Boston Terrier: Your New Pet
Boston Terrier: A passive, polite, playful, and friendly dog. It is undoubtedly capable of making those who live with it fall in love. It demonstrates a great heart, and its nostalgic look and seriousness in its features dissipate with its sweetness, cheerful behavior, and willingness to accompany and please its owners at all times.
Coming from Boston, Massachusetts, it is the result of a crossbreeding between the English Bulldog and the extinct White Terrier. The reasons for their search and original breeding are not very clear. The most widespread ideal was for them to train as a battlefield dog, but his passive nature and his sweet behavior early showed that he was not the one for these cruel activities, making the Boston Terrier one of the first companion dogs «made in the USA».
It is a small dog breed, which usually does not reach the knee of its masters. It is corpulent, compact in appearance, similar to the French Bulldog, but with slightly longer legs. It is moderately strong, with fine, shiny and short fur. It can reach measures of about 30cm approximately. Moreover, due to its beefy texture, it reaches a weight of 7 to 11 kilos (15.40 to 24.25 pounds). With a good diet and not so excessive care, it can live between 12 and 14 years.
Due to its characteristics and especially its skin and hair type, the Boston Terrier does not support extreme climates, either too cold nor too hot. It easily adapts to life inside a house or apartment, but take care of its outside walks. Although it is always willing to please its masters, it is advisable to avoid walks when the weather is not appropriate, since it has sensitive skin. Even though it has thin hair that does not shred a lot, the Boston Terrier tends to suffer from dandruff, which does not make it suitable for living with allergic people.
Like most dog breeds that are famous today, the current Boston Terrier is the result of several decades of crossings between different species, dog marriages in the same species, and hybridizations in general. These crossings tried to erase a bit of the look that the bulldog initially possessed (which gave them the feeling of being a murderer), so this may be the reason why he has some resemblance to other breeds, times, or countries.
An interesting aspect of this type of dog is its elegance, nicknamed as the American Gentleman for his natural costume. The Boston terrier reached great popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, especially in the 1920s, when the economy of the United States reached a high increase and stability due to the postwar period. It was the best company of American high society, among which are aristocrats and even actors and actresses, even requiring the presence of their pets in social events as a requirement to attend themselves.
One of the qualities of this animal is its sweetness and gentleness, quite the opposite of the reasons that caused the breedings in its beginnings. With a strong intelligence, it is the perfect daily companion. It does not like being alone for a long time, so it is advisable to be away from its human relatives for several hours.
The Boston Terrier is easily trainable and adapts to home life quickly, even in small apartments. To keep it healthy and explore its playful and childish spirit, it is advisable to take daily walks or expose it to entertaining games and activities periodically. However, he also feels happy giving a quiet and silent company to his caregivers who will be loyal all his life.
For those who wish to include a Boston Terrier in their family, they should know that they will have a new member with their own needs. They are sweet, friendly, gentle, considered as an American Gentleman, capable of making their own decisions, and easily sociable with strangers. If they consider that they can play with him, it would be necessary to have proper training, to avoid interrupting conversations or insistently approaching those who have just arrived in his life.
The Boston Terrier is, therefore, a good friend, ideal for a long-term company. It has a charming look, a feature of nostalgia with an innocence that does not disappear over the years. A little friend will undoubtedly change the lives of its masters, bringing joy, distraction, security, and occasional disgust. Since, although peaceful and gentle, it is also like a small child who needs attention. You can control this aspect of the species with training. Most importantly, it will take over the heart of its owners.
History and Origin of the Boston Terrier
Before going into detail about the history of the Boston Terrier, it is necessary to know a little about the origins of dogs on earth, to chronologically and contextually locate our breed in the description.
The latest data agree that our canine friends are a derivation of «domesticated» wolves, which approximately 32,000 years ago began to live with humans. Some say that it occurred through mutual evolution. Wolves were approaching the humans in search of sustenance, and, at the same time, the humans saw that they gave them strength and collaboration at work, as well as shelter, reaching an unspoken agreement.
In this agreement, eating, work, and distraction habits were changing the temperament of the wolves, intentionally or naturally crossing between several species. This behavior resulted in a generation with a more refined character that over the years, and with the continuous changes of the nomadic civilization, generated the derivation of several breeds in the world.
