The Bull Terrier was created as a fighting dog in the 1830s by crossing Bulldogs with now-extinct English terriers. Soon after, breeders began work on a miniaturized version to use as above-ground ratters (as opposed to “go to ground” terriers, who burrow into the earth in search of quarry). The result of a very long trial-and- period was the Mini. Today’s Minis are companion dogs, but the ratter instinct and a protective streak remain as souvenirs of the breed’s formative years.

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