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The Canine Chronicles Directory
Miniature Bull Terrier
The Miniature Bull Terrier is a sturdy, small-sized, strongly built dog. Their dense
coat comes in white, black, brindle, red, fawn and tri-color. The large head is
oval or egg shaped with an almost flat top sloping down to the tip of the nose and
has no stop. The Roman nose is black with well developed nostrils. The strong jaw
is deep and the teeth have a scissor-like bite. The deep set, triangular shaped
eyes are slanted and black or dark brown in color. The small ears are thin and set
close together. The long, arched neck tapers from the muscular shoulders to the
head. The body is round and compact with a strong, level back. The chest should
be broad. The legs should be strong and straight and the hindlegs should have a
well developed second thigh. The round compact feet should have well arched toes.
The short tail should sit low and be carried horizontally.
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Temperament
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Miniature Bull Terriers are friendly, courageous, fun loving, active, and clownish.
They are very affectionate and become very attached to their owners. This breed
should not be left alone for an extensive amount of time since they will become
bored and their strong jaws can produce a lot of damage. Bull Terriers can become
very protective, willful, jealous, or possessive. This behavior should not be encouraged.
This breed is not recommended for first time owners. They might try to participate
in family rough housing and quarreling. This should also be discouraged, since this
may result in nipping or knocking down. Due to their powerful jaws, nipping could
cause a lot of damage, even if they are playing. They should be thoroughly socialized
so that they will feel comfortable and not aggressive around strangers or other
dogs. Although this breed is usually placid, if threatened or challenged, they will
attack. Due to their strong prey drive, Bull Terriers are generally aggressive towards
smaller animals such as cats, rodents, birds, and smaller dogs. They should not
be in the same household as other dominant, aggressive, or assertive pets. Male
and females usually can successfully cohabitate. Two females can sometimes live
together although they need a lot of care and supervision. This breed should not
be off a leash in public areas as they can be dog aggressive. They can also be difficult
to train.
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Height, Weight
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Standard Height: 20-24" ; Weight: 45-80 lbs.
Miniature Height: 10-14" ; Weight: 24-33 lbs.
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Health Problems
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Miniature Bull Terriers are generally a healthy breed although there are several
hereditary ailments that show up in certain lines. Some are prone to suffer from
a zinc deficiency which can cause death. Others are prone to slipped patella (dislocation
of the kneecaps). Males in this breed may suffer from an overabundance of testosterone;
however, neutering often resolves this problem. White Bull Terriers are highly prone
to deafness. Make sure that breeders screen their stock. Obsessive compulsive behavior
is another issue that some Bull Terriers struggle with. They will obsessively chase
their tail or a specific item. This breed may also be sensitive to fleas or other
parasites.
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Living Conditions
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Miniature Bull Terriers can live okay in an apartment if they are given sufficient
exercise. A small yard will do for this breed and they prefer warmer climates.
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Exercise
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This breed needs vigorous exercise but should always be on a lead as they are very
aggressive towards other dogs. Exercise is needed with this breed as they can tend
to become overweight and lazy.
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Life Expectancy
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15 or more years
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Grooming
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The Bull Terrier is easy to groom. They usually only need a wipe down with a grooming
glove or towel to remove loose hair. They are average shedders.
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Origin
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In 1830, battles between Bulldogs and bulls were at an all time high. During this
time, enthusiastics of the "sport" decided to develop a dog that would attack with
more agility. They crossed the Bulldog with the Old English Terrier. They then added
a small amount of Spanish Pointer and in the 19th century developed the Bull Terrier.
They were produced to fight to the death. The White Bull Terrier variety was developed
in 1850. Its original nickname was the "White Cavalier". This dog became fashionable
as a pet for the aristocracy in the late 19th century. Today, they are one of the
most popular dogs in Britain and have proven to be an incredible guard dog. The
miniature version of the Bull Terrier has been around as long as the standard but
was recognized as a separate breed in 1939 by the British Kennel Club. They are
recognized by the AKC and the UKC.
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Group
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AKC and UKC Terrier
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