Historical data about the Boston Terrier, the external standard of the breed, behavior and features of its health, rules of care: procedures, walks, training. Buying a puppy. These are agile and loving companion dogs. If you are lacking a joyful friend who would spend several hours a day on his knees, this dog is right for you. Just prepare in advance for such a pet to snore at night. These dogs are as much an American phenomenon as the Big Apple. The breed originated in the United States and is recognized by kennel clubs.
Originally from Beantown, they are unusually active, intelligent and very attached to people. Endless gaiety and ability to be friends make bostochiks extremely popular. Do you remember the character "Totoshka", the dog from the book "Emerald City"? In many paper editions of this work, in illustrations, we can see exactly the Boston Terrier. This kind little sturdy fellow is ideal for living in an apartment.
Historical data on the origin of the Boston Terrier breed
As soon as these dogs were not called before - round-headed bulldogs and American bull terriers. The breed was really bred in America, namely in Boston, one of the oldest and richest cities in the United States - a port city, not the official capital of New England. The first representatives of the species appeared in the 19th century. In 1870, a local resident Robert Hupper bought a ship dog, a half-breed English bulldog and a terrier from an English sailor. It soon became clear that his descendants are remarkably similar to each other in article, color and character. Terriers quickly gained popularity across America, and the city of Boston became even more famous as the birthplace of one of the few truly American dog breeds.
To inexperienced dog breeders it may seem that they are in front of a bulldog. Many believe that there is no difference between Boston Terriers and French Bulldogs. But dog handlers know that these are two completely different breeds. This American dog was bred by crossing an English Terrier, an English Bulldog and a Pit Bull Terrier. The final standard was adopted in the eighties of the XX century. Named for the city, the dog is considered a symbol in Massachusetts.
From her first ancestor, she inherited mobility and playfulness. From the second, muscularity and stockiness. Unlike Bulldogs, Bostons are more playful and weigh significantly less, although their muzzle has a distinct bulldog appearance. The height of such a dog is about forty centimeters, and the length is the same. They can weigh up to nine, or even up to eleven kilograms, while the pets love to sit in their arms.
When this breed was first bred, its main purpose was dog fighting. Now such entertainment is “illegal”, so that fighting qualities have not been in demand for many generations, which means they are not fixed - they leave the characteristics of the breed. Boston Terriers are now universally recognized as good-natured companion dogs. They are simply not able to bite a person or another dog - their character has become too friendly.
Description of the dog's appearance
The Boston Terrier is a small, energetic, strong dog. She is built harmoniously and proportionally, very good-natured, energetic and cheerful. Perfectly aimed at humans, companion dogs. According to the criteria, the height at the withers in males is from 38 cm to 43 cm, in bitches from 36 cm to 40 cm. With an error of plus or minus two centimeters. By weight, they are divided into three classes up to about 7 kg, from 7 kg to 9 kg and from 9 kg to 12 kg.
- Head has a square shape. The forehead is steep and round. The cheekbones are well defined.
- Muzzle wide, short and deep. The transition from the forehead to the muzzle (feet) is distinctly expressed. The flews strongly overlap the lower jaw. The jaws are strong, widened. The lips are slightly voluminous, black in color. The teeth form a scissor bite. There may be a small snack.
- Nose flat, wide, slightly turned up, nostrils well open. The nose is pigmented with a deep black color.
- Eyes Boston Terriers are large, rounded, slightly protruding. Supplied widely. The eyelids are dry, tucked up, colored black. The pigmentation of the cornea of the eye is only dark, from brown to almost black. The look is smart, lively, kind and innocent.
- Ears erect, triangular, open. Placed high. Pointed forward. They are wide at the base, the ends are slightly rounded.
- Neck beautiful, strong and graceful, medium length harmonizes well with the head.
- Frame the Boston Terrier is muscular, stocky and compact. The back line is straight. The croup is slightly sloping. The ribcage is deep and wide. Ribs not visible, rounded. The belly is tucked up.
- Tail low location. He is naturally short and thin. If at the show the judge notices that the tail is docked, then the pet will be disqualified.
