Boston Terrier Dog Breed Information

Boston Terriers are dogs with a tuxedo coat and a stylish attitude. They are portable, friendly, and enthusiastic in everything they do. These dogs also get along well with other pets, kids and pretty much everyone they meet. Originally bred to be a fighting dog, today these dogs are affectionate and gentle companions that earned them the name “American Gentleman.” These fantastic little companion dogs are the best options for the working professionals, as they do not require much exercise.

General Information:

Breed Name	Boston terrier
Origin	United States
Other Names	Boston Bull Terrier, Boston Bull, Boxwood, American Gentlemen
Lifespan	11 -15 years
Breed Group	Non-sporting dog breeds (AKC)
Size Type	Small dog breeds
Breed Type	Companion Dogs
Height	15-17 inches ( 30-50 cm)
Weight	10 – 25 pounds
Temperament	Friendly, Intelligent, Lively
Coat Color	Brown & White, Black & White, Brindle & White, Seal & White
Coat Characteristics	Fine, Short
What to Feed	As a medium dog breed, the Boston Terrier needs approximately 0.5 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food every day, divided into two meals.
Ideal Food	Nutritious Dry Food
Litter size	4-6 puppies
Training Needs	Training of this breed will not require too much effort and attention, though it will not be easier than other dog breeds. Expected results come gradually.
Living condition	Well-suited for apartment living and does not require yard. It cannot tolerate both cold and hot weather. Don’t take it outside when temperatures are below or above normal.
Exercise need	Not much exercise is required. This breed is ideal for working professionals.
Health Concerns	Major Concerns- NoneMinor Concerns-  Cataracts, Patellar Luxation, Patent Ductus Arteriosis (PDA), Stenotic NaresOccasionally Seen- Deafness, Distichiasis, Esophageal Achalasia, Hydrocephalus
Type of home	Apartment is OK
Distinctive features	Brachycephalic (squashed face), upright ears (naturally)
Grooming Needs	Grooming is required only once in a while so as to maintain upkeep. No stripping or trimming needed.
Club Recognition	AKC Classification: Non-sporting; UKC Classification: Companion Dog
Attributes	Low Maintenance, Minimal Shedding, Moderately Easy Training, Great Watchdog Ability, Medium Adaptability, Slightly Active, Good with Kids
Bred For	Ratting, companion
Similar Dogs	English Cocker Spaniel, Basston, American Bullnese Hybrid, Docker, Border Beagle, Siberian Cocker

 Star Rating:

Characteristics	Stars (based on 5)	Characteristic	Stars (based on 5)
Kids Friendly	5	Social Needs	4
Friendly with other dogs	5	Stranger Friendly	4
Need of Exercise	3	Territorial Aggression	3
Grooming Requirement	1	Intelligence and Trainability	3
Adaptability to environment	5	Guarding Ability	3
Affection Level	5	Health Related Issues	3
Apartment Friendly	5	Obedience	3
Tendency to bark	2	Playfulness	3
Cat Friendly	5	Level of Shedding	2

 Some interesting facts about Boston terrier:

• These are one of the rare breeds that do not have a body odor; so, if you own Boston terrier, you will not get that awful dog smell in your home
• Although Boston Terriers are small dog, they have attitude of a big dogs. Don’t surprise, if your Boston puppy bosses around dogs 3 times of his size
• These dogs are called the “American Gentleman” owing to their stylish looking tuxedo markings, which is the ideal complement for a stylish owner.
• These companion dogs fart a lot, so if you let out a sneaky you can blame it on your Boston dog
• Boston Terriers have the ideal mix being great in apartments whilst still having energy to entertain
• These intelligent dogs are very easy to train. They also excel at advanced training and agility so you can teach these dogs some really cool tricks and use complicated commands
• These dogs almost completely understand the language of people, so you have to be careful if you want to hide something from your pooch
• Since 1979, Bostons are the official state dog of Massachusetts
• These small dogs don’t eat much so your wallet will thank you
• Usually, these dogs snore which can be really funny and adds to their quirkiness
• Boston’s come in a variety of colors including brindle, seal, black, liver, red + white, yellow, brown and cream

Is Boston terrier dog breed suitable for you?

