Is this the Breed for you?

This article is a brief introduction to what you need to know before deciding on bringing a Miniature Bull Terrier into your family, more in depth information is available from the Miniature Bull Terrier Club.

Puppy Advice

Be sure to meet mum and see her with the puppies. Puppies should be clean and look in good health, (not skinny/pot bellied/ runny noses/eyes) the home should be clean and puppy friendly and the breeder should be willing to give you as much information as required. The breed’s health problems should be explained in full and copies of both parents health certificates should be shown along with the puppies BAER hearing test and if required, PLL DNA certificates. There should be a record of the puppies worming treatments with dates and products used along with any flea treatment given. A diet sheet should be provided showing what has been fed, how much and times of feeding. Copies of inoculations, microchips, tattoos (if any) should be given along with details of any other medical treatments the puppy may have had. The puppies KC registration documentation should be available at the time of sale along with a puppy pack including information such as training, socialisation and general care.

 

In General

The Miniature Bull Terrier is a fun loving entertainer, who will always put a smile on your face. Smaller than their bigger cousins the Bull Terrier with the same breed standard (apart from height) and just as stubborn. The Miniature Bull Terrier can be a sensitive soul and needs an understanding home, preferably with a sofa. They enjoy being part of the family and love being around children of all ages, they seem to understand those who are more vulnerable but are boisterous at times so, as with any breed of dog, should be supervised when youngsters are around. Miniature Bull Terriers have a life expectancy of 10-14 years.


Grooming

As the Miniature Bull Terrier is a short coated breed grooming is minimal, a good brush down daily will keep the coat free of dust and shining. They lightly shed their coats a couple of times a year when extra brushing may be required. Bathing should only be done as and when required.


Temperament

A little unruly at times but on the whole a well behaved and well-mannered dog. A Miniature Bull Terrier will act as a guard dog but anyone who enters their space will more likely be expected to give belly rubs whoever they are! They are however courageous, fun-loving, active, clownish and fearless, the Miniature Bull Terrier is a loyal, polite, and obedient dog. With consistent training they can be a worthy family pet.


Children

There is no reason why a Miniature Bull Terrier cannot live with children of all ages, as long as the parents/carers supervise both the puppy and the children’s activities together, teaching each of them the boundaries and unacceptable behaviours. They can live within a family in harmony.


Training

The Miniature Bull Terrier thrives on firm & consistent leadership along with plenty of affection and makes a great family pet. Miniature Bull Terriers like to be involved in the family’s activities, they are keen and determined and learn quickly. They fit in well with active families where they receive a great deal of companionship and supervision. They will walk for hours, run with or jog with you. They enjoy agility, fly ball, obedience, ring craft or just clicker training for tricks, all these can be enjoyed by the whole family. They do not do well in situations where they are left alone for 8 hours a day where they will become bored and destructive. With the right type of owner this breed is a joy to own. The Miniature Bull Terrier has a great love of people but, if they do not get enough physical and mental exercise, they may be too energetic for some. Start puppies young at training classes and progress from there. This will also help with socialisation.


Socialising

The sooner you start socialising a puppy the better, introduce them to as many new sights, sounds and smells as possible from 8 weeks of age. Teach them to behave around different types of people, and in different situations. Puppy Parties at the Vets or training classes are a great start to socialising so book them into a class ASAP. Parks, shopping outlets, the beach, even the pub are all great places to take your puppy to meet different types of people, other dogs and environments. The more you put in, the more you get out.


Nutrition

It is vitally important to feed your dog a good balanced diet. There are many foods available on the market today including raw, tinned, dry and semi moist. Dog food is better for your dog than home cooked as home cooked doesn’t always have all that a growing puppy or adult dog needs. Whichever food you decide to go with, be sure it is of good quality with a high meat value and natural ingredients, avoid cereals and other bulk fillers. Some behaviour and skin problems as well as some other health problem can be attributed to food. Read the back of the pack and check for meat being the first ingredient and everything else being natural products.

 

Look at how far the bones have to grow before they become a proper bony joint!

This is why you should never let puppies jump, walk up/down stairs, over exercise or over train.

Doing too much impact activity at a young age will cause serious issues later in life, or even at a young age as hip dysplasia and other orthopaedic conditions are rising in puppies!

Remember the general puppy rule for every month increase activity by 5 minutes!

For example an 8 week old puppy only needs 10 minutes physical activity* a day a 6 month old only needs 30 minutes a day of physical activity*!!

Enjoy your new puppy but remember you wouldn’t make a 6 month old baby run a mile a day

so don’t make your puppy either!

*physical activity includes: going for a walk, training, playing fetch, running, playing with other dogs etc.

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