Anatomy (Form and Structure) of Jaw Muscles
A pit bull’s jaw muscles are linked to the crown of its head, which also gives them that bulkier appearance along with great biting capabilities and impressive gripping strength.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to the pit bull having a large head purely due to breeding and their natural anatomy.
Why Exactly Do Pit Bulls Have Big Heads?
Two primary causes have led to the big heads of today’s pit bulls: selective breeding to specifically acquire the look and the general anatomy and function of their strong jaw muscles.
Through linebreeding and “specific” breeding, people have intentionally focused on breeding pit bull pups to have certain specific desired qualities, one of these being them having large heads. This preference has led to the evolution of pit bulls, the majority of the time, now having giant and blocky heads. The original pit bulls in the past had much smaller heads compared to those today who fall into the breed category. Unfortunately, many breeders sought to produce pups with blockier heads due to dogfighting since a dog with a large head is often viewed as far more threatening and intimidating.
Miniature Bull Terrier
This dog is the smaller version of the Bull Terrier. The AKC classified these two as varieties of the same breed until 1991. Now the Miniature Bull Terrier is considered as a breed of its own.
The Bull Terrier’s signature egg-shaped head is also apparent in their miniature version. However, these smaller dogs have a squarer muscular body. These dogs are just 10 to 14 inches tall and weigh around 18 to 28 pounds.
Their ears are also erect and stand close to each other. They also have triangular-shaped eyes that are very expressive and filled with good humor. These dogs look very much like the regular-sized Bull Terrier except for the size.
If you are looking for a smaller dog, but interested in getting a muscular and robust companion, this dog is the perfect choice for you. The Miniature Bull Terrier is smaller, but they are very active and need plenty of exercises.
As puppies, they are prone to lameness. They are experiencing rapid growth, combined with their bursting in energy and a heavyweight muscle density. But they grow to be healthy and active dogs that need exercise daily. It would seem that they have no idea of their petite size.
Miniature Bull Terriers can also be extra protective, exude loyalty, and charm that is typical of the Pitbull breed.
Healthwise, these dogs are prone to the same health conditions as the standard size Bull Terrier. Owners should look out for hip dysplasia, allergies, and patellar luxation. They are also susceptible to zinc deficiency and other hereditary conditions common in Pit bulls.
With proper care, a healthy diet, and exercise, these small canines can live a happy life of 11 to 13 years.
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