These breeds are the ancestors of those known today, which are different from ours due to the multiple crosses in numerous generations, the last ones being intentional. This practice is not recent since ancient civilizations also sought to obtain the ideal dog for their development, nowadays it is very common to find “created” or “designed” puppies.
In this case, we have the Boston Terrier, born not spontaneously but by the study of two species. The union had the purpose of including characteristic features of both. Its original ancestors were an English Bulldog and an English Terrier White, born in England at the end of the 19th century.
The first result of this union had characteristics not as refined as the current one. Some said that he looked like a murderer, being tall with a weight of almost 15 kilos, and dark tabby color with certain white spots. It was, therefore, a little different. However, Mr. William O’Brienthis bought this animal in 1865 and took it to Boston, Massachusetts. He then sold it to Mr. Robert C. Hooper, giving it the name of Hooper’s Judge (Judge of Hooper), considered as the precursor of the breed in question.
Upon arriving in Boston, Hooper´s Judge crossed with a small dog, with a white and square head called Gyp. It resulted in a litter that Mr. Robert Hooper considered quite acceptable. From here, it begins the process of refining the species, accepting some immovable features.
However, it was not simply acceptable, since the Boston Terrier had both fans and detractors. At the time, when the breed had already settled in some families, a group of owners decided to form the “American Boston Terrier Club” to defend the rights and make the international societies recognize it. For this, they asked the American Kennel Club (AKC), an “association of American associations”, where representatives of each registered breed congregate, to be in their meetings, but this did not happen.
The new species on the rise was not very dear in its beginnings because some considered that it undermined the rights of its family. For example, those of the Bull Terrier added that the Boston Terrier did not belong to theirs, and the Bulldog said they were not as good as theirs and that he was also stealing followers, so it had to wait until the rejection ceased.
Because some of the objections were about to the name, the decision was to change it. Thanks to the suggestion of a journalist who stated that, if he was originally from that city, they should incorporate it in his name. People accepted this, and it became the Boston Terrier, also changing the name of the association defending its rights to “Boston Terrier Club of America”. They received the task of registering the characteristics that define the breed, reaching 75 copies.
After having all this information and establishing the bases for the verification of this species, they return to the American Kennel Club for their incorporation and acceptation. They received recognition in 1893, from which it increases its popularity and continues having modifications in its physiognomy, although, this time, regulated according to the established guidelines.
At the beginning of the 20th century, he was already much loved in Canada, spreading his fame throughout the rest of the world quickly. Nowadays, he is the official mascot in the state of Massachusetts.
Main Features
The Boston Terrier is a sociable dog breed, becoming the perfect home companion. It is intelligent, friendly, playful, dynamic, and quite loyal to its own.
As for its physical characteristics, its compact constitution is notable. It has an athletic bearing with well-balanced proportions. Its body tends to be short, although it denotes strength and gives the impression of having a lot of determination. With a touch of style and class, thanks to the appearance in its fur of a natural tuxedo, its factions denote depth and intelligence.
Generally, all Boston Terriers have similar characteristics, changing a little in their size and weight or the color of their fur. However, they have recognizable aspects that have created parameters for evaluation, especially in beauty exposures. Perhaps the most notable difference among them is that females tend to possess more refined traits.
The Boston Terrier has a square shape, so its extremities and height are, in most cases, equal to its length. It is robust, yet elegant, and does not show any ordinary or coarse features. Its bones and muscles are in balance with its size and weight.
Its body seems to be short, although it is well constructed. The upper line is horizontal, and its back is short too but is the one that gives the shape to its entire structure. Its chest is wide, and the ribs extend upwards. Its chest shows a slight curve towards the base of the tail.
Its tail is a little low. Usually, it is quite short and thin, although it is thinner towards the tip.
Its neck is a bit arched, elegant, and well balanced. It joins the shoulders gradually without much difference.
It is short, but equally well proportioned to its neck and body. Its skull is square and flat, the forehead is broad and has no wrinkles, and its stop or nasofrontal depression is well defined.
Its snout is square, short, wide, and without wrinkles. Normally, it is deeper than long and locates parallel to the skull.
Its nose is black with a clearly defined groove. Its lips completely cover its teeth when it has its mouth closed. They are deep and do not hang, and its jaw is square with short teeth.
