by Angie Pollock

Created on: November 20, 2009

Once known as the American Bull Terrier, the Boston Terrier is a popular dog breed found in many homes throughout the world, particularly the US. These energetic and intelligent dogs are also fairly easy to care for which adds to their appeal. Even with these attractive qualities, there are some key points that prospective owners should know before acquiring one of these dogs.

Short History

The Boston Terrier's beginnings can be attributed to a crossbred Bulldog-Terrier named Hooper's Judge that was brought to the US in 1865 from Great Britain. The first of these dogs that had the desired traits including the unique tail was registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) during the late 1890s. This first registered dog, Barnard's Tom, came from Boston, Massachusetts where the breed takes its name.

There is no doubt with the distinctive features of the Boston Terrier that the breed has Bulldog lineage. These features like the short muzzle and large eyes can also attribute to some of the health issues that can arise with this breed.

General Care

The Boston Terrier is a lively breed that is easy to look after but does require ample exercise. Even with this spirited characteristic, Boston Terriers make excellent indoor pets and will quickly become a fixture at their owner's side. Because they are known to have a gentle temperament and they are easily trained, Boston Terriers are often recommended as the perfect companion. This breed's short coat also makes it more susceptible to cold weather which is why most breeders highly recommend that these be indoor dogs only.

The diet of the Boston Terrier should include a high quality dog food. Nutrition is important for their overall health and well-being. Always provide fresh clean water and the right amount of food depending upon the dog's size and age. Puppies will require more feedings than older dogs as their stomachs are smaller and their bodies are growing. Puppies should be fed four to five times daily while adult dogs should only need fed twice a day.

Grooming

The short coat of the Boston Terrier only requires normal grooming like weekly brushings and bathing as needed. This breed is often referred to as an "easy keeper". However, they do shed and to limit the amount of hair around the home, regular brushings should be done. During their grooming session, the toenails should be checked and trimmed if needed. The teeth and ears should also be examined for any potential problems.

Health Concerns

Like most short-muzzled dogs, the Boston Terrier is susceptible to Brachycephalic Syndrome. According to Dr. David Diamond, this syndrome is "a group of conditions that cause resistance to airflow through the upper respiratory tract (nose, larynx) in short-nosed breeds of dogs". Other breeds that are susceptible to this disorder include Pugs and the Pekingese.

The eyes of Boston Terriers protrude somewhat so they need to be monitored for any chance of injury. They can develop many different eye problems including glaucoma, cataracts, cherry eye, dry eye, and entropion, among others. Other issues that may occur include patellar luxation and hemivertebrae. These health issues are common in several other breeds and are not isolated to Boston Terriers alone.

The average size of a Boston Terrier is 20 to 25 pounds. Common colors include black and white or brindle and white with brindle and white being the preferred color. With proper care, a Boston Terrier can live 14 years or longer, giving you many wonderful years to spend with your faithful companion.

References:

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/brachycephalic-syndrome /page1.aspx

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