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Breed Origin Although
the Boston Terrier is a cute, compact little dog, and you have decided you would
like to be owned by one, it is important to understand the special nature of
this little dog and why the breed exists. The Boston Terrier requires a certain
amount of mental and physical activity.
One of the few native American breeds, and often called the
American Gentleman, the Boston Terrier is a recent addition, comparatively
speaking, to the realm of purebred dogs.
The handsome little dogs we see today have come a long way since
their beginnings in the fighting pits of Boston. The Boston Terrier was bred
from a cross between Bull Terriers and Bulldogs. The first crosses occurred in
England, and some members of this hybrid stock were sent to America.
In 1889, about thirty fanciers in Boston and surrounding cities
organized the American Bull Terrier Club. Dogs were bred and exhibited by these
fanciers as "Round Heads" or "Bull Terriers". Bull Terrier breeders objected
that these crosses were not Terriers. Bulldog fanciers objected because they
were not Bulldogs. In 1891 the name was changed to the Boston Terrier Club of
America, (BTCA) and a standard was written. They applied for entrance to the AKC
stud book, but were denied. In 1893, however, the breed was accepted and the
first Boston Terrier was admitted. He was Hector #28814, by Bixby's Tony ex
Dimple.
By 1915 the breed was stabilized and had become the most popular in
the country. They were number one in registrations of the top twenty breeds,
when all breeds numbered 22,127. They were on top again in 1920. The Bostons
were back in first place in 1930. The Boston Terrier remained in the Top Ten
until 1960, but have slipped steadily since that time.
The Boston Terrier, refined and standardized, has maintained its
place in American history as a spunky little dog of intelligence and spirit...a
fitting representative from Boston commons from whence it came.
The Boston Terrier Club Of America
The BTCA is designed to protect the breed from proliferation of
genetic faults, and to ensure the standard of the Boston Terrier.
Membership includes a quarterly newsletter magazine with breed information,
interesting articles, and activities throughout the country. A major function of
the BTCA is education, and many informational publications are distributed to
assist BTCA members and prospective Boston Terrier owners. There are BTCA
representatives in most states throughout the U.S. to assist in providing
information.
If you would like to learn more about the Boston Terrier and the
BTCA, please contact the Boston Terrier Club of America, or one of our affiliate
clubs both listed below.
Boston Terrier Rescue is a division of the BTCA, and along with the
BTCA, is dedicated entirely to the protection and preservation of the Boston
Terrier.
Care, Exercise, and Grooming
Boston Terriers are extremely easy dogs to live with wanting only
to please. Bostons are extremely easy to train. Bostons are strictly house dogs,
they are not able to cope with extreme cold, nor can they deal with extreme
heat. Bostons can overheat very quickly due to the short muzzle and a slightly
elongated palate.
Bostons are active dogs needing daily exercise. They love toys,
playing fetch, chase, and children. Please remember children need to be taught
how to handle and care for a pet. The Boston Terrier is a short haired dog that
sheds minimally. The brushes I have found that work the best are: rubber palm
brush and grooming mit. The palm brush used in a circular motion lifts out dead
hair and brings the oil to the surface, grooming mit traps loose hair. A
grooming session at least once a week should be sufficient.
Ear cleaning is a must as is nail clipping.
Health
Snoring & Snorting
The Boston Terrier possesses a short muzzle or pushed in face. Some
Boston Terriers may show some degree of airway obstruction. This is because the
dog has an elongated soft palate. After you have a Boston for awhile, you don't
even realize that they snore.
Gas
A carefully planned diet, along with regular exercise, will put
your Boston on the road to a long and healthy life. Proper nutrition must begin
as a puppy in order to develop strong bone, well-conditioned muscles and a
natural immunity to diseases and infections. An incorrect diet of table foods
can lead to gastrointestinal problems in the Boston Terrier creating excessive
gas. This problem can usually be controlled through diet.
Juvenile Cataracts
A very serious genetic disorder in the Boston Terrier and several
other breeds. Juvenile Cataracts occur between 8 weeks to 12 months of age. Some
cataracts are clearly visible to the eye, while others are diagnosed by a veterinary ophthalomologist by a CERF test. This is
a serious problem in the Boston Terrier and carrier dogs should not be bred.
Hypothyroidism
This can cause many problems and you should ask about this in
parents and grand parents. This problem can usually be controlled with
medication.
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