Boston Terrier

We elaborate about Boston Terrier dog breed with Boston Terriers temperament characteristics, training, appearance, weight, life span and much more information about this breed.

Boston Terrier Other Names

Boston Bull

Boston Terriers Weight

They do not exceed 11.5 kg. They are divided into three weight categories:

Lightweight: less than 6.8kgs.

Average weight: between 6.8kgs and 9.1kgs.

Heavy: between 9.1Kg and 11.5Kg.

Average life span

9 – 15 years.

Boston Terrier Appearance

Boston Terriers are fairly small, compact and well-muscled dogs. They have a short, square and wide muzzle, characterized by their large round dark eyes and their small upright ears.

Boston Terrier Temperament

Boston Terrier Temperament: They are gentle, alert, intelligent, enthusiastic, cheerful and with a great sense of humor. They are good with children and if they socialize from an early age, they get along well with other dogs and non-canine pets. Boston Terriers make great family pets and love to participate in family life, they can be very noisy at times, and they love to play. They are not characterized by being good watchdogs.

Boston Terrier Training

They are intelligent and personable, willful and sensitive to tones of voice. The training must be delicate, constant and start from an early age where you should start your socialization. Males are usually very territorial. Due to their dynamic and playful nature, these little dogs can be difficult to train.

Grooming

They need weekly brushing to keep the coat free of dead hairs.

Exercise

This breed requires little exercise. A short daily walk should be enough to keep a Boston Terrier fit and healthy.

Boston Terrier Health

Heat can be fatal to a Boston Terrier. Exercises for this breed should be scheduled for early morning hours or late at night or in the afternoons where the sun is not very hot. They should not lie in the sun for long periods of time because they do not know when they have had enough and may fall into a gasp out of control due to the accumulated heat.

Cherry Eyes: The gland under the third eyelid protrudes and looks like a cherry in the corner of the eye. For its treatment the veterinarian will have to remove the gland (some prefer to put it in before operating, but it is not recommended). Occasionally, removal of the gland causes dry eyes. Veterinarians often refuse to cut and try to postpone surgery for as long as possible. With the development of the disease, the risk of dry eye increases, which has also been seen in dogs that have not undergone surgery since the tear glands of this breed are often blocked.

Patellar Luxation: Slippage in the knee joints (also known as a dislocated patella or spilled fluid) is a common problem in small breeds. In this condition, the kneecap slides out of its groove and moves against the thigh bone (femur) rather than in its natural groove. Although it is a hereditary condition, small and active breeds tend to develop it as a result of their natural activities and it usually worsens with weight gain. The condition can be corrected through surgery. Dogs with patellar luxation often produce dogs with this same disease. Buyers should ascertain whether the father and mother of the puppy they are interested in have suffered from it.

Juvenile cataracts: Condition that causes the opacity of the ocular lens causing total or some degree of blindness with an early onset in the puppy’s life.

Difficult: Labor : Labor is often difficult, as the pelvis of this breed is narrow and the puppies have large heads, which is why they are frequently delivered by cesarean section.

Boston Terrier History

The origin of the Boston Terrier breed dates back to 1865, in Boston, Massachusetts. At this time, dog fighting was rampant in this area and was considered entertainment. Many dog ​​breeds got their start in the fighting pit and the Boston Terrier was one of them.
The story is believed to have started with Robert C. Hooper of Boston, Massachusetts. Hooper bought a dog that was part English Bulldog and part English Terrier and appointed this dog Judge. Judge turned out to be quite large, dark brindle in color with a white stripe across his face. It had a square head in the shape of a block, with a large mouth and weighed approximately 32 pounds. The cross was between a female Bulldog named Gyp, who was owned by Edward Burnett of Southboro, Massachusetts. Gyp was rather short in stature, possessed a short, block-shaped head and weighed around 20 pounds.

Over time, these dogs began to belong to common employees such as barbers or stable boys because the employees of wealthy people who had purebred dogs took care of them while they drank in taverns of the time, taking advantage of the carelessness caused by the drink the dogs mixed with common dogs and interbred. The puppies were adopted by the common people and many of them ended up in the fighting pit, whether they were young puppies to show their courage or old dogs to fight with other dogs, rats or other animals.

The Boston Terrier is an established breed of dog with well-defined and unique distinguishing characteristics, which are inherited by descendants. James Watson suggested that since this new breed did not resemble the Bullterrier or any other, it should have its own identity. He considered that this dog must have been raised in Boston and its surroundings, which is why it would be named Boston Terrier. In 1893 the breed was recognized by the AKC

In the early 1900s, dogfighting was considered illegal in most states and the popularity of the Boston Terrier was declining. Breeders began to view the dog as a companion as they already had a reputation for being very dedicated and faithful to their masters and their families. In the 1950s, the Boston Terrier was already very much like the dog we know today. According to its weight, it can be classified into: Light (less than 15 lbs.), Medium (less than 20 lbs.), Heavy (25 lbs.).