Thinking of getting a bull breed? Read this first

Most of the people on this site would tell you that a bull terrier is the best dog they ever had. Most of them would also tell you about the sofa, the skirting board, the vet bills and the walk that turned into a wrestling match. Both things are true. Before you fall for a photo, ask yourself these.

1. Can you give it a proper job?

Bull breeds were bred to work, and an under-exercised one will invent a job for itself. That usually involves your belongings. Plan on a good walk every day whatever the weather, plus games and training that make the dog think. A tired bull terrier is a happy one; a bored one is a demolition contractor.

2. Are you consistent?

They are clever and they are stubborn, which is a lovely combination in a dog that respects you and a nightmare in one that doesn't. Rules have to be the same every day and the same from every person in the house. Reward-based training works very well; shouting does not, and rough handling is how the breed's problems start.

3. Is everyone in the house on board?

These are strong dogs that lean, barge and play hard. Small children need supervising with any dog, and with a dog that thinks it is a lap dog and weighs as much as a nine-year-old, that goes double. Other pets: many bull terriers live happily with cats and dogs they grew up with; some never will. Be honest about what you can manage.

4. Can you afford it?

Insurance for bull breeds is not cheap and the breeds have known hereditary problems: deafness and kidney and heart conditions in the English and Miniature Bull Terrier, L-2-HGA and eye conditions in the Staffordshire. Good breeders health-test and can show you the results; if a breeder can't, walk away. Budget for food, insurance, a solid crate, and the odd emergency.

5. Where is the dog coming from?

If you buy a puppy, see it with its mother in the home where it was born, ask about health tests, and expect to wait. A puppy that can be delivered tomorrow from a car park is a puppy from a farm. If you are open to an adult dog, the breed rescues (the Bull Terrier Club's welfare trust, Universal Bull Terrier Rescue, the Staffie rescues and others) have dogs whose temperament is already known, assessed by people who understand the breed. Read Skye's story for what that can look like.

6. Have you met one?

Spend time with an adult bull terrier before you commit. Go to a show, ask a rescue if you can walk a dog, talk to the members here. The clown face and the egg head are the easy part; it is the fifteen years afterwards you are choosing.

If you get to the end of that list and still want one, welcome. Register, start your blog, and we look forward to the photos.