Description and history of the Miniature Bull Terrier dog breed

Description: The Miniature Bull Terrier is a muscular dog with a strong constitution. Standing between 10 and 14 inches tall and weighing 24 to 23 pounds, it is stocky and short. The head is long and strong oval in shape, descending evenly to the nose, which is black. The eyes are small, almond-shaped and sunken, these are dark in color. Their ears are small, thin and close together.

This breed has a long neck that is very muscular with broad shoulders. The tail is set low and is not long. Its coat is short, smooth and dense, rough to the touch. There are two colors recognized by the AKC; the white bull terrier may have colored markings on the head but not on the body; and the colored bull terrier, which may be black and brindle, red, fawn, and tricolor with white markings. Their life expectancy is between 10 and 12 years.

History: The Miniature Bull Terrier breed began in the 19th century when Bulldogs were crossed with Terriers. In 1830 there was a popular sport of bulldogs fighting bulls in a pit. Lovers of this fight wanted to create a dog that would be more agile, so they crossed the bulldog with an old English terrier, Spanish point blood. The result was the Bull Terrier breed, which was not as successful a fighter as breeders had hoped, and by 1860, the dog had changed and was in vogue among the nobles. This breed has been used as a watchdog, herder, ratter, and guard dog. The Miniature Bullterrier was first recognized by the AKC in 1991.