Boston Terrier: breed description, colors, feeding and care

The Boston Terrier is a dog that has won the hearts of millions of dog lovers. Representatives of the breed are distinguished by their special ingenuity, companionship and incredible devotion to their owner.

The first work on the breeding of this breed began in 1861. Breeders from the United States of America tried to cross an English Terrier and an English Bulldog. It is worth noting that in those days the bulldogs looked somewhat different - the dog's body was quite strong and muscular, and the legs were short.

The first show of the Boston Terrier breed took place back in 1878 at the Boston Dog Show. The competition was attended by several representatives of this breed, which was then called the Bullet Head or Bull and Terrier.

After some time, when the breeders fully decided on the basic standards of the Boston Terrier, the breed was officially recognized. Now these dogs are very popular not only in England, but also in other countries.

A dog breed like the Boston Terrier can be recognized by its unusual physique - a very muscular body with short legs. Such an interesting body structure of the dog does not prevent it from being extremely active and energetic.

It will not be difficult to distinguish a male from a female - they differ significantly from each other in size and weight. The growth of an adult Boston Terrier is always equal to the length of the back, but the mass is divided into three types: small - no more than 7 kilograms, medium - from 7 to 9 kilograms and large - from 9 to 12 kilograms.

The main standards developed by breeders are several characteristics.

• Head shape and size. The head of the Boston Terrier must be square in shape with covered skin that does not hang anywhere. Such a dog usually has a very expressive forehead and cheekbones. The muzzle, like the head, has the shape of a square, but at the same time it is shorter than the frontal part.

• Bite. Due to the fact that these dogs are not fighting dogs, their jaw is not as powerful as that of their close relative, the extinct English Terrier. Small but strong teeth form a dense row. Dog bite is divided into two types - "ticks" and bulldog bite. The first case is characterized by a slight upward bending of the lower jaw.

• Nose... The nose of the Boston Terrier is rather large and has pronounced nostrils, separated by an even groove.

• Eyes. The dog has very large, round and wide-set black eyes. The look is very kind, intelligent and understanding.

• Ears. Compared to the head, the ears of the Boston Terrier are quite large and erect. Set wide apart, slightly rounded at the end.

• Torso... The square body of the dog has a curved neck that merges neatly into the withers. The wide and voluminous chest is noticeably lowered to the level of the elbows.

• Paws. The limbs of the dog are slightly elongated, but they are not devoid of proportionality. The forelegs are parallel to each other and directly below the withers. The hind legs are more arched.

• Tail. This part is located low. The tail of this dog is short, but neat, slightly thickened at the beginning.

As for the wool color, dog breeders divide it into several varieties, namely:

• black and white color;
• fur seal (it differs from the usual black and white with a reddish tint);
• brindle color.

One of the main distinguishing features of the breed is tuxedo on wool, that is, the dog's chest, as well as the muzzle and neck are always covered with white hair.

Absolutely all owners of such an extraordinary breed as the Boston Terrier speak of this pet as an unusually cheerful and friendly companion. When buying this dog it is imperative to take into account its restless nature - the animal is capable of doing a lot of things. However, in no case should you scold the Boston Terrier, the animal is especially sensitive and vulnerable, because of which it can take offense at its owner for a long time.

Such a dog is best for families with children, because the animal is extremely active, loves to play with toys and run down the street. The dog gets along well with children, as well as with other animals (including cats). Surprising is the fact that this breed is able not only to get along well with other representatives of the fauna, but also to be close friends with them.

When walking this dog, you need to be extremely careful and vigilant, because from its ancestors it got some pugnaciousness and sometimes even aggressiveness, which leads to small "skirmishes" with other Boston Terriers. However, in relation to people the dog never shows aggression or anger, on the contrary, it can calmly leave even with strangers.

In order to raise a real fearless guard, you need to train your pet, train it in basic commands.

Before you get such an interesting animal as the Boston Terrier, you need to familiarize yourself with all the pros and cons of this breed. You should start directly with the merits of the dog.

• Compliant character. Representatives of this breed have a truly kind and loyal disposition. With the right upbringing, you can raise an excellent home guard.
• Long life expectancy and little predisposition to various diseases.
• Due to its small size, the Boston Terrier does not require much space. And also the dog is very clean, so it is not difficult to take care of it.
• The Boston Terrier is very friendly not only towards people, but also towards other animals.

The breed is not limited to some advantages - there are also some disadvantages.

