Royal Bloodlines Registry: Official Breed Standard – Bull Terrier

GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Royal Bull Terrier should exhibit strength, balance, and muscular tone. This breed is compact, animated, and symmetrical in build, radiating intelligence, determination, and a vibrant spirit. Despite its fiery spark, the demeanor must remain gentle, affectionate, and obedient to guidance.

HEAD

The head should be deep, elongated, and robust from the base to the tip of the muzzle—never coarse. Viewed from the front, it should form a smooth, uninterrupted oval—egg-like in shape—free of dips or hollows. In profile, the skull should arch gracefully downward from the top to the nose tip. The forehead must be level across from ear to ear. The distance from the nose to the eyes should clearly exceed that from the eyes to the skull top. The lower jaw should be defined and substantial.

LIPS
Tight and clean without looseness or exaggeration.

TEETH
A correct bite is either level or scissors, with upper teeth closely overlapping the lower. Teeth should be healthy, strong, and evenly spaced.

EARS
Compact, thin, and positioned close together. They must stand stiffly upright and point directly upward when alert.

EYES
Set high and close on the skull, the eyes should be narrow, angled, and deep-set. A sharp, intense expression is essential. Dark eyes are preferred. Blue eyes are a disqualification.

NOSE
Solid black with fully developed nostrils. The tip should curve slightly downward.

NECK, BODY & FOREQUARTERS

NECK
Strongly muscled, long, and slightly arched. It should taper from shoulders to the head and be free from excessive skin.

CHEST
Viewed from the front, the chest should be wide and powerful. The depth from withers to brisket must be pronounced, with the brisket extending close to the ground.

BODY
Rounded and robust, with a well-sprung ribcage. The back is short and firm with a slight rise over the loin. The back ribs are deep. Shoulders are powerful yet not bulky, with blades that are broad, flat, and laid back at a steep angle. There should be no dip or looseness behind the withers. The undercarriage curves smoothly upward from brisket to belly.

LIMBS

FRONT LEGS
Heavy-boned but not clumsy. Straight and of moderate length, the dog must stand square and solid. Elbows point neither inward nor outward. Pasterns should be vertical and firm.

HINDQUARTERS
Viewed from behind, hind legs are straight and parallel. Thighs are muscular with low hocks. Short, straight rear pasterns and well-angled stifles with a solid second thigh complete the ideal rear assembly.

FEET
Compact, round, and cat-like with tight, well-arched toes.

TAIL

Short, set low, and tapering to a fine end. Thick at the base and carried horizontally.

COAT

The coat is sleek, short, and tightly fitting. Texture should be harsh with a natural sheen.

COLOR

White Variety – Pure white is required, though head markings are allowed. Any body markings are considered a serious fault. Pigmented skin is not penalized.
Colored Variety – Any color other than white, including color with white markings. Brindle is the most desirable. Dogs that are mostly white do not qualify under this category.

MOVEMENT

Gait should be fluid, ground-covering, and confident. Front and rear legs should move in parallel alignment. Forelimbs should extend with ease, while the hindquarters provide thrust through well-articulated joints. The overall movement should appear agile, compact, and spirited.

FAULTS

Any deviation from this standard should be judged in proportion to its severity. For example, a severely misaligned front is a major fault, while a mild deviation is minor.

DISQUALIFICATIONS

·         Blue eyes

·         For Colored Variety: Dogs that are predominantly white