Purebred Dogs vs. Mixed Breed Dogs Which Dog Breed Is Best For You? 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy Advice You Can Trust: 180 Dog Breed Reviews Teach Your Dog 100 English Words How To Buy a Good Dog

Boston Terriers: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Boston Terrier personality and behavior. main page breed review faq health training adopting/buying links My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Boston Terrier, including these excerpts: "Usually high-spirited and clownish, sometimes calm and dignified, the Boston Terrier is an altogether dapper and charming little dog. Playing games and chasing balls are two of his passions. Seeking companionship is another, for he always wants to be with people. His large expressive eyes, attentively cocked head, and snorting and snuffling sounds bring out parental feelings in many people. Extremely sensitive to his owner's moods, some Boston Terriers are one-person dogs (with a special affinity for the elderly), but many are outgoing with everyone. Yet he is a dependable watchdog who will let you know when someone is at the door. Usually fine with other pets, Boston Terriers may put on a blustery show upon spying a larger dog across the street. Boston Terriers are very individualistic: Some have super high energy, while others are more placid. Some are stubborn characters, while others are sweet and gentle." History One of the few breeds developed in America, the Boston Terrier (sometimes called the Boston Bull Terrier) is a blend of English Bulldog and Old English White Terrier. Size 12-16 inches and 14-18 lbs, though some individuals weigh up to 25 pounds

Boston Terriers What's good about 'em What's bad about 'em If you want a dog who... Is small yet sturdy -- not a delicate lapdog Is round-headed and short-faced, with large expressive eyes Has a sleek easy-care coat Is usually good-natured with people and other pets Has a passion for playing games and chasing balls A Boston Terrier may be right for you. If you don't want to deal with... A careful search to avoid all the neurotic Boston Terriers Snorting, snuffling, wheezing, snoring Tendency to drool Gassiness (flatulence) Slowness to housebreak Quite a few health problems A Boston Terrier may not be right for you. If I were considering a Boston Terrier... My major concerns would be: Unstable temperaments. Many Boston Terriers are bred and offered for sale by people who don't have the slightest idea of how to breed good-tempered dogs. Obedience instructors and behavioral consultants see LOTS of Boston Terriers with neurotic behaviors, including mindless yapping, hyperactivity, and aggression. To teach your Boston to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Boston Terrier Training Page discusses the program you need. Housebreaking. Boston Terriers tend to resist being told what to do, and housebreaking is no exception. Expect four to six months of consistent crate training before you see results. Boston Terrier sounds. Because of their short face, most Boston Terriers snort, snuffle, wheeze, grunt, and snore loudly. The sounds are endearing to some people; nerve-wracking to others. Slobbering. Some Boston Terriers, especially those with loose jowls, tend to slobber water when they drink. Some drool, too, especially after eating and drinking. Gassiness (flatulence) that can send you running for cover. Fortunately, Boston Terriers who are fed a natural diet of real meat and other fresh foods have much less trouble with gassiness. See my Boston Terrier Health Page for more information. Chronic health problems. Because of overbreeding, poor breeding practices, and their unnaturally short face, Boston Terriers suffer more than their share of health problems. To keep this breed healthy, I strongly recommend following all of the advice on my Boston Terrier Health Page. Not all Boston Terriers are alike! There are energetic Bostons, and placid Bostons. Hard-headed Bostons, and sweet-natured Bostons. Serious Bostons, and good-natured goofballs. Introverted Bostons, and Bostons who love everyone. If you acquire a Boston Terrier puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." If you're considering an adult Boston Terrier... There are plenty of adult Boston Terriers who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you. When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS. If you would like to link to this review, here is the HTML code: <a href="http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/bostonterriers.html">Boston Terriers: What's Good About 'Em, What's Bad About 'Em</a> Copyright © 2000-2008 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the permission of the author.