Their eyes are evenly separated. They are a characteristic feature in the Boston Terrier, as they are dark, round, and quite large. They show that they are always alert, and their formation makes it seem that they have a lot of intelligence.
Their ears are small and erect. They are located at the edges of their square skull and have a shape with a tendency to be triangular.
These dogs are strong. Their anterior limbs are moderately separated, and they are parallel to the upper end of the shoulder blade. Their straight bones determine all their square and compact appearance.
Their hind limbs have well-delineated, straight muscles, with a good angle at the knees.
Their shoulders extend backward, and they have straight elbows. Their feet are round, small, and compact. They sit perfectly on the ground, and their nails are short. All these elements collaborate with the agility shown in their movements.
Their hair is straight, short, fine, and shiny if they eat good doses of vitamins. Its color combines a tone that seems black (in fact, it is seal color, which acquires a certain reddish hue when it receives sunlight from certain angles) with well-defined white spots. In some cases, it has brown tones, although it must meet all other requirements of the breed to be considered a Boston Terrier.
Likewise, its snout has a white line that separates its eyes and goes down the neck to the sill. Sometimes, it is also on its forehead. Although this mark is well defined, the seal color generally prevails.
The entire constitution of the Boston Terrier allows them to have an agile and well-articulated movement. Their feet have a good grip, and their legs are strong enough to support their weight and a little more when they are in good shape.
It is worth noticing that the Boston Terrier naturally has an inherited genetic composition that gives the feeling of athleticism and robustness. However, it requires the care and attention necessary for both physical and mental maintenance. It is a dog of much grace and elegance, enriched with a small but powerful figure. It is attractive to the eye and has a charming temperament that can undoubtedly captivate any heart.
Behavior of the Boston Terrier with Other Dogs
The Boston Terrier is a sociable dog breed that feels very comfortable with the company of both its species and others and must train more for correcting behavior when it has these friends and to accept them as such.
In that sense, the canine historical evolution can be a primary source to recognize several of their usual behaviors and also to be able to conclude what are the tasks that can annoy or enchant them. In this regard, it is mandatory to remember that dogs developed primarily in packs, generally of the same species. As time went by, they grew to work alone or in teams with other breeds to help humans.
Consequently, most dogs tend to accept and be happy with the company of others unless they have an extremely territorial character. However, it does not happen the same way with the acceptance of other species, especially smaller ones.
The Terriers, on the other hand, have a working education, being trackers and hunters of vermin or small animals. Therefore, some Boston Terriers have a strong presence of this characteristic, making them incompatible with rabbits or small animals.
That is why, to understand how your pet can behave, you must first study a bit of its chronology and history. Accordingly, you will understand the reason for some behaviors and be able to define the training style they should have.
As for the Boston Terrier, his city lifestyle and continued company with humans has made him perfect for tolerating and appreciating visitors. Once he recognizes that his new companions are not a threat and he can trust that they will not hurt his relatives human or himself, he will accept them as his friends.
Based on this, he can show a positive and inviting attitude to games. This animal is a perfect playful one, and its demonstrations of affection towards other animals are different than those shown with humans.
In that sense, the Boston Terrier will bark in a non-threatening manner. He will gently bite his partner and turn around, do tricks, arch his back, and may become quite insistent, to some extent annoying, to go out to play.
At this point, it is advisable to evaluate the conditions in which he will do it. If it is his territory, make sure that his new friend has a correct attitude to avoid hurting him. If it is not his territory, evaluate the conditions, or ask the owners of his new friend if it’s safe to let him play.
As for the manifestations of aggressive or shy behaviors, the Boston Terrier is not known as an aggressive dog with others. Although, it is true that it is not intimidated and that it is not a dog that will run to hide when another provokes it. It is also true that it will prefer the peaceful way, and never start a fight.
Mating of the Boston Terrier
Instinct in animals operates in a much more powerful way than in humans, as animals cannot reason about the consequences of satisfying the desires of their nature. Therefore, having a pet, especially a female, both this and any other breed, gives, among other things, the responsibility to take care of it in this regard.
In this regard, if your female has the health and physical conditions to have a good offspring, it is advisable to take her first to a veterinarian for an evaluation. Keep the pregnancy under surveillance, since, in most of them, it is necessary to perform a C-section, since childbirth tends to get complicated.
