2 of 5 means an occasional brush.
Popularity
In 2020 it ranked 64.
Breeds with a similar profile
Closest matches across all 14 trait ratings:
Compare: Bull Terrier vs Borzoi · Bull Terrier vs Lakeland Terrier · Bull Terrier vs Norwegian Lundehund
Frequently asked questions
Are Bull Terriers good with kids?
The AKC rates the Bull Terrier 3 out of 5 for being good with young children. Supervise early meetings and teach kids how to handle a dog.
Do Bull Terriers shed a lot?
Shedding is rated 3 out of 5 (moderate), and coat grooming 2 out of 5.
Are Bull Terriers easy to train?
Trainability is rated 3 out of 5 and mental stimulation needs 4 out of 5.
How much energy does a Bull Terrier have?
Energy is rated 4 out of 5 and playfulness 4 out of 5.
Ratings: American Kennel Club breed pages, compiled February 2022 (AKC Bull Terrier page). 2025 ranking: AKC, published August 2026. How we check.