Polly and Herminone are at it again. Our four month old puppy and eight month old kitten are best friends.

Dog picture taken by Llima.

Tilly, 8 month old Boston Terrier bouncing on trampoline

Dog picture taken by Nick M. Adams.

The Boston Terrier, a high-spirited, intelligent dog is the result of cross-breeding the English Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Boxer, and White Terrier. Nicknamed the American Gentleman for his kind and gentle disposition, the Boston terrier, is a smooth, short-coated, compactly built dog with beautiful colours- red brindle, black brindle, or black, with white markings.

The Boston Terrier is a relatively healthy breed requiring little grooming and maintenance, but it is susceptible to certain hereditary skin problems.

A minor problem affecting its coat is a gradually spreading baldness that is sometimes found in female Boston terriers at about six months of age. It starts around the ears and moves down to the underside of the neck and the trunk and then down to the inside of the rear legs. The skin underlying the areas of hair loss is usually normal and does not have the signs of secondary infection.

Allergies could be a possible underlying cause for hair loss and secondary skin infections. Boston Terriers are listed among the breeds that are prone to atopy (inhalant allergies).

The most common skin disease is the Demodectic mange, or red mange, caused by microscopic Demodex canis mite living in the hair follicles and within the skin layers of adolescent puppies or immunodeficient adult Boston Terriers. It is a genetically inherited defect of the immune system causing patchy to widespread hair loss and secondary bacterial skin.

There are three types of Demodicosis: Localized, Generalized, and Pododermatitis.

Localized Demodicosis usually causes small patches of red scaly skin and hair loss mostly on the face, but can occur anywhere on the body. These lesions are not itchy unless they get infected and are found in 3-6 months old puppies passed on by the carrier mother. Mild cases in puppies normally heal spontaneously and need no treatment. Demodex is not generally contagious between dogs.

In Generalized Demodicosis the skin is very red, with severe hair loss, crusts and sores, dark pigment, and deep infections accompanied by fever and loss of appetite. There are two groups of this type: juvenile onset when the pup is between 3 and 12 months old but recover with or without treatment and adult onset mostly in dogs over 2 years old which is difficult to cure, but can usually be controlled.

There is an inherited tendency to have Generalized Demodicosis so affected animals should never be bred.

Demodectic Pododermatitis is limited to the paws in adult animals is chronic and extremely difficult to treat.

Since these mites live in the hair follicles and in the dermis, deep skin scrapings are essential for diagnosis. Generalized demodicosis is treated with antibiotics. 90% of localized and 30-50% of generalized demodicosis get better with no treatment. The veterinarian aided by modern medication can control if not completely cure this infection.

Another disease inherited from the English Terrier and the Bulldog are Mast Cell Tumors or Mastocytomas in skin tissues These are raised, button like skin growths with raw pink surfaces which can be malignant and spread internally.

Cushings Disease is another skin disease found in the Boston Terrier caused by an excess of cortisone-type hormone in the dog’s system. The use of too much cortisone-type medications, cortisone-containing eye drops or ear ointments or an over-active tumor of the adrenal gland or a tumor of the pituitary gland can cause the disease.

The signs of Cushing’s include a thin, poor hair coat, potbelly, increased water intake and frequent urination. The disease is very treatable and the changes can be reversed but if left untreated it can cause diabetes mellitus or life threatening blood clots.

Their sensitive skin prevents them from handling both extreme heat and cold. They should be checked daily – special attention being paid to their eyes and ears-for any external parasites such as ticks or mites. Caution should be taken when considering any medications for the Boston Terrier as they can be very sensitive to anesthetics, vaccines, and other drugs.

The Boston Terrier dog originates from the United States and is sometimes called the American Gentleman. The reason for this nickname, besides its gentle and loving manner, is due to its markings that make the Boston Terrier dog look as if it is wearing a little tux. The coat of the Boston Terrier is usually black, brindle or seal with white markings that cover the chest, muzzle, neck and about half of the forelegs.

The Boston Terrier is not a lapdog although it has a small build. It is studier and more compact than most lapdogs. Although it was originally bred as a fighting dog it has lost any aggressive traits that it might have originally possessed as it was then bred as a companion dog. Boston Terriers are excellent companions as they are very loving and enjoy being with people. It is this part of their personality that makes the Boston Terrier ideal for families.

