Beautiful as they are, Boston Terriers have some genetic traits and defects that you must always be mindful of. In order to keep your dogs’ health in tip-top condition and ensure that he leads a healthy and happy life, you must ensure that you’re aware of the breed’s special requirements and even potential dangers.

There are a fair few illnesses that a Boston, particularly a purebred, is susceptible to. This is why you should ensure that you get your Boston from a good, reputable breeder who can tell you all about the dog and his family line. You’d be surprised at how much your breeder has to do with the Boston’s happiness … and yours.

Some of these special concerns include:

Genetic illnesses such as: luxating patella (slipping kneecap), heart problems, mange, breathing problems, Cushings syndrome.

Extreme weather sensitivity: Bostons can suffer heat stroke if they are exposed for long periods to extreme heat, stuffiness and humidity. They are also sensitive to extreme cold and must not be exposed for long periods to this weather either. This is one of the reasons that this breed is classed as an indoor breed.

Wheezing: This is caused by the breed’s short snout. Although this is part and parcel of a Boston Terrier, excessive wheezing should always be checked out by a vet. You should also take care not to expect excessive activity and exercise from your Boston because of this problem.

Eye problems: This is the result of the Boston’s prominent eyes. They are susceptible to associated problems such as lacerations and infections, and must be closely monitored.

Although these concerns must be kept in mind at all times, you can get peace of mind with a little care and attention. Checking your dog on a weekly basis for abnormalities or defects will help to keep infections at bay. Being able to pick up on any alien behaviour from your dog will give you a clue if he is feeling unwell. And taking care in the summer and winter months will enable you to ensure that he is not exposed to temperatures that could prove dangerous to him.

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The Boston Terrier is a breed of dog originating in the United States of America.

Boston Terriers are typically small, compactly built, well proportioned, dogs with erect ears, short tails, and a short muzzle that should be free of wrinkles. Boston terriers can weigh from 10 to 25 lbs, typically in the vicinity of 15 lbs. The breed is known for its gentle, alert, and intelligent expression.

The Boston Terrier is characteristically marked with white in proportion to either black, brindle, seal, or a combination of the three. Seal is a color specifically used to describe Boston Terriers and is defined as a black color with red highlights when viewed in the sun or bright light. Ideally white should cover its chest, muzzle, band around the neck, half way up the forelegs, up to the hocks on the rear legs, and a white blaze between but not touching the eyes. In the show ring, symmetrical markings are preferred. Due to the Boston Terrier’s markings resembling formal wear, in addition to its refined and pleasant personality, the breed is commonly referred to as the “American Gentleman.”

Frequently, variations on the standard are seen depending on the ancestry of the individual dog. At various times, the English Bulldog, English Mastiff, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and French Bulldog””among other breeds””have been crossbred with Boston Terrier lines to minimize inbreeding in what is necessarily a small gene pool.

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Temperament

Originally bred for use for Dog fighting, the modern Boston Terrier can be gentle, alert, and well-mannered; however they may be difficult to potty train in the beginning. They’re known to be quite rambunctious, with a sense of humor. Some Bostons enjoy having another one for companionship. Both females and males generally bark only when necessary. Having been bred as a companion dog, they enjoy being around people, and if properly socialized get along well with children, other canines, and non-canine pets.

Some Boston Terriers can be very cuddly, while others are more independent. Some Boston Terriers have an excitable or dominant temperament that requires special training and handling by the owner. Some are aggressive towards other dogs and some dogs are just attached to one person. Boston Terriers do not typically realize that they are small animals and are not afraid to confront larger dogs or other animals.

Health

Several health issues are of concern in the Boston Terrier: cataracts (both juvenile and adult type), cherry eye, luxating patellas, deafness, heart murmur, and allergies. Curvature of the back, called roaching, might be caused by patella problems with the rear legs, which in turn causes the dog to lean forward onto the forelegs. This might also just be a structural fault with little consequence to the dog. Many Bostons cannot tolerate excessive heat and humidity due to the shortened muzzle, so hot weather brings the danger of heat exhaustion.

History

The Boston Terrier breed originated around 1870, when Robert C. Hooper of Boston purchased a dog known as Hooper’s Judge, a cross between an English Bulldog and a white English Terrier. The English White Terrier as a breed is currently thought to be extinct. In 1893, the American Kennel Club (AKC) admitted the Boston Terrier breed and gave the club membership status … making it the first American breed to be recognized.