Breed History 1

I would like to preface this history with a short clarification on the use of Standard Bull Terrier in this history. I refer to the full size Bull Terrier as Standard Bull Terrier for simplification only. The AKC registry registers the Miniature Bull Terrier as a separate breed, not a variation of the Bull Terrier. The use of Standard Bull Terrier is used only as a simple and more recognizable way to separate the two breeds for this history.

It has always been a challenge to breed Bull Terriers of quality. The combination of such widely variable types makes it difficult to obtain the assets preferred without also obtaining the faults that normally accompany them. You want the bone and substance of a bulldog without the bulldog front or movement. You want a balance of the bulldog's strength with the terrier's agility.

With Miniature Bull Terriers you have all the normal difficulties plus the added problems of a small genetic pool and the problem of obtaining substance and type without adding too much size. Due to the small genetic breeding pool, in an effort to reduce the locking in of genetic health problems, it has on occasion been necessary to bring in Standard Bull Terriers from time to time. Recently this type of breeding has been opposed. Many people and registration organizations have opposed the reintroduction of Standard Bull Terriers for various reasons. Some feel the breeding of Miniatures to Standard Bull Terriers will introduce new health problems to Standard Bull Terriers. To prevent this when these breedings have taken place all the resulting dogs are registered as Miniature Bull Terriers. Although breedings of this type are helpful for increasing the gene pool and improving health problems, they can be a double-edged sword and are made only after careful research to prevent introducing additional health problems into Miniature Bull Terriers. This type of breeding is not, I repeat not accepted by the American Kennel Club and will not be registered by them. It is mentioned only because The Kennel Club the registry of the origin of the breed and some foreign registry's have occasionally opened their registry temporarily to help reduce health problems and increase the genetic pool. Naturally breedings to Standard Bull Terriers can cause size problems that can take years to bring under control.

The AKC registering body considers this type of breeding interbreeding even though the Miniature Bull Terrier pedigrees trace directly back to registered small Standard Bull Terriers. Miniature Bull Terriers were recognized as a separate breed by the AKC in a similar manor as the Kennel Club of England recognized them.