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Boston Terrier

The Boston Terrier

The Boston Terrier is a lively little companion recognized by his tight tuxedo jacket, sporty but compact body, and the friendly glow in his big, round eyes. His impeccable manners have earned him the nickname ‘The American Gentleman.’ Boston Terriers are compact, short-tailed, well-balanced little dogs weighing no more than 25 pounds. The stylish ‘tuxedo’ coat can be white and either black, brindle, or seal (dark brown). The head is square, the muzzle is short, and the large, round eyes can shine with kindness, curiosity, or mischief. Ever alert to their surroundings, Bostons move with a jaunty, rhythmic step. It’s a safe bet that a breed named for a city’the Havanese or Brussels Griffon, for instance’will make an excellent urban pet. Bostons are no exception: they are sturdy but portable, people-oriented, and always up for a brisk walk to the park or outdoor cafe. A bright dog with a natural gift for comedy, the dapper Bostonian is a steady source of smiles.

The popularity of blood sports in 19th-century England led to a mania for crossing terriers and bull-type breeds to produce dogs who could excel at pit fighting and ratting contests. In Liverpool, sometime in the late 1860s, a cross between a Bulldog and the now-extinct white English Terrier resulted in a tough, muscular dog named Judge.

Judge’s owner sold him to an American named William O’Brien, who brought his new dog home to Boston. In 1870, O’Brien sold Judge to a fellow Bostonian, Robert C. Hooper. Judge, from then on known in breed histories as ‘Hooper’s Judge,’ became the patriarch of the Boston Terrier breed and the common ancestor of almost all true Bostons.

A breed historian describes Judge as a ‘strongly built, high stationed dog of about thirty-two pounds weight. In color he was a dark brindle, with a white stripe in the face. His head was square and blocky, and he resembled the present Boston Terrier in that he had a nearly even mouth.’

Hooper bred Judge to a small white female named Burnett’s Gyp, owned by Edward Burnett, of Southboro, Massachusetts. And, in the genealogy so familiar to Boston Terrier fanciers, Judge and Gyp begot Well’s Eph, who begot Tobin’s Kate, and on through the seminal generations of the Boston’s U.S. history. During the breed’s formative decades, selective breeding transformed the bulky fighter of Judge’s time into a smaller, sweeter, and more attractive companion dog, originally called the Round Head by its partisans.

In honor of the city where these happy-go-lucky dogs were so painstakingly developed, the breed name was changed to Boston Terrier. The Boston Terrier Club of America was formed in 1891, and two years later the AKC registered its first dog of the breed.

To this day, Boston Terriers are a point of hometown pride. The Boston Terrier has been the official mascot of Boston University for nearly 100 years, and in 1979 the state legislature named the ‘American Gentleman’ the official dog of Massachusetts.

The Boston Terrier is a breed known for its friendly and gentle temperament. With their affectionate nature, they make excellent family pets. These dogs are highly intelligent and eager to please, making them easy to train. They are also known for being good with children, as they are patient and tolerant. Despite their small size, Boston Terriers have a big personality and love to be the center of attention. They are sociable dogs that enjoy being around people and other animals. Overall, the Boston Terrier’s temperament is one of loyalty, playfulness, and charm, making them a beloved companion for many families.

One of the top qualities of the Boston Terrier is its ability to adapt to different environments. This breed does well in standard homes and small apartments. They are relatively easy to care for and quickly adapt to their surroundings. To top it off, they are also known to do very well with children and other pets in the household.

The Boston’s need for exercise varies from individual to individual. For some, a brisk walk once or twice a day will be enough. Others will need more time to run and play every day and let off steam. Simply letting a Boston out into the backyard doesn’t count as exercise’he’ll probably just sit at the door waiting to be let back in. Left alone for long periods of time, a Boston will tend to become frustrated and develop undesirable behaviors. Throw him a ball or a toy, however, and he’ll be more than happy to play with you. Participation in canine sports such as agility, obedience, flyball, and rally is an enjoyable way to channel the breed’s energy.

 

Grooming is an essential aspect of caring for a Boston Terrier. These adorable dogs have short coats that require minimal maintenance. Regular brushing helps remove loose hair and keeps their coat shiny. Additionally, their nails should be trimmed regularly to prevent discomfort and potential injuries. Ear cleaning is crucial to avoid infections, as their floppy ears can trap dirt and moisture. Bathing should be done occasionally using a mild dog shampoo to keep them clean and odor-free. By following these grooming practices, Boston Terriers can maintain a healthy appearance and overall well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

Protecting the Boston Terrier’s beautiful but prominent eyes is of special importance. The eyes should be checked daily for redness or irritation. Some owners carry saline eye drops to flush out dust or debris. Responsible breeders screen their stock for eye problems such as cataracts, corneal ulcers, and glaucoma, as well as deafness and patellar luxation (comparable to a “trick knee” in humans). Like all flat-faced breeds, Bostons can experience difficulty breathing when not given adequate shelter from excessive heat or humidity.

 

The Boston’s need for exercise varies from individual to individual. For some, a brisk walk once or twice a day will be enough. Others will need more time to run and play every day and let off steam. Simply letting a Boston out into the backyard doesn’t count as exercise’he’ll probably just sit at the door waiting to be let back in. Left alone for long periods of time, a Boston will tend to become frustrated and develop undesirable behaviors. Throw him a ball or a toy, however, and he’ll be more than happy to play with you. Participation in canine sports such as agility, obedience, flyball, and rally is an enjoyable way to channel the breed’s energy.

 

Yes. They could be suitable apartment dogs and can be left for 4 to 8 hours as long as they are left in a crate or a controlled environment. The only problem would be if they have not learned to control their bowels.

Yes, they are. They are known to be one of the best family dog breeds available. They are affectionate and very friendly.

Yes. They are very friendly and would love some family time on the couch or under the covers.

Seeing they are prone to eye discharge, you should use a damp or wet cloth when cleaning their eyes. Be sure to do this daily so the discharge does not dry up and cause him discomfort.

The Boston’s sleek, fine coat does shed somewhat, though not a lot. Weekly brushing with a soft-bristle brush, a rubber grooming mitt or tool, or a hound glove will help to remove the loose hair. A good brushing also promotes new hair growth and distributes skin oils throughout the coat to help keep it healthy. Bostons need to be bathed only occasionally, unless they get into something messy. As with all breeds, the Boston’s nails should be trimmed regularly, because overly long nails can cause the dog pain as well as problems walking and running.

 

In hot weather you should limit outdoor activity and pay special attention to protecting your Boston’s paw pads from hot paved surfaces.  Paw-Socks are a useful tool to provide this protection and something you should get your Boston puppy familiar with while they are young.  In cold, wet, windy weather you can have your Boston wear a coat or jacket.  A fleece base-layer is a good choice to start with when getting your Boston familiar with dog-clothing.  You can layer water resistant options right over the base-layer!  Bostons should not spend much time outside when conditions are extreme.

Like all flat-faced breeds, Bostons can experience difficulty breathing when not given adequate shelter from excessive heat or humidity.  Do not allow your Boston to heavily exert itself when the weather is hot!

The Boston terriers may stop growing at 12 months for much smaller dogs and at 14 months for the bigger ones.

A Boston terrier is in all sense of the word an American gentleman and is a breed you would want to have as a pet.

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