For its part, it is also advisable, at the time of getting a litter, to choose the stallion. Evaluate its health and, if possible, their parents’ as well, to control the possibility that their puppies suffer some of their congenital diseases.
Boston Terriers tend to show their first «bleeding» at ten months. Although, in reality, it is more a process of bloodstains. However, it is advisable to wait for the second process to get pregnant, to ensure that their organs, maturity, and health are ready for pregnancy.
When the time comes, your Boston terrier will let you know. It will show a change in its urinary habits, it will cleanse more its organs, and sometimes its mood will tend to be a little less playful to become calm and restful.
That is the time to locate its partner. It is advisable to make the crossing once the second bleeding has changed color, becoming a light red tone, which is when they are fertile.
Diet and Feeding of the Boston Terrier
At the time of selecting a pet for home, there are many doubts about its care: Who is the best veterinarian, where or how it will live, which vaccines or medicines you should give it, how many times you should take it for a walk, or how should you prepare the children. Among other things, how will be its diet, how much it costs, where can you find it, and how much must you serve. In short, a series of questions that a specialist can clarify.
We should clarify that both this and any other article or discussion that you find on the web are for orientation and not guides to strictly follow. Each pet has its own needs, thanks to its inheritance, genetics, and data on the general lines of the breed.
Among these guidelines, some apply not only to the Boston Terrier but to all breeds, such as the need to create a certain discipline in their schedules and feeding methodology. Puppies must recognize that they have a specific place and time for food, which will favor their health and behavior.
For this, it is important to locate a space in the house where they can find their food. It should not be the same where they sleep, try to keep a rug that absorbs moisture, and try to change it frequently to keep the area clean. You must place clean water of easy access and their plate of food, which you will fill two or three times a day, depending on the age of Boston.
Regarding the selection of the food style, you can opt for homemade food based on proteins and vegetables, feed, or industrialized foods. Usually, the latter tends to be the most famous due to the benefits that it brings since it does not need much preparation time. It possesses all the components and vitamins the dog needs and is cheaper than the homemade diet.
You can purchase these in specialized stores or, sometimes, in supermarkets. They diversify by breeds, ages, and sizes, and even some have indications about the advisable doses, which helps with their selection and use.
As for how their diet will be and its dosage, we should clarify that, as with humans and many species of animals, it changes with age. That happens due to their changing needs in caloric intake and different nutrients that favor their health.
That is why, when the Boston Terrier is a puppy, it should preferably feed with the mother’s milk, since it is the best it can get at this age. It has a lot of water, calcium, and all the nutrients necessary for its growth.
When your Boston is breastfeeding, verify that the entire litter can receive the same suction time. The more active puppies will likely exile the calmest ones, not allowing them to feed properly. Be very careful when touching them as well, since the mother will be more alert, and her sense of protection tends to be very high.
This stage lasts approximately two months, which is when the Boston Terrier begins with its teething process. From this age, it can eat porridge and even replace the mother with milk and other supplements for puppies, indicating that they are ready to go to their new home.
Once at home, and depending on their time, you can decide whether to establish a homemade diet or acquire the most appropriate feed. If you choose the latter, it is advisable to ensure that it is for small or medium sizes and that it is in the age range of your Boston. You can also check among its list of contents that it has proteins, vegetable oil, mineral salts, and a small amount of cereal.
In the first months of the Boston Terrier, their energy level, lifestyle, and requirements in its development will make them very hungry. So, you can serve small doses (adjusted to their size and weight) three times a day, until they reach one year or a year and a half.
Once this stage is over, Boston enters adulthood, requiring that its diet must have protein. You must verify that their feed has a high level of them, coming from vegetables and animals.
Once they turn seven, your Boston becomes an older adult or an elder. Although their mischiefs will be the same, their health will tend to deteriorate. A specialist must evaluate them frequently, so they can indicate which will be the most appropriate diet, and whether or not they need the additional supply of some vitamins.
General Care of the Boston Terrier
Generally, the Boston Terrier has proven to be a healthy breed with basic care. It is easy to maintain, and, despite its small size, it tends to be very resistant.
Like the great majority of breeds, with rare exceptions, the Boston Terrier requires daily or weekly care, as well as occasional care according to their needs and the work or activities your pet performs.
