Boston Terrier Secrets
71Boston Terrier 101: Breed History
The Boston Terrier, nicknamed The American Gentleman, is the first dog breed to be developed in America. They were bred specifically to be companion dogs to human beings. However, their ancestors were fighting dogs, including their original type of the rare breed the Olde English Bulldogges. This ancient breed was thought to have been created from crossing the English Bulldog and the long-gone English White Terrier.
This is not as crazy as it might first sound. Many breeds of dogs that are vicious to other dogs are very protective and loving to people. Often, gentleness to people was favored in dog fighting dog breeds such as the American Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the original Staffordshire Bull Terrier. It seems that if the fighting dogs can't get their companionship from other dogs, they'll turn to people for company. Over time, the Olde English Bulldogge was bred smaller, with a different shaped head and even gentler personality to become the Boston Terrier.
There were dogs already in North America living with the Native Americans, but they were not the kind of dogs the European colonists were used to. Also, the Native American dogs were still half-wild and independent. The young country of America, although proud of their American-ness, also yearned for some of the comforts of the old country. One of these comforts was for a companion dog based on Bulldog stock.
Bulldogs, although developed for fighting bulls and other dogs, are incredibly friendly with people. This is probably because they turned to people as their pack members instead of other dogs. This is a trait in many Bulldog varieties, including the French Bulldog and English Bulldog, which were used in the Boston Terrier's creation. One of the old names of the Boston Terrier was the Boston Bull. Recently, bull in a breed name has gotten a bad reputation so the Bull part has been replaced by Terrier.
Judge's offspring was put to successively smaller dogs and often crossed with French Bulldogs. Over the years, there have been squabbles about the breed's name. According to some Boston Terrier information experts, the breed's name should be changed yet again to just Bostons. Various name permutations have included the Bull Terrier (which ticked off the emerging breed of the same name), the Boston Bull and the Boston Bull Terrier.
The breed was considered highly desirable by anyone with a bit of money by 1889. By 1893, the Boston Terrier was a recognized breed in the American Kennel Club. In 1870, the first Boston Terrier was allowed to show. The first breed standard to be passed that made the Boston Terrier as we know him today was drafted in 1900. Despite all of the generations of fighting dogs in him, a Boston Terrier is more inclined to run away than pick a fight.
The Boston Terrier has a long, all American history. Boston Terrier information can be found at your local library or vet's office.
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The Boston Terrier Perfect For Families
The Boston Terrier dog, although not officially defined as a Terrier by the American Kennel Club, is a small but sturdy dog. It is ideal for people who don’t have a lot of land and therefore cannot keep large breed dogs that are most happy with a large area to run around in. The Boston Terrier is best suited to an indoor life with occasional outdoor play. Their small size also makes them ideal for houses where space is an issue. They are also highly intelligent dogs, which makes training them much easier.
It is a great dog for families because of its loving nature. It is also very sociable and does not mind other dogs or cats. It can be hard to have territorial dogs if you are a social family and like to invite people over. The Boston Terrier is a very friendly dog and will not growl or bark at new people who come over.
Training Boston Terrier dogs you need to be firm but not harsh. This is because they are sensitive little dogs and using your tone of voice to indicate displeasure is probably the most effective training tool. You need to be consistent in your training, always voice your displeasure over bad behavior and reward good behavior. This is the best way to train a well-behaved Boston Terrier dog.
A Boston Terrier dog loves to play, especially chasing balls and fetch. Your schedule needs to include playtime with your Boston Terrier or your dog will not be well socialized. Another great thing about Boston Terriers is that they are easy to take care of in terms of grooming and they also shed pretty minimally. There is no need to constantly groom a Boston Terrier. One downside is that Boston Terriers can be a little messy and drool a lot. Dogs with loose jowls are especially prone to this.
Consider buying or adopting a Boston Terrier dog instead of a puppy. This way you know what you are getting into. A puppy could potentially be a lovable dog to add to your family or it could be a little terror waiting to happen. Hyperactivity in a puppy is expected and usually wears off as your puppy grows older and settles into a routine.
However if you were unlucky enough to get a puppy that was not well socialized then you may have a Boston Terrier that is always going to be hyperactive and this can be a real pain. If you have small children in the house you need to be especially careful that whatever dog you choose is going to be gentle and not aggressive in the least. A full-grown dog that is gentle is a good choice. Check shelters for full-grown Boston Terriers that need good homes.
Having a Boston Terrier as a pet is extremely rewarding as these wonderful dogs are gentle, loving and loyal to the end. Basic Boston Terrier information in regards to behavior and temperament can be found in this article.
