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Boston Terrier
Estados Unidos FCI 140 . Small Molossian type Dogs

Annie the Boston Terrier

The Boston Terrier they are ready and friendly, mainly used as companion dogs.

Content

history “Boston Terrier”

Unlike many ancient races, history Boston Terrier is well known and can be accurately tracked. In 19th century England, the popularity of bloodthirsty activities involving attack dogs led to the trend of crossing breeds Terrier and Bull to develop individuals who could excel in dogfighting and other rat bait contests (the activity consisting of placing rats in an enclosed area and betting on the time it takes for a dog to kill them all). At the end of the decade 1860, and Liverpool, a cross between a Bulldog and White English Terrier (an extinct breed of dog) spawned a strong, muscular dog named Judge.

The owner of Judge sold it to an American named William O’Brien, that brought him home to Boston. In 1870, O'Brien sold Judge to another bostonian, Robert C. Hooper. Judge, now known in the pedigree trees of the breed as “Hooper’s Judge“, became the patriarch of the race Boston Terrier and in the common ancestor of almost all its representatives.

Judge had a good build and good posture, and weighed about 14 kg. He had dark brown fur, a square, stocky head and a white stripe on the muzzle. Surprisingly, only raised once, with a white bitch of 9 kg call “Burnett’s Gyp” (o Kate). Kate belonged to Edward Burnett, which was based in Southboro, Massachusetts. From this union was born a male cub named Well’s Eph. According to what they say, it was not particularly attractive, but had other features Hooper and his friends admired. This prompted them to start a breeding program with him at the center..

Well’s Eph he mated with a female named Tobin’s Kate, that weighed only 6 kilos and had a rather short head. It was golden tabby in color and had a straight, three-quarters docked tail.. Their offspring are believed to have bred with one or more French Bulldogs to create the base of the Boston Terrier what we know today.

But, this name did not yet exist at that time. Thus, the many offspring of Eph they received different names, as Bullet Dogs, Bull-and-Terriers, American Terriers y Boston Bull Terriers.

In 1889, about thirty owners of these dogs formed the American Bull Terrier Club, deciding to use the term Bull Terrier to name your favorite dog, simply adding an adjective indicating its geographical origin. As expected, the lovers and owners of the Bull Terrier they strongly opposed this choice. Given the influence they had at the time with the American Kennel Club (AKC), enthusiasts Boston Bull Terrier they had no choice but to change the name of their association to Boston Terrier Club, in honor of the breed's birthplace.

Four years later, in 1893, the Boston Terrier became the first American-born dog breed to be recognized by the AKC. At the same time, was the first dog added by the organization to the group of non-sporting breeds.

In the early days, the color and markings of the dog's coat Boston Terrier they were not considered very important. The standard set by the club was very flexible regarding the appearance of the coats, so there was a wide variety of apparitions. After years of careful breeding to define a specific coat type, developed and standardized the Boston Terrier as we know it today. The characteristic marks, similar to the tuxedo, have become a hallmark of the breed, What has earned him the nickname of “american gentleman”.

In the early 20th century, the Boston Terrier achieved great popularity in the United States: was officially recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 1914, and in 1915 it was the most popular dog breed in the country. It remained between 10 favorite dog breeds of Americans up to the decade of 1960. Today, although he has lost part of his pride, we keep finding it around the post 20 of the ranking established by the AKC based on the number of registrations in the organization.

Its international diffusion was greatly facilitated by its official recognition by the prestigious and influential Kennel Club. (KC) british in 1937 y por the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) in 1955. Today, is recognized by leading national organizations around the world, including, of course, the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC).

Did you know??

The Bill was exhibited at the Boston State Parliament and approved by the Assembly in 1979. The Boston Terrier was proclaimed mascot of the state by Edward King (the Governor, at that time that in his youth, had had a Boston Terrier).

Photo: Fickr – marada

Boston terrier physical characteristics

The Boston Terrier presents a certain diversity in terms of size. Without actually talking about varieties in their own right, organizations that recognize race generally distinguish between 3 weight categories:

▷ less than 6,80 kg ;
▷ of 6,80 kg less than 9 kg ;
▷ of 9 kg to 11,35 kg.

