Miniature Bull Terrier

The Miniature Bull Terrier is in every way--except size--exactly like the Bull Terrier. Created from crossing a Bulldog with the now-extinct White English Terrier, Bull Terriers were meant at first to be rough, tough fighting dogs. That quality never spoiled their love of people, though.

The Mini Bull is a little bundle of strength. He needs a firm, confident owner who's consistent in enforcing the rules.

His owner should have a sense of humor and playfulness, too, because the Mini Bull is full of fun. He likes to be wherever his owner is, and he's a pal to most people he meets. He proudly looks out from spitfire-black eyes that are deeply set into the distinctive egg-shaped head. His nose is black, his neck thick and muscular. His colors are solid white or colored, with any color predominating.

Excerpts from the Standard

General Appearance: Strongly built, active, determined, full of fire, but having an even temper.

Size, Proportion, and Substance: Height--10 to 14 inches at the withers.

Fun Facts

Early in the Bull Terrier's history, breeders thought he wasn't big enough, so they added some Spanish Pointer to the breed. The resulting puppies did grow to a larger size, but not every one of them. There were dogs of differing sizes. Some were so small that they only weighed four pounds when grown up.

Because of the variety in sizes, breeders began to separate the Bull Terriers into groups: Miniature (midsize), and Standard (the largest).

Excerpted from The Complete Dog Book For Kids © 1996, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.