Miniature Bull Terrier

Dog breed
English Miniature Bull Terrier
English Miniature Bull Terrier
Other namesMini Bull
OriginEngland
Traits
Height Not to exceed 35.4 cm (14 in)
Coat Short, flat, even, and harsh to touch
Color White, black, brindle, red, fawn and tricolor
Life span 11-14 years
Kennel club standards
The Kennel Club standard
Fédération Cynologique Internationale standard
Dog (domestic dog)

The English Miniature Bull Terrier is a breed with origins in the extinct English White Terrier, the Dalmatian and the Bulldog. The first existence is documented in 1872 in The Dogs of British Island.

Description

Appearance

Standard Bull Terrier on the left, Mini Bull on the right
Miniature Bull Terrier in black, white and tan (tricolor)

Miniature Bull Terriers have short, fine, and glossy coats that are very close to the skin, like Bull Terriers. They are accepted in the ring to be white, white with another color, or fully colored. However, like the Bull Terriers, any blue or liver-colored coats are undesirable. These dogs require minimal grooming.

In the early 1900s, the difference between the breeds was determined by the dog's weight. However, this led to Miniature Bull Terriers becoming so small and fine that they looked more like a Chihuahua than a Bull Terrier. So, in the 1970s, the weight limit was replaced with a height limit of under fourteen inches. They are usually no smaller than ten inches. According to the AKC, miniature bull terriers' weight must be proportionate to its height. However, they tend to range anywhere from 20 to 35  lbs.

The Miniature Bull Terriers have a very bold build. They have very muscular shoulders and a full body. Like the Bull Terrier, they have a head described as "egg-shaped". It is flat on top with a Roman nose. The eyes are triangular and closely set. The ears are carried erect and are not cropped or otherwise altered. The tail is carried horizontally rather than vertically.

Temperament

Like Bull Terriers, Miniature Bull Terriers are loving and, like many terrier breeds, they can be stubborn at times; but despite this they make great dogs for people with limited space.

Miniature Bull Terriers are known to be stubborn and courageous. Despite their diminutive stature, they will readily challenge larger dogs. However, as with any dog, owners can reduce the likelihood of confrontations by providing appropriate training. They are very energetic and playful and love people, but care must be taken as they are variable around other dogs.

Miniature Bull Terriers require little grooming. A quick brushing once a day or a few times a week is sufficient. Sunscreen must be used on any sparse white sections of fur around the face, ears, hindquarters or stomach when outdoors (especially in summer between the hours of 10am and 2pm) to avoid sunburn and cancer.

Health

Deafness occurs in both colored and white Miniature Bull Terriers. Puppies can be born unilaterally deaf (deaf in one ear) or bilaterally deaf (deaf in both ears). Deaf dogs should not be bred due to deafness being hereditary.[1] BAEP (or BAER) testing is done on puppies prior to sale to discover which puppies have hearing problems.

Lethal acrodermatitis, also known as Acrodermatitis of the Bull Terrier is a rare genodermatosis monogenic autosomal inherited disease found exclusively in white Bull Terriers (including the miniature Bull Terrier). The condition is usually fatal and is characterised by poor growth, decreased serum copper and zinc levels, immunodeficiency, bronchopneumonia, skin lesions, and erosions on the distal extremities. Other symptoms that occur later on include crusting, papules, pustules, erythema, hyperkeratosis, and colour dilution. The condition manifests within the first few weeks of life and most puppies affected die before the age of 2. Their size is roughly half of their unaffected litter mates at a year old. Unlike the human condition acrodermatitis enteropathica, zinc supplementation does not improve symptoms.[2][3]

The Miniature Bull Terrier is one of the more commonly affected breeds for primary lens luxation which is caused by an autosomal recessive mutation of the ADAMTS17 gene.[4]

History

When the Bull Terrier breed was first created in 19th century England, it was about the same size as the Miniature Bull Terrier.[5] Miniature Bull Terriers were granted membership in the American Kennel Club (AKC) on May 14, 1991 (effective January 1, 1992).[6][7]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Bull Terrier Health: Deafness". Bull Terriers Health UK. Retrieved 2008-04-13.
  2. ^ Rhodes, Karen Helton; Werner, Alexander H. (2011-01-25). Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion. Ames, Iowa: Wiley-Blackwell. pp. 473–474. ISBN 978-0-8138-1596-1.
  3. ^ Bauer, Anina; Jagannathan, Vidhya; Högler, Sandra; Richter, Barbara; McEwan, Neil A.; Thomas, Anne; Cadieu, Edouard; André, Catherine; Hytönen, Marjo K.; Lohi, Hannes; Welle, Monika M.; Roosje, Petra; Mellersh, Cathryn; Casal, Margret L.; Leeb, Tosso (2018-03-22). "MKLN1 splicing defect in dogs with lethal acrodermatitis". PLOS Genetics. 14 (3). Public Library of Science (PLoS): e1007264. doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1007264. ISSN 1553-7404. PMC 5863938.
  4. ^ Oliver, James A.C.; Mellersh, Cathryn S. (2020). "Genetics". In Cooper, Barbara; Mullineaux, Elizabeth; Turner, Lynn (eds.). BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing (Sixth ed.). British Small Animal Veterinary Association. p. 131. ISBN 978-1-910-44339-2.
  5. ^ "Miniature Bull Terrier History". American Kennel Club. Archived from the original on 2008-04-16. Retrieved 2008-04-13.
  6. ^ "Miniature Bull Terrier Breed Standard". American Kennel Club. Archived from the original on 2014-11-12. Retrieved 2008-04-13.
  7. ^ "Miniature Bull Terrier (coloured)". Dog.com. Retrieved 2008-04-13.

External links

  • Miniature Bull Terrier at Curlie
  • v
  • t
  • e
Working breeds
Long-legged
Pinschers
Schnauzers
Other
Short-legged
Cur-type hunting breeds
Bull-type breedsToy breedsMiscellaneousExtinct breeds
  • v
  • t
  • e
Dogs originating in the United Kingdom
Hounds
Gun dogs
Terriers
Working
breeds
Toy breeds
Bull types
Herding dogs
Other
Extinct