| Alternative Name Bull Terrier (Miniature)
(The White Cavalier)
Basic Info
This is a breed of dog in the terrier family. They
are thick-set and muscular with a short, dense coat.
Acceptable colours are white, (skin pigmentation and
markings on the head are not to be penalised in the show
ring in the UK), any colour other than white or any
colour with white markings. (Although Blue and liver
highly undesirable). The AKC specifies that if all other
things are equal, the brindle coat is preferred. (White
is preferred in the UK) This terrier's most distinctive
feature is its head, described as 'egg shaped' when
viewed from the front, almost flat at the top, with a
Roman muzzle sloping evenly down to the end of the nose
with no stop. The unique triangular eyes are small,
dark, and closely set. The body is full and round, while
the shoulders are robust and muscular and the tail is
carried horizontally. It walks with a jaunty gait, and
is popularly known as the 'gladiator of the canine
race'. There is no set height or weight of the breed but
the average is, Height: 20-24 inches (51-61 cm.),
Weight: 45-70 pounds (20-32 kg.) Sometimes they are
mistaken to be American Pit Bull Terriers, but they are
separate breeds (although related); both are generally
friendly.
Health
They are generally free of disabling genetic
diseases. All puppies should be checked for deafness, as
this sometimes occurs (most commonly in pure white dogs)
and is difficult to notice, especially in a relatively
young puppy. A common problem is a tendency to develop
skin allergies. Insect bites, such as fleas, and
sometimes mosquitoes and mites, can produce a
generalized allergic response of hives, rash, and
itching. This condition can be stopped by keeping the
dog free of contact from these insects, but this is
definitely a consideration in climates or circumstances
where exposure to these insects is inevitable. Their
lifespan is somewhere between 10 and 14 years, although
they can live longer -- the oldest bitch on record being
an Australian housepet dubbed "Puppa Trout" who remained
sprightly into her 17th year. Their coat is easy to
maintain, but grooming can keep it in near-perfect
condition. Adding oils to their meals can also vastly
improve the quality of their coat. The breed requires a
fair amount of exercise, but overworking the dog at a
young age will cause strained muscles. Older dogs do
require exercise, but in small doses, whereas younger
ones will be happy to play for hours on end. The breed
is renown for being extremely greedy; be sure to
maintain a good balance of exercise and food, or the dog
can become overweight. Also, be sure to check ears,
eyes, nose and mouth every day for signs of infection.
Although they will be happy to eat anything, it is best
to feed them a homemade meal, consisting of brown rice
and pasta, fresh vegetables, eggs and a small amount of
olive oil. Feeding the dog a wholesome meal will greatly
improve their appearance, and combined with exercise and
a warm bed, you will find yourself in the company of an
extremely happy dog. Common Ailments: Deafness,
Umbilical Hernia, Acne
Behavior
They are friendly dogs with a wonderful sense of
humor. Their physical strength is matched by their
supreme intelligence, and both body and mind need to be
kept active. They can be obstinate and are not ideal
dogs for the first-time owner. As a breed they are
generally placid but it has to be remembered that they
were originally bred as fighting dogs therefore they
will react if challenged but they will not normally make
the first move. They are very affectionate dogs and love
company so it is not a good idea to leave them alone for
long periods of time as with their strong jaws they can
cause lots of damage if bored. They are one of the
better breeds of dogs to have around children, but like
all pets a watchful eye is always needed.
Origin
England
History
The now extinct breeds Old English Bulldog and Old
English Terrier were crossed to form a new breed of dog
called the Bull and Terrier. It is also known that
Dalmatian comes into their genetics, and this can be
seen by looking on the stomach area, where dark, spotted
pigment can be seen on the skin. Around 1860, the Bull
and Terrier breed split into two branches, the pure
white Bull Terrier and the colored forms that lived on
for another seventy years in the dog fighting pits until
they finally were recognized as a legitimate dog breed
called the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Pedigrees date
from the period during which the English Stud books were
first written (circa 1874-6). Although the breed was
developed from fighting dogs, the Bull Terrier was
intended to be a showdog and companion.
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