Miniature Bull Terrier breed guide

Strong, active, fearless and endlessly entertaining, Miniature Bull Terriers do best with early socialization and patient training. AKC says not to let them get away with too many high jinks.

As typical terriers, they need a trainer with a firm hand and a gentle voice, plenty of patience and a great sense of humor. They are highly intelligent, curious and independent but love to please once they know what you want.

Miniature Bull Terriers live 11 to 13 years. AKC says to ask the breeder for health test results on both parents, including heart and kidney issues, deafness, luxating patellas and primary lens luxation and the Miniature Bull Terrier Club of America requires breeder-members to test all breeding dogs.

Young dogs may be susceptible to sudden lameness, so some activities should be limited.

The Miniature Bull Terrier needs little grooming beyond regular baths and a weekly once-over with a soft brush or hound glove. The strong, fast-growing nails need regular trimming with a clipper or grinder to avoid splitting and cracking.

Exercising a Miniature Bull Terrier may be tricky, since it needs enough exercise to keep muscle tone yet is prone to sudden lameness from a mix of weight, dense muscle, fast growth and a character that keeps it in almost constant motion.

The Bull Terrier was created as a fighting dog in the 1830s by crossing Bulldogs with now-extinct English terriers. Soon after, breeders began work on a miniaturized version for above-ground ratting, unlike terriers that burrow after prey.

Today's Miniature Bull Terriers are companions, but the ratter instinct and a protective streak remain as souvenirs of the breed's formative years.