If you’ve ever met a Bull Terrier, you already know they’re like no other breed—unique egg shaped
heads, boundless energy, and a misunderstood heart of gold. Cookie, a spunky female Bull Terrier
from Ireland, is no exception. Her recent holiday to Romania, combined with her big personality and
even bigger heart, are helping break stereotypes about this lovable and sadly often misunderstood
breed.
We caught up with Alex, to find out what life is really like with one of the most unique (and often
unfairly judged) breeds in the dog world.
Meet Cookie: The Sweet Name Behind the Big Energy
Let’s start at the beginning — tell us about Cookie! How did she come into your life?
Cookie came into my life when I most needed her. She came when I wasn’t in the best place and
changed everything. We got Cookie as pup; she was the one who jumped into our arms right away
when she saw us. We knew we were meant to meet; it was love at first sight.
What’s Cookie like in a few words?
Stubborn! Cookie is a funny, stubborn dog with a strong character but also very smart and soft
She wouldn’t hurt a fly, has the most gentle soul and brightens up our days with her goofy behaviour.
Life with Cookie: Chaos Meets Cuddles
What’s one thing Cookie does that always makes you laugh—even if it shouldn’t?
Must be the side-eye. She cannot hide her emotions, can turn into a drama queen and puts on the
little grumpy face and activates the side-eye.
Describe her ideal day.
Cookie loves exploring new places and enjoying food. I’d say an ideal day for her would be a car trip
to a new place and finishing that off with her favourite meal & treats and some cuddles.
Bull Terriers have such expressive faces — does Cookie use hers to get her way?
All the time. As mentioned above, she cannot hide her emotions. She ensures we’re aware
whenever she’s sad, overly excited, hungry, in the mood for a walk, and uses her ears to express
most of these beside the funny faces.
Does she have a favourite toy or comfort item she must have wherever she goes?
She has a big plush bear that sleeps with. Normally, she would destroy any toy, especially the plush
ones but she never touched the bear. She also has her little blanket we carry all over to make her
comfortable.
What are some of her most Bull Terrier traits? And what’s uniquely Cookie about her?
I’d say all Bull Terriers would have their stop & freeze moments during walks. If she wants to go in a
certain direction and we try to pull her on another side, she would just stop and not move unless
teased. I think one of the most unique things about Cookie is the way she grabs food from one’
hand. She is so gentle, unlike other dogs that might “rip a finger off”.
Busting the Bull Terrier Myths
What drew you to the Bull Terrier breed? Were there any misconceptions you had before owning one?
I randomly discovered both myself and my partner are a fan of this breed because they have a
unique appearance. I met a mini Bull Terrier when I was a teenager and I found him really funny and
cute so owning one stayed in my mind ever since. The stigma around Bull Terriers actually made me
really want one, as I’m aware they don’t fall under the most preferred breeds. Best decision ever.
Bull Terriers often get a bad rap. What do you wish more people understood about the breed?
I wish people could understand that a dog will always behave based on how it’s raised. The more
time, effort and love one puts into a raising a good dog, the better the dog will behave. Owning a
dog is a huge responsibility and people need to ensure they create the right environment for the dog
to thrive. I believe one of the reasons Bull Terriers get a bad reputation are the people who are
raising them incorrectly, or they breed them for fights, hunting etc. Despite their original purpose,
Bull Terriers nowadays make great family dogs, have a unique character, are very gentle and good
with people and especially kids and the world needs to understand that any dog can be ‘vicious’ if
not raised properly.
What’s your go-to myth-busting line when someone says, “Bull Terriers are dangerous or aggressive”?
My go for reply is – ‘Only if raised irresponsibly’, which is valid for any dog breed and not only Bull
Terriers.
What’s Cookie like with other dogs and people? Has that surprised you in any way?
Cookie loves people. She’s great with dogs as well but at times can feel intimidated and gets anxious.
One thing that surprised me is how gentle she is with kids or really small animals such as rabbits or
ducklings.
The Big Adventure: Cookie Goes to Romania
What inspired the trip from Ireland to Romania, and how did Cookie handle it?
Both my partner and I are originally from Romania and we decided to take Cookie with us as leaving
her in a kennel was not an option any longer. We left her in kennels during our previous trips and
she didn’t handle it very well. She was very upset and took a while to get back to her normal self. For
some years flights from Dublin with a pet in the hold were prohibited and, as we couldn’t find a
friend to mind Cookie during our absence, we had to use boarding kennels. Now that flights with
pets in hold are permitted, we decided to make our research and bring Cookie with us.
Any funny travel moments?
Cookie needs to wear a muzzle in public transportation and she totally hates it so she turned into a
total drama queen, her attitude was just hilarious
Any tips for dog owners thinking of bringing their pup abroad?
I’d say do proper research in terms of paperwork needed, local laws etc, get the dog used with the
crate well before traveling and make sure you create a familiar environment for the dog such as
bringing their own blanket or a toy that smells like ‘home’. Also, plan the travel in advance to ensure
there is no last minute stress.
Bull Terrier 101: For Future Cookie Fans
What should someone know before getting a Bull Terrier?
You’ll have 0 regrets. They do require time and patience but be prepared to have your lif
changed for the better!
Would you recommend owning a Bull Terrier to first-time dog owners?
It honestly depends. Bull Terriers can be stubborn so they would need someone who can properly
handle their stubbornness without applying too severe punishments, they need a lot of patience
especially in the early years. So, I’d say it really comes down to how willing people are to learn how
to cope with this breed.
Final Thoughts
If Cookie had a job, what would it be?
Hmm, good one! I think she would be a Judge. She loves judging people haha!
What’s the one thing Cookie has taught you about love, patience, or life that you never
expected from a dog?
Cookie taught me to slow down, take each day as it comes and see the beauty in every single day.
She taught me unconditional love, to appreciate the small things and gave me loads of patience
lessons. She is a human in disguise, as I like to call her.
Cookie, the Lovable Proof of What a Bull Terrier Can Be
Cookie isn’t just an amazing dog—she’s living proof that with the right upbringing, boundaries, and
love, Bull Terriers can be some of the most affectionate, funny, and loyal companions out there. Her
journey, her joy, and her big personality show that behind the muscle and mischief is a heart that
just wants to belong.
If you give them the structure they need and the love they deserve, Bull Terriers like Cookie won’t
just be good dogs—they’ll be unforgettable ones.
Want more of Cookie’s adventures and charm? Follow her on Instagram for your daily dose of
zoomies, cuddles, and contagious joy awaits!
