The Miniature Bull Terrier is a happy, sturdy little dog that provides delight to everyone they meet! Their typical temperament is enthusiastic, clownish, and up-for-anything. Not a serious breed by any means, the Mini Bull (as they are affectionately known) wants to play and make their people laugh! They love their owners and enjoy spending time as the center of attention.
These little guys are very active and definitely need activities to fill their time. In fact, they have been labeled “toddlers in dog suits” by those who know them. Prospective owners need to ask themselves if they have as much time to dedicate to their dog as they might dedicate to a 3-year-old. If not, this breed will quickly wear on their patience! The same thing could be said for people who work long hours – if they don’t have enough time to be home with the dog, the Mini Bull is not the breed for them. A Mini Bull can quickly become bored and destructive if they aren’t given the attention they need. This destruction can include chewing up objects as well as furniture! Mini Bulls can also be prone to axiety-related compulsions if they are left home alone for long hours. Obsessive tail-chasing, non-stop barking, and other OCD-type behaviors can develop. Many people have also discovered that unfulfilled Mini Bulls can be very difficult, if not impossible, to housebreak.
The Miniature Bull Terrier, although small, can be possessive of his owners. This makes him a good guard dog, but problematic when it comes to him “defending” his owners from non-threats, such as friends and visitors. Some Mini Bulls have a hard time distinguishing friend from foe. Furthermore, an innocent game of rough play among children might trigger his protective instincts, sending him flying in to “save the day” when such a thing is not needed. Mini Bulls take their protective duties very seriously.
Generally, however, the Mini Bull is very good with kids. They will often play outside with children for hours and be right in the middle of the action! Because of their activity level, they do better with kids that aren’t too young or frail. That said, the Mini Bull is not a pushover and will not tolerate abuse from a child. It is very important that children be taught how to play fairly with a dog, and never be allowed to tease.
A lot of Mini Bulls get along well with other dogs, with the exception of intact males. While an intact male may be just fine with a female or a neutered male, may are not ok with another male who is intact. It is important to socialize a Mini Bull with as many dogs as possible in early puppyhood to increase the likelihood of appropriate dog-to-dog interaction.
In young dogs up to a year, it is not unheard of for the Miniature Bull Terrier to suddenly become lame. This usually happens when the dog has been racing and jumping around and either lands wrong or twists in a weird way. Because of the heavily muscled way this breed is built, a combination of high activity, rapid muscle growth, and joints not being “set” yet can occasionally cause this lameness. It may be best to not allow young Mini Bulls to play in such a way that could hurt them – supervision is required.
When it comes to training, the Mini Bull can be stubborn, pushy and determined to get their way! Some simply try to turn obedience training sessions into a game. This, combined with their independent nature can lead many people to lose patience and give up. The best way to train a Miniature Bull Terrier is to find ways to pique their curiosity and hold their interest. This may include using toys or treats. The breed does not do well with heavy-handed techniques, and will often shut down if those techniques are used on them. Either way, however, it is important to realize that Mini Bulls were not bred to work with people as with other breeds, and therefore do not naturally excel in continuously following repetitive commands. This said, the Miniature Bull Terrier IS trainable for those who have the patience and understanding to do so. In fact, trained Mini Bulls participate all over the country in earthdog events, therapy work, tracking, CGC, obedience and agility!
The Mini Bull, like all purebreds and mixed breeds, can be prone to health problems. Kidney problems, allergies, hearing defects and lens luxation (a condition of the eye) are all known in the breed. It is important to only buy from a responsible breeder who does health checks on all of their dogs. Do you own a Miniature Bull Terrier? Are you looking for a dog trainer in Travis or Hays county, TX? Call us today and tell us about your dog!
