Miniature BullTerrier
The History of the Miniature Bull Terrier
By Giselle Simonds
Colonel Glyn gathered friends and founded the Miniature Bull Terrier Club in 1939, getting approval of the standard with a height of 14 inches at the shoulder with the limit of a 20-pound weight. Thankfully the weight limit was dropped a few years later and the standard states
Gordon’s home founded the Miniature Bull Terrier club of America in 1966. Miniature Bull Terriers have never had large numbers of AKC registrations and it was a struggle in those early years to reach the number required by the AKC to leave the Miscellaneous class. It took dedicated members to purchase and persevere with the stock that was avail- able to them. The McArthurs’ had their Imperial bloodlines, Ruth Gordon sur- vived Hurricane Camille with her dogs and more were imported from England. The MBTCA became revitalized in the late 1980s and recognition into the Terrier Group as a separate breed came in 1991. In 1990 the MBTCA offered its own version of Silverwood, The Van Hildrikhusen Trophy Show, named after Lotte Frank of the Hildrik family. Lotte felt that Miniature Bull Terrier breeders in North America should have the same
to address changes to the standard. Mini Bull owners have been fortunate to be able to take advantage of the interbreed-
ing policies of other countries to invigo- rate the gene pool. The Primary Lens Luxation that plagued our breed has been beaten back by the development of a DNA test for the problem. A simple cheek swab kit is available from the OFA at a reasonable Davang’s Noelle with owner/handler Kim Krohn, the breed’s only U.D.
Ch. Bonsai Moondancer, 2004.
there should be an impression of the max- imum substance to the size of the dog, balance being of the utmost importance. Kennel Clubs in England and Australia recognized the Miniature Bull Terrier as a separate breed in 1943. There is mention of a Miniature Bull Terrier entered at Westminster in 1928 but the breed took hold firmly in America with the help of Mrs. Ruth Gordon of Pass Christian, Mississippi, who imported in 1961 English Ch. Navigation Pinto and Freesail Simone. 1963 saw the breed gain AKC recog- nition in the Miscellaneous class. Larry and Jackie McArthur at Mrs. Ruth
cost to all. This test even allows the MBTCA to test the rescue dogs that we have so that new owners will have no unwel- come surprises. All in all it is a very good time for Miniature Bull Terriers. ■
pride in producing their own good dogs as the Bull Terrier breeders did. She was the first judge of the competition and supplied the perpetual bronze trophy for the competition. It is set up the same way as Silverwood with classes divided by sex and color with the four finalists compet- ing for the prize of Best Bred Miniature Bull Terrier. There are also trophies for Runner Up and Best of Opposite Sex to the Winner. In all it is a very prestigious event in which to compete. I got my first Miniature Bull Terrier in 1987 and have seen many changes in the MBTCA membership and the breed. The pendulum for size has always been in motion. The membership gets petitioned Ch. Envision Registan Heartbreak Hotel, 2009.
Giselle Simonds
Sources and References: - B.J. Andrews, Miniature Bull Terrier t.f.h. New Jersey
- Kathryn Braund, (1977) The Uncommon Dog Breeds Arco Publishing: New York
- Stanley Dangerfield and Ellsworth Howell, (1974) Howell Book House: New York - Dr. Dieter Fleig, (1996) Fighting Dog Breeds t.f.h: New Jersey - John H Remer, (1989) The New Bull Terrier, Howell Book House: New York
Ch. Bonsai Skip To My Alou, 2006.
162 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE • J UNE 2011
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