• Extreme stubbornness and resentment. Such a dog reacts very sharply to curses and remarks, as a result of which it often takes offense at its owner.
• The pet has a very thin coat, which is why it often freezes in winter.
• Despite the fact that the animal is considered extremely hardy and resistant to various kinds of diseases, there is still a high risk of congenital diseases. For example, a brain tumor or deafness.

Such an important factor as the lifespan of the Boston Terrier should be mentioned separately. With proper care and proper feeding, a dog can live for 14-15 years.

In general, the animal is quite well developed physically, however, individual problems such as eye or ear diseases are still present.

Due to the fact that a dog's eyes are "bulging", then problems with them are not uncommon. Troubles arise when small debris or dust gets into them, after which inflammation occurs.

It often happens that during active maturation, puppies develop juvenile cataracts. The disease can be recognized by the lost gaze of the dog and a slightly clouded lens. In such cases, the animal urgently needs professional veterinary care.

Colds in Boston Terriers are not uncommon. These are mainly ENT diseases, for example, otitis media, sinusitis, rhinitis, and so on.

It is also important to carefully monitor your pet in sunny weather - the dog is highly susceptible to sunstroke.

In addition, due to the large head of the dog at the time of delivery, it is best to perform a cesarean section in order to avoid complications and deaths.

Many very often confuse two very similar breeds: the Boston Terrier and the French Bulldog. Indeed, the breeds have clear similarities, but which ones and why, it is worthwhile to figure it out.

The stories of the origin of the bulldog and the terrier are very similar - they originate in the 19th century in England and France. At that time, breeds with a flattened muzzle and small size were very popular - keeping such a pet at home was considered a very prestigious occupation.

In the process of selection, the French bulldog was the largest result of crossing. However, the goal of the experiment was to produce a miniature dog with the characteristics of a bulldog. Breed isolation in European countries has negatively impacted breeding, resulting in dogs developing their own traits.

The first step is to consider the similarities of the breeds. These include several features.

• Both dogs belong to mastiff breeds, and also have one weight category - no more than 11 kilograms. Both the bulldog and the terrier have ears set high and have the same shape.The upper jaw is much shorter than the lower, so the nose of each dog is slightly upturned. The tail is usually short and curved.
• The second common feature of these pets is the price. - about 7 thousand rubles without a pedigree and about 25 thousand rubles with a pedigree and all the necessary certificates and vaccinations.
• Coat color. Both representatives of these breeds have a brindle coat color.
• Another very interesting similarity is snoring. Many owners are touched by this phenomenon, while others are annoying. However, both the French Bulldog and the Boston Terrier emit characteristic sounds in their sleep.
• The nature both pets are very friendly and playful, sometimes stubborn and touchy.
• Easy maintenance. Due to the small size and unpretentiousness of these dogs, it is very easy to care for them.

At first glance, it is almost impossible to distinguish a French Bulldog from a Boston Terrier, because there are too many similarities. However, there are also differences between breeds..

• Despite belonging to the same breed class, there are still physical differences between pets. For example, the height at the withers is different for both dogs, but the weight is the same.
• But there are also differences in the structure of the chest. In the French Bulldog, it is barrel-shaped, with the elbows set wide apart from the body, but in the Boston Terrier, the chest is straight, with high paws.
• In addition to differences in the structure of the chest, there are also differences in the structure of the muzzle. The Frenchman's muzzle is more wrinkled, with rounded ears, but the Boston's is almost perfectly smooth, with straight ears. The eyes are also different - the French have almond-shaped, and the terrier have round ones.
• Experienced breeders have found their own characteristics in the nature of the breeds - the Boston Terrier is much easier to train, and the French Bulldog is more spoiled and restless.

As mentioned earlier, caring for a Boston Terrier is not as difficult as it might seem. The coat of dogs is rather short, therefore, it does not require careful maintenance.

The pet rarely sheds, and a stiff brush is suitable for combing the coat. For shine and a good appearance of the coat, after brushing, it is imperative to treat all areas with a rubber mitten.

The small and neat face of the dog should be wiped daily with a damp cloth, removing all dirt and food debris.

You rarely need to bathe the animal - only as needed. The same applies to trimming the claws - this should be done when they grow strongly.

Particular attention must be paid to the eyes of the pet - after all, this is his weakest point. They need to be examined every day, and at the slightest suspicion of an infection, immediately contact a veterinarian.

The Boston Terrier is not a working dog by nature, so it does not need strong physical activity. You should walk with him at least twice a day, and take him out to special training grounds a couple of times a week.

