What Kind of Dog Is Walter? Fun Canine Facts & FAQ

Walter—or Nelson, which is his actual name—is a Bull Terrier known for the close-up face meme that charmed the world and led to an internet sensation.¹ Nelson was given the nickname “Walter,” and his sweet face is known worldwide.

Nelson gained popularity on the social media platforms Twitter and Reddit, and the iconic image of his face close-up looking into the camera was first posted to image boards in late 2018. The funny meme spread rapidly, and eventually, Nelson had his own Instagram page and thousands of fans,² meaning this cute pup is a bonafide celebrity.

What Is a Bull Terrier?

A Bull Terrier is a unique dog breed with a fascinating facial bone structure. They have no ”stop” in their skull at all (the area joining the “forehead” to the muzzle), meaning that they have a unique and instantly recognizable “egg-shaped” head. The Bull Terrier is also the only dog breed with triangular eyes. It is a muscular, stocky breed that was cherry-picked for its appearance and vermin-hunting abilities.

The Bull Terrier originated in 1917 with the first dog to not have a stop, Lord Gladiator. Before him, the breed was honed through crossbreeding Dalmatians, Borzoi, and other terriers to create the intriguing silhouette of the Bull Terrier.

Modern variations of the Bull Terrier also come in Miniature and various colors, including the well-known white, white-and-brindle, and full brindle.

How Long Do Bull Terriers Live?

Bull Terriers are relatively hardy dogs, living around 10–15 years, with the AKC (American Kennel Club) placing the average age between 11 and 12 years. The breed suffers from some medical issues, but surprisingly, they’re not particularly vulnerable to breathing or vision problems despite having that unique skull structure.

Bull Terriers can suffer from deafness, with the color of their coats affecting the percentage (20% for white Bull terriers, 1.3% for all other colors), as well as skin conditions and allergies. If the Bull Terrier is white-furred, sunburns and skin cancer can also occur, so wearing sunscreen is recommended.

They can also suffer from patellar luxation (dislocation of the knee joint) and are known for having kidney problems, so keeping them at a healthy weight and active is critical.

Are Bull Terriers Aggressive?

Bull Terriers are known for being stubborn, high-energy, and persistent, but they are renowned for their loyalty and excellent temperament when well-socialized. Because they're heavily muscled dogs, they can cause problems if not socialized properly. Behavioral issues can include:

• Fearfulness
• Unruly behavior
• Being unable to cope in certain situations
• Nervous of people/generalized anxiety
• Intolerant of other dogs

However, if the Bull terrier is socialized well and is exercised for at least an hour a day, they are the perfect family companions. The American Kennel Club considers them the “ultimate personality breed,” stating that (if socialized and exercised) “…there is no more loyal, lovable, and entertaining companion.”

Final Thoughts

Walter (or Nelson) is a Bull Terrier whose fame and unusual nickname were brought about by a picture of his sweet and true-to-breed face. These dogs are loyal and kind and have relatively few health complications for a pure breed. They need to be well-socialized and given adequate exercise, but all in all, the species that Walter represents is encompassed in that one silly, inquisitive pose he strikes in the famous meme.

Featured Image Credit: Nelson The Bull Terrier, photograph by Victoria Leigh. All rights reserved to the copyright owners.