Blue Paul Terrier

The Blue Paul Terrier, also known as the Blue Poll, was a breed of dog that originated in Scotland, which is now extinct.[1]

Blue Paul Terrier
Other namesScottish Bull Terrier
Blue Poll
Blue Poll Bulldog
OriginScotland
Breed statusExtinct
Traits
Weight 45 lb (20 kg)
Height 14 to 20 in (36 to 51 cm)
Coat Smooth
Colour Dark blue, some brindle and red
Dog (domestic dog)

History

The Blue Paul Terrier's origins are disputed but it was once numerous in various parts of Scotland. One story of the Blue Paul Terrier's origins is that John Paul Jones brought them from abroad and when he visited his native town of Kirkcudbright around 1770. The gypsies around the Kirkintilloch district kept Blue Paul Terriers for dog fighting, and they claimed the dogs came from the Galloway coast. A more likely story is a British military officer posted to the Glasgow area brought with him an Irish Blue Terrier bitch from the Earl of Kerry's kennels, when he was reposted he left his bitch with friends who bred her with a white bull and terrier of the Duke of Hamilton's breeding to create the breed. Another story states the breed descend from a bitch named Blue Poll from a village near Newcastle, and that a visiting Scotsman purchased several of her pups and returned with them to his homeland.[2][3]

The Blue Paul Terrier was clearly a bull and terrier cross that was most likely bred from bulldogs and terriers in Scotland with infusions other similar dogs brought from England and Ireland. The breed was very popular in Scotland in the mid 19th century, but it progressively lost popularity and is believed to have become extinct in the early 20th century.[2]

Description

Appearance

The Blue Paul Terrier weighed around 45 lb (20 kg), sources vary about its height, some state it stood around 14 in (36 cm) at the shoulder, others as tall as 20 in (51 cm). The breed resembled early bull terriers.[2][3]

The Blue Paul Terrier's head was large, its forehead was flat, short, square and broad but not receding like that of the bulldog, its jaws and teeth were even with no overhanging flews. They had a slight dip between the eyes, which were dark hazel and not sunken, prominent, nor showing haw, its eyebrows were contracted or knit. The ears were small, thin, high set and usually cropped, and the face was not wrinkled. The facial expression of the Blue Paul Terrier has never been seen in any other breed, although it is frequently recognised in some mixed-breed dogs.[3]

The Blue Paul Terrier had a smooth coat, the usual colour was dark blue, similar to some Greyhounds, however some were brindle or red, known as red smuts.[3]

Temperament

The Blue Paul Terrier was known for its courage and strength, it was said to be game to the death and could suffer great punishment, when fighting they were considered expert and tricky in their tactics, making them great favorites with those who indulged in dog fighting.[3]

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References
  1. Homan, M. (2000). A Complete History of Fighting Dogs, (Chapter 19). Howell Book House Inc. ISBN 1582451281
  2. Dr Davis Harris, The bully breeds, Kennel Club Books, Freehold NJ, 2008, ISBN 978-1-59378-664-9, pp 30-31.
  3. John Meyrick, House dogs and sporting dogs, John Van Voorst, London, 1861, pp 31-32.
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