The Gull Terrier isn’t one of the most widely recognized or popular breeds, but there are many interesting facts about the Gull Terrier. In fact, they’re known to be quite rare. If you’ve heard of these dogs, you’ve likely heard them referred to as Gull Terrs.
If you’re interested in finding a Gull Terrier of your own or just want to learn more about this rare breed, read our guide. We’ll take a look at the breed’s history, and we’ll tell you a few interesting facts about the Gull Terrier you may not have known.
Before scrolling down this list of interesting facts about Gull Terrier, check out: Interesting Facts About the Red Fox Lab and Interesting Facts About The Caucasian Shepherd Puppy.
The History of the Gull Terrier
The Gull Terrier originated in Pakistan and India, and it comes from the Punjab region of this area. They’re cousins to the English Bull Terrier, which makes sense. The Gull Terr was introduced in Pakistan and the surrounding areas when India was under British rule.
The Gull Terrier goes by several names: Kohati Gultair, Gull Dong, Gull Terr, and Pakistani Gull Terrier are four of those monikers. No matter what you call them, though, these dogs have a pretty rough history.
They’ve been used in dog fighting and in bear baiting. Their history as a guard dog is a bit mottled, too. Unfortunately, these dogs have a long history of abuse.
Today, as dog fighting and bear baiting are illegal, the Gull Terrier is primarily used as a guard dog. They’re alert, smart, and sometimes intimidating dogs with quite a commanding presence.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a Gull Terrier breeder in the United States. However, they do exist, and puppies can also be imported. As with any dog, ensure that your breeder is responsible and reputable. Avoid puppy mills that raise puppies in inhumane conditions.
Gull Terriers as Pets
If you’re in the market for a strong, intimidating guard dog, the Gull Terrier may be a good option. First, though, you’ll need to confirm that the breed is permitted where you live. Some areas of the world have banned the dogs, including New York City and the Cayman Islands.
Once you’ve ensured that the dogs are legal, you’ll need to check with your landlord or your HOA. The dogs can be on the list of “aggressive breeds” and, as such, they’re not allowed to live in some communities.
If you’ve got a green light from your municipality and from your landlord, it’s time to find a Gull Terrier. Finding a reputable breeder may present challenges, as the dogs are not recognized by the American Kennel Club. There simply aren’t enough of these dogs in the United States to qualify them for recognition.
Choosing a Gull Terrier Breeder
In order to be recognized by the American Kennel Club, a dog breed must have a population of at least 300 third-generation dogs. There are not that many within the United States, so the breed has not gained recognition.
For this reason, there’s no real breeding standard for a Gull Terrier within this country and you’ll need to do the research on your own. No matter what breed of dog you adopt, however, you’ll want to check for signs that your breeder is responsible.
- Visit the facility in person and view the conditions. Ensure that puppies are loved and cared for – bonus points if the puppies live within the owner’s home.
- Make sure your puppy is being socialized in some way. Whether he gets frequent and ample playtime or is permitted to sleep on the bed with the breeder, human interaction is critical to Gull Terriers as puppies.
- Ask for vet records for both your puppy and for his parents. Confirm that vaccinations are up to date and that your dog has been given a clean bill of health.
- Check reviews of the breeder, if possible. Facebook and other social media, the Better Business Bureau, and reputable websites, like We Love Doodles, are great sources of information.
- Finally, interview the breeder thoroughly. A responsible breeder will answer your questions and offer support for the lifetime of your dog. Most will offer a health guarantee and will stand behind that guarantee.
10 Interesting Facts About the Gull Terrier
Now that you know a bit more about the history of the Gull Terr and that they’re restricted in some areas, we’ll talk about a few little-known facts about the dog breed. Enjoy getting to know this dog a little better.
1. Gull Terriers are Usually White
While you may find some color variation within the Gull Terrier breed, a vast majority of the animals are white. On occasion, you may come across a dog that has black or brown markings.
Again, there’s no American Kennel Club designation for coloration or any other characteristic, as the breed hasn’t yet gained recognition.
2. Gull Terriers are Medium-Sized Dogs
We mentioned that the Gull Terrier can have an intimidating presence, but they’re only mid-sized puppies. They stand at about 18-22 inches high and weigh about 45-65 lbs. Males are typically larger than females.
They’re stocky, stout dogs that resemble Bull Terriers. This is for good reason. The dogs are related.
3. Their Ears are Naturally Erect
You won’t need to crop or pin the Gull Terr’s ears – they naturally stand up, alert, and active.
A dog’s ears are a large part of how he communicates with you and with other animals, so these upright, erect ears are an important part of the dog’s body.