- Front limbs - are strictly straight. Their muscles are dry. The shoulder blades fit snugly against the body. The hind ones are powerful, erect. Parallel to each other when viewed from behind. The articulation angles are excellent. The thighs are well defined, strong, well filled.
- Paws not large, in the form of a vault. The toes fit snugly. Elastic pads, strong nails.
- Coat smooth and short shiny, smooth structure. It adheres well to the skin.
- Skin Boston Terrier is tight-fitting muscles.
- Color black-and-white, brown-white, seal (black in the sun shining red-brown) or brindle. Symmetrically spaced white markings add a tuxedo-like color to the dogs and set them apart from other breeds. The muzzle, neck and chest are always white. The more elegantly the dog is dressed, the more spectacular it looks.
Boston Terrier behavior
Boston Terriers are energetic and cheerful. They are justly considered kind and gentle. They love outdoor games and long walks. They adapt very well to the person. They will be happy to play sports or roll with you on the couch. These pets are designed for almost all age groups, different characters and activities. Perfect for both active and athletic and lonely people, retirees, people who do not shine with health. And all because Boston Terriers love everyone. Anyone can take such a pet with him and he will perfectly communicate with a stranger, not suffering much from the fact that the owner is not around.
All fighting dogs have these qualities. First of all, this speaks of a wonderful nervous organization. Among the representatives of the breed, there are also fearful cowards, but this is more the exception than the rule. Stubbornness inherent in nature leaves an imprint on the manner of communication with pets. Their upbringing must be dealt with as early as possible.
Bostons get along well in a house with other animals. They are not cocky and will never start a fight first. These emotional natures cannot stand loneliness. They desperately need contact and communication with people. Without it, he will simply "fade". They prefer to be close to their owner. Since aggression and rage are not inherent in them, you can not be afraid for the children in the family. Boston Terriers are very trainable. They learn simple commands quickly.
They love to play and pamper, but Boston Terriers are not prone to destruction in the house. Despite the fact that they have a cute look and character, it is imperative to educate them. Otherwise, the pet may turn into a pet monster. He feels good where he is loved and cared for. This cheerful dog loves people and always expects reciprocity from them.
Boston Terrier dog health
Boston Terriers live from twelve to fourteen years old. Due to the specific structure of the skull, dogs have difficulty breathing. They snore when they sleep and choke on intense exertion. Adult dogs almost always behave like children. Bostonians love to play fools and have fun. On walks, pets practically do not know fatigue and will always find something to do to match their irrepressible temperament. True, they themselves do not always know how to regulate their activity.
Therefore, the owner must control the load of his pet. If it's cool outside, then you shouldn't worry, but on hot days, after a while, they can overheat due to the specific structure of their short muzzle. The fun of these terriers must be properly dosed.
This also applies to food, since the size of the stomach of these dogs is not large. Too much can lead to volvulus and excess weight. Fat Boston Terriers are sick animals. Their bones and ligaments are very heavily loaded, as well as the heart muscle and the gastrointestinal tract. Also, if the optimal diet is not followed, then the pet may experience flatulence. It is extremely important to vaccinate your four-legged friend. It is held up to a year three times, and then annually throughout the life of a beloved friend. Anthelminthic manipulations are required every three months. These can be suspensions or tablets. Their dosage depends on the weight of your terrier. The tablets are given in the morning on an empty stomach, one hour before a full meal. In the spring, ticks, carriers of many complex and deadly diseases, begin to become active. Therefore, buy your Boston Terrier a deterrent collar or treat it with special lotions or drops. Such prophylaxis will also help against other unpleasant "animals" such as fleas.
Boston Terrier care
- Wool such terriers have a short one, but it also requires attention. Hair falls from them no worse than from any shaggy watchdog. If you do not take care of their "coat", then the hairs stick into the furniture like needles and cover literally the entire apartment during the molting period. In order to remove as much hair loss as possible when the dog sheds, then before combing it you need to bathe it. The skin is steamed, the pores open, and the hair follicles give off hairs more easily. Then you can update the dog's fur as much as possible. Various tools can be used to remove dead hair. Someone uses special rubber gloves (they pull out the hairs), others furminator (remove the undercoat). When carrying out the procedure, do not forget about the face, head and paws. Neatness from nose to tail is half the battle; a good owner will bring his pet to perfection. The need for bathing is determined by the contamination of the white shirt front. If she shines, then it's time to wash the animal. Find a custom shampoo for your Boston Terrier. It should be in a PH balance, since more "harsh" products can cause irritation, dandruff and even allergies. Thoroughly rinse the detergent off the dog's body. The four-legged friend should dry completely in a warm, draft-free room.
