My mom's mother bred Boston Terriers for many years. When dad''s parents came to Saskatchewan for mom and dad's wedding they returned home with one of these great little dogs. When she passed on, they got another one to replace her. In their opinion, Bostons are one of the nicest dogs to own. (Actually, I think that the Shih Tzu is the best dog to own, but then I guess I'm a little prejudiced since I'm seven-eighths Shih Tzu) However, since grandma and grandpa thought they were such nice dogs, I thought you might like to learn a bit about them.
Boston Terriers are a top dog breed in many different respects. Bostons are considered on-top for a variety of reasons:
** They're tops in playfulness.
** They're tops in eating.
** They're tops in snoring.
** They're tops in passing gas and producing solid waste (sorry, but it's true).
** They're tops in sleeping peacefully for hours on end.
** They're tops in chewing and gnawing on anything they can get into their mouth.
** They're tops in cuteness. (After Shih Tzus of course!)
** They're tops in loving.
Most dog owners believe their preferred dog breed to be the best, but Boston Terriers are definitely one of the greatest dogs around. So, let's take a little closer look at Boston Terriers.
A puppy trainer once said that, "Boston Terriers are a big dog in a little dog's body . . . ", and nothing could be truer. Boston Terriers are not afraid of much. They'll rumble with much bigger Golden Retrievers and Labradors. In fact, many Boston Terriers seem to prefer playing with big dogs.
Boston's have a wonderful muscular physique. Compact and strong, they usually top out at 20 or 25 pounds, although it's common to find more petite Boston Terriers as well. The Boston Terrier was the first American dog breed to be recognized by the American Kennel Club. Some people refer to this breed as the Boston Bulldog, but that name is not officially recognized.
Boston Terriers love to play and they're speedy and athletic, so be sure to have lots of fetch toys available. They may even be good candidates for agility training, a sort of obstacle course for dogs. But they also love to chew and have strong jaws, so you'll want to keep strong rawhide bones on hand, plus well-made chew ropes or hard rubber tug toys. Forget the little plastic squeaky toys. They’ll be mincemeat in minutes . . . honestly. One thing I do not recommend for any dog, but Bostons in particular, is real bones. A number of Boston owners have lost their Boston Terrier from either getting a large piece of bone caught in its throat or having a sharp piece of bone pierce the stomach or intestine. This is also a problem for most small dogs as owners of Poodles, Shih Tzus, Cocker Spaniels and others have reported similar incidents. Grandma and grandpa lost their first Boston when she got a large piece of bone caught in her throat. They tried everything to dislodge the bone, but nothing worked. Living in the country, they were too far from a veterinarian to get the dog to one in time. It was a heart-wrenching tragedy having the little one die in their arms.
Boston Terriers play hard, but when they stop, they sleep hard too. Few dog breeds can crash into total oblivion as fast as a Boston. And, if they can curl up on the bed or couch with you, so much the better. They absolutely love to nestle into the curve between your butt and knees if you lay on your side. Be prepared to share your bed with your Boston Terrier. They’re almost impossible to resist! They are also very insistent that they are close to you whenever you are home.
Boston's eat well too. Not picky, for the most part, they'll wolf down meals with abandon. And be sure to keep some tasty--but healthy--snacks on hand to reward good behavior, or just to spoil your little cutie.
And talking about cute, what could be cuter than your little "tuxedo man" (or woman) with the black and white markings, big brown eyes, huge ears, smushy face, and that little pout? One inquisitive look from a Boston Terrier with his cocked head, and you melt.
Of course, Boston Terriers are also "good" at some less desirable things. With their short snouts, breathing is more of a challenge and they'll snore better than some humans when sleeping. So, if you're not a sound sleeper, it could create some problems. Some Boston owners consider their pet to be a "solid waste factory". It's not uncommon during a 10-block walk for him to "go" at least twice. So, bring lots of bags! They are also one of the most gaseous dogs around. They can clear a room in record time when they have a bout of gas.
If you like to exercise, walk, or hike with your Boston, it's also important to know that their short snouts make it difficult for them to cool their bodies effectively during hot weather. Their dark coats don't help either. So, you may need to leave your Boston Terriers home on hot days, or to provide some kind of cooling, through a vest with cold packs in it or some similar solution. Cold weather can be hard for a Boston too, with their short hair and lack of extra fat. It may look silly, but your Boston needs to wear a warm coat when outside on cold days and on days when there are ten degrees or more of frost, consider booties too as their foot pads freeze in minutes.
But what most Boston Terriers are absolutely the best at is . . . loving their owners. They love their human companions with their total being, following them around the house and always wanting to be close. Most dogs provide unconditional love to their people. It's one of the biggest reasons to own a dog. But most Boston Terriers are absolutely devoted to people.
Boston Terriers are one of the nicest dog breeds you could ever own. Next time you consider getting a dog, won't you consider getting a Boston Terrier? (That is, only if you can't get a Shih Tzu like me.)
Until next time,
Teia
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