4. Gull Terriers are Healthy Dogs
There aren’t many diseases that affect Gull Terriers. However, the dogs can develop deafness and blindness. Bring your dog to the vet for regular checkups to help mitigate the onset of hearing or vision loss.
5. They Require a Lot of Exercise
Gull Terriers aren’t great apartment dogs, as they require quite a bit of exercise. You should plan to take your puppy for several walks each day, and it’s advisable that you provide him with outdoor space to run around.
Provide them with toys and the companionship to go along with them.
Failure to exercise your Gull Terr enough may lead to stubbornness or, worse, yet, boredom. A bored dog is a dog that gets in trouble, so keep your dog occupied.
6. Gull Terriers are Wary of Strangers
Your Gull Terrier is banned from several localities, and that’s because they can get aggressive. They’re wary of strangers so you’ll need to start training and socializing your dog from an early age.
Teach your dog his manners, and remember that these dogs can be stubborn. It’s going to take work to train your dog to get along with others.
7. The Dogs Require Very Little Grooming
Your Gull Terr doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. He has naturally short hair that does shed, but minimally. You’ll need to brush him approximately once each week and plan to bathe your dog every six weeks or so.
Bring your dog to the groomer for ear cleaning, nail trimming, anal gland expression, and other routine care. Checkups with the vet should be done regularly, too. When well cared for, your Gull Terrier will live between 7 and 10 years.
8. Gull Terriers Have Many Names – Some of Which are Misnomers
The Gull Terrier can be called the Kohati Gultair, Gull Terr, or the Pakistani Gull Terrier. In most cases, you’ll know what an individual is referring to when they use these names.
However, some of these are misnomers. For instance, The Gull Dong is actually a cross between the Gull Terr and the Bully Kutta, which is a Pakistani Mastiff.
9. The Gull Terrier’s Genetics are Somewhat Unknown
When it was first “created,” the Gull Terrier was bred by mixing English Bull Terriers with local dog breeds. Over the years, the dogs’ pedigree may have changed, but today’s Gull Terrier is fairly standard where it’s most popular in Punjab and the surrounding areas.
10. You May Need a Professional Trainer
Gull Terrs aren’t great for first-time pet owners. They’re smart dogs that will learn commands easily, but they’re stubborn and wary of strangers. This combination means your dog will require that you establish dominance very early on.
If you have kids, the Gull Terrier may not be a good option for you, either. While socialization is important, your kids may not appropriately handle a full-grown Gull Terrier. By the same token, your dog may not know his own strength and may knock kids down, whether intentionally or not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have you made the final decision? Are you trying to adopt a Gull Terr into your home? Here are a few frequently asked questions that are commonly asked by our readers.
The Gull Terrier originated in the Punjab region of Pakistan and India, and they were first bred when the region was under British rule. English Bull Terriers were bred with local dog breeds to create the Gull Terr.
We’re not 100 percent sure which breeds those “local dogs” were, but to this day the breed has certain standards for color, size, and other characteristics in regions where they are most popular.
Gull Terriers weren’t introduced to India or Pakistan until the 1900s, so they’re not a particularly old breed. Despite this history, the dogs have a pretty rough past.
Gull Terriers have been used in dog fights, as bear bait, and for other less-than-kind activities. Now, Gull Terriers are known as impressive guard dogs and owners are more responsible with their animals.
Usually, no. The dogs can be unpredictable and have been known to show aggression. While they can be trained to mind their manners, kids and dogs sometimes misinterpret each other’s intentions.
If you have kids – especially younger ones – it’s best to opt for another dog breed. Rottweilers and other “guard” dogs are more suitable for families with children than the Gull Terrier.
Conclusion For “Interesting Facts About the Gull Terrier”
The Gull Terrier isn’t particularly popular in the United States, mainly because there just aren’t many of these dogs in the country. They’re a Pakistani and Indian breed that originated when India was under British rule, and the puppies just never gained traction in the US.
However, if these facts about the Gull Terrier have solidified your interest, you can find a reputable, responsible breeder who will socialize your Gull Terr from an early age, the dogs can make great companions. Begin training early and socialize your dog to ensure a happy, healthy relationship with your pet.
If you find this list of interesting facts about the Gull Terrier, you can check out these other guides from our team at We Love Doodles:
- Interesting Facts About the Merle Dachshund
- Interesting Facts About The Sable Bernedoodle
- Interesting Facts About The Toy Maltipoo
If you find the Gull Terrier an interesting dog breed, you can learn more about this dog breed by watching “Gull Terrier Dog Breed – Facts and Information” down below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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