The Miniature Bull Terrier is an exact replica of the Bull Terrier in a smaller package. They are a strong, muscular and powerful looking little dog with a striking egg-shaped head.
Deafness is the most common health problem within the breed, most frequently encountered in white Bull Terriers.
Other problems that this breed can develop include:
- Lethal acrodermatitis, which is a condition that only affects white English Bull Terriers and is a inherited disease which can cause serious skin and growth problems.
- Primary lens luxation which is a condition where the lens moves from it's normal position in the eye which will result in vision loss and can cause pain.
- Polycystic kidney disease where cysts develop in the kidneys and which can stop them from working.
- Heart problems including mitral dysplasia which is where the heart valves become diseased and don't work properly.
- Patellar luxation.
Priority Kennel Club health schemes and testing:
- DNA test for primary lens luxation which tests whether or not a dog has the potential to be affected by this condition.
- Eye screening scheme.
Full of fun and brimming with enthusiasm for life, the Miniature Bull Terrier is exuberant and joyous in all activities, particularly those involving family and people in general.
Although they have a reputation for being stubborn, the reality is that this is an independent terrier in a very robust, strong body and you simply will not get what you want without some negotiation on your part!
Like their larger relatives, the Mini Bull Terrier is bold, energetic and not inclined to back down if challenged, this means thorough socialisation is necessary, with an owner willing to put in some effort to motivate their dog to work with them as well as some good management.
| Family-friendly: | 5/5 |
| Exercise needs: | 5/5 |
| Easy to train: | 5/5 |
| Tolerates being alone: | 2/5 |
| Likes other pets: | 4/5 |
| Energy level: | 4/5 |
| Grooming needs: | 3/5 |
| Shedding: | 3/5 |
The Miniature Bull Terrier is these days a show dog and companion breed, fiercely loved by their owners and breeders for their appearance and character. In the early 1800’s however, the Miniature Bull Terrier began life as a ratting terrier, put into pits to kill rats as a gambling activity and spectator sport, and they were bred down from the larger Bull Terrier whose original purpose was to fight other Bull Terriers for ‘sport’.
As these activities thankfully became illegal, the neat, economical to keep and exuberantly friendly to humankind Bull Terriers and their Miniature relatives found themselves well placed to become companion dogs, and so the breeds survived. The larger Bully was the more popular for some time and lack of interest in the Mini Bull Terrier resulted in their being removed by the Kennel Club from the breed register in 1918. Fortunately thanks to dedicated breeders and breed enthusiasts, the breed survives today with the breed club being formed in 1938.
You’ll need all the patience, humour and composure that owning the standard Bull Terrier requires but will also need to be that bit fitter as the Mini Bull Terrier is a bit lighter and faster than their larger cousin! They’ll still need long walks, plenty of affection and lots of training - and are still capable of demolishing objects that get between them and food or anything else exciting!
A Miniature Bull Terrier will enjoy around an hour’s exercise per day minimum, ideally more and with a variety of walking routes and training incorporated. They won’t like the cold and wet much, but given a suitable warm coat should be encouraged out or they will find ways to release that energy inside your home instead. This is likely to result in a miniature wrecking ball in your living room, so do not skimp on exercise and entertainment! They enjoy games with their beloved owner and can be surprisingly clever at problem solving puzzles and enrichment toys.
The Miniature Bull Terrier does not require a large or lavish home, or garden, and can live happily in town, country or city. They do however require a secure home and garden, and must not be left unattended for long, as a bored or lonely Mini Bull is likely to be a loud and destructive dog. Access to plenty of interesting walking routes ideally with some secure areas for off lead running and play are necessary.
Your dog's diet needs to have the right balance of all the main nutrient groups including a constant supply of fresh water. It's also important to conduct regular body condition scores to ensure you keep your dog in ideal shape and remember to feed them at least twice daily and in accordance with the feeding guidelines of their particular food.
The short coat is harsh-textured and glossy. A softer undercoat can be present in the winter months. Coat care is minimal – just a quick brush through once a week at most. When the coat sheds, however, you might want to increase this to two or three times a week, to remove the dead coat and prevent it going on your carpet, clothing and furnishings!
Early training to walk politely on a loose lead, recall swiftly and of course, early ongoing socialisation with and around other animals and children are vital. The Mini Bull is enthusiastic sometimes to the point of idiocy, and has absolutely no understanding of the concept of ‘personal space’ when it comes to others - especially their owner as they are quite sure they are a lap dog! Teaching polite manners and keeping on top of that training will be an on-going job for life.
A well-trained Mini Bull can take part in a variety of doggy sports and activities, but you will need to be a dedicated trainer who enjoys a challenge and realises that at heart this is a sensitive dog who needs thoughtful and consistent handling!
A well socialised and well-trained adult Miniature Bull Terrier can make an excellent family pet with older children. Due to the time it takes to raise, socialise and train a Mini Bull to be that wonderful adult dog however, and due to their oblivious enthusiasm and solid build, they may not suit families with very small children or frail adults.
While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other, and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.
Mini Bull Terriers almost became Toy Bull Terriers - their size becoming so small and light that deformities began to appear and the breed fell out of favour for some years.
Whilst its likely many Miniature Bull Terriers have appeared in literature, cartoons and film, they are almost always erroneously listed as being ‘Bull Terriers’ as many people were and some still are, unaware that the Miniature exists as a separate type to the larger Bull Terrier. Bullseye, the dog in the original film of Oliver Twist, was a Bull Terrier - and it is difficult to be sure if he was a small Bull Terrier or a large Miniature Bull Terrier but in most stage adaptations, the past is taken by a Mini for space reasons.
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