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Dédé Wilson of Legacy shares her lifelong passion for Miniature Bull Terriers, blending history, heart, and responsible breeding.
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Dédé Wilson
1. I am Dédé Wilson (pronounced DayDay), and I live in Amherst, Massachusetts, with my husband, Damon Herring, and right now, one Miniature Bull Terrier, Canadian and UKC Champion GCHS Old Forge Love & Light At Legacy CGCA CGCU ATT TKN RI NW2 L1E L1V BCAT, “Nora.” I have other Minis coming and going for show purposes. The Springfield, Massachusetts, shows are my local shows, about 45 minutes away; I am blessed with that access, as we have shows every month. I am also the Corresponding Secretary and New Member Chair for the Miniature Bull Terrier Club of America (MBTCA).
My Dad bought our first Bull Terrier, Lily, when I was nine years old. A Beagle preceded that. The Beagle litter was found in the newspaper, but the Bull Terrier was rigorously researched. My Dad met General Patton and his white Bull Terrier, Willy, during WWII and vowed on the spot to own one someday. In the late 1960s, my Dad went to the famed Souperlative kennels in England to meet with Eva Weatherill to begin his search. Lily was my best friend growing up. From the age of nine, the only time I did not have a Bull Terrier were my four years of college.
I bought my first Bull Terrier, Joey, shortly after college graduation. My first show dog, CH Winsor’s Damned To Fame ROM, “Beckett,” came next. Several followed, both White and Colored varieties, and one of my twin boys, Freeman, who was 12 years old at the time, learned how to handle at the same time as I did. Between the two of us we finished about a dozen Champions, put ROMs (Recognition of Merit titles) on them, and had many Specialty wins. Freeman handled his bitch, Winsor’s Hope Springs Eternal, “Hope,” to Best of Variety at the 2005 Morris & Essex and the 2006 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the latter one just a few weeks after he turned 16. The kennel name Legacy reflects our multi-generations of bull lovers. My father was able to see his grandson in the Terrier Group on the floor of Madison Square Garden, which was one of the most exciting days of my life.
About six or seven years ago, I was down to just two Bull Terriers—a Champion brother and sister I had bred myself, and I decided it was time to downsize; the search for a Mini was on. Great friends, breeders and mentors Dr. Dale Schuur and his wife Christine, were about to breed an Australian Mini bitch that they had imported from Australia. Dale invited me to collaborate on choosing a stud. Nora was pick of that litter and my Mini journey began.
And it began with a bang! Nora went on to win her first Best of Breed at a Specialty at six months, the prestigious Van Hildrikhusen Trophy at 11 months, Westminster, and 14 Owner-Handled Bests in Show, among many other awards. And, as you can see, we have delved into Performance events as well. She is my best girl, a heart dog, and right now I am showing her offspring. So, the BTs and MBTs have been in my life for about 55 years!
2. The Miniature Bull Terrier is a strongly built, square, and active dog with a spirited yet steady temperament. The overall impression is of compact strength and agility. The hallmark of the breed is its long, deep, egg-shaped head, curving gently from skull to nose—note the word “gentle.” A quality head does not have to be a whomping dramatic curve. There should also be fill throughout; truly as much of an “egg” as possible. With this shape it can be a challenge to retain a good bite, which should be scissors or level, with properly placed canines. In my opinion, many all-breed judges place too much importance on the bite (many breeder-judges do not). Eyes should be small, dark, triangular, and deep-set, with a “piercing glint.” The ears should be small and on the top of the head. Together, these make up a keen, intelligent expression.
The body is muscular and well balanced, with a deep chest, short strong back, and arched neck flowing into firm shoulders that are well-laid-back. Legs are straight and substantial, the hindquarters powerful with well-bent stifles, and feet round and catlike. The tail is short-ish, carried horizontally, and tapers to a fine point. Movement is smooth, jaunty, and efficient, with reach in front and strong drive behind.
We have no DQs (disqualifications) for height or weight. That said, a Mini should be proportionate and have great bone for its size. In the quest for a smaller MBT, shoulders have suffered. Right now, we have a lot of upright shoulders and short upper arms. Nora is on the larger size, but she is very typey, and her front assembly is correct—and she has been rewarded. Again, many breeder-judges will forgive a larger dog, if the construction and type are correct.