Boston Terriers: The Right Dog For Your Family
A Boston Terriers magnificent nature and uncanny intelligence makes them a perfect dog for families, or individuals who love affectionate and loving dogs. The Boston Terrier is a well mannered gentle breed, which is why they earned the nickname of being an American gentleman.
Boston Terrier require a lot of time and affection, they hate being alone. In fact interactive playtime is considered an exercise for them, they like it when you give them genuine interest. Long walks are sufficient for their exercise needs. They are however sensitive to extreme temperatures, so they should not be over exerted as they may overheat.
You have to provide the right environment for a Boston Terrier. They require a lot of attention and affection. They are very friendly and sociable to children, the elderly and even to strangers. Boston Terriers have the tendency of being too friendly and may go off with strangers, so make sure that you provide a safe and secure place for him.
A Boston Terrier does not need too much exercise so they are perfect for apartments, and you can do away with having a yard. A long daily walk is suitable enough, as they should not over exert to prevent the chances of over heating. A typical Boston Terrier lives for about thirteen to fifteen years.
If you are considering getting a Boston Terrier for a pet you must remember that they crave attention and companionship and needs interactive playtime. Also remember that because your Boston Terrier has short hair, he is very sensitive to extreme cold and heat.
The Boston Terrier has the tendency of becoming greedy, so food portions should be monitored. The ideal weight of a Boston Terrier is from ten to twenty-five pounds. They should be fed twice daily with a dry type of dog food to keep their teeth healthy. To consider the relative value of your dog, color markings, balance and expression should be given particular attention.
It is also good to note that you will have to wipe your Boston Terrier down with a clean damp cloth everyday as well as check their eyes and ears for parasites. Bathe them only when necessary.
If you love kids, then the Boston Terrier is the perfect pet for you. They are like babies that need time, care and constant interest. Boston Terrier is a little difficult to house break, so while its still a puppy train it, they have the tendency to be willful so it’s best to start early.
Boston Terrier have high degree of intelligence, they are very keen to learn so training them will not be so difficult for you. If properly housebroken, and well trained to obey, Boston Terriers are also good with children and other non-canine pets. So if you want terrific company, then the Boston Terrier is good for you. If you are having difficulty training your dog, contact your local kennel club for more Boston Terrier information.
The Boston Terrier was inducted by the AKC in the 1800’s. It originated in Boston, Mass. The Internet provides complete Boston Terrier information should you need it for the care of your dog.
What You Need To Know About The Boston Terrier Breed Standard
Although the breed standard for the Boston Terrier is pretty strict on what they should look like, they are also strict on what the breed should act like. This attention to temperament has sadly been lacking in some other breed standards like the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Even pet quality Boston Terriers who would be laughed out of a show ring will not be offended, as they will be happy for the chance to make anyone smile.
The charming personality of the Boston Terrier is not only one reason why it is so popular, but also why they do so well outside of a show ring or a breeding kennel. The purpose of developing the breed was to make a good pet for people, unlike other breeds bred to hunt, fight or herd livestock. They are lively, kind, easy-going and good with kids and senior citizens as well as other animals.But the looks of a Boston Terrier is a winner, too. You might see a lot of solid colored Boston Terriers that are all black, all grey or all brindle. Or, perhaps their heads are all black. They are still purebred Boston Terriers, but they would be disqualified from the show ring. Only colored and white Boston Terriers, with a certain amount of white on the face as well as body, are allowed to show.Boston Terriers look like they have docked tails, as they are very short. However, when you look at the breed standard, it says that docked tails are not allowed. This is one of the few breeds that naturally have tiny tails. Sadly, other breeds like Rottweilers, Boxers, Dobermans and Pembroke Welsh Corgis have to have docked tails in order to show. Another fault is being too big – Boston Terriers are only supposed to be fifteen inches high at the shoulder and twenty-five pounds at the most.Knowing as much Boston Terrier information as you can absorb will help you not only get along with your Boston Terriers, but decide if the breed is right for you in the first place. The breed standard emphasizes a short, smooth coat, so that tells you that Boston Terriers are easy to groom and don't need to be clipped. But that also tells you that these dogs need to be kept indoors, as they lack any protection from the elements.The Boston Terrier breed standard not only tells you what to look for in a champion show dog, and how hard it is to find one, but also lists common physical faults of the breed. This can help you identity a dog in a shelter that you might want to adopt. Although the dog might not match the physical description exactly, you'll know they have the temperament, which is the most important aspect of the Boston Terrier breed standard.Unfortunately, you can often find a Boston Terrier available for adoption at many local shelters. The time to learn basic Boston Terrier information is before you purchase a puppy.