Boston Terrier

One of the only breeds to be developed in the United States, the Boston Terrier might have a shady history however they are truly a very loving family dog.

 In Boston, Mass during the 1860’s, coachmen wanted to cross breed their fighting dogs to create another one suitable for the ring.  An English Bulldog named ‘Judge’ and a White English Terrier (now extinct) named ‘Gyp’ were bred, forming the first litter that would be the foundation for the Boston Terrier breed. At first, they were known as Round Heads, Bullet Heads or Bull Terriers but this name was officially changed to Boston Terrier in the late 1880s as the opposition (Bulldog and Bull Terriers) disagreed with these initial characterizations.

The majority of the progress made in the Boston Terrier breeding program has occurred during the 20th century, making them a fairly new dog breed. The first elements that were changed was size reduction and forming their personality to a dog that would be more of a loving, family companion instead of a fighting dog. Since these changes, they have even been rewarded with the nickname “the American Gentlemen” due to their gentle disposition combined with their coat pattern. The Boston Terrier was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1893 and today is ranked 23rd most popular dog according to AKC registrations.

Boston Terrier’s are compact dogs with a square head and wide-set, round eyes. They have a short muzzle with a wrinkle-free face and erect ears that are positioned on the outside edges of the skull. The tail is low-set that is screwed, or tapered, and has a unique colour pattern that makes them look like they are wearing a tuxedo. Their coats come in the following colours : Black & White, Black Brindle & White, Seal & White, as well as Seal Brindle & White. The seal colour is very unique as it appears black but under natural sunlight looks reddish-brown. This glossy, short-haired coat requires minimal grooming and the Boston Terrier’s life expectancy is approximately 12 to 13 years.

Although they are a small package, these dogs are a bundle of energy that thrive on human companionship. Known for their expressive faces, they will certainly be a joy to have around and are great with children. Ideally 1 – 2 walks per day will satisfy this dog’s moderate exercise needs. The Boston Terrier does have a tendency to push themselves beyond what they can handle though, causing them to easily overheat especially when they are active. Be cautious when playing with this dog – most particularly in warm weather.

Boston Terriers are highly intelligent dogs and are easy to train. However, they can be territorial around other dogs so caution must be made when introducing them to new four-legged friends. These dogs also do not usually bark unless necessary (typically when very excited or on guard).

This next section will go over the health risks and concerns that are most commonly found in the Boston Terrier. This does not mean that all Boston Terriers will get one or more of the below listed conditions; however as a owner you should be aware of the risks so it will not be a shock if they do appear at any point of the dog’s life.

Since Boston Terrier’s are flat-faced, they are highly prone to respiratory issues. With this short muzzle, they intake more air (oxygen) especially when they sleep (causing them to snore) and when they eat – causing them to fart … a lot. This may sound funny but can lead to further complications such as life-threatening breathing difficulties requiring surgery.

The flat-faced also puts the eyes at risk for cataract problems, corneal ulcers, and glaucoma. Some of these conditions are genetic, thus a breeder should be able to identify which of their dogs carry the gene and will be open about this information if they are a reputable. A small but significant number of Boston Terriers can also be deaf in one or both ears.

Due to their small size, they are prone to the condition luxating patellas (kneecaps slipping out of place) and allergic conditions that usually affect the skin. Finally, a condition known as hemivertebrae can occur due to their corkscrew tail; that is essentially a failure in  the development of the spine bones that can cause impaired movement and a lack of coordination of the hind legs in puppyhood. Severe cases will end up with the dog being paralyzed and the only treatment being surgery.

Overall, the Boston Terrier is an intelligent, loving and active dog making them easy to train as well as an ideal member of the family. However, they do have a lot of health concerns, thus educating yourself and finding a reputable breeder will be a must.