Whatever its size, they have a beautiful stature and a very proud appearance. In effect, is well proportioned and has a complexion muscular and robust, built around a broad chest and a short muscular back. The rump curved gives the body a boxy look without looking chunky. The tail it's short and short. Can be worn straight or with corkscrew.

The neck, slightly arched, it is elegant and leads to reasonably broad, sloping back shoulders. The Paws they are straight and muscular, with straight elbows. The hind legs they are solid and well muscled, ending in small and compact feet.

The head it is structured by a square skull and has a flat forehead. The facial skin It should be free of wrinkles. The ears they are big, pointed and erect. In the territories where it is allowed, they are sometimes surgically trimmed to help them stand upright or give them a defined shape. This practice, named otectomy, is prohibited in an increasing number of jurisdictions (for example, France, Belgium, Switzerland and Quebec), unless there are medical reasons for it.

The eyes they are dark, large, round and very expressive, which gives this dog a particularly intelligent and friendly look. Some dogs have light blue eyes, with a single blue eye, and others even have both blue eyes. But, this particularity is usually accompanied by one or more health problems: glaucoma, uveitis (inflammation of the uvea), deafness in one or both ears… Consequently, they are not recognized by the breed standard and are excluded from breeding.

The snout is short, square and wide, and ends in a flat black snout that dominates a toothless jaw. The Boston Terrier It is one of the so-called breeds of dogs brachycephalic. Like all other brachycephalic dogs, the lower jaw is proportional to the rest of the body, but the upper one is much shorter, which gives the head a sunken look.

The fur of the Boston Terrier is short, bright and smooth. It has no undercoat, which partly explains its low molt and its low resistance to extreme temperatures. The distinctive white markings on the muzzle, between the eyes and on the chest they form a pattern similar to that of the tuxedo, hence the nickname “american gentleman”. Although black and white fur is the best known and most common, the breed standards established by the most important organizations in the world also recognize the combination of brindle and white, as well as the seal and white (the seal is a color that looks black, but actually has a reddish glow visible only in sunlight or strong light). In addition to these official colors, specimens with smooth white fur can also be found, plain black, fawn and white, Blue and white, lilac and white, sand and white or brown and white.

Last, the sexual dimorphism not very pronounced in this breed, although females are usually slightly thinner than males.

Size and weight

▷ Male size: 25 – 40 cm.
▷ Female size: 25 – 40 cm.
▷ Male weight 7 – 11 Kg.
▷ Female weight 7 – 10 kg

Varieties

The question of the possible varieties of Boston Terrier it is still a topic that is sometimes highly debated. Some breeders insist that there are Boston Terriers “standard”, on the one hand, and Boston Terriers “miniature” less than 6 kg, the minimum weight recognized by world organizations, for another. Others go further and say that there are also Boston Terriers “in years”.

But, most professionals, as well as the different reference organizations that recognize the breed, consider that there are no varieties within it. But, take into account the great diversity of the breed in terms of size, and classify their representatives in three weight categories:

▷ less than 6,80 kg ;
▷ of 6,80 kg less than 9 kg ;
▷ of 9 kg to 11,35 kg.

This does not prevent some breeders from intentionally crossing Boston Terriers smaller and smaller to get miniature or even tiny dogs. The latter are still purebred, but cannot be entered in a stud book and have a pedigree, because its size is smaller than that established by the breed standards. In fact, the Boston Terrier it's like any other race: dwarfism is synonymous with greater frailty and health problems.

Boston Terrier character and skills

The Boston Terrier combines the enthusiasm of their ancestors Terrier with the sweetness and good sense of their ancestors Bulldog. More of a rascal, has a certain sense of humor and likes to clown around. Loving, he likes to receive a lot of attention and be with his family, especially if that means being able to sit on your lap or share the bed or sofa. He gets very excited at first when he receives visitors, but he calms down quickly once he has been able to give them an enthusiastic welcome.

Has a special affinity with children, and their physical characteristics (small but robust) complete the image of a dog recommended for children. Having said that, just because you can let them play with him without fear of harm doesn't mean you should allow them to do anything and everything, especially since he may not stand being manipulated. So, you have to teach them as soon as possible to treat it with respect. On the other hand, he may also unintentionally push younger children, carried away by his enthusiasm. In any case, regardless of race, a dog should never be left alone with a small child.