Frequent care for the Boston Terrier
The Boston Terrier has a layer of hair, short and thin, with a tendency to appear bright. It does not require more than a weekly brushing, which will associate more with removing traces of dirt, dust, and dead hair than removing knots or combing it.
At the time of brushing, you can choose to do a review by hand to verify that there is no presence of ticks, fleas, or any other parasite, which strongly affects their health.
On the other hand, when choosing a brush, select a wide one with soft and round or thick bristles, so that it does not scrape or irritate the skin of the Boston since it does not have an inner layer that protects it. The process is very simple, the brush goes gently from the neck or head, (without touching its face) to the tail repeatedly.
Furthermore, one of the main characteristics of the Boston Terrier is the shape of its eyes, which is unprotected and certainly tend to suffer from some complications. It is advisable to watch that it does not play in places where bushes can hurt its eyes, and ask the veterinarian if it is necessary to apply drops that help to keep them properly moisturized.
Another of the important aspects to take care of is its small denture. Due to its shape, it can accumulate tartar and food debris, generating dental health problems, as well as bad breath. Weekly brushing and washing its mouth with mouthwashes for dogs will prevent this.
Occasional care for the Boston Terrier
Dogs, and especially those with short and fine fur such as the Boston Terrier, have on their skin a kind of natural oil or fat that protects them from external agents, preventing them from suffering from fungi or irritations in general.
That is why they do not need frequent baths as we humans do. Additionally, their body odor is less strong than ours, which is why their shower calendar can be in longer periods, ensuring that it will not cause any deterioration in their health.
In this sense, you can plan their baths in periods of six to eight weeks, which can vary depending on the way your Boston lives. Also, take into account where they play, exercise, and how often they do it.
In this type of care, it is important to incorporate their ears, which, due to their shape and the way they carry them, accumulate dust and dirt. Do not wash them with soap and water, as it can cause severe infections in the ear, so it is best to clean them with a piece of soft cloth moistened with oil.
On the other hand, there is another type of care that is necessary at the beginning of their lives, and it is vaccines. They can extend for some years as reinforcement, or incorporate some new ones if local authorities suggest it due to a different condition developing in the environment. Such vaccines should apply strictly when the specialist plans it, to guarantee their effectiveness.
Health of the Boston Terrier
Regularly, Boston Terriers enjoy excellent health, with many of its specimens dying simply from old age and not from any condition. However, it is advisable that, at the time of selecting your puppy, you review the health and history of their parents. That way, you will be aware of the possible conditions that it may suffer and avoid or delay them with proper care and feeding.
Despite being healthy, they are not immune. Among the diseases that have come to bear them, we have some congenital problems with the heart, hypersensitivity to anesthesia, as well as some chemicals in the same spectrum, epilepsy, and allergies.
On the other hand, due to the shape of their eyes, it is a little more frequent that they suffer from certain diseases associated with that organ, such as cataracts. It is also regular for pregnant dogs to have a cesarean section because they tend to suffer some complications during childbirth.
Finally, among the conditions rarely seen in the Boston Terrier, some were born with «cleft lip» or «cleft palate».
How to Train or Educate a Boston Terrier
As the years have passed, men have discovered all the benefits that these friends have, using their great virtues for our activities. Men turned them into rescuers, sled shooters, racing companions, guards, boxers, hunters, models, and actors. In short, a range of activities that does not end and does not seem to reach a limit.
Each type of breed has been able to demonstrate its value in different activities by becoming specialists in some functions, due to its physical training and its history. They have been able to collaborate in the design of different types of training that are consistent with the attributes of each species, and the activities you want to do with your pet, strengthening some behaviors, training new ones, and controlling some unwanted habits.
However, before entering into the subject, it is important to add that the type of training that you decide to give your pet should not completely modify his personality. It is not about turning him into a robot or a puppet, but to strengthen his skills and discipline him so that he can have a collaborative relationship with his human family, letting him be himself, but knowing respect and obedience.
As for the Boston Terrier, his type enjoys living in the company of humans. He is quite playful and a bit stubborn, which sometimes makes him a little undisciplined. Undoubtedly, he needs the training to show him certain rules of coexistence, which you can choose to have in a specialized center or do it from home if you already have the experience or with external advice.
