Author: Dan Stevens
Getting to know your dog starts by getting to know its breed,
and that includes getting a better idea about its appearance,
personality, and health requirements. Here's what you need to
know about the Boston terrier:
Nicknamed the "American Gentleman," the Boston terrier is a
cross between an English White Terrier and an English bulldog,
first originating sometime during the late 19th century. During
that era, the breed was called Hooper's Judge, weighing around
30 pounds. Over the years, the Boston terrier's name changed
and it was bred down in size. Although the early breed was
classified as lightweight, middleweight, and heavyweight, today
they are usually between 10 and 25 pounds.
The interesting thing about the Boston terrier is that it was
the first American breed to be recognized by the American
Kennel Club in 1893. During the late 1870s, these dogs were
used for pit fighting but today, they are known as being the
first non-sporting dog bred in the United States, a docile
breed. Hitting a peak in popularity during the 1920s, the
Boston terrier remains a nice choice for families although
males tend to challenge other dogs for turf.
Physical Appearance
Again, the Boston terrier is not a large breed, being very
compact but well proportioned. The dog has a short tail, short
muzzle, and alert, erect ears. Height can vary but most dogs in
this breed are between 15 and 17 inches at the withers. As with
other terrier breeds, you will find the Boston terrier marked
with various colors and color combinations, as indicated below.
* Black with White Markings
* Brindle
* Seal
* Combination of black, brindle, and seal
Regardless of the color of the terrier, the chest, band around
the neck, muzzle, and partially up on the forelegs, along with
the hocks and rear legs should be white. Then, for American
Kennel Club standards, the Boston terrier should also present a
white blaze that goes between the eyes but without touching.
Temperament and Personality
The most noticeable characteristics of the Boston terrier are
alertness, gentleness, and excellent manners. Because of the
sweet disposition of this breed, it makes an excellent
companion dog. Typically, the breed loves being around people,
specifically adults. However, if socialized young, they also do
quite well around children and other animals. Interestingly, the
Boston terrier is not a big barker. While they will alert when
necessary, barking is seldom, making them a great choice for
apartment-dwellers.
Health
For the most part, the Boston terrier is a strong, healthy
breed. However, the breed does not handle heat and humidity
well, which is because of the short muzzle. In fact, too much
heat could lead to heat exhaustion. Although the average age of
the Boston terrier is around 13, some will live to 15 or 16.
Due to the short muzzles, the Boston terrier does have a few
considerations. For one thing, they can "reverse sneeze," which
is simply a gasp and snort. While it sounds horrible to the
owner, this does not hurt the dog. If you find your Boston
terrier becoming overly excited with an episode of reverse
sneezing followed, just calm the dog down and the episode will
stop.
Another non-dangerous tendency is to snort and snore, again
because of the short muzzle. Depending on the dog, he or she
may actually need minor surgery to help, making breathing
easier. Therefore, if you feel your Boston terrier is not
getting adequate air, we recommend you talk to your
veterinarian. Finally, some Boston terriers will have eye
problems such as ulcers. With a prominent eye structure, you
would want to watch for any signs of injury or redness.
About The Author: Daniel Stevens is the renowned dog trainer
and author of SitStayFetch, a leading dog training guide having
sold over 21,000 copies (and counting). See
http://www.kingdomofpets.com/dogobediencetraining/dogbreeds/boston-terrier.php
for more on breeds.