A Boston terrier is ideal for you if you want a dog who:	A Boston terrier may not ideal for you if you don’t want to deal with:
Is small but sturdy Is not a delicate lapdog Has large enticing eyes Has a smooth and easy to care coat Is pet and child friendly and usually polite with everyone Typically loves to play all types of chasing games	Snorting, wheezing, snuffling, snoring, some slobbering Slowness to housebreak Gassiness (flatulence) A few potential medical issues due to his deformed face

 More information about Boston terrier:

• History

Boston Terriers came into existence in the late 1800s in Boston, Massachusetts. There are different stories about how this dog breed came to be. One of these stories has it that wealthy families’ coachmen developed this breed by crossing the now extinct English White Terrier and Bulldogs to create a new dog-fighting breed. Another story is that a Bostonian named Robert C. Hooper imported an English Terrier/Bulldog cross named Judge from England in 1865 because he reminded Hooper of a dog he’d had in his childhood. One more story is that Hooper purchased Judge from another Bostonian, named William O’Brian, around 1870.

No one knows which story is true. The fact is that there was, indeed, a dog named Judge, and that from him, came the dog breed that we know today as the Boston terrier. As per “The Complete Dog Book”, Judge was “a muscular, well-built and high-stationed dog” weighing about 32 pounds. This dog has dark brindle color along with a white blaze on the face and a blocky, square head.

This breed of dogs was first shown in Boston in the year 1870. By the year 1889, this breed had become extremely popular in Boston that the fanciers formed the American Bull Terrier Club, but the proposed name for this breed was not well-received by the Fanciers of Bull Terrier. The nickname, roundheads of this breed was similarly inappropriate. After some time, this breed was named the Boston terrier after his birthplace.

In the year 1893, the AKC (American Kennel Club) admitted this dog breed and gave the club membership status that make this breed the first American breed to be recognized. The Boston terriers were the first non-sporting dog which is bred in America. In early years of this breed, the markings and color were not important, but by the 1900’s this breed’s distinctive color and markings were written into the standard, becoming an essential feature. The Boston Terriers have lost most of their cruel desire for mayhem, preferring the company of humans. Although some males will still challenge other pets and dogs, if they feel their territory is being invaded. These dogs enjoyed particular popularity during the 1920’s in America and after all over the world.

• Description

Boston Terriers are compactly built, and well proportioned dogs that are known for their erect ears, short tails, and a short muzzle that is free of wrinkles. These small dogs can weigh from 10 to 25 lb, typically in the vicinity of 15 lb. they are known for their alert, gentle, and intelligent expression. Usually, these dogs stand 15-17 inches at the withers.

Boston terriers are characteristically marked with white in proportion to brindle, black, seal, or a combination of the three. Specifically, the seal color is used to describe these dogs and is defined as a black color with the red highlights when viewed in the bright light or sun light.

Generally, white color covers its muzzle, chest, band around the neck, half way up the forelegs, and up to the hocks on the rear legs. In the show dogs, symmetrical markings are preferred. The markings of Boston terrier resemble formal wear. In addition to its pleasant and refined personality, this breed is commonly referred to as the “American Gentleman.”

Depending on the ancestry of the individual dog, variations can be seen on the standard. At various times, the English Mastiff, English bulldog, French bulldog and Staffordshire bull terrier, among other breeds, have been crossbred with Boston terrier lines in order to reduce inbreeding in what is inevitably a small gene pool.

• Personality
  

Reckoned as the American Gentleman, Boston Terriers are smart, lively, and affectionate with a gentle, even temperament. However, these dogs can be stubborn, so consistency and persistence are definite musts when training.

Like every dog, these dogs also need early socialization. When they’re young, you should start exposure of this dog to many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences. Socialization also helps to ensure that your Boston puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog.

• Health problems with Boston terrier

Bostons are the flat-faced, or brachycephalic, dog breeds. The flat face of this breed causes many health problems, some minor such as snuffling and snoring, and some major which includes life-threatening breathing problems that may require surgery to correct.

In addition to this, Bostons are prone to eye problems, such as late-onset cataracts, juvenile cataracts, entropion, distichiasis, glaucoma, corneal ulcers, corneal dystrophy, cherry eye, dry eyes (Keratitis Sicca). Some other health issues like deafness, heart and skin tumors, and patellar luxation are also seen in this breed. Due to short-face, these dogs may have breathing problems when stressed by exertion in cold or hot weather.

