Bull Terriers and Miniature Bull Terriers aren’t stubborn, just selective.
by Dede Wilson (Reprinted with permission).

Confusing a dog’s independence for a lack of intelligence has fueled widespread misconceptions about breeds like Miniature Bull Terriers and Bull Terriers, when in reality what’s often labeled as stubbornness is a blend between high intelligence and low biddability that challenges traditional training expectations.

People, and even dog people, outside of the Bull Terrier and Miniature Bull Terrier world, are often aware that these terriers are not necessarily biddable, meaning, they do not often want to follow your requests. But what these folks often get wrong, is that they think this lack of biddability means the dogs are not smart. 
The terms “smart” and “biddable” are often used interchangeably when talking about dogs, but they describe two very different qualities. Once you understand the distinction, a lot of breed behavior—and owner expectations—suddenly comes into sharper focus. And us BT and MBT owners need all the help we can get in understanding our dogs. And, yes, a dog can be biddable and smart, and those two qualities can exist on a spectrum.

What we mean by a “smart” dog
In everyday conversation, a smart dog is one that learns quickly, solves problems, and remembers things well. In canine behavior science, this aligns with working intelligence (how fast a dog learns commands) and adaptive intelligence (how well they figure things out independently).
A smart dog might:
Learn a new cue in just a few repetitions 
Open doors, solve puzzles, or outthink barriers 
Generalize learning from one situation to another 
Remember patterns, including the ones you wish they would forget 
But intelligence does not automatically equal cooperation. A very smart dog may fully understand what you want and still decide it has a better idea. Sound like a dog you know?

What we mean by a “biddable” dog
Biddability is about willingness rather than intellect. It refers to how inclined a dog is to listen, respond, and work with a human handler. A biddable dog tends to want to get it right and finds reinforcement in the interaction itself.
A biddable dog typically:
Wants to follow direction and please their person 
Responds reliably to cues, even with distractions 
Finds reinforcement in human interaction itself 
Stays engaged and checks in with the handler 

Where it gets interesting: real-world examples
This distinction becomes much clearer when you look at specific breeds.
Take Miniature Bull Terriers and Bull Terriers. MBTs and BTs are undeniably intelligent. They learn quickly, remember everything, and are excellent problem solvers. They are also independent thinkers. You brought a Terrier into your life; they are bred to be independent thinkers. Living with one often means you are working with a dog who understands your request perfectly but may pause and evaluate whether it is worth complying.

With a Bull Terrier and Miniature Bull Terrier, you will often see:
Fast learning paired with selective compliance 
Creative problem-solving that can work for or against you 
Strong awareness of routines and opportunities 
A need for engaging, varied, and meaningful training 
Now contrast that with the Labrador Retriever. Labradors are also intelligent, but what defines them is their biddability. They tend to respond quickly to cues, remain focused on their handler, and show a genuine eagerness to cooperate.

With a Labrador, you will often see:
Quick response to cues and eagerness to repeat behaviors 
Strong focus on the handler, even in distracting environments 
High motivation for food, praise, and interaction 
Consistency that makes training feel more straightforward 
This is why they are so commonly used in service and assistance roles. Their willingness is as valuable as their intelligence.

Side by side in everyday life
Ask both dogs to sit, and the difference becomes clear. The Bully understands the cue but might hesitate, assess, or decide if now is the right moment. The Labrador is likely to sit promptly and look back at you, ready for the next instruction.
Neither response is wrong. They reflect different wiring.

Why this matters:
Understanding the difference between intelligence and biddability helps set realistic expectations. A highly intelligent but less biddable dog may require more thoughtful training strategies and stronger motivation. A highly biddable dog may feel easier to live with, even if it is not constantly problem-solving on its own.

Dogs can fall anywhere along this spectrum. Some are both highly intelligent and highly biddable. Others lean more toward independence or cooperation, shaping the entire experience of living with them.


When you recognize whether you are dealing with a dog that asks, “Why should I?” versus one that says, “What would you like next?”, you can adjust your approach—and that is where the real harmony begins.