BOSTON TERRIER PUPPIES FOR SALE
Energetic. Gentle.
Sometimes called the Boston Bull or Boston Bull Terrier, the Boston Terrier is an American breed that originated in 1870 and was created by crossing a white English Terrier with an English Bulldog. Surprisingly, they were bred for pit-fighting. Their gentle disposition today has earned them the nickname “American Gentleman.” Compact, muscular, and attractive, Boston Terriers are also friendly, gentle, and intelligent. They can be rambunctious and will need regular exercise to burn some energy and keep them healthy. Their small size and short coats make them ill-suited to extreme temperatures.
Temperament
This breed is adaptable and can easily live in any size of home environment. They don’t bark much, so they can be good candidates for smaller dwellings provided that daily exercise is prioritized.
Boston Terriers can be protective of their people, and the tendency may result in aggression toward strangers and other animals. Early training and socialization should be relatively easy due to their intelligence, and it can help you curb this instinctive behavior.
Appearance
Their bodies are square-like and short with a low-set tail that is straight or sometimes screw-shaped. The chest is broad and the neck slightly arched. They have muscular legs set wide that are reminiscent of a small tank.
They have short, smooth coats that come in several colors:
- Black and white
- Seal and white
- Brindle and white
Boston Terriers stand about 15 to 17 inches tall and typically weigh between 10 and 25 pounds.
Exercise
They do not tolerate heat or extremely cold weather.
Boston Terriers are brachycephalic, meaning that the breed has a broad, short skull. Because these breeds are prone to respiratory problems, they need to be walked with a harness instead of a collar around the neck to prevent injury. Their short muzzles also cause drooling, snorting, and loud snoring.
We recommend about 60 minutes of activity a day and about 8 miles of walking a week.
Boston Terriers were named for their home city of Boston. They originated around 1870 when the English Terrier-owning Robert C. Hooper purchased a Bulldog from Edward Burnett. The dogs had a litter, and their offspring were interbred with French Bulldogs, which is what led to the Boston Terrier. The breed was larger and heavier in its early days, weighing up to 44 pounds. Knowing how gentle and loving today’s Boston Terriers can be, it’s almost shocking to know they were used in pit-fighting. The breed had become very popular in Boston by 1889. They were admitted into the American Kennel Club in 1893. Boston Terriers became the first non-sporting breed to be bred in the United States.
During World War I, the 102nd Infantry Regiment named a Boston Terrier as its official mascot. His name was Sergeant Stubby, and he served for 18 months in 17 battles. He warned his unit of gas attacks, found wounded soldiers, and was even said to have caught a German spy. They promoted Stubby to sergeant for his loyalty and bravery in the field of combat. He was smuggled back into the United States when the war ended, and he met Presidents Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, and Warren G. Harding. (President Harding (and later President Gerald Ford) were Boston Terrier owners. In 1922, Boston University made the dog its official mascot, and in 1979 Boston Terriers became the state dog of Massachusetts.
Major health concerns to be aware of:
- Patellar Luxation
- Cherry Eye
- Allergies
- Brachycephalic Syndrome
Minor health concerns to be aware of:
- Cataract
- Corneal Ulcer
Boston Terriers have smooth fur and a low shed-rate, and combing them out weekly should help you manage it effectively. Frequent bathing isn’t necessary; you’ll know when they need some freshening up. They do need some maintenance on their tiny faces. Use a clean, damp cloth to clean both the eyes and the creases on their face. Cleaning their eyes can prevent staining, and their creases must be washed and dried daily to avoid dampness and infection. Clean ears and brush teeth weekly. (Ask your vet for a demonstration of proper technique so you can care for them without inadvertently injuring them. Be sure their nails are trimmed monthly. This breed is notorious for flatulence that can be worsened by feeding them a diet high in grains. They can develop food sensitivities and allergies and will do best eating a good-quality diet high in animal protein and low in grain. Boston Terriers also need you to keep an eye on their caloric intake. They need to avoid obesity, which can worsen the symptoms of their brachycephalic syndrome (common in dogs with flat faces and blunt noses.
Boston Terriers need training with positive reinforcement and will not do well with harsh words or tone. The breed is known to be slow at house training (4 to 6 months), and we highly recommend crate training.
