Miniature Bull Terrier

Miniature Bull Terriers, like their bigger relatives, the Bull Terrier, are famous for their use in commercial advertisements. Target and Anhauser Busch are just some of the big companies that use this dog for promotion. History The Bull Terrier and Miniature Bull Terrier were created by breeding the White English Terrier with the Bulldog. Selective breeding since then has created the distinct difference in size between this breed and the standard size. In fact, the Miniature Bull Terrier was often the more common of the two, until they were bred with Spanish Pointers to increase the size. It was at that point that the distinction was made between the sizes. Appearance The most distinctive feature of the Miniature Bull Terrier is its head. The skull is long and thick, with an oval face. Miniature Bull Terriers are often described as "egg heads"� for this reason, as the skull is egg shaped. Despite this odd appearance, the Miniature Bull Terrier manages to have an intelligent and determined expression. The eyes are normally very dark and almost triangular in shape. The ears are usually small, hanging down by the face, though they can be held erect. A Miniature Bull Terrier's Body should measure between ten and fourteen inches tall at the withers. The torso should have a length equal to this height, giving this breed a square, sturdy appearance. It often weighs between twenty and thirty-five pounds. The neck is muscular, as is the whole body. As for the coat, it is always short, glossy, and somewhat harsh to the touch. Some dogs will be pure white, while others have markings. Other dogs can be brown, black, or any other color, sometimes with white markings. Temperament Most owners describe this dog as clownish, which matches with its odd appearance. This breed can be very playful and loving. However, they are sometimes too energetic to be around small children, so supervision is necessary. They don't get along well with other non-canine pets, so multiple-pet households aren't the best idea if you have your sights set on a Miniature Bull Terrier. They should also appear fearless and powerful, despite their small size. This breed does have some of the "terrier mentality,"� meaning they can be stubborn and will test their boundaries. Pet Care The biggest concern for these dogs is obedience training and socialization. A properly trained and socialized dog will be a joy to own, though Miniature Bull Terriers who aren't socialized at a young age can have some behavioral problems. Supervision should be used around other pets and small children. Grooming needs are minimal. This smaller breed needs regular exercise, too, but nothing over the top. Daily walks should suffice. Health Issues The average lifespan of a Miniature Bull Terrier is between eleven and fourteen years, which is normal for a purebred dog of this size. While there aren't too many serious health problems in this breed, there are some concerns with eye problems, ear problems, and skin problems, as well as some common afflictions of the internal organs. Miniature Bull Terriers can suffer from deafness, especially the all-white dogs. Luxating patella's and other joint problems are also common. As for the internal organs, polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and nephritis are hereditary diseases that affect the kidneys and cause them to malfunction. Most dogs are tested prior to breeding in an effort to prvent these genes from passing on to the next generation. Aortic valve stenosis and mitral valve dysplasia are other hereditary diseases, but they affect the heart. Other minor problems include dermatitis and skin rashes. What Owners Have to Say Most owners with Miniature Bull Terriers love them for their spunky, fun-loving attitudes and their small size. Is this the right dog for you? If you're looking for a small yet strong dog with a lot of energy, then the Miniature Bull Terrier may be for you. This dog breed typically has a rowdy personality. Plus, because of their muscular build, they often look intimidating, so they do make a good guard dog, even though they are little. Miniature Bull Terriers are fearless, so they won't back down if they are threatened, even by an intruder or other animal bigger than them. This kind of bravery is desired by some dog owners. Grooming needs are minimal, too, so this dog fits with many families. However, if you aren't prepared to handle the energy and terrier attitude this breed possesses, it probably isn't for you. As terriers, they can be very energetic and hard to train at times. They will push their limits and be strong-willed. Training has to begin at a young age so they don't develop bad habits. Without proper training or regular exercise, this breed is often very destructive. Miniature Bull Terriers will find an outlet for their energy if they become bored. Plus, if they aren't socialized, they can be aggressive. While this isn't typical, it is an unpleasant trait of some puppies. This aggression is usually towards strangers or other animals, so multiple-pet households are not desired. Supervision around young children is necessary. Besides behavioral problems, this breed also has a bad reputation. Though they are small dogs, they are seen like the standard Bull Terriers as public menaces. This is in part due to their behavior (when left on the street and when poorly trained) and due to their history as fighting dogs. If you don't want to deal with possible legal issues or fear from your neighbors, this isn't the breed for you. Take all of this into consideration before purchasing a Miniature Bull Terrier.

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