Although it may bark when someone knocks on the door, the Boston not a good protector. In fact, they tend to be so kind to humans that they warmly greet anyone who enters the house, friends or strangers. In fact, although it is territorial, usually does not pose a problem with strangers; unless provoked, not aggressive at all.

It also, although some representatives of the breed are especially active, it is by no means the general case. In general, the Boston Terrier need moderate exercise: the medium length walks, possibly supplemented with some play sessions (for example, with a ball) and that represent a cumulative duration of one hour per day, are more suitable than long sessions of vigorous exercise. Its small size, your need for moderate activity, its adaptability and low propensity to bark make it perfectly suited to living in an apartment. On the other hand, if you live in a house with a garden, it is necessary that the latter is properly insured and fenced to prevent his curious nature from pushing him to become interested in other animals or sources of distraction located outside. This will also protect him from other animals or people with bad intentions towards him..

On the other hand, when i come out, It must be worn with a leash and harness and not with a collar around the neck, because wearing a collar increases the risk of respiratory problems that your flattened face already predisposes to.

These morphological peculiarities also make, in periods of high temperatures, feel free to shorten your walks, but above all to avoid giving them in hot hours. In effect, its short snout considerably limits its cooling capacity and, Therefore, makes it especially sensitive to heat. On the other hand, his short fur makes him bear less the cold. In other words, even if I live in a temperate climate, not made to spend most of the time outside: your place is at home, and this is all the more true since you need to be in contact with your family to be in a good head.

If you can have fun alone, especially if they leave him his favorite toys, he far prefers to do it with his family. In any case, a Boston Terrier well raised and socialized he is certainly sociable and is always willing to play if the opportunity presents itself, needing a family that appreciates and seeks your company, but that does not require excessive attention or time. Easily adapts to its owner's schedules, although this does not mean that he likes to be alone for many hours. In fact, if your family is out most of the day, having him share your home with another little playmate is a great way to keep him from feeling lonely and developing behavior problems.

This is all the more true since their sociability does not only extend to human beings, but also other animals, starting with their congeners and cats, especially if you have gotten used to seeing them from a very young age, as part of their socialization. But, can quickly regain its hunting instincts when faced with a small rodent such as a rat or mouse: a possible coexistence with an animal of this type would have a great chance of going wrong.

On the other hand, when he meets strange dogs, can be a lot less friendly, if not directly territorial and protective. The best way to avoid these types of problems is also to allow you to meet all kinds of colleagues from the first time you go out.

Last, It should be noted that the Boston Terrier it's quite noisy. In fact, his short snout makes him sniff, drooling and snoring loudly. Some adopters may find this endearing., but for others it is reason enough to change their race.

Education

The Boston Terrier it's pretty smart, but sometimes he's stubborn. Some specimens are very willing to please and are easily and quickly trained, which explains the popularity of the breed in certain dog sports. Other, However, they are a little more difficult and take a little longer to train. This is true as soon as the dog learns to be tamed., what can lead up to 6 months with some dogs. In this context, it is highly recommended to use the dog cage indoors.

In any case, his sensitive temperament means that he does not take well harsh tones of voice and punishments. Both can be counterproductive to your education., since they can lead you to withdraw into yourself. On the other hand, thrives on gentle and continuous training through positive reinforcement.

Thus, if you are stubborn and not really willing to pursue the education we are trying to give you, it is important to try to understand what can motivate you, enlisting the help of a dog trainer if necessary. Treats are usually the trick, But the use of praise and abuse or the use of a favorite toy can also be the trigger for the success of the training..

As with all dogs, socialization and education of the Boston Terrier must start at an early age. Meet lots of people (family, friends, neighbors, delivery man, veterinary…) and accustom him to crossing with all kinds of other dogs, as well as with representatives of other species, allows you to become a sociable and balanced adult. This reduces the risk of aggressive behavior or subsequent conflicts.

