He is cute, funny and friendly…
After all….
“He’s a Boston Terrier!”
But for those of you…
Who may not be totally familiar with this breed, get ready, because we’re about to tell you all about a great little dog breed that is not only a joy to own, but also a great little dog to have if you currently have children or one day plan on having a few!
And here’s why…
The Boston Terrier is a small breed of dog, no bigger than a puppy of some other larger dog breeds, that is fun and friendly, light enough to carry around and very energetic.
Heck…
They could even be called America’s sweetheart… because after all, the Boston Terrier is an “all American dog”. Placing this dog breed among the a small few dog breeds that originated in the U.S.
Specifically…
Bred to be a friendly dog that was good with kids, these dogs don’t have an “ancient” history of being used for some other purpose other an just being a great companion animal.
And while…
It is true that he is a “terrier” which means that he’ll likely be a great little hunter capable of taking down all sorts of vermin and rodents, that’s just an added bonus, and not something you’re necessarily going to have to worry about.
So…
If you choose to purchase a Boston Terrier puppy or better yet adopt a Boston Terrier rescue dog, what your going to get is a small, sturdy and highly intelligent little companion that just happens to be quite handsome too boot!
He’s a perfect dog…
To have with you on your couch and “peppy” enough to take on on a daily a daily walk. Heck you could even take him out to a formal dinner given the fact that he looks like he’s always in a tuxedo!
But is a Boston Terrier Dog Breed the “right” one for you?
Perhaps, after all, he is a perfect companion dog for sure, especially if you have kids. But then, all dogs have something special about them. It’s really going to depend on “what” you’re looking for in a dog.
This is why we chose to write this article so that if you are considering getting a Boston Terrier, you’ll have a better idea what it might be like to own one so that six months from now you won’t be disappointed with your decision if he or she isn’t want you expected!
So, without further ado, lets dive right in!
Boston Terrier Dog Breed Facts
Country of Origin: United States
Original Purpose: Companion Dog
Height: Not Specified, Varies.
Weight: 10 to 25 pounds
Life Span: 11 to 13 years
Dog Breed Classification: Companion Dog, Non-Sporting
Origins of the Boston Terrier
The Boston Terrier breed dates back to approximately 1865 where employees of the wealthy elite within Boston began interbreeding some of their employers “fine” dogs (English terrier with a Bulldog).
And out of this…
“Experimentation” emerged one particular dog that was called Hooper’s Judge that “sparkled” brighter than the rest! It’s from this original dog that the rest of the Boston Terrier breed emerged!
And this must have…
Been a SPECTACULAR little guy because within just a couple of decades, his progeny because very popular in the region, so popular that folks even created the American Bull Terrier Club which is what these little guys were referred to as back then.
This name…
However didn’t “stick” because “true” bull terrier fans didn’t find the name appropriate. Other names like “roundheads” were tossed around, but that wasn’t all that flatering which is why folks eventually settled on the name “Boston Terrier” right around 1890 and is the same name we use today.
In 1893…
The American Kennel Club “officially” recognized the breed, ensuring that this little guy would have a bright future in the United States where they continue to be one of the most popular dog breeds you’ll see at your local dog park.
He has also been recognized by the Federation Cynologique International, which is a global kennel club that represents countries outside the United States so don’t be surprised if you see this little guy in even some of the most remote locations in the world!
Boston Terrier Characteristics
How does the Boston Terrier look like?
He is certainly a cute little one and has a distinct appearance with his black and white tuxedo, white muzzle, cherry eye, upright ears and a square jaw line. Some Boston Terriers come in brindle or seal short coats with streaks of white, but these are much less common.
The Boston Terrier…
Is similar in a lot of ways to the English White Terrier, The British Bulldog, The American Bull Terrier and other little fighting dogs which makes sense because they were originally created by mixing many of these different breeds together.