You can follow below mentioned tips to make your Boston terrier healthy

• Respiratory system of Bostons is compromised, therefore, you should not smoke near him. You should not use any chemical cleaning product, and keep your pooch away from the allergenic pollen and freshly-cut grass.
• Many of us humans get allergies, and so do Boston Terriers. These dogs can be allergic to many things. These allergies happen when your pooch is exposed to antigens and their immune system react extremely to these foreign substances or matter (allergens). The overreaction will show itself by nasal or eye discharge, itching (in one place or all over).
• You should make sure that your vet uses only the new effective anesthetics (like isoflurane) and insist on a blood pressure and cardio monitor. Many vets are not careful when anesthetizing short-faced breeds like Boston terriers.
• In humid or hot weather, you should minimize the outdoor activity of Bostons and keep him in an air-conditioned home because these dogs are quite sensitive to the weather change. In addition to this, short-faced dogs have high risk of heatstroke, as they cannot puff energetically to lower their body heat.
• You should use Y-shaped harness that wraps around the chest, and not the throat of your dog. Also, keep in mind that collar puts pressure on the windpipe of dog and makes it harder for him to breathe.

• You should always wash and dry the folds of skin on the face of your dog after every meal.
• Boston can be slow to pick up housebreaking. You can expect 4 to 6 months of consistent crate training.
• Due to the short face, most Boston Terriers snuffle, snort, wheeze, snore and grunt loudly. The sounds of the dogs are appealing to some people; nerve-wracking to others.
• With especially loose jowls, Boston terriers may slobber when they drink. Slobbering may also occur when these dogs get overheated and need to pant heavily.
• Short-faced breed like Boston terriers gulp air while eating, and that air has to go somewhere, after all. Diets containing more fiber or some hard-to-digest ingredients such as corn, soy, and other grains make flatulence worse. You should feed your Boston terrier an easy-to-digest, meat-heavy, homemade diet.

• Grooming

Boston Terriers have smooth, fine coat that comes in three colors: seal (looks black but has reddish cast when seen in sunlight), black or brindle. They are quite easy to groom. You should brush them weekly with a firm bristle brush. You can bathe them with an anti-flea shampoo and a damp cloth. You should give your Boston an occasional bath when necessary. These dogs have large eyes; therefore, you should wash the face of your pooch every day and check his eyes for the signs of irritation and redness.

These dogs shed very less. You can still minimize the shedding by regular brushing. Try to brush their teeth at least 2 or 3 times a week in order to remove the buildup of tartar and the bacteria that lurk inside the teeth. If you want to prevent bad breath and gum disease of your pooch, daily brushing is recommended.

You should also trim the nails of your canine companion once or twice a month. If you can hear your dog clicking on the floor that means their nails are too long. You should keep one thing in mind that the toenails of dogs have blood vessels in them, and if you cut too far it can cause bleeding. If bleeding occurs, your pooch may not cooperate the next time when he sees the nail clipper. It is recommended that if you are not experienced enough to trim your dog’s nails, you can ask a vet or groomer for the pointers.

Ears of Bostons should be checked weekly for the bad odor and redness, which can indicate an ear infection. While checking your dog’s ears, you can wipe them out using a cotton ball dampened with gentle, pH-balanced ear cleaner so as to prevent the ear infections. You should never insert anything into the ear canal of your dog; just clean the outer ear.

You should start accustoming your pooch to being examined and brushed when he is a puppy. You should handle his paws frequently because dogs are touchy about their feet and look inside his mouth. In addition to this, you should make grooming a positive experience for your dog. The grooming session should be filled with rewards and praise.

When you groom your pooch, you should also check for rashes, sores, or signs of infection such as tenderness, redness, or inflammation on the skin, in the mouth, nose, and eyes, and on the feet. You dog’s eyes should be clear, with no discharge or redness. This careful weekly examination helps you spot some potential health issues in your dog.

Some tools that can make your grooming hassles easy are:

• Choostix Doggie Dip Skin & Coat Dog Shampoo 200 ml
• All4Pets Pin Brush
• PetaSOFT Hot Chocolate Fudge Conditioner
• Pets World Nail Cutter for Dogs and Cats
• Drools Fubbles Conditioning and Detangling Dog Shampoo