Description

Boston Terriers are most known for their large, wide set eyes. In proportion to their head, these eyes are a lot bigger than you may expect. They are also known for their large ears. While the ears are not very long, they are wide and prominent on the dog's head, sticking up several inches in outstanding points.

With most dogs, you can't tell if they're happy or not, besides the wagging of the tail. It's different with Boston Terriers. They actually smile and have a lot of emotional expression in their faces. They are also usually a small, compact breed, so they don't take up a lot of space.

Coat Description

All dogs seem to shed when they are kept indoors, but some do this more than others. Boston Terriers are great because they do not shed much at all. You can lower the chance of this by brushing them regularly, about once every six weeks.

While the Boston Terrier is most commonly black and white, they can be other colors as well, such as red and white, and brown and white. Still, the black and white version of the breed is most common and most popular.

History

The Boston Terrier has a very long and complicated history when it comes to its heritage. They were originally bred in 1870. They were first created with a crossbreed of English Bulldogs and Terriers. From there, they were bred with other breeds, such as the French Bulldog. All of these great breeds make up the Boston Terrier as we know it today.

While the Boston Terrier was originally bred as a fighting dog, it does not have that distinction anymore. Now, they make great pets and they love the company of humans. There is no reason to fear the Boston Terrier anymore.

Temperament

Boston Terrier really make the perfect pet. While some dogs can be nice but aren't afraid to bite or bark, that isn't the case with this breed. They would much rather be in the positive and loving company of their owners than out fighting or barking at people. Even when they are provoked, they will rarely fight back. There is one exception, though. They tend to be good at protecting their masters, and will fight back if they're absolutely sure of the danger.

Because of these great personality traits, the Boston Terrier is a perfect pet for a family with small children.

Health Problems

Although the Boston Terrier can have a multitude of health problems, the most common ailments affect their eyes and their breathing. They'll usually breathe very loudly in almost of a grunting fashion. This is because of how compact their faces are. They will have the hardest breathing problems when they are stressed out or if they are in hotter weather than what they are used to.

Since the Boston Terrier's eyes are so large, they run into a lot of problems. For one, they can get hurt from objects or other materials because of the size. They are also known for getting harmful and painful corneal ulcers. This is a common ailment for this dog. Besides that, they are prone to cataracts as well.

Some Boston Terriers have been known to have deafness from a young age. This has occurred with this breed since the very beginning. They are also prone to hip dysplasia, which is common for many breeds of dog.

Although rare, Boston Terriers have been known to get ingrown tails. This is a very serious and painful problem for them. This occurs when the tails grows in backwards, which can become infected. Be sure to get veterinary care right away if this problem occurs.

Grooming

Since they have a short, thin coat, they very rarely shed. To further minimize the amount of hair that find its way around your home, you should brush your terrier on a regular basis. Because of their short hair, you don't need to do this too often, once every few months should be good enough.

Bathing your dog doesn't need to happen that often, although there are some exceptions. Since the Boston Terrier can get dirty in different ways, you should wipe off their face and tail on a frequent basis, once every few days is good. This will keep them clean and happy.

Exercise

Boston Terriers are not hunting or work dogs. This means that they do not need any vigorous constant exercise like some other breeds do. You should still get them exercise and activity, though. Walking is great for their health, and is also a fun activity that you can do together. Just a simple walk around the block can be enough for this dog. Since the Boston Terrier has a trouble with breathing, you shouldn't push them too hard. Instead, stick with simple activities.

Training

Boston Terrier are one of the best breeds when it comes to training. Not only are they easy to train, but they love doing it. They crave learning new tricks and moves, and they learn very fast. The best way to make sure that your Boston Terrier learns a trick is to use your voice. This dog is very sensitive to sound. If you don't like how they did, raise your voice. If they did a good job, talk in sweet, nice tones. This should be more than enough to help them learn new tricks. You may also want to employ a treat system as well.