Personality-wise, Minis are spirited, and you might see mischievous antics in the ring and at home, which they should not be faulted for. That said, they should be controllable. Not everyone has the patience or humor to deal with a Mini. When Nora was a pup, she was on the examination table (I believe it was her very first Terrier Group) and decided that she was going to launch herself into the arms of the judge. To a Mini, hugging and kissing a new person makes perfect sense. Minis might be called “miniature,” but they are like little anvils. Luckily, I read her body language and quickly slid in-between her and the judge and caught her myself. If you own, or judge, a Mini, you have to be ready.
As far as type, you can “see” a great MBT when it walks in the ring. It should scream MBT. It is that combination of outline, expression, and bold personality.
By the way, we recently updated our Breed Standard, specifically to address coat and color. Unethical breeders are offering merle MBTs, fluffy, curly, liver, blue, and even naked Minis—and charging a lot of money for these “exotics.” These are not Miniature Bull Terriers. They are mixed breeds and there are health issues associated with many of these coats. Buyer beware. If someone reading this is interested in a Mini Bull, please refer to the MBTCA’s Breeder Directory: https://www.mbtca.net/breeder-list
3. There are enough homes, but our breed’s problem is finding the right home and the right homes finding us. Too many unscrupulous Mini Bull breeders are out there selling dogs for much more money than what we ethical breeders are charging, plus, health tests are not being performed by them and temperament is not being considered. Folks end up with dogs with horrible temperaments, physical ailments, or they are just not ready for a Mini Bull as they have not been screened well and/or supported afterwards; our rescue situation is dire as these poorly bred dogs get dumped.
If prospective Mini Bull owners found preservation breeders, they would spend less money and be better matched to the right dog, and fewer would end up in rescue. It is a vicious circle.
Many of us in the breed are our own worst enemies. I know too many people who shut down the communication if a person inquiring about a puppy immediately asks how much the dog costs. A purebred dog is a big purchase. Use this as an opportunity. You could say, “First let’s talk about your dog experience, your interest in Mini Bulls, and I will tell you about the dogs I have available.” Become a mentor right off the bat.
4. While I am a Breeder of Merit for Bull Terriers, I just recently bred my first Mini litter. We are lucky to have genetic tests available to us in our breed. To do it honorably and ethically, it costs quite a bit to screen your breeding stock and pups prior to placing.
We worked with a wonderful theriogenologist, Dr. Tessa Fiamengo, and although Nora was a maiden bitch, we did a frozen surgical implant and had five gorgeous female puppies. We drove almost two hours for every progesterone test, beginning on day five, breeding on day 19. The dollars add up, but I am thankful for the science.
The stud was abroad, and between numerous conversations online, and videos and documents shared, the ability to communicate digitally made this breeding possible. And now I also have friends in Germany and Poland, who I did not have before.
For my puppy people, we have a group text to share information and pictures. It is a godsend.
5. Doodles and their brethren are commonplace in my neck of the woods. The fact that my dogs are intact raises eyebrows. And having bull breeds also elicits uneducated judgements. Luckily, Nora is known for her ever-wagging tail and we use every chance to educate about purebred and well-bred dogs.
6. We are all seeing Performance exploding and Conformation dwindling. It is hard for our breed to have a major. Costs are a huge factor, from entry fees to hotels, gasoline, and time needed off of work. That said, there are NACSW (National Association of Canine Scent Work) trials that are over $200, so Conformation is not the only area where costs are an issue.
We only recently began participating in Performance and it has opened a whole new world for us. When we can go to a show and they have more than Conformation, that makes the entries and travel more attractive. Exhibit in Breed; run Fast CAT; trial in Rally; get your ATT and CGC. You are paying for gas and the hotel room anyway; this can make it well worth the investment.
As for concern, I just do not understand the trashing of judges online. I have had poor experiences with judges only to have wonderful experiences and even huge wins with them later on. That was possible because I showed up. You cannot win if you are not in the ring. Every day is a new day. You, your dog, the competition, the environmental factors, all the aspects of a show day that you do not have control over are all different at every single show. And judges are human and can vary as well.
7. I am a huge proponent of the National Owner-Handled Series and have been participating avidly. Nora is the first Platinum Owner-Handled Miniature Bull Terrier and currently the Lifetime leader, as well. The NOHS gave us more time in the ring, which is always a good thing for bonding with your dog and honing your craft, and it also brought fellow handlers into my life whom I never would have met otherwise. These fellow exhibitors inspired me to be a better handler. I think it is easy to stay within one’s breed, but there are so many fellow exhibitors out there from whom we can learn and gain friendship, and the NOHS opened those doors for me.
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