Health

Despite a life expectancy of about 13 years, the Boston Terrier is prone to many health problems, some of which are related to subrachycephaly, that is to say, with the fact that his mouth is crushed.

This morphological peculiarity also implies that it is much more sensitive to heat than many of its congeners., like any dog ​​with a short muzzle, is not able to inhale and exhale large volumes of air, limiting its ability to cool down when the mercury rises The dog's risk of heat stroke, among others, is particularly pronounced and, therefore, it is important to avoid excessively intense or prolonged efforts in these periods.

On the other hand, his short fur also makes him afraid of the cold.

Apart from this pronounced sensitivity to extreme temperatures, the main risks to your health are:

  • respiratory problems caused by the shape of their mouth. Some are mild, such as loud snoring or sobbing, but others can have serious consequences, and even fatal, such as airway obstruction or cardiac fatigue. Should also be kept on a leash using a harness and not a collar around the neck, because wearing a collar increases the risk of respiratory problems, due to the pressure exerted;
  • eye problems like cataracts,corneal ulcers and glaucoma, again due to its flat face.In the case of juvenile cataracts, a genetic test allows breeders to identify dogs that carry the gene and exclude them from breeding;
  • heart murmur, a symptom often associated with partial obstruction of the heart tubes or valves;
  • the mega esophagus, a defect of the esophagus that prompts the dog to regurgitate its food;
  • the patellar dislocation, a problem that may be congenital or occur later in life, and is common to many small dogs. In milder cases, can be replaced by itself or with the help of the vet, but the most serious cases require surgery;
  • skin allergies, including demodicosis (demodectic scabies), which can lead to hair loss with itchy or crusty lesions;
  • the deafness: 4 to 6% of the puppies Boston Terriers they are deaf in one ear from birth, and some are completely deaf. This particularly affects people with blue eyes and / or whose fur contains a lot of white It is important to discover this affection when the dog is as young as possible, because it affects the education and socialization that should be provided;
  • hemivertebra, what is a failure in the development of the bones of the spine, it is more common in dogs with corkscrew tails. Some dogs with hemivertebra remain asymptomatic throughout their lives, while in others the disease usually manifests itself as soon as they are small, for example, through impaired movement and lack of coordination in the hind legs. Sometimes, the disease progresses very quickly, to the point that the animal can become paralyzed in a few days, and surgery is often the only treatment;
  • reverse sneezing, which can occur when the dog is overly excited or swallows his food too quickly Corresponds to a strange noise, snarling and snoring, usually not dangerous for the dog, but if the attacks become frequent, can be a symptom of airway inflammation, presence of parasites in your nostrils or, more rarely, nasal polyps or a tumor.

It also, the birth of bitches is often problematic in the Boston Terrier.Puppies' broad heads sometimes get stuck in the mother's narrow pelvis: cesarean section is often necessary Litters have an average of 3 or 4 Puppies.

On a completely different note, you should know that this dog is particularly prone to excess gas, even if it depends a lot on your diet.

He is also very gluttonous, so its owner must be careful not only to choose the food he gives him and the size of his portions, but also to allow you to push yourself hard enough. Obesity is not a disease in itself, but it can cause the appearance or worsen various health problems, starting with joint problems or related to poor breathing capacity. Keeping your dog at a suitable weight is one of the best ways to provide good living conditions..

Life expectancy

13 years

Grooming

The short, soft coat of the Boston Terrier it is easy to care. Molts very little, so a weekly brushing is sufficient. But, when the fur sheds during the spring and fall seasons, the amount of dead hair is much higher, so you need to brush at least two more times.

On the other hand, its short fur does not get dirty and, Therefore, does not tend to emit bad odors. So, it is seldom necessary to bathe your dog: unless it's especially dirty, once or twice a year is more than enough. Unless your dog is especially dirty, once or twice a year is enough. Bathing your dog too often will only dry out his coat and skin, causing them to lose their protective properties and can cause itching and even injuries. In any case, it is essential to use a shampoo specially designed for dogs, as it can cause these problems.

On the other hand, their eyes need regular care, as their size and prominence make them especially fragile. It is best to check daily for any discharge and clean it if necessary, but also make sure there are no signs of redness or irritation.

