Boston Terrier Dogs Information

Written by: Susan Elliott

Copyright 1997 to 2010 Dogs and Puppies Central
All rights reserved.

Alternate Names: Boston, Bostons, Roundhead

Common Misspellings:  Bosten Terrior, Boston Terrior, Bosten Terrier, Bostonterrier, Bosten Terier

Learn all about Boston Terrier Dogs and Puppies through our indepth guide to the Boston Terrier dog breed. You'll find solid information about Boston Terrier dog history, Boston Terrier life expectancy Boston Terrier dog appearance, Boston Terrier temperament and personality, Boston Terrier health problems, Boston Terrier puppy care, training Boston Terrier puppy dogs and more. Also includes important information about choosing a responsible Boston Terrier dog breeder.

The Boston Terrier is a stylishly handsome, robust dog. He is lively and alert yet has an undemanding disposition. The Boston, a truly American breed, is instantly recognizable for its formal appearance and its distinctive coat. Historically, the Boston Terrier has a well documented lineage with its heels firmly entrenched in early American aristocracy. It has seen a meteoric rise in popularity since its induction into the American Kennel Club.

Truly, this dog needs no introduction. Dog lovers the world around recognize this breed as an even tempered, fun loving family pet and consummate show dog. And, if ever there was a dog whose cheeks are ripe for the squishing, the Boston Terrier is it.

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Boston Terrier Facts

The Boston Terrier Dog Breed In Brief

Country of Origin: United States of America

Boston Terrier Height: 15 - 17 inches

Boston Terrier Weight: 10 - 25 pounds

Boston Terrier Color Variations: Bindle with White Boston Terrier
Seal with White Boston Terrier
Black with White Boston Terrier

Boston Terrier Size Variations: Standard size only

Boston Terrier Exercise Needs: Moderate

Boston Terrier Grooming Demands: Minimal

Boston Terrier Trainability: Easy

Boston Terrier Life Expectancy: 10 - 14 years

Average Boston Terrier Prices: $750 to $2500, depending on Pedigree

Good With Children: Yes

Good With Other Pets: Yes

Breed Group: Terrier

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Boston Terrier Dog History

The history of the Boston Terrier is well documented. Sometime around 1865, coachmen who were employed by wealthy Bostonians, decided to crossbreed some of their employer’s purebred dogs. An English Terrier and a bulldog sired Hooper’s Judge, the first Boston Terrier. Weighing in at a meaty 30 pounds, Hooper’s Judge was later bred with a smaller female, and their male offspring with an even smaller female. At some point, a French Bulldog was introduced and the modern day Boston Terrier was thereby established.

Soon, the Boston Terrier was a popular breed throughout the city and legitimizing and naming this terrier was well underway. Originally, breeders chose American Roundhead Bull Terrier as the proposed name for the Boston Terrier, but that name was rejected. The shortened version Roundhead Terrier was also dismissed. In 1893 the breed was admitted into the American Kennel Club and its name changed to Boston Terrier to honour its ancestral home. Notably, the Boston Terrier was the first US breed to be recognized by the AKC.

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Boston Terrier Dog Appearance

The Boston Terrier is a handsome, muscular breed. He is compact and well proportioned with a thick, powerful neck. The Boston Terrier’s head is square in shape and his muzzle is about 1/3 its length. His ears, when cropped will stand erect and his tail is short and tapered.

The Boston Terrier has a dapper and dignified appearance. The Boston Terrier sports a striking short coat with a distinguishing white stripe that sweeps up and over his head. Accepted colours are bindle, seal or black; all with white markings between the eyes and around the neck. His tuxedo-like coat and square, slightly drooping jaw make the Boston Terrier an elegant and immediately recognizable dog.

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Boston Terrier Grooming

Typically, grooming your Boston Terrier is an undemanding task. You will need to brush your terrier’s coat with a firm, non-wire brush. Wire brushes can scratch your Boston Terrier’s skin, so a natural brush is best. Baths should be taken when necessary and you should use a low fragrance shampoo. Be sure to rinse all shampoo residue from your pet to avoid skin irritation. Nails will need clipping and a professional groomer may make a prudent choice as their specialized equipment makes for a comfortable trim.

The key to keeping your Boston Terrier relaxed enough to allow the grooming is your tone and actions. You should reassure your terrier in a calm, low tone, and establish it as a relaxed and luxurious event. Your Boston Terrier may begin to enjoy and welcome these procedures.

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Boston Terrier Exercise Needs

The Boston Terrier has moderate exercise needs. He will relish a daily walk but you needn’t worry that your Boston Terrier will run you ragged. A 5 kilometre walk or a vigorous game of fetch will suffice. Inside, the Boston Terrier is more docile than rambunctious, and as he matures, so will his love of relaxation.