If you wish your Boston to live with you as a member of the family, you can choose to find a type of education of little to no coercion (violence or aggressiveness never generates respect, it generates fear). You should look for those who assure you positive reinforcement that establishes strong ties between owner and dog, encouraging mutual respect and obedience from your pet.
This process will generate a change in your pet and yourself, especially if you are new to the canine world, creating a harmonious relationship of authority and appreciation, where the figure of the leader will be the master, applying a lot of patience and intelligence.
You may notice that, in the case of attending a specialized center, in the first phase, you will be a spectator. Although you will not have direct participation, you must be present to recognize the behavior of the specialist. He will show you the tone of voice to use, the expressions, and the level of authority you should have.
At this time, your dog will understand certain orders and assume you request something. It is a stage where the two learn the initial bases. Ideally, your puppy must be six months, but you can try before at your house with basic guidelines.
Once your pet acclimatizes to receiving orders, the specialist will ask for your active participation, where the coach is in the background, and you must order and control your Boston Terrier. You must have a lot of control and patience, and try not to modify your tone of voice since it will confuse your puppy. If you notice that something is not understood or that your Boston does not want to obey, stop, rest, play for a while, and start again.
When you consider that your dog has assimilated the training, and they have been able to establish an effective means of communication between them, it is advisable to do certain practices. For example, you can take it to a small park where it can experience the noise and presence of other dogs and other distant orders so that it shows that it has adapted to you.
Once this stage is over, increase the complexity and size of the spaces. Change the type of noise, among other factors, always evaluate the possibilities of accidents or the level of safety that your pet will have. If you do not feel confident, you can walk quietly with him, using a collar and leash so that the Boston recognizes the place.
Regarding this, it is important to emphasize that the use of the collar and leash is beneficial in many ways. First, it gives you control over your dog to ensure its safety, and your Boston will understand that you are the leader. It will give peace of mind to others who sometimes feel fear for a new animal in their neighborhood, and you can place a badge so they can recognize it in case it gets lost.
During this stage of training, you must be very patient and loving. Moreover, all the members of the family group must be involved, to avoid that someone ignorantly violates an order and becomes a setback in learning.
Behavior of the Boston Terrier with Humans
These animals can read our body language and act accordingly. Undoubtedly, a skill that they have achieved over time, and some of them seem to have developed these instincts more than others, partly because of their character. The most passive and observant ones tend to show their empathy with human reactions the most, even though all of them can do so.
In this regard, these friends have a broad intelligence in general, being differentiated more by their stubbornness than by their intellectual capacity. However, it has been possible to classify, according to several studies, the most intelligent breeds, those who can almost understand 200 human words and follow orders even in the third lesson.
What gives us to understand that all dogs, including the Boston Terrier, do not recognize the human language. Our words mean nothing to them if they do not associate with fitting tone and expressions, which are what they recognize as a result of their observation.
Thus, it is natural that (under normal conditions) the Boston Terrier has a special ability to live with humans. Not only cordially, but they come to appreciate them and be very important to them, as long as they do not have a deviated temperament as a result of bad education, or reactions to violent or unfriendly treatment.
Even so, one of the most wonderful characteristics of the company of a Boston Terrier is its level of empathy with its owners or their favorite people. It is such a connection that it has with them that if it finds them grumpy or sad, it can change its behavior and try to be a sweet friend who will be at their side in a comforting attitude until it notices that its patient has improved.
In fact, in most cases, the Boston Terrier tends to need the sustained company of humans, and more of their favorites. So, leaving it alone for a long time can be counterproductive in many ways, as it tends to stress and demonstrate it with continuous barking. Likewise, if it gets bored, it can damage the home, which sometimes has affected its health. Remember that because of its physical constitution, Boston tends to suffer from eye problems.
On some occasions, there have been cases in which they generate a physical response to loneliness, and they drool, which they usually do not do. They also shake, hide, become apathetic, or lack appetite. If your Boston shows this behavior, you will probably need to evaluate the way it spends its days with the necessary company. If the problem persists, you must take it to your veterinarian of preference.
With children, it is magnificent, a playful and clown companion. It will do tricks and try to play a lot them. In that sense, you must put into practice the minimum care you should have when your children play with any pet. Even if they are docile and well trained, their shared time should be under observation.