Easy to carry around…
He weighs only 10 to 25 pounds, and is very portable. Even a child could carry him around easily. But the nice thing about the Boston Terrier is that even though he is easy to carry, this little guy doesn’t “need” to be carried. He is quite capable of keeping up with his or her owners, he’s just not really going to go on a log “jog” or do any trail hiking with you.
Grooming is…
Also very easy with this dog, as his short coat sheds very little. So, you should only need to give him a good brush once a week and even then you’re not likely to encounter a ton of shedding.
They call him the American Gentleman!
He is an all American breed, one with many talents.
What’s he good at?
Well, he is good at being adorable and cute and funny. He is a very good therapy dog and is very easy to train. And don’t be afraid to begin your training too soon. Like we’ve said before, these little guys are super smart so the earlier you get them started, the better! Also try to be sure to “vary” your approach. They perform very well in obedience training that incorporates, agility training, flyball and rally.
Boston Terrier Temperament
The Boston Terrier has a very pleasing temperament. He is fun to be with, and is always looking for ways to please you and everyone else in the room with you.
He is very intelligent…
Agile and capable of learning absolutely any trick. He is gentle and kind with children and loves being with them. In fact, if you have small children, the Boston Terrier is the dog breed that you should consider adopting.
He is just right for those with small apartments…
There are many dog breeds such as the Borzoi which are not suitable for small or medium-sized apartments as they are too large for that. The Boston Terrier on the other hand is perfectly suited for small apartments.
He is the perfect dog for those living in New York, Boston and other urban clusters.
But that said…
The Boston Terrier is not a great dog if you’re looking for:
- A hunting companion,
- A Guard dog, even though they are pretty alert and will likely inform you someone is at the door. The only problem is, Boston Terriers are more likely to invite a burgler into the house they keep one away!
- Or an exercise companion. Boston Terriers don’t want to go on a 5 mile jog with you.
Plus…
Some folks just don’t like small dogs (This does not include us here at IndulgeYourPet). So, if you just generally “prefer” larger dogs, well what more can we say other than a Boston Terrier isn’t going to be “right” for you.
Are there any health problems you should be worried about?
Now, the Boston Terrier is a small but sturdy dog, and generally very healthy. But because he has been breed to have a flat-faced dog, he like other “flat face dogs” is considered a brachycephalic dog breed.
What does this mean?
A brachycephalic dog breed generally has many health problems, most of them minor, such as snuffling and snoring.
There are also…
A few major health complications that the little dog could suffer from including:
- Breathing difficulties that might require a surgery.
- Corneal ulcers,
- Hemivertebrae,
- Various eye disorders such as cataracts or corneal ulcers.
As well as:
- Patellar Luxation,
- Craniomandibular Osteopathy,
- Mitral Valve Disease,
- Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease,
- Cushing’s Disease,
And while this may seem…
Like a ridiculously long list, the truth is just a list of medical conditions that can pretty much affect just about any dog breed so please don’t think…
“Wow, Boston Terriers have a lot of problems!”
Chances are, if you choose you chose to work with a reputable breeder, you’re Boston Terrier will be just fine!
But you never know…
This is why we always recommend that any new dog owner take a moment and consider purchase a pet insurance policy just in case something does go wrong.
Now will a pet insurance policy be right for everyone?
No, probably not. But until you know what they will and won’t cover and how much they’ll cost, how will you be able to know for sure?
This is why we here at IndulgeYourPet have written our Best Pet Insurance article so that our readers can see what some of the pros and cons of owning a pet insurance policy are and decide for themselves.
I own a Boston Terrier. He is currently two years old. I have to say that he has a crazy personality at home. He jumps and runs around all the time, seeking attention. When people come into our house, he demands lots of attention and plays in a hard way; it is difficult to control him. Some people are afraid that he is going to bite or attack them, but in reality he is harmless and only wants to play. However, When we take him out for walks, he acts like a complete different dog; he ignores other dogs and is very respectful. It is only at home that he acts energetically.