Miniature Bull Terrier

Also known as: Minibulli

The Miniature Bull Terrier is essentially a scaled-down version of the standard Bull Terrier, developed in 19th century England by crossing in smaller terrier breeds as the fighting type was reshaped into a show and family dog once dog fighting was banned. An adult weighs around 15 kilograms on a compact, muscular frame, and the distinctive egg-shaped head with no obvious stop is the breed's signature feature. The short, smooth coat needs little grooming but sheds heavily. Like its larger relative, the breed can be stubborn and needs consistent, patient training from early on. Energy runs high despite the small size, and without enough exercise it tends to become destructive. It's playful and attached with family. Life expectancy runs 11 to 14 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Miniature Bull Terrier: how old in human years?

25–35 cmHeight
9–15 kgWeight
11–14 yrsLife expectancy

German Hunting Terrier

FCI group: Terriers
FCI section: Section 3: Bull type Terriers
FCI: 359
Country of origin: United Kingdom

Energy level

4/5
Trainability

3/5
Family friendly

4/5
Grooming need

1/5

At a glance

Height

Males 25–35 cm

Females 25–35 cm

Weight

Males 11–15 kg

Females 9–13 kg

Life expectancy

11–14 yrs

Coat

short, flat (short)

Temperament & Family Life

Miniature Bull Terrier's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is moderate.

Family friendly 4/5
Good with children 3/5
Good with other dogs 2/5
Friendly with strangers 3/5
Intelligence 3/5
Trainability 3/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Miniature Bull Terrier's energy and exercise needs are moderate.

Energy level 4/5
Exercise need 4/5
Apartment friendly 4/5
Prey drive 4/5
Hunting instinct 2/5

Guarding & Alertness

Miniature Bull Terrier's guarding and alertness traits are moderate.

Guarding instinct 3/5
Watchfulness 3/5
Barking level 2/5

Grooming & Care

Miniature Bull Terrier's grooming needs are low.

Shedding 2/5
Drooling 1/5
Grooming need 1/5

Living with the Miniature Bull Terrier

You are still hunting for your shoes, and the Miniature Bull Terrier is already at the door with the lead in its mouth, looking at you as if you are about to miss a train. It is a Bull Terrier packed into a smaller body but not a smaller personality: cheerful, stubborn, attached to its people and always ready to play. With its family it is affectionate and likes to be close, but it doesn't enjoy long stretches alone and can turn boredom into a bold new look for your sofa.

It has energy to spare: two walks a day, games of tug or fetch, and a few puzzles for its brain. It can learn, but only when learning is fun: short, upbeat sessions with praise and treats work far better than harshness, which it will meet with calm, immovable stubbornness. Its prey drive is strong, so around cats or squirrels the lead is your best friend, and getting on with other dogs takes early socialisation and your attention.

Thanks to its compact size it copes well in a flat, as long as it gets enough exercise every day. With children it is a fun playmate, but sturdy and boisterous, so stay close when little ones are around. It is not much of a barker and greets visitors with curiosity: this is a dog for a lively home, not for guard duty.

Grooming and coat

A Miniature Bull Terrier's coat is short, flat and glossy, and looking after it takes less time than your morning coffee. Once a week, go over it with a rubber grooming mitt or a soft brush: you'll lift the loose hair and bring up the shine, and the dog will most likely treat it as a massage. It doesn't shed much, but those short, stiff little hairs like to weave themselves into fabric, so a pale sofa cover will still give them away.

A thin coat offers the skin little cover, so look at the skin as you brush: scrapes from rough play, redness or lumps show straight away. In cold, wet weather a short-coated dog will appreciate a jacket. Check the upright ears once a week and wipe the outer part when needed, and take a look at those small triangular eyes in daylight now and then: redness, cloudiness or weeping is a reason to see the vet.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

Compact, muscular and seemingly inexhaustible, this little dog lives around eleven to fourteen years, and many of its health questions concern things you can't see at a glance: eyes, hearing, heart, kidneys and knees. Regular vet check-ups and your attention to small everyday details help catch a lot of them in time. If you are choosing a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Primary lens luxation

Primary lens luxation is an inherited condition in which the fibres holding the lens of the eye weaken and the lens slips out of place. The eye may suddenly turn red and watery, the dog squints or shies away from light, and the surface of the eye can look bluish and cloudy. If you see changes like these in your Miniature Bull Terrier's eye, see a vet without delay, as the eye may need urgent attention.
Deafness

Deafness is a full or partial loss of hearing in one or both ears, sometimes present from birth. A puppy may not respond to its name, a squeaky toy or a clap behind its back, and may startle badly when touched while asleep. A Miniature Bull Terrier is a master of selective hearing when it suits it, so if you are unsure whether it truly can't hear, talk it over with your vet.
Heart disease

Heart disease covers several problems, such as faulty valves or a heart defect present from birth, that make the heart work harder. The dog may tire sooner, cough, or breathe harder even at rest, and sometimes the first sign is a murmur your vet hears at a check-up. A lively Miniature Bull Terrier doesn't slow down for no reason, so if playtime suddenly gets shorter, have a word with your vet.
Patellar luxation (slipping kneecap)

A slipping kneecap is when the kneecap pops out of its groove and, for a while, no longer glides as it should. You might see your dog suddenly hop on three legs mid-run, carry a back leg for a few steps, then carry on as if nothing happened. A Miniature Bull Terrier is compact and loves to jump, so show that skipped step to your vet even if it looks harmless.
Kidney disease

Kidney disease means the kidneys can no longer properly filter the blood or keep the body's water balance. A dog may drink and pee more, lose its appetite or weight, and become listless. Keep an eye on your Miniature Bull Terrier's water bowl: if it starts drinking noticeably more than before, tell your vet.

Food for medium breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (15 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 190 g of dry food a day, from €10,42 a month For a neutered, normally active 12 kg dog. Calculate for your dog