Boston Terriers For Dummies

Wendy Bedwell-Wilson

• Publisher: For Dummies
• Year: 2011
• Print ISBN: 9780470127681
• eBook ISBN: 9781118051450
• Edition: 1

Has a Boston Terrier stolen your heart? Whether you're thinking about adding one of these "American Gentlemen" to your home or you already have one, this fun, friendly guide is the key to becoming a responsible and happy puppy parent!

Boston Terriers For Dummies gives you all the basics on raising and living with this intelligent, affectionate breed. You'll learn where and how this dog originated, what it needs, and how to determine if a Boston Terrier is the right dog for you and your family. From feeding and grooming to basic training, you get all the tips any Boston owner needs to make their dog feel welcome, loved, and well-cared for. You'll discover how to:

• Understand the breed's origin and history
• Choose the right Boston Terrier for you
• Puppy-proof your home and yard
• Teach your Boston basic commands
• Housetrain and socialize your puppy
• Correct Boston behavior gone bad
• Handle breed-specific health concerns
• Enhance your dog's quality of life
• Travel with your Boston—or find a reputable sitter
• Care for the senior dog

Complete with sections on nutrition, first aid, and exercise and play, Boston Terriers For Dummies is the only guide you need to raise a happy, healthy dog!

Part I

That Bullish Terrier

In this part . . .

Before you welcome a dog into your life, one of the first things you’ll do is find out all you can about the different breeds. You’ll research magazines, Web sites, and books like this one. You’ll talk to breeders, dog club representatives, friends, and neighbors. You’ll gather as much information as you can so that you will choose the right type of dog for your family.

In this first section of Boston Terriers For Dummies, you get an overview of the breed’s history and temperament. It prompts you to take a look at your family’s lifestyle, leading you to decide whether the Boston Terrier will make a fitting addition to your household. You also understand how to find a reputable breeder and how to identify the perfect pup for you.

You may find, after reading this first section, that a Boston isn’t right for your family. Maybe you’re looking for a larger breed or a petite lap dog. If that’s the case, that’s okay! It’s better to decide that before you bring the puppy home. But if you breeze through this section and still want to share your life with a Boston, you’re on your way to a life-changing experience!

Chapter 1

Welcome to Boston!

In This Chapter

Exploring Boston Terriers’ ancestors and canine appeal

Understanding a pup’s basic needs

Realizing the importance of housetraining and obedience

Knowing how to care for his medical needs

W hen you think of a Boston Terrier, what picture pops into your mind? Perhaps you think of his unmistakable pug nose and pointy ears, his one-of-a-kind black-and-white tuxedo of a coat, or his endearing snorts and wheezes that trumpet his approach. Bostons pack a lot of personality in their small 15-pound bodies. It’s no wonder why you’re interested in this dapper little breed!

Before you invite a Boston to share your life, however, you should know a little bit about what makes these dogs tick. In this chapter, I describe why Bostons make such fantastic pets. I also offer pointers for how to care for their basic needs, from food and water to shelter and wellness.

Lovers, Not Fighters

Boston Terriers earned the nickname “American Gentleman” for good reason: They’re intelligent, affectionate, classy dogs who make excellent companions. With their amiable demeanor, it’s hard to believe that their ancestors were originally bred to be fighters!

The early days

Bostons are a blend of English Bulldogs and white English Terriers (now extinct). The first of these dogs was named Hooper’s Judge, owned by Robert C. Hooper of Boston, Massachusetts. He imported the bulldog-terrier blend from his native England around 1870.

Early breeders in the United States admired the dog’s look, so they refined and stabilized the breed, selecting for a smaller size, a likeable personality, and large expressive eyes. Eventually, they produced the American original that we know today.

These dogs enjoyed extreme popularity in the early 1900s. Placing first or second on the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) list of registered breeds from 1905 through 1934, Boston Terriers were all the rage among fanciers and socialites alike. Over the past century, they’ve held a prominent position among the AKC’s most popular dogs, consistently ranking among the top 20.

Today, Boston Terriers have made themselves at home in a range of households, from small apartments to large farms and everything in between. Though they retain hints of their terrier and bulldog ancestry, Bostons are unique, well-mannered dogs who bring joy to just about any home. To read more about the origins and breed standard of Boston Terriers, flip to Chapter 2.

Personality plus

Ask any Boston owner to describe her dog, and you’ll get nothing but praise. Boston owners love their dogs, and for good reason! They’re highly intelligent, low maintenance, well-mannered, and ready for anything.

Here are some more reasons to love Bostons:

They’re great with kids. Most Bostons adore children. When children are taught how to behave around dogs, Bostons and kids become fast friends, with the dogs often enduring wrestling matches and playing dress-up without a hitch. Because they have such a solid constitution, these little dogs can handle just about anything that a child can dish out. Jump to Chapter 6 for details about how to introduce your child to a Boston.

They’re great with adults. Integrating well in any household, Bostons make attentive companions for adults and seniors, too. Some Bostons become good therapy dogs, well-behaved pups who travel to nursing homes and hospitals to bring joy to patients. Skip to Chapter 12 for details.

They’re easy to care for. A definite perk, Boston Terriers are simple to maintain. They have short coats that can be easily washed and brushed. (See Chapter 8 for more about grooming your Boston.) They don’t require a great deal of energy-expending exercise. And they are very intelligent, taking to housetraining and obedience training quickly. (Hop to Chapter 9 and 11 for housetraining and obedience-training details.)

They’re a relatively healthy breed. Though they do have some difficulties stemming from their shortened snout, or being brachycephalic, Boston Terriers are healthy dogs. They often live 12 years, often reaching their 15th birthdays. (Chapter 15 describes some breed-specific ailments to watch for.)

They fit in just about any home. Bostons are the perfect size for apartments, townhouses, or single-family homes. Because they don’t require a large yard, they make wonderful house pets.

They get along well with other pets. Being an easy-going breed, Bostons are happy to share their homes with other dogs, cats, or even a caged ...

Table of contents

• Title
• Contents
• Introduction
• Part I : That Bullish Terrier
• Part II : Caring for Your Boston Terrier
• Part III : Stepping Out
• Part IV : Health and Well-Being
• Part V : The Part of Tens
• : Further Reading