A Boston Terrier dog is a very sensitive dog an it is especially attuned to its owner’s moods and feelings. Although it is a sociable dog and will generally get along well with all people in your house, your Boston Terrier may show a particular affinity to one person in the house. They are great companion dogs for the elderly and are very well suited to someone who is older and less active.

Each Boston Terrier is different; each has its own personality. There are high-energy Boston Terriers and there are less active ones who love to nap and cuddle rather than run around. Most Boston Terriers only bark when necessary making them good alarm systems but of course they are not guard dogs because of their size. Some Boston Terriers can be stubborn and you will need patience when training them. Never be harsh with your Boston Terrier when training, be loving and firm for the best results.

If you want the best Boston Terrier dog possible then you should always buy your puppy from a reputable breeder. A reputable breeder is not in it for the money. Inspect your breeder’s premises, is it clean, are the dogs well cared for? Ask how many times a year the bitches have litters. If the breeder seems like they are trying to get as many puppies as possible from the one dog then you should avoid buying.

Irresponsible breeders don’t care about inbreeding or weak genetic pools and produce dogs that have health problems characteristic of the breed. A responsible breeder minimizes the chances of this happening. An irresponsible breeder also produces neurotic puppies that are aggressive and prone to incessant yapping. Poor breeding practices can even lead to retarded dogs when dogs are born with a skull defect that stunts brain growth. Find a good breeder and you will have the best puppies.

Dog picture taken by Curtis Gregory Perry.

Dog picture taken by Schockwellenreiter.

The Boston Terrier is one of the few breeds of dog that America can claim as its own. Around 1870, Robert C. Hooper of Boston purchased Hooper’s Judge, a cross between an English Bulldog and an English White Terrier. Hooper’s Judge was bred with a smaller female, and that litter bred with French bulldogs, providing the beginnings of the Boston Terrier, America’s first non-hunting dog. Though originally bred for dog fighting, Boston Terriers are no longer used for that purpose and the aggressive traits have been bred out of the breed.

Also know as the Boston Bull, Boston Terriers are compact, muscular dogs with short, wide muzzles, dark, large round eyes, short tails and pointy erect ears. Their short coats come in black and white or brown and white and are easy to groom. Some breeders have tried selling all white Boston Terriers as rare. However, an all white coloring generally indicates a genetic weakness, making them more prone to health problems. Though Boston Terriers do shed, it is not excessive and with regular brushing, the shedding is easy to manage. Baths are only given when necessary.

With the proper care, Boston Terriers can live 15 years or longer, but usually average about 13 years. Boston Terriers will grow to an average of 15 to 17 inches in height and 10 to 25 pounds in weight. Their smaller size makes them suitable for all types of living environments including apartments.

Boston Terriers do need regular sessions of walking and playtime, and do not require large amounts of space for their exercise. They are sociable and friendly dogs that are described as intelligent and energetic. Boston Terriers make good family pets and companions and are generally good around children and other pets. They make fair watchdogs; some Boston Terriers will bark only when necessary and others will never bark.

Boston Terriers are prone to breathing problems, due to their short snouts.

Some of them will snore when sleeping, which can be a sign of a more serious medical condition or illness, but it can be corrected with surgery or medical procedures. Exercise caution when out in excessive heat and humidity with a Boston Terrier, as they are more prone to heat exhaustion due to their short snouts. Boston Terriers are more likely to experience problems with heart and skin tumors and are more likely to suffer eye injuries due to their prominent eyes.

The Boston Terrier is one of the few breeds of dog that America can claim as its own. Around 1870, Robert C. Hooper of Boston purchased Hooper’s Judge, a cross between an English Bulldog and an English White Terrier. Hooper’s Judge was bred with a smaller female, and that litter bred with French bulldogs, providing the beginnings of the Boston Terrier, America’s first non-hunting dog. Though originally bred for dog fighting, Boston Terriers are no longer used for that purpose and the aggressive traits have been bred out of the breed.