You also have to educate the smallest of the house about the behavior they will have with their Boston Terrier. Although it is a strong dog, it is small and does not support the loads that others of greater stature could tolerate. They must also keep in mind their care and health, as well as watching that their eyes do not suffer from the activities you do together.
Boston loves to please its owners, and it feels happy with the attention. It is a perfect companion in travel (with due training), so riding in the car or taking it on vacation can be a very pleasant option.
Few are the actions that can upset a Boston Terrier. Some conditions manifest both in this and in any other breed, such as not touching its food. Once you have served its plate and it is in its feeding process, do not remove its plate, do not play with it, and do not disturb it. Let it eat quietly, not necessarily alone, but that is its time, so it will prevent it from trying to defend its food.
In general terms, Boston is a nice animal, a humble dog that does not require many conditions to be happy, although it accepts them with good pleasure. With respectful treatment, the necessary care, good company, and a little discipline, it will be enough for a pleasant and cordial life.
Perfect Environment for the Boston Terrier
There is an important aspect to consider in the education and care of our dog friends, and that is that they are more active and resistant than is generally believed. We tend to make mistakes that, far from benefiting them, attract terrible consequences for their physical and mental health, such as the case of pretending to give them a life of extreme comfort.
Although we can currently see them by the hand of their master, playing, wearing clothes, or being the object of beauty shows in dog shows, it was not always like that. There was a time when they were mostly working in the field or the rough works of the ancient civilizations, many of them happy with the possibility of collaborating in the daily activities of their human family.
Regarding this, it is necessary to combine a series of factors for its development and tranquility. These factors include elements of comfort and other activities and games, or energy-wasting in general, which ensures both their well-being and their health.
The Boston Terrier, due to its size that tends to be small or medium, does not require large spaces for its development. It can adapt to living comfortably in an apartment or flat, although this is not exclusive if you own a country house and decides to adopt it as a pet, surely it joviality will fill the whole place.
While it is true that it will be comfortable inside the house or apartment, it should exercise daily with walks, preferably in the park or other places to promote its ability to socialize with other humans and with other animals.
In case you do not have time to take it for a walk every day, you can choose to hire a professional dog walker or allow it to go out to the backyard or the garden to play and exercise at least twice a day for 30 minutes. Granting, it will require training to respect the vegetation and garden elements.
About this, you should also make sure that your garden, your home, or the places where it can walk and play, do not have elements that can damage its eyes. Due to the size of the Boston Terrier, their face reaches the height of many bushes or even weeds that can affect them and cause irritation or other conditions.
Therefore, animals of this breed should live inside the home in spaces that you chose and prepared for them, which can have a blanket or small mattress and toys. If you want to place it inside your room, it is advisable to place it away from the bed in a basket and in a space with little traffic, to avoid falls or trips due to or over it.
In some other nearby places, you can prepare its feeding space, which contains its rate of clean water and food plate, both with an adequate size to avoid spilling them. It is also convenient to place an absorbent mat that helps keep the space dry.
Similarly, even though the Boston Terrier is a breed meant for the company, its Terrier instinct does not disappear completely. So, you can see it checking the corners, trying to hunt down any vermin or creeping animal that has entered your home. That is normal behavior, and it does them well to know that it can protect its human family, but it is important to ensure that it does not harm itself in the attempt.
On the other hand, there is an inhumane practice that has been losing popularity due to the recognition of the rights of these precious animals, which is to keep them tied to a chain or rope in the yard or garden, mistakenly considering that all dogs can support it. It should not be done with any animal since the only thing that encourages is the early deterioration of their health and an inadequate temperament.
So, if your Boston has become accustomed to your lifestyle, your gardens, your neighbors, and your smells, it will be a bit stressful for them if you want to make a major change like moving. Remember that they are routine animals, and they feel more comfortable in spaces they recognize and accept.
However, this is not a limitation if you require doing so. Many of them are perfect companions on trips or are good pets for those who have a slightly more nomadic life. The trick is to know how to train them accordingly.
If they have become accustomed to changing residence or traveling since childhood, they will not have any problem with going with you. However, if they have been in the same space for years, you must take certain precautions, such as taking them to your new neighborhood. If it is possible, they should visit your new home, do not wash their blanket or mattress, and give them much love on those days of the change.