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Miniature Bull Terriers are strong, well-proportioned dogs that have similar traits to Standard Bull Terriers. These dogs are comical creatures who are happy to entertain.
Breed Overview
Height:
10 – 14 inches
Weight:
20 – 35 pounds
Lifespan:
11 – 12 years
Colors:
Cream, black, red, white, fawn, brown
Suitable for:
Families with children, Active homes
Temperament:
Energetic, playful, mischievous
Despite their size, they are not lap dogs but will enjoy active families who help them burn off excess energy. This breed is well known for having a mischievous streak, so it’s important that owners spend time training them well when they are young.
Miniature Bull Terrier Characteristics
Miniature Bull Terrier Puppies
Be careful to look for responsible breeders for Miniature Bull Terriers. Responsible breeders will make sure the puppyʻs parents are healthy and free of inherited health conditions. They will also make sure their puppies are vet-checked and given appropriate shots and dewormers. Ask your veterinarian or other local Miniature Bull Terrier owners to recommend a good breeder.
Miniature Bull Terriers tend to have a fun and energetic behavior. When welcoming this dog into your home, you can expect to have a funny and loving pet that also makes great company for families and children.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Miniature Bull Terrier
Comical, mischievous, and entertaining are the most common terms to describe the Miniature Bull Terriers personality. This breed is very intelligent and enjoys playing games with its owners. While they are affectionate, they’re not cuddly, so they’re not suitable as lap dogs.
Miniature Bull Terriers have a strong instinct to defend and protect and can be trained as guard dogs. How they react to strangers varies between individual dogs, but you can expect them to be aware of their surroundings at all times.
Because they have a high energy level, it’s necessary to keep these dogs active. If they don’t get enough exercise, they can become destructive.
As very independent dogs, they are fully capable of spending time alone and aren’t prone to suffer from separation anxiety when their owners are away.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
Miniature Bull Terriers make wonderful family pets. They are better with older children than small ones, particularly if small children aren’t inclined to respect the dogs’ space.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
Other dogs in the household will become quick friends with a Miniature Bull Terrier. These dogs are playful, so a playmate will actually help prevent them from wreaking havoc in your home.
If you have dogs, cats, or small animals that are much smaller than your Miniature Bull Terrier, this will spell trouble. These dogs were bred as ratters, so they have strong predatorial instincts and are likely to kill small creatures who cross their path.
Things to Know When Owning a Miniature Bull Terrier:
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
Miniature Bull Terriers are prone to becoming overweight if they are overfed or don’t get enough exercise. It’s important to feed them quality dog food and avoid the overuse of treats.
Exercise 🐕
As high-energy dogs, Mini Bull Terriers need to be kept active. They will enjoy hikes, long walks, running, and biking. Early socialization and play with other dogs will be beneficial for this breed. To avoid them becoming destructive, you’ll want to ensure they receive about 60 minutes per day of activity.
Training 🎾
Mini Bull Terriers can be difficult to train because they love to be mischievous. Thus, they will require consistency and patience with training. Unlike a lot of other dogs, Miniature Bull Terriers don’t have a strong desire to please their owners. They are much more concerned with their own happiness than yours.
Their intelligence, however, means they pick up things easily. If you can turn their training into an enjoyable game, you will find your dog easier to train.
Due to their territorial and protective instincts, it’s extremely important to ensure puppies are well socialized with other humans. While this breed isn’t known for being aggressive, poor socialization combined with a protective nature can lead to poor behavior in adult dogs. While it’s not necessary that your Miniature Bull Terrier is friendly with everyone, it is necessary that they are safe around other people.
Grooming ✂️
With regards to grooming, this breed is quite low-maintenance. They are moderate shedders, but this can be reduced by brushing them 2-3 times a week.
While Miniature Bull Terriers aren’t double-coated, they will “blow out” their coat twice a year, in the spring and fall. During these times, daily brushing can help prevent excessive shedding.
The distinctive shape of a Mini Bull Terrier’s face makes them more likely to develop dental diseases than some other dog breeds. This can be prevented by regular teeth brushing (two to three times per week).
Health and Conditions 🏥
Compared to many other purebred dogs, Miniature Bull Terriers are quite healthy.
Male vs Female
The personalities of males and females do not have any noticeable differences. Physically speaking, males can weigh slightly more.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Miniature Bull Terrier
1. They’re not “mini” Bull Terriers
While it’s easy to assume that Miniature Bull Terriers are simply “mini” versions of the Standard-sized Bull Terrier, they’re not. Although the two breeds are related, they are completely separate breeds with different ancestors.
The Miniature Bull Terrier was actually bred before the Bull Terrier and was developed from crossing an Old English Bulldog with a White English Terrier.
Bull Terriers are a result of breeding Miniature Bull Terriers with Spanish Pointers and possible Dalmations.
2. Bull Terriers were snubbed by the upper class
Despite their differences in breeding and size, both Mini and Standard Bull Terriers have a common history. Their appearance was once considered ugly, and upper social classes in the 1800s snubbed these dogs because of it.
3. Miniature Bull Terriers were fighting dogs
In the olden days of English dog-fighting competitions, Miniature Bull Terriers were a popular breed. They are fearless and fierce, with endless endurance. These qualities were desirable in fighting dogs. After dog fighting was outlawed, the breed became popular for ratting because they would retrieve small game animals from their hiding holes.
Final Thoughts
The Miniature Bull Terrier is an entertaining, fun dog who will provide you with plenty of laughs. They make great family pets and will be happy to keep up with active children. It’s important to train and socialize these dogs as puppies to avoid unwanted behavior.
See also:
Featured Image Credit: I_Love_Bull_Terriers, Pixabay