Also know as the Boston Bull, Boston Terriers are compact, muscular dogs with short, wide muzzles, dark, large round eyes, short tails and pointy erect ears. Their short coats come in black and white or brown and white and are easy to groom. Some breeders have tried selling all white Boston Terriers as rare. However, an all white coloring generally indicates a genetic weakness, making them more prone to health problems. Though Boston Terriers do shed, it is not excessive and with regular brushing, the shedding is easy to manage. Baths are only given when necessary.

With the proper care, Boston Terriers can live 15 years or longer, but usually average about 13 years. Boston Terriers will grow to an average of 15 to 17 inches in height and 10 to 25 pounds in weight. Their smaller size makes them suitable for all types of living environments including apartments. Boston Terriers do need regular sessions of walking and playtime, and do not require large amounts of space for their exercise. They are sociable and friendly dogs that are described as intelligent and energetic. Boston Terriers make good family pets and companions and are generally good around children and other pets. They make fair watchdogs; some Boston Terriers will bark only when necessary and others will never bark.

Boston Terriers are prone to breathing problems, due to their short snouts. Some of them will snore when sleeping, which can be a sign of a more serious medical condition, but it can be corrected with surgery. Exercise caution when out in excessive heat and humidity with a Boston Terrier, as they are more prone to heat exhaustion due to their short snouts. Boston Terriers are more likely to experience problems with heart and skin tumors and are more likely to suffer eye injuries due to their prominent eyes.

There is a website that has great information on Boston Terriers and most other breeds of dogs. It has details that pertain to a dog breeds health, grooming, living conditions, best food choices and more, the website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, and can be found at this url:

http://www.dogandcatfacts.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2006

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

my boston terrier at 8 weeks snoring on his back

If you’ve ever had a Boston Terrier this video is for you.

Dog picture taken by Property#1.

Dog picture taken by Laurie | Liquid Paper.

Rocko, a one year old Boston Terrier is determined to get the beer. He learned this trick in just three days. Good Boy!

The Boston Terrier has his beginnings in Boston, located in the United States. Around the year 1870, crossbreeding between English Bulldogs and English Terriers led to a few other breeds. One of the first such dogs was named, Hooper’s Judge. He was bred with a white female, resulting in the first of the Boston Terriers, although they did not go by that name until later.

In 1889, the American Bull Terrier Club was organized by owners of this new breed of dogs. Unfortunately, the founders of this club met with some opposition from both Bull Terrier and Bulldog owners. They did not believe that it was fair to consider this new breed in the same standing or to use the same name as their established breeds. The club quickly changed the name to the Boston Terrier Club.

Originally, crossbreeding produced inconsistent results and it took long years of selective crossbreeding, including inbreeding, before consistent results were achieved. Eventually, the breed became what it is today.

A small, compact dog that has a square skull and jaw with a shortened snout or muzzle, the Boston Terrier has round eyes that are set far apart. His head is short, as is his tail, which sits rather low on his backside or rump. His body is rather short due to his short legs.

The ears of a Boston Terrier are pointed and set at the corners of his square skull. They are carried perfectly erect upon his head. The nose of a Boston Terrier is wide and very black. The muzzle and fore chest are typically white in coloring.

Their coloring is commonly black with white markings, seal (a type of reddish-looking black) or brindle with white markings. It is this specific combination of dark coat with bright white markings that leads to the easy recognition of the Boston Terrier. Boston Terriers do not shed very much and their grooming needs are minimal. Trimming is unnecessary at all times.

The Boston Terrier is known for his friendly nature that makes him a wonderful companion. He does well in apartments and living with single people. However, he is equally adaptable to family living since he does get along well with children.

The Boston Terrier is an intelligent breed, lending him to easy training. His disposition is typically friendly and lovable. He enjoys spending time with people and being indoors is quite acceptable to him. In fact, remaining indoors is also advisable due to his extreme sensitivity to changes in temperature and proclivity to skin ailments.

Additionally, he is loyal and empathetic to his owners and their needs. As a watchdog, he is excellent and reliable. He is always alert to any changes and is quick to respond. Intruders will meet with his desire to run them off despite his relatively small size.

