HISTORY:
When you first see a Miniature Bull Terrier, there is really nothing else it could be other than
a Bull Terrier. The head shape is probably the most distinctive one in the canine world but it
often elicits the comment that the person didn’t know the Miniature Bull Terrier existed.
The original Miniature Bull Terriers were selected for size from Bull Terrier litters and were
considered a neat companion and ratter. The first show for Miniature Bull Terriers was at
the International Dog Show, Islington, London in 1863 and although the weight limit there
was under 10lbs it is interesting to note that by 1883 this had been raised to 25lbs. The first
Bull Terrier champion, Nelson, made up in 1873, owned by Mr S E Shirley, the first
Chairman of the Kennel Club, would have been considered a miniature today and weighed
under 16lbs. A toy variety was also shown in the early days of the breed, but these died out
due to the extreme difficulty in maintaining type in a weight restricted variety and
unfortunately in 1918 the Miniature Bull Terrier was removed from the Kennel Club Breed
Register. Thankfully a few stalwarts of the breed continued to keep the Miniatures going and
after a dark phase of 20 years or so a group of enthusiasts formed the Miniature Bull Terrier
Club in 1938 with the objective of a height limit of 14 inches, and initially a weight limit,
which was later abolished. This gave us the breed standard we have today which states the
Miniature Bull Terrier should not exceed 14 inches at the shoulder with the impression of
maximum substance to the size of dog but that the dog should be at all times be balanced.
Minis have come a long way from the early days and have enjoyed unprecedented success in
recent years. Registrations have increased in the past 10 years from 103 in 1997 to currently
around the mid 200 mark. The breed is listed on the KC vulnerable native breeds list, but
the Miniature Bull Terrier is well served by dedicated breeders who take great pains to place
puppies in the correct homes as well as protect and improve type, temperament and health.
The Miniature Bull Terrier’s temperament is generally not a cause for concern and they tend
to be quite equable, sometimes the defender, sometimes the clown, although it must be
remembered that they are a terrier breed and therefore require consistent, calm and
disciplined handling. Thankfully, Minis are not currently included as a dangerous breed
under the Dangerous Dogs Act and I hope that this will long continue. The main factor in
separating Miniature Bull Terriers from the more obvious dogs listed as Dangerous breeds
has always been the very distinctive shape of the head, which makes it difficult to mistake for
any other breed. The main propagators of the Deed Not Breed movement are working very
hard to maintain this status quo and the Miniature Bull Terrier Club’s website holds a good
section on this.
The Kennel Club have allowed various rounds of interbreeding, initially started in the 1970s
and continuing to this day and several talented breeders have taken up the challenge.
Interbreeding has improved a lot of things in the Miniature Bull Terrier, not least in
lessening the impact that the dreaded Primary Lens Luxation was having on our breed. Size
is still something that needs to be worked on, but size always has been and always will be a
challenge when attempting to perfect a breed which has a height restriction and is
numerically small, especially with the added bugbear of a hereditary disease to conquer. I
take my hat off to those breeders who have persevered with health testing and interbreeding
as I really do think has been the only way for the breed to improve and limit the damage of
PLL whilst a DNA test is being formulated. The main health issue facing Mini breeders has
long been Primary Lens Luxation, but due to a breakthrough by the Animal Health Trust
over the past few months, they are significantly closer to developing a DNA test for
Miniature Bull Terriers. Once we have this I hope that all breeders make the most of the
AHT’s considerable hard work and test their stock prior to breeding, which will enable us to
eradicate this awful condition.
In the show ring Minis have gone from strength to strength, now competing alongside their
contemporaries, taking group placings and even a Terrier Group in the last couple of years –
something previously unheard of. Type, conformation, movement and above all balance
have all improved considerably and I believe that this is the reason that Minis have started to
gain success in the group ring. For me this has been largely due to the judicious use of
interbreeding with standard Bull Terriers. Slowly but surely, shoulders are improving, far
fewer dips behind the withers are seen and front and rear angulation are in some cases
surpassing the standard BTs.
Long may the Miniature Bull Terrier enjoy success in the show ring and good health outside
it there are two descriptions I have always liked which give a perfect overall impression of
this breed. The motto of the Miniature Bull Terrier Club “Multum In Parvo” –please excuse
me if my Latin is a little rusty -which translates loosely as “a lot of dog in a small package”,
and a phrase I heard some time ago that a Miniature Bull Terrier is like a two year old in a
dog suit, both convey the essence of the Miniature Bull Terrier. This is a special breed for
special people and long may enthusiasts for this unique breed continue.