The Miniature Bull Terrier is of the same breed standard as the full sized Bull Terrier. It is only a smaller version of a Bull Terrier that was bred down for convenience and because some enjoy the smaller variety over the larger. Both varieties of Bull Terrier were created for sport and for hunting vermin, which is what many breeds are created for.

The Bull Terrier Miniature is suitable for any prospective pet owner who likes the Bull Terrier but feels a smaller version would be easier to handle. This is exceptionally true if the prospective owner has a smaller house and yard and would like a smaller indoor dog. The only thing that makes the Miniature Bull Terrier a poor pet is its aversion to being left alone.

Appearance

The Miniature Bull Terrier is strongly built and symmetrical. It has a keen, determined, intelligent expression. His head is long, strong, and deep with an oval or egg-shaped face. The top of skull is almost flat. It has a very strong lower jaw. His profile curves gently from top of skull to tip of nose. The length of muzzle is perceptibly longer than the length of skull.

The eyes are well sunken and dark. They are of black or dark brown color. They are small, triangular in shape and obliquely set. The ears are very small, thin and close set. They are most often held erect. The nose is black. 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.

It exhibits a broad, heavily muscled loin. 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. The gait is parallel. The feet are cat-like with well-arched toes.

Hair is short, flat, and hard with tight-fitting skin. It exhibits a soft undercoat in winter. The coat is short, flat, and harsh. Most Miniature Bull Terriers stand between ten and fourteen inches at the withers and weigh no more than twenty pounds. White varieties have a solid white coat and sometimes a pigmentation of the skin and markings on the head. In colored varieties, color is dominant over white. Black brindle, red, fawn and tri-color are also common.

Personality

Though this breed was once considered a fierce gladiator, it is much gentler now, as its hunting and killing days seem to be over. A Miniature Bull Terrier might have a preventive nature and it might defend its owner in a critical situation. However, it is not bred to be a guard dog. The Miniature Bull Terrier is courageous, fun-loving, active, and fearless.

The Miniature Bull Terrier is a loyal, polite, and obedient dog. It easily becomes very attached to its owner. It thrives on affection, which makes it a fine family pet. Miniature Bull Terriers like to be doing something, which makes them fit right in with active families in which they receive companionship and supervision.

They do not do well in homes where they are left alone for 8 hours a day. They can be wonderful pets if thoroughly socialized and trained. Due to the busy nature of life, they not recommended for most households. They are do well with both adults and children, but may be too energetic and boisterous for small children. They cannot tolerate teasing so children should be taught to respect them. They can be very protective and willful. Miniature Bull Terriers may try to join into family rough housing or quarrel.

They can be aggressive with other dogs. Unaltered males usually do not get along with other male dogs. Males and females can live together happily and two females can also live well together with care and supervision. They are not recommended in a home with other pets. They make excellent watch dogs.

Care

The Miniature Bull Terrier is easy to groom. An occasional combing and brushing is all that is necessary. It is an average shedder, shedding twice a year. Loose hair can be removed by a daily rubdown with a special rubber glove.

They need very firm training and lots of exercise. Training this breed can be very difficult though. They must be given a lot of companionship, or they may become destructive.

Bull Terriers are generally healthy. However, some are prone to suffer from a zinc deficiency, which can prove fetal. Some pups are born deaf. White Bull Terriers are more prone to deafness than colored. Some individual canines suffer from obsessive compulsive behaviors, such as tail chasing. Some bloodlines suffer from slipped patella (dislocation of the kneecaps). The breed is also prone to weight gain, allergy troubles, and bad knees.

Some male Bull Terriers (including Miniature) have an overabundance of testosterone, which makes them too territorial and aggressive. Neutering often fixes the problem, mellowing the dog out some with hormone balance.

History

In 1830, when combats between bulldogs and bulls were popular, lovers of this “sport” decided to create a dog that would attack even more agilely and add to the excitement of the game. By crossing the Bulldog with the Old English Terrier and adding some Spanish Pointer, they came up with the Bull Terrier. Ironically, Bull Terriers were not very successful fighters. In 1850 the white-coated variety, nicknamed the “White Cavalier”, was obtained and soon became a fashionable pet. The breed has been used as a guard, rat hunter, herder, and watchdog.

In 1914, the Miniature variety was defined as twelve pounds. By 1918, the Miniatures were in decline and the toy variety was practically extinct. The weight limit was then raised to eighteen pounds, which allowed fanciers of the smaller sizes to refresh the gene pool of the breeding dogs. At the beginning of the 20th century, weights between fifteen and fifty pounds were allowed but judging was divided by size limits.

The Miniature Bull Terrier was “perfected” in the 1930s by breeders of standard-sized Bull Terriers. They bred 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 simply a smaller version of the standard-sized Bull Terrier. Other than size, the American Kennel Club standard is the same for both. The original use of the breed was to hunt and kill vermin. Although shown in the Miscellaneous class at AKC shows since the 1963, the Miniature Bull Terrier was fully recognized by the AKC in 1991.

The Miniature Bull Terrier Club of America was founded in 1966. It has over 130 members residing all over the US, Canada and other countries. The MBTCA was originally created by a dedicated group of breeders and owners interested in promoting knowledge and appreciation of the unique qualities of the Miniature Bull Terrier.

Membership to the MBTCA is open to fanciers and breeders who are interested in exhibiting at AKC dog shows and/or performance events. Members also are encouraged to support breeding towards a healthy Miniature Bull Terrier who fits the standard in both type and temperament. It is also open to those who simply love the Miniature Bull Terrier and seek association with fellow fanciers. The MBTCA publishes a breed magazine, A Little Bull, four times a year and sponsors various trophies and awards, as well as conducting national and regional specialties and shows.