Where the Miniature Bull Terrier came from
The Miniature Bull Terrier is a smaller version of the Bull Terrier, which was developed in England in the 1800s. When the Bull Terrier was first created, it was about the size of today's Miniature, and the smaller dogs kept going alongside the larger ones.
The breed was bred from bulldog and terrier types, and the white Bull Terrier is credited to James Hinks of Birmingham in the 1860s. The AKC recognized the Miniature Bull Terrier in 1991, with registrations starting in 1992.
Miniatures are playful, silly and strong for their size. They are known for a bold, clownish nature and for sticking close to their people.
- 1860s James Hinks develops the white Bull Terrier in Birmingham, England
- 1991 AKC votes to recognize the Miniature Bull Terrier
- 1992 Registration as an AKC breed takes effect
The job a Miniature Bull Terrier was bred for
A bull and terrier type bred for gameness and a love of people. That is why many Miniatures are stubborn, strong in the jaws, full of energy and ready to chase or tug on anything that moves.
What you may see at home
Clowns, stubborn, strong, can be pushy with dogs, can fixate on objects.
Give them: Tug with rules, puzzle toys, and short playful sessions.
Sports that fit a Miniature Bull Terrier
- Rally. Short, fun patterns for a dog who loves attention
- Agility. Fast and strong, though they can be a bit goofy
- Scent work. Gives a stubborn mind a calm job
- Barn hunt. Lets them use the terrier brain and drive safely
- Trick training. A good match for a clown who loves a laugh
Training tips for a Miniature Bull Terrier
- Make training a game. Miniatures can be stubborn, so use high value treats and short sessions.
- Teach a calm greeting early, since they get excited and can be pushy with other dogs.
- Use tug with clear rules: start, stop and drop it, so the strong grip has a safe outlet.
- Give daily mental work and play, because bored Miniatures can fixate on spinning or objects.
Body and health
A strong, muscular little dog with a short coat. White dogs can sunburn and some have skin or ear issues. Ask the breeder about heart, kidney and knee testing.
Fun fact. The Miniature Bull Terrier has an egg shaped head, which is a famous feature of the Bull Terrier family.
Breed is where we start
A study of more than 18,000 dogs found breed explains only about 9 percent of the differences in behavior between dogs (Morrill and others, Science, 2022). So your Miniature Bull Terrier is a starting guess, not a label. We find the drive your dog actually runs on, give it a job, and teach you to read them.
Free tools for your dog
- Breed drive calculatorMixed breed? Add the other breeds and see the drives your dog was bred with.
- Dog breed quizTen photos, four names each. The same quiz our trainers take.
- Dog drive testAnswer everyday moments and find the job your dog runs on.
Looking for a different breed? See what 137 breeds were bred to do, and download any of their guides.