Boston Terriers are a very popular breed. They are gentle and friendly with adults, children, and other animals when well socialized from a young age. Many families generally recommend the Boston Terrier even with young children in the house. However, the dog and child should never be left unattended together.
This breed is well suited to apartment living due to the dog’s compact size and minimal barking. Boston Terriers are often too friendly to alert their owners when they encounter a stranger.
These dogs love to play indoors and outdoors. Really long walks aren’t usually necessary. Just playing time with the kids and other family members can be enough on a daily basis. The Boston Terrier is intelligent and also performs well in more competitive structural activities such as agility trials.
These dogs are eager to please their owners. They have a charm of determination, strength and energy, they seem very distinguished and are very balanced. Their personality and the color of their coats (like a tuxedo) earned them the name “American Gentleman”.
Boston Terrier Grooming Needs
These dogs require minimal grooming. The occasional bath, nail trimming, and ear cleaning is all the maintenance they need.
History of the Boston Terrier breed
The breed originated in 1870 when Robert C. Hooper of Boston bought a dog, he named it Hooper’s Judge.
The exact lineage of the dog is unknown, but Hooper’s judge may have been a combination of the Bulldog and Terrier type breeds used for fighting. Hooper weighed almost 30 pounds (13.5 kg). Hooper was bred with French Bulldogs which created the Boston Terrier, a smaller dog weighing around 20 pounds that we commonly see today.
The breed was first shown in Boston in the late 19th century and became a part of the American Kennel Club in 1893. The Boston Terrier was the first non-sporting dog bred in the United States of America.
Originally bred to fight, Boston Terriers have tempered their aggressive ways over the years of being bred for human company. They are not meant to be outdoor dogs as they are too dependent on human company.
boston terrier health
Most Boston Terriers will be healthy. Be sure to discuss any health issues with a certified breeder or shelter staff when selecting your puppy or adult dog. However, there are some common health problems among the breed.
– Reverse snorts, snorts or sneezes are common due to the short snout of dogs. Treatment is usually not necessary.
– Cataracts, Cherry Eye (a prolapsed eye gland) or eye injuries due to the large, bulging eyes characteristic of the breed. Treatment may require surgery for cataracts and cherry eye. Antibiotics may be prescribed if the eye receives blunt or acute trauma.
– Skin, contact or environmental allergies may occur. Treatment consists of removing the allergen from the environment and from the dog, if possible, and may include treatment with medications for symptomatic relief.
– Irregularity in the way the heart pumps blood effectively. Treatable with medication and possible surgery depending on the dog’s age, health, and the size (or degree) of the murmur at the time of diagnosis. Your vet can advise you on the best treatment for your individual situation.
– “Roaching”, a curvature of the spine. It can affect any dog to varying degrees. Consult your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment options. Middle causes may not require any special care, just unconditional love!
– Because these dogs have a short snout, they are less effective at regulating their body temperature through panting, for example. The short snout can make them more susceptible to extreme weather changes.
– All dogs pass gases. This breed has a reputation for flatulence. A controlled diet and small, frequent meals can help. Consult your veterinarian for advice on your dogs diet and digestive system if he is concerned.
Boston Terrier Exercise Needs
These dogs require low to moderate daily exercise, 2 short walks minimum. They prefer to live indoors, they make great apartment dogs, enjoying lying down close to you while you read or have tea. They are not suitable for active, super-sporty lifestyles, as their bradychephalic nose (short nose) makes these dogs very sensitive to excessive physical activity or high temperatures.
Some people have chosen to track their dog’s fitness with the FitBark, a discreet wearable device that constantly monitors your dog’s activity, sleep, and nutrition, and is breed-specific. FitBark easily pairs with your Fitbit, Apple Watch, HealthKit, or Google Fit device to track progress. Researchers and veterinarians have developed a unique algorithm to provide you with real-time quantitative data on your dog’s health. Great for finding out how your dog is really feeling and facilitating communication during follow-up vet appointments.
Everyone wants to know what Boston Terriers are like with children.
This breed loves children of all ages and enjoys playing with them. As a low maintenance pet, they are generally great for families with busy schedules and young children. For families with older children, they provide a dog with enough responsibility for teens to have responsibility, while also having plenty of time to enjoy the excitement of the dog’s company. A great introduction for adulthood.
These dogs are a small breed which makes them one of the best family dogs. Their unique coloration gives them a noble appearance. Their cute and fun character makes them suitable for children and adolescents of all ages.
Do you have a boston terrier? Tell us why they are the best family dogs?
