Miniature Bull Terriers share the Bull Terrier's famous egg-shaped head, triangular eyes and muscular, barrel-shaped body in a dog that stands only 10 to 14 inches tall. The smaller version took shape in nineteenth-century England as a ratter, and the AKC recognized it as a separate breed in 1991. The short, flat, harsh coat comes in white or in colors such as brindle, red, fawn, black and tricolor.
Many Minis are clownish, affectionate and full of energy, with a reputation for mischief and a stubborn streak. They often bond tightly with their people and enjoy rough-and-tumble play, but some are intolerant of unfamiliar dogs and chase small animals. Adopters should expect to invest in patient, reward-based training, plenty of daily activity and screening for inherited eye, hearing and kidney problems.