However, partly due to his original parentage lines, he does display a tendency to interact on rather an aggressive level with other dogs. He takes quickly to any challenge and does quite well presenting himself and managing to stay ahead in any ruckus.

Healthy Boston Terriers do not need lots of exercise to keep them happy and content. However, moderate exercise that includes walks and some play are important, especially in young puppies that tend to have more energy.

Regular walks and exercise, even on a moderate level are important not only to the dog’s physical health, but also, to his mental health. However, it is important to remember this breed’s tendency to respiratory problems and to keep his exercise to short sessions that do not involve overexertion on the part of the dog.

The Boston Terrier is a small to medium size. The lightweight dog usually weighs under 6.8 kg or 15 lbs. The middleweights usually weigh between 6.8-9 kg or 15-20 lbs. The heavyweights usually weigh between 9-11.3 kg or 20-25 lbs. The typical height of the adult is approximately 31 to 38 cm or 12 to 15 inches.

Health issues that may affect the Boston Terrier include hypothyroidism, megaesophagus, epilepsy, glaucoma, cataracts, cardiovascular problems, and allergic dermatitis. Eye problems and respiratory problems are common with breeds that have short muzzles. Therefore, this breed might also experience wheezing, especially during extremely hot weather.

The American Kennel Club recognized this breed in 1893. The average lifespan of the Boston Terrier is between ten and fifteen years.

Dog picture taken by Don Hankins.

Boston Terriers are the top dog breed in many different respects. Bostons–or BTs–as many Boston owners often refer to them, are considered on-top for a variety of reasons:

** They’re tops in playfulness.

** They’re tops in eating.

** They’re tops in snoring.

** They’re tops in passing gas and producing solid waste (sorry, but it’s true).

** They’re tops in sleeping peacefully for hours on end.

** They’re tops in chewing and gnawing on bones.

** They’re tops in cuteness.

** They’re tops in loving.

It’s probably true that most dog breed owners believe their preferred dog breed to be the best, but Boston Terriers are some of the greatest dogs around. But let’s take a little closer look at Boston Terriers…

A puppy trainer once said that, “Boston Terriers are a big dog in a little dog’s body…”, and nothing could be more apt. BTs are not afraid of much. They’ll rumble at will with much bigger Golden Retrievers and Labradors. In fact, many Boston Terriers seem to prefer playing with big dogs.

Boston’s have a wonderful muscular physique. Compact and strong, they usually top out at 20 or 25 pounds, and it’s not uncommon to find more petite Boston Terriers as well.

BTs love to play and they’re speedy and athletic, so be sure to have lots of fetch toys available. They may even be good candidates for agility training, a sort of obstacle course for dogs. But they also love to chew and have strong jaws, so you’ll want to keep strong bones on hand, plus well-made chew ropes or hard rubber tug toys. Forget the little plastic squeaky toys… they’ll be mincemeat in minutes… honestly.

Boston Terriers do play hard, but when they stop, they sleep hard too. Few dog breeds can crash into total oblivion as fast as a Boston. And if they can curl up on the bed or couch with you, so much the better. They absolutely love to nestle into the curve between your butt and knees if you lay on your side. Be prepared to share your bed with your Boston Terrier… they’re almost impossible to resist!

Boston’s eat well too. Not picky, for the most part, they’ll wolf down meals with abandon. And be sure to keep some tasty–but healthy–snacks on hand too to reward good behavior, or just to spoil your little cutie.

And talk about cute… What could be cuter than your little “tuxedo man” (or woman) with the black and white markings, big brown eyes, huge ears, smushy face, and that little pout? One inquisitive look from a Boston Terrier with his head cocked, and you melt.

Of course, Boston Terriers are also “good” at some less desirable things. With their short snouts, breathing is more of a challenge, and they’ll snore better than some humans when sleeping. So, if you’re not a sound sleeper, it could create some problems. Some Boston owners consider their pet to be a “solid waste factory”. It’s not uncommon during a 10-block walk for him to “go” at least twice. So, bring lots of bags!