It may also be the occasion to brush your teeth, to prevent tartar buildup and the problems it can cause (bad dog breath, diseases…). If it is difficult to maintain a daily frequency, two or three times a week is usually enough.

Regarding their ears, they must be checked every week to see if they are red or smell bad, what could be a sign of infection. You should take the opportunity to clean them to prevent infection.

In most cases, the nails should be cut once or twice a month, since natural wear and tear is usually not enough. The first time, do not hesitate to ask a veterinarian or a groomer for help to know how to do it right.

Last, it is important to take advantage of the grooming sessions to look for sores, rashes or signs of infection such as redness, tenderness or inflammation of the skin, in the nose, mouth and eyes, and on the feet. A thorough weekly review helps to identify potential health problems early. This is true of all dogs, but it is especially true for dogs like the Boston Terrier who are particularly prone to skin allergies.

Food

Since the Boston Terrier they can be gluttonous, it is especially important to be attentive when feeding them with products and quantities appropriate to their age, size and activity level.

Since you can be prone to excessive flatulence related to your diet, Choosing high-quality products and trying to identify how your body reacts to different foods can be especially helpful in avoiding or reducing this problem..

In all cases, do not hesitate to use the experience of a veterinarian to make the right decisions in order to feed him in the best way.

This does not exempt you from weighing him regularly to make sure he is not overweight.. If required, reviewing your rations and activity level often remedies the problem. If that is not the case, it is necessary to go to the vet to rule out a possible disease and develop a more appropriate diet.

As with most dogs, it is better to divide your daily ration into two meals.

Last, like all dogs, must have permanent access to fresh water.

Use

When the Boston Terrier, at the end of the 19th century, it was used mostly in rat bait competitions (which consist of placing rats in an enclosed space and betting on the time it takes a dog to kill them all), but he was also very popular in dogfighting.

As blood sports were gradually banned in most countries, was able to become and became smaller and much friendlier for decades. In fact, today it brings together many of the qualities of an ideal companion and house dog.

Thanks to their intelligence and strong desire to please their owners, they can also excel in certain dog sports, like agility, the flyball, obedience and rally-obedience.

Their friendly nature and desire to be close to people make them ideal therapy dogs..

How much can a cost "Boston Terrier"?

The price of a Boston Terrier puppy is between 1500 and 2000 EUR.

whatever the country, the price depends in particular on the lineage from which the dog descends (and the possible distinctions received by their ancestors), the prestige of the kennel and, above all, its intrinsic characteristics, that is to say, of its greater or lesser conformity with the standard, what it means, In addition, that within the same litter there may be quite significant price differences. On the other hand, there is no significant price difference between males and females.

Characteristics "Boston Terrier"

Coexistence is important that you have with your new friend. Before considering the acquisition of a dog of the breed "Boston Terrier" you know certain factors. Not all breeds of dogs are apt to live in an apartment, you must take into account his character, their need for exercise, their interaction with other pets, their care and if you have small children, their level of tolerance towards them.

Adaptation ⓘ

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friendly dog ​​ⓘ

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hair loss ⓘ

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Affection level ⓘ

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Need for exercise ⓘ

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Social need ⓘ

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Home ⓘ

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Toilet ⓘ

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Friendly with strangers ⓘ

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barking ⓘ

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Health ⓘ

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Territorial ⓘ

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Cat friendly ⓘ

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Intelligence ⓘ

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Versatility ⓘ

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Child friendly ⓘ

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Surveillance ⓘ

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joy ⓘ

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Boston Terrier pictures

boston terrier videos

Type and recognitions:

  • FCI CLASSIFICATION: 140
  • Group 9: Companion and Toy Dogs
  • Section 11: Small Molossian type Dogs. Without working trial..

Federations:

FCI , AKC , ANKC , CKC , ​KC , NZKC , UKC

FCI breed standard "Boston Terrier"

FCIFCI - Boston Terrier
Boston

Alternative names:

1. Boston Bull, Boston Bull Terrier, Boxwood, American Gentlemen (English).
2. Terrier de Boston, Boston Terrier (French).
3. Boston Terrier (German).
4. Boston Terrier (Portuguese).
5. Boston Bull Terrier (español).

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