small Breed Dogs
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Miniature Bull Terrier
Average Weight: (Non Specified per AKC)
Average Height:  10-14  inches (25.4 – 35.56 cm)
Pronounced: Min-E-Ah-Chur  Bulh   TEH-ree-er
Group:  Terrier
Life Span: 12 Years
Average Litter:5
Origin: Great Britain

Description

The Miniature Bull Terrier is strong and active.  There is no weight specified for this small dog breed, however he is in proportion to his height. Most dogs range between 16 and 33 pounds (7.25-15 kg).  Females are generally a bit smaller than males.

The head is long and deep, right to the end of the muzzle.  It is oval shaped and gives the impression of fullness with a surface without indention, perhaps this is best described as an egg shape.

The eyes are sunken and often have a piercing glint as they are extremely dark. The lips are tight and the small ears are held erect.  The top teeth should fit in front of and closely against the lower teeth, in a scissor bite.

The low set tail is short, fine and carried straight out, horizontally. The Miniature Bull Terrier, like his larger cousin the Bull Terrier, has round, compact feet with well arches toes like those of a cat. 

Color

The colors of the Miniature Bull Terrier are quite varied.  They include: Black, brindle, tan, fawn, red, white and white.  The short, flat coat has a fine gloss.  On white dogs, markings on head and on skin pigment are acceptable.   With colored dogs, any color may be predominate.  

Personality

This is a courageous small breed dog, who is energetic but even tempered and listens well to constructive discipline.  Despite the sometimes serious look, this dog has a quite delightful nature and like to have plenty of affection.  He has a high energy level, is smart and is known for being an independent thinker.  The "Bully" as this dog is often nicknamed is usually very territorial and for that reason often does not get along with other pets.  Some Miniature Bull Terriers can have obsessive compulsive behaviors, such as tail chasing. Some male Bull Terriers have an overabundance of testosterone which can cause over-activity and aggression,  this can be subdued with neutering.

Origin & History

The now extinct White English Terrier and the Bulldog were bred together to create the Miniature Bull Terrier dog. At that time the dogs varied quite a bit in size from as little as 4-7 pounds to 15 or 16 pounds. Others were larger, close to the standard Bull Terrier of today.  The Toys, as they were known, were exhibited until the beginning of WWI, however they did not really catch on in popularity at that time.  As they were bred down in size, their popularity grew.  The AKC gave recognition in 1991.

Health

The life span of this small dog is slighter shorter than many other dogs at 11-12 years. However, some do live longer.  Possible health issues to be aware of are:
  • Deafness
  • Skin allergies
  • Lameness - This is often caused by weight and a density of muscles as a puppy matures to adulthood, so this dog should be discouraged from jumping and from any exercise that could put strain on the muscles during the growth stage (from birth to 1 year)
Exercise

 Having a high activity level, the Miniature Bull Terrier needs a good amount of exercise, he thoroughly enjoys going for long walks and playing. 

Grooming

Coat care if fairly minimal, just the occasional brush and comb will do.  Nails should be checked for trimming every 6 or 7 weeks, dental brushings are recommended daily as tooth decay is very common with dogs who do not receive this at home and baths are generally needed very few weeks. 

Shedding

Shedding occurs in the spring and fall. While a weekly brushing suffices most of the time, you might prefer to remove loose hairs with a grooming glove during heavy shedding periods.
Care & Training

This dog breed tends to become overweight easily, therefore proper feeding is very important. Commercial dog food may not be the best choice, as even the "highest quality" contains fillers - not the best thing for a dog breed with a propensity toward obesity.  A Mini Bull Terrier can make an excellent family pet if you are able to establish and maintain dominance from the beginning. These dogs are strong and can be quite stubborn as well, which can be a tricky combination without proper training. If given a choice between following your directions or choosing his own course of action, a Bully will take the lead every time. It is up to an owner to keep this behavior in check.      Owners - Click Here For More Detailed Information




                    
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