miniature bull terrier, breed of small, muscular dog developed in England in the early 19th cent. It stands up to 14 in. (35.6 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs about 17 lb (7.7 kg). Its short, flat, harsh coat is glossy white or white with brindle patches. As the bull terrier was being created from the bulldog and the white English terrier, dogs were produced in a wide variety of sizes. The toys, weighing from 4 to 7 lb (1.8–3.2 kg), were selectively bred and exhibited until about 1914, when interest in them waned. The medium-sized or miniature bull terriers have retained their popularity to this day and have continued to be bred to resemble in every detail the standard-sized bull terriers. The miniature is shown in the miscellaneous class at dog shows sanctioned by the American Kennel Club. See dog.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
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