If you are thinking about acquiring a dog, then you should pay attention to a little four-legged friend whose heart is open for the brightest feelings for his master, the Boston Terrier. To all of its advantages, a small robust guy is unpretentious and feels great in apartment conditions.
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Origin history
The history of the breed begins from the moment the English ship approached the coast of Massachusetts (Boston), when Robert Kupper and his bull terrier, nicknamed JJ, went down to land in 1865. After the pet “drew attention” to the neighbor's dog, the owner decided to conduct breeding, the result of which was the breeding of the Boston Terrier.
1878 was marked by the appearance of a new breed at the cynological exhibition, and 13 years later the first breed standards were adopted. The peak of popularity is considered to be the 20s, when noble females went into fashion for tetrapods. The demand led to the intensification of breeding to improve pedigree qualities. After repeated crossings with representatives of various species, Boston terriers became more elegant, received a number of unique psychological characteristics. The final results were recorded in the breed standard in 1998.
Description of the Boston Terrier
Nature and the help of breeders endowed the Boston Terrier with an unusual appearance and average size. Many dog breeders reject animals of this species precisely because of the non-standard exterior.However, do not forget that Boston Terriers have a terrific disposition.
Today, these dogs are considered decorative. They are often brought as a companion to children or the elderly.
According to the description of the breed, which characterizes them as friendly and energetic animals, Boston Terriers are classified into 3 groups depending on weight:
- small (they are molossoids) - up to 6.7 kg;
- medium - 6.7-9 kg;
- large - 9-11.3 kg.
Although, as a rule, adults exceeding a weight of 10 kg are considered prone to obesity.
Life span
With proper care, the life cycle of the Boston Terrier can reach 16 years. The main factors that can negatively affect health, and, accordingly, reduce the dog's age, are considered improper conditions, lack of balanced feeding, non-compliance with care measures, lack of physical activity and outdoor activities in the open air.
The purpose and nature of the dog
The character of the Boston Terrier is distinguished by such features as mental poise, activity, devotion and sociability. Due to its sociability, a dog of this breed can become a friend of a single person or a member of a large family, perfectly getting along with other animals and children.
The Boston Terrier is completely devoid of natural aggression and is designed to fill the house with happiness. Moreover, he has a flexible mind, good learning ability and unpretentious care. Despite the fact that mainly robusty are used as decorative dogs, with prolonged and proper training they can serve as a watchman.
Important! In no case should you shout hysterically at a dog and give free rein to your hands: the terrier has a vulnerable character and is quite touchy. Due to such reckless behavior, the owner may lose credibility in the eyes of the fourth pet.
Breed standard and puppy selection
The High Breed Boston Terrier must meet the following breed standards:
- The skull is square in shape.
- Nose - black lobe.
- The muzzle is shortened.
- Jaws - wide, square with small teeth with a straight bite.
- Eyes are large, rounded, dark in color.
- Ears - upright ears of a triangular shape, which are often stopped, which then becomes an obstacle to an exhibition career.
- Build - a square body with a fairly short and strong back, as well as with a deep sternum.
- Extremities - muscular, well developed, parallel standing legs.
- The tail is graceful, rather thin and does not differ in considerable length (as a rule, it stops).
- Weight - 6.7-11.3 kg.
- Height (height at the withers) - 38-43 cm.
- The coat is short and smooth to the touch.
- Color - brindle, black with white spots in the form of spots, fur seal with a red tint.
On a note! Thoroughbred representatives should have white marks around the eyes, a stroke around the muzzle, chest.
When choosing a puppy, first of all, you need to pay attention:
- age - the best indicator for moving a baby to a new home is considered one and a half months old;
- behavior - healthy puppies of the Boston Terrier are active, energetic and sociable. And also they should be socialized, not to hide when meeting a person;
- in appearance - if the coat is shiny, there is no clouding in the eyes, the tummy is not swollen - you can safely buy such a puppy.
When the future owner is looking for a show-class dog, you should first go to a specialized kennel, where, among other things, the crumbs will be accompanied by all the "adult" documentation (metrics, international veterinary passport). When choosing a baby, it is better to use the help of a professional dog handler, who is able to accurately determine the puppy's health and its compliance with breed standards.
Maintenance, care and feeding
In order to make the Boston Terrier dog comfortable and live a long and happy life, it is necessary to organize the appropriate conditions of detention:
- A place to rest - even before the baby arrives in a new home, he should equip a place for a comfortable stay and rest. For starters, a rather warm blanket placed in a secluded corner, away from heating appliances, protected from drafts.
- Toy - since the dog is very active and energetic, it needs to create all conditions for a safe release of energy so that furnishings do not suffer from the teeth of a four-legged friend.
- Walking - walking for a pet is very important, therefore it should be regular, long-lasting and as mobile as possible.
- Clothing - in winter, a smooth-haired dog should be worn in special down jackets that protect the body from hypothermia.
Despite the fact that the Boston Terrier is a fairly undemanding breed, caring for it is an important component of the longevity of the animal:
- water procedures - the dog does not need frequent bathing, it is enough to wipe the short coat with a damp towel after walking. If it was not possible to avoid heavy pollution, a small (and adult too) naughty one can be sent to the shower using detergents specially designed for dogs;
- combing - to care for the woolen coat you will need a metal brush. However, you should not carry out such procedures on a daily basis, with the exception of molting, which happens once a year, and even then it takes a short period.
- eye and ear care - it is periodically recommended to clean the auditory and visual organs with cotton pads / sticks moistened with special products.
The Boston Terrier does not refuse any treats. In order to rule out future stomach problems, you should feed your dog either with premium premium dry foods or with balanced, natural foods. Before preparing a menu, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian or an experienced dog handler.
Boston Terrier Training
It is better to start the process of upbringing immediately after acquiring a puppy, starting with the acquaintance of the latter with family members, and also during socialization on regular walks. In the future, you can proceed to training, which should be carried out in a quiet and relaxing environment. Since the breed's distinctive feature is a comprehensive love for the owner and complete trust, the training will not take much time. The dog grasps everything on the fly, being sure that the owner knows exactly what his pet needs.
Advantages and disadvantages of the breed
Comparing the Boston Terrier with other representatives of medium and small dog breeds, the first has its advantages and disadvantages.
Among the advantages are:
- "Golden" character, oriented to a person;
- good health;
- undemanding to care and maintenance, excellent adaptation to life in small-sized apartments;
- friendliness towards all family members, including children and other pets.
Of the minuses include:
- not very good security abilities;
- the impossibility of street maintenance;
- poor tolerance of severe cold and heat;
- excessive "emotional" vulnerability.
The Boston Terrier is an excellent companion that will make life more interesting and brighter, without requiring anything in return.
