| The Boston Terrier is a compact, small dog with a | | | | much like closing your nose off part way it's harder for |
| square face and a personality bigger than their 10-25 | | | | air to get into the lungs. |
| pound size. Although the most common color is black | | | | According to the standard, the eyes are set square in |
| and white, they may be brindle or seal, and have | | | | the skull and the outside corners should be in line with |
| distinct markings required in the standard. They are not | | | | cheeks when viewed from the front. This calls for eye |
| a true terrier, belonging to the AKC non-sporting group. | | | | protection due to large eyes that somewhat protrude. |
| As such, they are usually not as driven or high energy | | | | Doggie visors can help keep the sun out of their eyes. |
| as the "typical terrier". | | | | Do not let your Boston terrier stick his head outside the |
| With the nickname "American Gentleman" the Boston | | | | vehicle - while protecting the eyes of any dog with this |
| terrier is generally a friendly, loving dog that can vary | | | | rule is important, because of the very structure of the |
| within the breed from very willing to very stubborn. It | | | | head it's more true with Bostons. Keep your Boston |
| gives owners a chance to choose a dog that fits their | | | | terrier away from thorny plants to prevent getting their |
| personality. Some are cuddly, some are more | | | | eyes scratched, and avoid dusty areas if possible. |
| independent but due to a heritage of being companion | | | | This is stressed because there are 20 different |
| dogs they generally get along well with people, dogs | | | | problems that can be created with Boston terriers. |
| and other pets. Following the Civil War they were bred | | | | Juvenile Cataracts should be tested for annually as this |
| in stables around Boston Massachusetts. | | | | can cause blindness. Watch for change to the eye |
| Many would be surprised to hear that these dogs | | | | including a blue, gray or white color. If he begins |
| were actually bred down from bulldogs, bull terriers and | | | | bumping into things, is afraid of stairs or getting up on |
| later French Bulldogs to reduce the size. Early in the | | | | something, is timid in unfamiliar places it's all signs to |
| development they were fighting dogs, largely from | | | | have him checked. If a normally outgoing dog becomes |
| English bulldog and English terrier stock. Due to the | | | | "clingy" it may also be a sign he's not able to see as |
| origins from that stock around Boston in the 1870s the | | | | well and looking to you for help. |
| club was originally called the American Bull Terrier Club | | | | Unfortunately there is nothing that can be done to |
| but that didn't set well with Bull Terrier breeders so the | | | | reverse or shrink cataracts. It is important to be mindful |
| name was changed to a more local representation | | | | of protecting the eyes of your Boston terrier and as |
| and the Boston Terrier was born, first admitted into the | | | | much as possible reduce the chances of injury. There |
| AKC in 1893 as the first US breed recognized and the | | | | is sometimes surgical options, but this isn't foolproof. |
| first non-sporting dog bred in the US. | | | | Dogs that are blind can live a healthy, normal life if |
| Much like the Morgan horse traces to one horse, the | | | | handled with this in mind. Keep the environment familiar |
| Boston terrier traces to "Judge" owned by Robert | | | | and keep him in a fenced yard or on leash at all times |
| Hooper. Bred to Edward Burnett's "Gyp" the | | | | when outside. |
| foundation was started particularly through Well's Eph. | | | | Juvenile cataracts is a recessive hereditary disease - |
| This is a fairly young breed as history goes. | | | | both parents may be normal but if the offspring have |
| By the 1900s the breed's distinctive markings became | | | | the wrong genetics match up they could have the |
| part of the standard, making it a requirement instead of | | | | disease not present in the parents. Genetic testing |
| an option. Today they are terrier in name only. This is a | | | | before breeding is highly advised to determine if the |
| typically easy going breed that gets by on moderate | | | | individual is a carrier of juvenile cataracts. |
| exercise, the short coat requires little grooming and | | | | Some heart issues are also known to affect Boston |
| they are usually easy to train. He is no longer a fighter | | | | terriers as well as things that affect all dogs no matter |
| but many will rise to defending themselves if | | | | what breed. |
| challenged. He makes a wonderful companion dog. | | | | Some breeders speak of necessary C-sections so in |
| From a standards point for conformation the dog | | | | addition to health testing there is a vet specializing in |
| should be balanced, with good expression and proper | | | | bully breeds (remember that breathing issue) and thus |
| markings. The head and neck, topline, body and tail | | | | a cost of thousands of dollars to produce one puppy. |
| share equal importance, followed by general | | | | Due to the blocky head it is not uncommon for a |
| appearance, expression, forequarters, hindquarters and | | | | C-section to be needed to produce puppies, something |
| gait. Lastly, eyes, ears, feet and color/markings have | | | | that warrants serious consideration before breeding. |
| points awarded, although solid colored dogs without | | | | With the high fees it would seem demand for these |
| markings is cause for disqualification. Additionally gray | | | | wonderful little dogs is high enough one need never be |
| or liver base colors are cause for disqualification. | | | | in rescue, but that is not the case. |
| The shortened muzzle of the Boston terrier does bring | | | | There are certainly serious considerations to breeding |
| some challenges you should be aware of. Excessive | | | | any dog and more so with breeds like the Boston |
| heat or cold can harm your dog so caution is needed | | | | terrier. Equally certain even among champion to |
| to protect him from extremes while exercising. | | | | champion breeding not all will be show dogs but these |
| Brachycephalic syndrome is one of the issues that | | | | are still incredible pets and companions. If the Boston |
| affects not only the French Bulldog but the Boston | | | | terrier sounds like a dog that would be a fit for your |
| terrier as well. The normal dog expels air and fresh air | | | | home, contact a Boston terrier breeder to see about |
| inflates the lungs, with the pressure of the chest equal | | | | an unshowable dog, or look into rescues that pull dogs |
| to that of outside air. With these breeds, low pressure | | | | given up by their owners or found on the streets. |
| within the airway means the dog must work harder to | | | | There are incredible dogs looking for homes and if you |
| breathe - to pull that air into the lungs. This can result in | | | | are serious about finding your ideal Boston terrier it can |
| these breeds being susceptible to overheating at much | | | | happen. |
| higher rates than other dogs. Care must be taken - | | | | |