The Miniature Bull Terrier was created in the 1930s by breeders of standard-sized
Bull Terriers breeding the smaller puppies in litters in order to create
a smaller version of the breed. The Miniature Bull Terrier is not a true
miniature but is simply a smaller version of the standard-sized Bull Terrier.
Other than size (see below), the standard is the same for both. His original
use was to kill rats. Although shown in the Miscellaneous class at American
Kennel Club shows since the 1963, he was fully recognized by the American
Kennel Club in 1991.
The Miniature Bull Terrier is a good watchdog and, due to its size, ideal
for urban apartment dwellers. He will not tolerate teasing from children.
The Miniature Bull Terrier is strongly built, symmetrical and active. He
has a keen, determined, intelligent expression. His head is long, strong,
deep with an oval or egg-shaped face. His profile curves gently from top
of skull to tip of nose. The length of muzzle is perceptibly longer than
the length of skull. His eyes are well sunken and dark. They are small,
triangular in shape and obliquely set. The ears are small, think and placed
close together. The nose is black. The teeth should set in a level or scissors
bite. The neck is very muscular, long and arched. The back is short and
strong. The chest is broad with great dept from the withers to the brisket.
The tail is short, set low and carried horizontally. It should taper to
a fine point. The legs are strong and muscular but not overly heavy. He
should move smoothly with free, easy strides. His gait is parallel.The feet
are cat-like with well arched toes. The coat is short, flat and harsh. He
should stand between ten and fourteen inches at the withers and weigh no
more than twenty pounds.
Rockyn2@aol.com of Virginia writes:
Great with children.
We owned a Miniature Bull Terrier for fifteen years and sadly, just
recently lost him. His health was excellent for all but the last year when
age got a hold of him. We are heartbroken. We purchased our Mini from a
breeder when my sons were one and five, they did everything imaginable to
this dog and he never harmed them, he tolerated anything from them and allowed
them to love him. The only downside was that he never learned to tolerate
our cat. Prior to the Mini, we owned a full-sized Bull Terrier and had much
the same experience. With the children p; fantastic, active, loving
dogs.
soquelkiwi@aol.com of California writes on 10/11/99:
Fun loving, silly Mini Bulls will steal your heart.
I have lived with a Miniature Bull Terrier for over two years now. At first,
I wasn't sure if I could handle the little ball of teeth and energy. She
chewed up lots of toys and other objects and was rather active. With some
age and lots of obedience training, she has become the love of my life.
She follows me everywhere, sleeps next to me on the bed and does funny things
to make me laugh. Fortunately, she doesn't chew up things anymore. Now,
she thinks up silly things to do and you can see her watching and thinking,"are
they laughing yet?". Some things she does are, sliding down the grassy
hill on her belly, sometimes rolling down like a log, carrying her dolly
around and putting it in your lap and teasing you with it, wiggling on her
back in the middle of the floor before leaping up and running full tilt
around the living room, tail tucked and ears back, and sliding off the couch
and landing on her head on the carpet! She's a doll. My concerns about Miniature
Bull Terriers have to do with the health of the breed. They have numerous
genetic problems, as do many breeds of dogs, and you need to be careful
when buying a puppy. Both parents should have been tested for hearing, eyes,
heart and blood panel before breeding.
Name withheld by request of Canada writes on 10/10/99:
A tidy option to the larger *cousin* but a health-plagued breed
The better quality Minibulls are in most respects a smaller equivelent of
the standard size in looks; however, overall, pet quality Minis are not
as good-looking as the pet quality standard yet cost up to twice as much.
With its limited gene-pool, the serious inherited breed defects appear much
more often, with perhaps as many as one in five minis having at least one
of the following 4 problems: heart defects, kidney disease, glaucoma &
lens luxation, and allergies. Interbreeding has probably been responsible
for the large number of C-sections needed, as pups can vary by as much as
10 ounces in the same litter. A fourteen ounce pup out of a 40 lb dam is
not a problem - but a ten ounce pup from a 20 lb dam, preceded & followed
by 5 ounce pups generally wreaks havoc with a natural whelping! On the whole,
the breed satisfies the requirement for a smaller, more easily handled bully,
and they seem generally more compatible with other animals. However, never
forget they are closely related, even 50 & 75% true standard BTs in
some countries, and can have all the negative terrier aspects regardless
of their size! With the purchase price so high, and possibility of surgery
and/or shortened lifespan so likely, be especially vigilent when buying:
ask for proof that the parents are tested at maturity & just prior to
the mating that produced the litter you are planning to buy from. The Mini
Bull should have current yearly eye certification; and a heart report that
rules out valve defects. Ask about the refund/replacement policy. Shop around!
If you are a dedicated bully person and have to have one, but the price
is too high - a smaller standard will often be a better, more easily available
buy with fewer potential health problems due to a much larger gene pool
(less inbreeding).