If you like to exercise, walk, or hike with your Boston, it’s also important to know that their short snouts make it difficult for them to cool their bodies effectively during hot weather. Their dark coats don’t help either. So, you may need to leave your Boston Terriers home on hot days… or to provide some kind of cooling, through a vest with cold packs in it or some such. Cold weather can be hard for a BT too, with their short hair and lack of extra fat. It may look silly, but your BT needs to wear a warm coat when outside on cold days.

But what Boston Terriers are absolutely the best at is… loving their owners. They love us with their total being, following us around the house, and always wanting to be close. Most dogs provide unconditional love to their people; it’s one of the biggest reasons to own a dog. But Boston Terriers are absolutely devoted to people.

Boston’s are hands down one of the top dog breeds you could ever own. Won’t you adopt a Boston Terrier today?

Dog picture taken by ittybittiesforyou.

Boston Terriers are the top dog breed in many different respects. Bostons–or BTs–as many Boston owners often refer to them, are considered on-top for a variety of reasons:

** They’re tops in playfulness.

** They’re tops in eating.

** They’re tops in snoring.

** They’re tops in passing gas and producing solid waste (sorry, but it’s true).

** They’re tops in sleeping peacefully for hours on end.

** They’re tops in chewing and gnawing on bones.

** They’re tops in cuteness.

** They’re tops in loving.

It’s probably true that most dog breed owners believe their preferred dog breed to be the best, but Boston Terriers are some of the greatest dogs around. But let’s take a little closer look at Boston Terriers…

A puppy trainer once said that, “Boston Terriers are a big dog in a little dog’s body…”, and nothing could be more apt. BTs are not afraid of much. They’ll rumble at will with much bigger Golden Retrievers and Labradors. In fact, many Boston Terriers seem to prefer playing with big dogs.

Boston’s have a wonderful muscular physique. Compact and strong, they usually top out at 20 or 25 pounds, and it’s not uncommon to find more petite Boston Terriers as well.

BTs love to play and they’re speedy and athletic, so be sure to have lots of fetch toys available. They may even be good candidates for agility training, a sort of obstacle course for dogs. But they also love to chew and have strong jaws, so you’ll want to keep strong bones on hand, plus well-made chew ropes or hard rubber tug toys. Forget the little plastic squeaky toys… they’ll be mincemeat in minutes… honestly.

Boston Terriers do play hard, but when they stop, they sleep hard too. Few dog breeds can crash into total oblivion as fast as a Boston. And if they can curl up on the bed or couch with you, so much the better. They absolutely love to nestle into the curve between your butt and knees if you lay on your side. Be prepared to share your bed with your Boston Terrier… they’re almost impossible to resist!

Boston’s eat well too. Not picky, for the most part, they’ll wolf down meals with abandon. And be sure to keep some tasty–but healthy–snacks on hand too to reward good behavior, or just to spoil your little cutie.

And talk about cute… What could be cuter than your little “tuxedo man” (or woman) with the black and white markings, big brown eyes, huge ears, smushy face, and that little pout? One inquisitive look from a Boston Terrier with his head cocked, and you melt.

Of course, Boston Terriers are also “good” at some less desirable things. With their short snouts, breathing is more of a challenge, and they’ll snore better than some humans when sleeping. So, if you’re not a sound sleeper, it could create some problems. Some Boston owners consider their pet to be a “solid waste factory”. It’s not uncommon during a 10-block walk for him to “go” at least twice. So, bring lots of bags!

If you like to exercise, walk, or hike with your Boston, it’s also important to know that their short snouts make it difficult for them to cool their bodies effectively during hot weather. Their dark coats don’t help either. So, you may need to leave your Boston Terriers home on hot days… or to provide some kind of cooling, through a vest with cold packs in it or some such. Cold weather can be hard for a BT too, with their short hair and lack of extra fat. It may look silly, but your BT needs to wear a warm coat when outside on cold days.

But what Boston Terriers are absolutely the best at is… loving their owners. They love us with their total being, following us around the house, and always wanting to be close. Most dogs provide unconditional love to their people; it’s one of the biggest reasons to own a dog. But Boston Terriers are absolutely devoted to people.

Boston’s are hands down one of the top dog breeds you could ever own. Won’t you adopt a Boston Terrier today?