The Boston Terrier is a unique and
distinctive little breed of dog. Nicknamed the “Gentleman of
Dogs,” due to his extremely sweet and gentle disposition,
this adorable little toy dog has won the hearts of many,
across the world. If you’re looking for a spunky and
adorable little friend, the Boston Terrier may be just the
sort of companion that you had in mind.
As his name implies, the Boston Terrier is a
native American breed of dog, first bred in the beautiful
city of Boston, Massachusetts. The result of crossing an
English Bulldog (named Judge) with a now-extinct breed,
known as the white English Terrier (named Gyp), a pup named
“Wells’ Eph” would later be crossed with “Tobin’s Kate” and
the Boston Terrier would develop from these crossings.
Originally called the American Bull Terrier, the breed’s
name would be changed in 1891, after a great deal of
opposition from both Bulldog and Bull Terrier breeders. At
the time, the American Bull Terrier Club received no support
from the AKC, who declared the breed too young and stated
that they were unsure, as of yet, whether or not the
available representatives would continue to breed true and
continue to produce offspring of the same type.
Fortunately, the American Bull Terrier
fanciers were determined and had a great deal of faith in
their little dogs. Changing the name to Boston Terrier,
honoring the city where the dogs were first bred, they
continued to breed and exhibit these captivating little dogs
until they were finally admitted into the Stud Book in 1893.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Back to
Menu
Once nick-named “Round Heads,” the Boston
Terrier is a very distinctive breed, well-known for his
compact little body and noticeably round head. Boston
Terriers are a determined little dog and this shows in their
build and their stance; they are alert and intelligent, as
well as being a very active variety of toy dog, and their
bodies are built for strength, despite their short stature.
The Boston Terrier can come in a brindle,
seal, or the more common black shade, and are to be evenly
marked with white. Additionally, these charismatic little
dogs are shown in one of 3 separate weight classes: Under 15
pounds, 15 to under 20 pounds, and 20 to under 25 pounds.
While there are no official “teacup” varieties, some
breeders will often refer to their smaller Boston Terrier
puppies as being Teacup Boston Terriers. This simply means
that they are of the smaller weight class and is nothing
more special than that.
“Personality-plus” is a term that best-suits
these adorable little dogs. Often nick-named the gentleman
of dogs, they are charming, captivating and very cuddly,
making wonderful companion animals for the elderly.
Additionally, the Boston Terrier gets along well with
children and seems to have a great deal of patience for
smaller humans. The main concern with Boston Terrier is that
they can sometimes bite off more than they can chew, much
like any other terrier, trying to stand up and protect their
humans and property from much larger dogs. This, as one can
imagine, can sometimes get your Boston Terrier puppy into a
world of trouble if he is left unsupervised or let run
loose.
Back to
Menu
A high-spirited little dog, the Boston Terrier does enjoy an
active lifestyle. Fortunately, it doesn’t take much to wear
out those short little legs. A short walk in the park or a
little bit of chasing the ball down the hallway can get him
panting in no time. Additionally, the Boston Terrier enjoys
gentle games of tug-o-war and most like to chew on rubber
toys, happy to keep himself somewhat entertained for a time.
Care
and upkeep of your Boston Terrier puppy is relatively
simple. Not overly heavy shedders, you will find that your
Boston Terrier sheds the most in the spring and then, again,
in the fall. In the meantime, a simple brushing once or
twice a week will suffice, and will help to keep his coat
glossy by stimulating the oils in his coat and helping to
free and remove any dander. To brush him, use a
soft-bristled brush and go with the grain of hair, brushing
in a gentle and flicking motion. He will love the free
back-scratching.
A Boston Terrier shouldn’t need to be bathed
too often; once or twice a month is usually a good bet,
unless you have an individual who really enjoys getting
dirty. Aside from this, the only other major grooming needs
that a Boston Terrier requires are keeping his nails
clipped, his ears clean and, if he will let you, his teeth
brushed. Should tooth-brushing be an issue, however, there
are a variety of toys and treats now available, which help
to reduce tartar build up and tooth decay.
It's also a good idea to learn how to clip
your Boston Terriers nails on a regular basis, starting from
early puppyhood. Care needs to be taken to avoid cutting the
"quick" of the nail. Once you become proficient at this,
nail clipping will be a routine event. All dogs should have
their teeth brushed every day to prevent gum and tooth
decay, and ears should be given a wipe with an ear cleansing
solution that cleanses and acidifies the inner ear
environment to avoid ear infections.
Back to
Menu
The
Boston Terrier is a keenly intelligent breed and one that
desires to please his owner. For these reasons, he is
generally very easy to train and receptive to the praises
that he receives for good behavior. Obedience classes are
highly recommended, if you are inexperienced with training
dogs - not only does it teach your dog basic commands and
obedience, but it also teaches you how better to understand
your new puppy, and what methods he bests responds to. In no
time, you two are sure to be teaching one another new
tricks.
Read
more...
Boston Terriers can be prone to a number of
hereditary health problems. That is why choosing a
responsible breeder from which to purchase your Boston
Terrier puppy is very important. Responsible Boston Terrier
breeders will be well educated about the breed and carefully
screen their breeding dogs for disorders that can affect
these dogs.
Like any breed of dog, the Boston Terrier is
subject to a variety of health concerns. Your best bet is,
when deciding to choose a new Boston Terrier puppy, check
around with several breeders and ask about the various
health issues that can affect these beautiful little dogs. A
reputable breeder should be well-versed in the health
concerns and should be able to give you more details, as
well as showing you the sire and dam of your potential
puppy.
Is the Boston Terrier The Right Breed For You?
