Miniature Bull Terrier Fact Center

In 19th century England, when people used to fight dogs for sport, some people crossed Bulldogs and now-extinct English Terriers to produce a dog with fast reflexes and great courage. This dog was called the Bull and Terrier, and was an ancestor to today’s Bull Terrier. But some of these terriers came out smaller and were less appropriate for fighting. Sometimes called Voerwood Terriers because a kennel by that name specialized in small Bull Terriers, the Miniature bull Terriers weren’t always healthy or attractive, so those who liked the smaller Bull Terriers bred for a slightly larger size—more miniature than toy. Recognized by the English Kennel Club in 1939 and the American Kennel Club in 1991, the Miniature Bull Terrier, the Miniature Bull Terrier has never been very common. Today he ranks the 129th most popular breed. His full-sized brother, the Bull Terrier, ranks 61st.

Comical, athletic, super-strong for their size, and always up for whatever you want to be doing, the Miniature Bull Terrier will invent adventures, investigations, and games if you aren’t going to provide them. Busy and mischievous, Mini Bulls don’t do well alone. They get extremely attached to the people they love, so be there for them and you’ll discover a devoted and often hilarious companion in your Mini Bull. Great with kids who treat them nicely but a little rough for the youngest ones, Mini Bulls and kids should always be supervised. Mini Bulls usually get along well with opposite-sex dogs with careful introductions, although they tend to scrabble with dogs of the same sex, especially other terriers. They can be taught to get along with cats if raised with them, but small animals probably won’t be safe. The Mini Bull’s big strong jaws can make quick work of furniture, shoes, or clothes left lying about, but with plenty of chew toys, lots of training, and enough exercise, the Miniature Bull Terrier makes a delightful housemate.

Strong, muscular, and athletic looking with a big head, thick egg-shaped muzzle, and dark, keen, intelligent eyes, the Miniature Bull Terrier has a short, flat, glossy coat in pure white, white with markings, or any other color. In dog shows, Miniature Bull Terriers, like Bull Terriers, are divided into two varieties:  White and Colored. 

Eager to please and willing to work but easily bored and sharp as a tack, the Miniature Bull Terrier might seem stubborn at times but he only wants a real challenge and something interesting to keep his eager mind occupied. Keep training fun and active, and change the order and activities often, and your Mini Bull will stay interested. So will you!

Grooming the Mini Bull is a snap. Brush the hard coat weekly to minimize shedding in the house, trim nails, and keep teeth clean. Also be sure the Miniature Bull Terrier gets plenty of daily exercise, indoors or out. A tired Mini Bull is much less likely to get in trouble. 

The most common health problems in Miniature Bull Terriers are deafness (common in white dogs), eye problems like lens luxation, and patellar luxation (knee caps that slip out of place). Some Mini Bulls also suffer from skin problems like allergies, hives, and hot spots. Ask your breeder and your vet about these issues. Breeders should have the parents of the litter certified free of eye diseases. Parents and puppies can both be tested for deafness, which can be hard to discover in a pet that is only deaf in one ear. 

There are lots of famous Bull Terriers, and it isn’t always clear whether they are Minis or not, like the mascot for Target Corporation, the cartoon character Grimm in the comic strip Mother Goose and Grim, and Rude Dog, a cartoon character developed for the surfing and skateboarding product line.