The Boston Terrier is a ball of muscle so he is faster on his feet than his refined stance might suggest. Be certain to keep you Boston Terrier on leash, even on short walks. He will enjoy leash-free dog parks as his temperament makes him an agreeable companion for man and beast alike.

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Boston Terrier Temperament

The Boston Terrier is a sensitive dog, who seems greatly concerned with pleasing his owners. He is a quick study and will learn commands with relative ease. The Boston Terrier is calm and gentle indoors, but a raucous playmate outside whenever the opportunity arises. There can be moments of stubbornness, but the Boston Terrier will ultimately yield to his owner.

The Boston Terrier has naturally friendly disposition and seldom takes an unprovoked dislike to people. He is equally pleasant with children and other dogs. Some household pets should tread with caution around the Boston Terrier, especially if they are of the feline persuasion. But, if your Boston Terrier has been brought up with kitty, he will see her as a companion rather than a foe.

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Boston Terrier Training

House training your Boston Terrier works best when you commit to using the Bridge Word method and start the training when your puppy is about 6 weeks old. To use this method, select a simple world like ‘yes’ or ‘good’ and instruct all family members that this word, and this alone, indicates correct response. Reserve an especially delicious treat, like liver bits, to reward proper behaviour. Don’t let your Boston’s cute antics swindle you out of a liver snack, this is to be awarded only if your Boston Terrier uses appropriate bathroom facilities.

Next, take your Boston Terrier outside immediately following a nap or meal. As soon as he goes, say your bridge word and reward with the liver treat. Soon, this will establish a regular routine and you can begin to expand the training. Still, use your special treat only when a command is obeyed.

Boston Terrier Health

Health concerns for your Boston Terrier include; Brachycephalic Syndrome, cataracts, deafness, hypothyroidism, luxating patellas and mange. Also of note are cherry eye, heart murmurs and allergies.

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Is the Boston Terrier Right For You?

The Boston Terrier is the perfect first dog. He is gentle and agreeable and will happily complete any family. Because the Boston’s needs are few, busy families will be delighted by this terrier’s reasonable exercise requirements and simple grooming. Seniors and the disabled will be charmed by the Boston Terrier’s trainability and sensible position on barking. On the whole, the Boston Terrier is a splendid pet. Clever and resourceful, the Boston Terrier is as cute as they come.

When purchasing your Boston Terrier, resist the urge to purchase a dog inexpensively from a pet store or from an advertisement in a newspaper. You may unwittingly buy a mal-adjusted, sick, puppy mill dog. This is to be avoided at all costs.

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Boston Terrier Prices

Average Boston Terrier Price: $750 - $1000

Price always varies when it comes to the purchase of a quality, home-raised healthy Boston Terrier dog or puppy. It's of utmost importance that you place the most weight on acquiring a great Boston Terrier puppy from a highly responsible, reputable breeder, and put the price as a secondary concern in making your decision.

Buying a Boston Terrier dog or puppy at a cheap price from a breeder of questionable reputation can be a one-way ticket to heartbreak and great additional expense throughout the dog's life, should your Boston Terrier puppy have hereditary health problems or behavior and temperament issues (which very often is the case with cheap-priced puppies). Buying from a highly reputable Boston Terrier breeder is your best insurance for acquiring a well socialized, healthy puppy of stable temperament.

Boston Terrier prices also will vary according to the puppy's conformation; puppies placed as pets and companions will generally be less expensive as show-quality Boston Terrier puppies intended to be shown in conformation.

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Finding Boston Terrier Puppies For Sale By Reputable Breeders

If you are ready to add an adorable Boston Terrier puppy to your family, be sure to check out Dogs and Puppies Central's directory of Boston Terrier Puppies For Sale, where you will find photos and information posted by reputable Boston Terrier breeders. We actively screen Boston Terrier breeders who wish to advertise on our service by asking that they meet and follow our Guidelines For Responsible Dog Breeders. We also ask for - and check - three references from each breeder.

By performing an initial dog breeder screening, it is our hope that we can help put you in touch with a caring, responsible Boston Terrier breeder near you. We cannot physically inspect the premises and dogs owned by breeders advertising with us, so you need to be responsible for doing the final inspection and interview.

Let's stop the cruelty of puppy mills. Please help us keep money out of the hands of puppy mills, back yard breeders and pet stores. Buy your Boston Terrier puppy only from a responsible, caring hobby breeder that raises their dogs and puppies in a loving home environment.

When you locate that perfect Boston Terrier puppy - please be sure to send us some photos to be included in our growing gallery of Boston Terrier dog and puppy pictures!

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Additional Boston Terrier Resources:

• Boston Terrier Wikipedia Profile
• AKC Boston Terrier Breed Profile
• Boston Terrier Pictures
• Boston Terrier Videos

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