Since the pet's coat is short and dense, it can hardly endure heat and cold. During such periods, the choice of hours for walking should be especially careful.

Due to the small size of the dog, it can easily be kept at home or even in a small apartment. These animals are categorically not suitable for living on the street - they are too attached to their owners, and they cannot do anything without communication.

The terrier's place should be warm and cozy, not letting in drafts. It's great if the bed is located in a place where the pet has a large field of view. It is also important to have toys with which the pet will play when no one is at home.

The terrier's stomach is quite small, so it should not be fed more than twice a day. The optimal periods for eating are morning and evening, and in the morning hours there should be slightly more food in volume than in the evening.

Every Boston Terrier owner needs to know that:

• it is strictly forbidden to feed the pet immediately after a walk or active physical activity;
• at least half of the dog's diet should consist of natural meat and proteins;
• it is extremely important to avoid overeating or malnutrition in your pet.

Feeding the puppy should be 6 times a day. The portions should be small. Further, the number of meals should be reduced, reduced to 2 meals a day.

Natural feeding includes the following products:

• boiled and deboned fish, it is best if it is river or sea;
• meat;
• low-fat cottage cheese (especially strongly needed in the first years of a dog's life);
• grated vegetables and herbs added to the main food;
• boiled or raw eggs for adult dogs (no more than three times a week), for puppies only boiled yolk is recommended (no more than once a week).

Acute stomach problems can cause tubular bones and foods such as:

• flour, confectionery, chocolate;
• smoked, salted, pickled and fried foods;
• hot spices;
• potato;
• legumes;
• pearl barley porridge.

Do not forget about dry food in the pet's diet, but they should only be chosen with the help of a specialist. And there are also feeds designed specifically for this breed, for example, Brit Premium S and others.

Well, of course, the dog should always have clean water.

As mentioned earlier, Boston Terrier dogs are very friendly and obedient. During training, they perfectly assimilate the received material, but it must be constantly repeated. The owner of the terrier must be very patient and competent in teaching this pet.

An animal should be trained only on a special site. This should not be done too often, but this is how the pet will be able to socialize faster and become more obedient.

When raising a Boston Terrier, one must not forget that the pet is very touchy and overly emotional, so you should never yell at him or, even more so, beat him.

Most owners of such a wonderful dog as the Boston Terrier speak positively about the breed. The pet is really very playful and sociable. Likes to explore everything around and often destroy home furniture.

The facial expressions of the Boston Terrier are a separate topic of conversation. They are excellent at making all kinds of grimaces and expressions, be it regret or joy.

It is, indeed, very easy and simple to take care of him - the coat is short and unpretentious, therefore, the care for it is two times less than that of other dogs. As for eye diseases in Boston, there are sometimes problems with this. The main thing is to notice and eliminate them in time.

The choice of a dog should be treated with all responsibility and utmost care.

When buying a Boston Terrier puppy, you need to consider some nuances.

1. You need to contact and make a purchase only from trusted people who have supporting documents and certificates. In no case can you believe the reviews left and the words of the sellers themselves.
2. On average, no more than four puppies appear per litter.
3. Since this breed has a great tendency to congenital deafness, blindness and many other diseases, the breeder should immediately test the puppies for their presence at his own expense. It is strongly discouraged to believe in the words of such people.
4. You should pay attention to the behavior of the puppy among his fellows. Anger and excessive pugnaciousness is a deviation from the norm of this breed.
5. Do not be afraid of small humps on the back of a puppy - this congenital defect occurs in almost every newborn representative, which eventually disappears altogether.
6. It is believed that a newborn Boston Terrier puppy must have a square body and huge eyes. Nevertheless, individuals with a rectangular body and small eyes are now found.
7. The main task of any non-profit breeder is to keep the very best puppies for further breeding and sale. Therefore, one should not strongly believe the words of the seller - it is imperative that you carefully consider and weigh everything before purchasing an animal.

The price of the breed in different regions of Russia and the world is different, but it is divided according to one principle - the class of the puppy. The average price for a dog with an excellent exterior is 50 thousand rubles. If a pet is purchased not for visiting exhibitions, but as a pet, then it is quite possible to find prices less than 30 thousand rubles.

The Boston Terrier is a truly amazing and fun dog. Like any other pet, he is able to bring real happiness to the house, but the owner still has a difficult task - to provide his pet with all the necessary conditions and proper care and love. A new family member is a serious and important step into the future.

For the features of the Boston Terrier breed, see the video below.