- Claws necessary hygiene procedure for every dog. When the claws grow excessively, sometimes they can even grow into the pads. When carrying out the manipulation, the pet must be fixed and wait until it calms down. It is important not to twist the limbs to the side and not bend forward, because the pet can break free and dislocate its paw. You should bend the leg along its anatomical fold, and it will be visible and comfortable for you to cut. Auxiliary tools are clippers or rough files.
- Ears cleansed every two weeks with lotion. It is poured into the ear, massaged and the outer part of the auricle is wiped.
- Eyes it is necessary to bury it prophylactically and wipe it regularly. This should be done very carefully with a damp cotton sponge towards the inner corner of the eye.
- Teeth require regular hygienic cleaning to avoid the accumulation of stones and, as a result, periodontal disease. This is done this way: the dog's face is fixed and with a brush that is put on the finger, an edible paste for animals is applied in a circular motion - you do not need to wash off anything. The pet should have in its arsenal various preventive toys and natural pressed bones for chewing.
- Feeding Boston Terrier should be twice a day. It is limited to a strict dosage. The stomach of these dogs is not large and therefore the serving size must be appropriate. Most of the food is given in the morning. The diet contains: meat, eggs, cottage cheese, cereals and vegetables. In this case, supplement with vitamins and minerals. If the pet is switched to dry food, then the amount of water for drinking should be increased. Select concentrates according to the state of the pet's body. Buy products of the highest class and only from well-known manufacturers. It contains the optimal balance of all substances necessary for the excellent vital functions of the body, including the vitamin and mineral complex. You will not be burdened with cooking and selecting the correct diet for your four-legged friend.
- Walking - at least twice a day. This breed loves to run and jump, but not whimsical. Terriers will be happy to play sports with you and just walk in the park. On hot days, try to walk with them in the shade to prevent the dog from getting heatstroke and have a water bottle with you. In cold and slushy weather, it is better to wear them in overalls. Firstly, it will warm the short-haired pet, and secondly, the dog will be clean when it comes home. You just wash his paws and that's it. Now there is a whole arsenal of fashionable and comfortable dog clothes, and if you wish, you can sew a new thing for your pet yourself.
Boston Terrier training
Each person can make whatever he wants out of his pet. But in any case, as soon as the Boston Terrier appears in your house, you must immediately begin to train it. This does not mean that you will give the puppy intricate tasks. Everything comes from the simple: sit, lie, place, give a paw. You need to explain to the boy where you can get dirty in the house, and where cleanliness is maintained, and so on. Terriers are perfectly trained for protection. They can be athletes or just sofa pet dogs. In agility, dogs are just virtuosos. They will be happy to practice frisbee - catching a flying saucer on the fly. They jump very high and love to do it.
Interesting facts about the Boston Terrier
Boston Terriers are often confused with French Bulldogs. On walks, they are very active and cannot stop themselves. Therefore, to prevent the pet from getting heatstroke, the owner must control his behavior.
Buying a Boston Terrier puppy
Friendly personality, comfortable size and fun looks, what else does a dog need to become a popular pet and pet? The Boston has all this in abundance, but the breed is still inferior in popularity to most dogs from the group of decorative companions. But the charm of Boston puppies is hard to resist. Like all boys, they are restless and sweet, and their trademark, such trusting and a little surprised look makes them so touching that even the most strict human hearts will be disarmed.
To choose a healthy puppy that meets all breed requirements, first of all, you need to get acquainted with the breeders of Boston Terriers. Dogs from the kennel meet the breed standard, they are vaccinated and registered in the database of the canine community.
The price will depend on the requirements for the dog. Individuals closer to the standard and females will cost about $ 700-900. Delicate, smart and perky creatures slowly but confidently enter our homes and hearts with the elegant gait of a real gentleman.
More about the Boston Terrier in the following video:
