General Boston Terrier Information
There
is a ton of information about the Boston Terrier on the Internet.
Just do a Google search and you will find everything, including
untruths, about them that you ever wanted to know and probably lots
that you didn't want to know too! LOL I am not going to try to rewrite
the book on Bostons, but want to give some information based upon
my own personal experience, as well as a few places you can go to
find out more information.
First of all,
I have to say that Bostons truly ARE the best breed around...at
least in my opinion. In general, they are smart, funny, easy to
train, versatile, good with kids, adults and other animals, docile
while also being active, sweet, and very easy keepers requiring
little grooming and general maintenance. Now, that being said, there
are ALWAYS exceptions that can occur. If a puppy, any puppy - not
just a Boston puppy, is not well socialized, wasn't handled much,
etc., it may be timid, fearful, or unsure of itself. These can lead
a puppy to become a biter as an adult because of fear or aggression.
That is why it is critical that you purchase from a REPUTABLE breeder
and not someone who is just out to make a buck or help supply the
masses with a cute bundle of joy. On my Other Links page, you will find links to
other sites that give you plenty of information to help you find
and select a reputable breeder. I will simply say that being reputable
breeders are based upon their actions and not the number of clubs
they belong to nor the positions they may hold in those clubs. Anyone
can be a member/officer of a club, but only a reputable breeder
breeds solely for the improvement of the breed and may or may not
belong to a club.
Along with that, it would be helpful if you knew what
a Boston should look like. You can see that by not
only visiting the pages of my dogs, but even more so, by reading
the
Boston Terrier Standard
on the BTCA's website. You will find that there is NO SUCH THING
as a rare-colored Boston. There are only approved colors (black
& white or black with brindle & white, seal & white or seal with
brindle & white, or brindle & white) and unapproved colors, which
result in disqualification in the conformation ring. These unapproved
colors include red, fawn, white, pie-bald, blue, cream, and any
other non-approved color. Reputable breeders DO NOT breed for these
colors. While red or pie-balds may pop up once in a great while
with a reputable breeder, it does not happen often and they are
sold purely on spay/neuter contracts. There are other websites such
as those on
Brindle Hill
Elite Bostons,
Sekc's Zoo, and
Deisign Boston Terriers
that provide a plethera of information.
What else are Bostons
good for besides companionship? Since they are smart AND loving,
they are great therapy dogs. Several of mine have gone to the local
assisted-living community and everyone just LOVES the Bostons. They
are small enough to get on the residents' laps and also are great
little hams and love all the attention. Plus, they are easy to teach
tricks to and then show off to everyone.
Even if you don't
have a Boston suitable for the conformation ring (or maybe YOU don't
like the ring....), there are LOTS of other events that your Boston
and you may like to try out. Agility, flyball, obedience, rally,
and believe it or not, even herding. My Bostons love to hike and
swim, so camping and going to the lake is always on the top of their
list to do. None of those events require that a Boston meet the
Standard, just that they can perform the task and honestly, any
activity that you do with your Boston will just strengthen your
bond even more and who wouldn't want that?
Okay, well, that's
it for now.... check back periodically as I may have more information
to post later, or if there's something you'd like to see on my website,
drop me a line and
let me know. Thanks for visiting!
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