Miniature Bull Terrier

• ExerciseHigh

  Needs a good workout or long walk every day.

• GroomingWash & go

  The occasional brush and bath is plenty.

• Living spaceApartment-friendly

  Happy in smaller homes with regular outings.

• Owner experienceFor experienced owners

  Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• Commitment11–14 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Patellar luxation · Deafness · Kidney disease

The Miniature Bull Terrier is the same breed as the standard Bull Terrier in a smaller frame, with the same distinctive egg-shaped head and downfaced Roman profile, the same muscular build and the same famously comic personality. It was recognised separately by the AKC in 1991 and typically stands 25 to 35 centimetres at the shoulder. It is a clown, and it is much stronger than its size suggests. Miniature Bull Terriers are exuberant, stubborn, physically boisterous and deeply attached to their people, and they stay puppyish for years. They also need firm, patient, consistent training and thorough early socialisation, because the breed can be assertive with unfamiliar dogs and has a high pain threshold and a lot of determination. They should not be left alone for long days; a bored one becomes destructive and can develop obsessive behaviours such as tail chasing, which is well documented in the breed. Exercise is around an hour a day of walks and vigorous play, plus mental work. The short coat needs only a weekly rub, though white-coated dogs sunburn easily and need shade. Health screening is important here: buy from a breeder who tests hearing by BAER, since congenital deafness occurs in white dogs, who screens kidneys for hereditary nephritis with a urine protein-to-creatinine ratio, who tests eyes for primary lens luxation, and who has hearts checked. With that groundwork, expect eleven to fourteen years.

• How much exercise does a Miniature Bull Terrier need?

  High. Needs a good workout or long walk every day.

• How much grooming does a Miniature Bull Terrier need?

  Wash & go. The occasional brush and bath is plenty.

• Is a Miniature Bull Terrier suited to apartment living?

  Apartment-friendly. Happy in smaller homes with regular outings.

• Is a Miniature Bull Terrier a good fit for first-time owners?

  For experienced owners. Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• How long do Miniature Bull Terrier live?

  11–14 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Miniature Bull Terrier?

  Keep an eye out for Patellar luxation, Deafness, Kidney disease. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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