Is a Miniature Bull Terrier the Right Dog for You?

Miniature Bull Terriers have been experiencing a surge in popularity, thanks in part to the depiction of the "Target" dog that is heavily featured in that store's advertising campaign. Many people are attracted to the breed due to its unusual looks, spunky personality, and small size. However, as with all breeds of dogs, potential owners should do their research before they go out to search for a Miniature Bull Terrier.

Miniature Bull Terriers are not inexpensive dogs, and many people experience sticker shock when they first begin researching the breed. Most breeders charge the same price for pet or show potential puppy, and usually that price is around $2,500. The reason for that eye-popping price is complicated. First, there are only around 150 Miniature Bull Terriers born in the USA every year, and there are far more people wanting one than are born. The law of supply and demand reigns supreme....almost without exception, all puppies are spoken for before they are even born! Second, Miniature Bull Terriers are very difficult to breed. Their heats are not always regular and when they are they tend to be from 9-12 months apart (most dogs cycle every 6 months). They are often bred, but "miss" (ie no pregnancy results from the breeding) and they tend to have small litters. Add in the cost of health testing and the expenses incurred in finding shows and getting them titled, and the result is an expensive dog.

HEALTH ISSUES

All breeds of dogs, even mixed breeds and mutts, have health problems. When I worked as a veterinary technician, the worst case of hip dysplasia that I saw was in a mixed breed dog. The benefit of choosing a purebred dog over a mixed breed is that you know what problems you are looking out for. Some of the genetic conditions that are seen in Miniature Bull Terriers do not have a screening test, so there is no way to know for sure if the dogs that are being bred will be affected or not. Health "guarantees" are impossible to make. A "guarantee" implies that you are promising that puppy will never become afflicted with a problem, and this is impossible as puppies are living, breathing creatures. However most good breeders will stand behind their puppies and try to make things right with the people who purchase them.

It is important that every Miniature Bull Terrier be checked by a veterinary cardiologist at least once at over two year of age for an echocardiogram - which is an ultrasound of the heart. When the veterinarian begins to discuss results, keep in mind that Miniature Bull Terriers are not "normal" when it comes to their hearts. A cardiologist who doesn't see a lot of this breed in their practice can see something that is perfectly normal for a Miniature Bull Terrier (but would not be normal in another breed) and think that your dog's heart has something wrong with it when, in reality, your dog is perfectly normal - for a Miniature Bull Terrier that is. It is still important to get this done, however plan on sharing the results with your dog's breeder before you panic!

Primary Lens Luxation (PLL)is a genetic condition where the lens of the eye becomes partially or fully dislocated from the threads that hold it in position within the eye. Once these lenses luxate, your dog will need to have emergency surgery done immediately in order to save his sight. If the emergency surgery is not done, the dog will lose all vision in that eye and may have to have the eye completely removed to prevent recurring pain. Most dogs do not luxate until later in life, after they have been bred and sometimes retired from both breeding and showing. However, lens luxation can occur at any time in a dog's life, and

there is no test that breeders can do to see who has it and who doesn't. You can have the eyes checked with an ophthalmologist and find the dog clear and fine on one day and they can luxate the next. All Miniature Bull Terriers should be checked by a veterinary ophthalmologist on at least an annual basis and screened for PLL as a preventative measure. Because there is no genetic test for this, all Miniature Bull Terrier breeders are literally rolling the dice every time they breed a dog.

Laryngeal Paralysis is a problem where the larynx is slowly paralyzed and unless corrected, the dog dies of suffocation. It isn't something that can be tested for easily, and it is very hard to diagnose. It requires that the dog be put under an anesthetic and special equipment is needed, and most vets cannot do this in their office. It is uncommon in mini's but still worth mentioning as it has popped up here and there.

Every once in a while a deaf Miniature Bull Terrier will come about. Again, this isn't very common but it is worth mentioning that it is a possibility. Unlike some breeds, white Miniature Bull Terriers do not seem to be more likely to be deaf than any other color.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR

It is not a good idea to leave a Miniature Bull Terrier unsupervised with any other animal. That is not to say that they won't get along with other animals at all, but you must be around when your dogs are out to be alpha and lead the pack. Sometimes when you aren't there, the arguing starts between several animals and you may not be aware of it. It is always better to be safe than sorry! Many owners keep their dogs crated or kenneled separately when they are not there to supervise, regardless of how well they get along.

Miniature Bull Terriers can be good dogs with older children. Because they are terriers, they tend to be nippy, and they need lots of reminders that people are in charge. The biggest problem is that they get excited and jump around, and they can knock children down when they do this. Overall Miniature Bull Terriers are great with people. They are strong little dogs, but they don't seem to have any knowledge of this. They are good at raising their heads swiftly and bonking into jaws and breaking teeth. They don't mean to hurt you, they just move quickly and you have to be prepared. They should never be allowed to run off lead unless secured in your own backyard, as they can get themselves into trouble too easily.

Miniature Bull Terriers love to chew things, and this can get them into trouble. Care should be taken to ensure that they have nothing that they can chew into little bits and swallow that might impact them, requiring surgery. Even left in a room you think is dog proof, you would be surprised what your mini considers to be edible (tables, curtains, blinds, cabinet doors, etc). Blankets, stuffed toys, edible treats, etc need to be used under close supervision. The best toys seem to be Kongs (the black ones), sturdy Nylabones, and cow hooves. Check these at least once every single day for signs of wear, and if you are in doubt of their condition you should throw them out.

OWNERSHIP

Most breeders keep a waiting list of people who would like to purchase one of their puppies. In order to be added to their lists, you usually have to fill out a puppy application. This allows the breeder to determine what you are looking for in a puppy and helps them to decide what puppy will best fit into your home. The average sized litter is 2 to 3 babies, so when you have color or sex preferences it can make the wait longer. The best way to shorten your wait time is to find several breeders who meet your criteria and get on all of their waiting lists.

Also, most Miniature Bull Terrier breeders do not ship their dogs. Be prepared to arrange to fly out and bring the puppy back home with you if you do not live within driving distance of the breeder. The puppy will travel in your approved carry-on dog carrier under the seat in front of you, which allows you to keep an eye on him/her the entire trip. Usually this costs a bit more than having the dog shipped, but it is considered to be a safer method of travel for the puppy.