Boston Terrier 101
Human beings must have done something right to be blessed with dogs – the most loyal, loving and enjoyable creatures on the face of this planet! This is your ultimate guide to Boston Terriers and the reason behind their growing popularity!
Whoever said good things come in small sizes must have been referring to the adorable Boston Terrier, since the statement fits undoubtedly well to the endearing breed. Boston Terriers, widely known as “American Gentlemen”, are miniature dogs who have a better understanding of most feelings, than human beings themselves. They are considerate, kind and very helpful, especially to the elderly.
Boston Terriers are often underestimated due to their minute size, and there are a lot of misconceptions regarding the origins of the breed. Muddled up facts tend to confuse dog lovers who wish to bring a Boston Terrier home, because a dog’s temperament is typically judged by its origins. However, this guide will tell you everything you need to know about Boston Terriers:
The Derivation of Boston Terriers
The most perplexed thing about Boston Terriers is the derivation of the breed. Many people believe that the name of the dog is such because it falls into the category of ‘terriers’. However, the Boston Terrier has more similarities with its bulldog parent than it does with its terrier parent. To set things straight, a Boston Terrier is produced as a result of selective breeding between a white English Terrier and an English Bulldog. ‘Boston’ is present in its name because that is where it was first bred in the late 1800s. This unique breeding was done with the purpose of using the Boston Terrier as a fighting dog, but it is actually a very affectionate and caring dog.
Temperament of Boston Terriers
Due to the fact that Boston Terrier appears a lot like a small pit-bull, you may assume that the dog has a bad temperament or is somewhat moody and aggressive. However, this is not the case with Boston Terriers. But then again, the temperament of the dog varies and depends entirely on the personality of your little bundle of joy. Boston Terriers are commonly used to assist the elderly, because the dogs make great guard dogs and tend to focus their attention on one person. Moreover, they are known for their stubborn, childlike personalities and training them might be more than a handful.
Boston Terriers with Their Owners
Boston Terriers do an amazing job at reading and being in tune with their owner’s emotions, and if they find their owner in trouble or sad, they will go the extra mile to make their owners happy by adjusting their own behavior – something that is rather perceptible due to their large and highly expressive eyes. Many people believe a Boston Terrier would be loud and obnoxious like most other dogs of the size, but it’s actually the complete opposite. Boston Terriers are calm and reserved and they really do not bark as much as you would expect it to.
The Appearance of Boston Terriers
Broad, square heads featuring eyes that protrude and coloring that will certainly remind you of a tuxedo, the Boston Terrier is recognizable even from a distance. Boston Terriers also have short muzzles, so it looks a lot like a pit-bull, or a boxer. They have stubby bodies the size of a terrier, but appear more like the bulldog parent. They are normally black and white, but can also be found in brindle and white or seal and white.
Maintenance
Many people forgo the option of bringing a pet home due to the high maintenance that each pet requires. However, Boston Terriers make the perfect pets for this reason because they can be groomed in the blink of an eye. Their fur coats tend to be close to the skin, so there’s not a lot of brushing to do, and they shed significantly less in comparison to other dogs. They also make for the perfect dogs to keep in apartments due to their small size and significantly lower upkeep. But Boston Terriers are extremely energetic and require their daily dose of exercise or they become impatient.
Training your Boston Terrier
Training your Boston Terrier is one of the most difficult things to do, because they don’t do well with orders and commands. They will try to manipulate you by melting you with big expressive eyes, and you will not be able to say no to the little cutie! Of course, you can always use dog treats as a means to train your Boston Terrier, but if they get too used to the treats, they won’t do anything unless you wave it above their heads.
Health Concerns
Due to selective breeding, and the deformity that creates the Boston Terrier, they are at risk of developing a lot of conditions that are dangerous to their health. Boston Terriers have breathing problems due to the excess of soft tissue they have around or in their airways. If you intend to have your Boston Terrier neutered or spayed, be extremely careful of the anesthesia they are given, because they do not do well in these cases. However, the life expectancy of a healthy Boston Terrier is around 13-15 years.
Do Boston Terriers Make Good Pets?
Boston Terriers make great pets for a lot of reasons, but they also have a lot of complications that you must have the time and patience to deal with. They are ideal for people who wish to have a dog that is energetic and loves to play games such as fetching the ball, or even just a companion to take walks with. Due to their large expressive eyes, they are also suitable for people who desire some sort of validation or opinion, because they will understand you and communicate with you through their behavior and their round big eyes. The Boston Terrier is tiny in size but it is a sturdy dog so it won’t be ideal for someone looking for a lapdog.
They also have a lot of health issues such as snorting, wheezing, slobbering, drooling, snoring, gassiness and other problems associated with their deformities, so only someone who can really dedicate themselves to their dog should opt for one. The price of a Boston Terrier can range from anywhere between $200 to $1200, depending on the owner and the locality of the Boston Terrier.