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Boston Terrier

General
Other Names		Boston Bull
Dog Group Kennel Club		Utility
Breed Classification		This little terrier is a member of the utility group.They were originally bred as ratters, and it is thought even as fighting dogs, today they are mainly companion dogs.
Cost of Ownership
Average Food Cost		< £4 per week
Feeding Requirements		They are not very demanding in their feeding requirements but can be prone to being greedy.
		Try Royal Canin Breed Specific Dog Food
Other Expenses		A puppy will cost between £700 to £900 but they are a hardy breed and therefore veterinary expenses should be negligible.
Average Puppy Price		£500-800
Lifespan		9 - 15 years The average lifespan of the Boston is 13 years.
Average Litter Size		4 Litter sizes are on average 3 or 4 puppies.The Boston is a large headed breed of dog, this means that caesarean operations are often needed to deliver puppies. Breeders have had some success in reducing the size of the head making natural births more comm
General Physical Description		The Boston is a small happy dog that can be a little boisterous at times. They have a short, square muzzle and a square skull. They are short coated and short tailed. The chest is not as deep as the other bull breeds that they have descended from. They have thin ears which stand erect at the corners of their flat skull. The thighs of this dog are strong and well muscled. They carry themselves with an impression of determination and strength. Their gait is one of ease and grace. The eyes of the Boston are quite prominent and bulging.
Height Min Max Bitch 38cm (15") 43cm (17") Dog 38cm (15") 43cm (17") Weight Min Max Bitch 4.5kg (10lbs) 11.5kg (25lbs) Dog 4.5kg (10lbs) 11.5kg (25lbs)
Size Category		Small
Weight Height Range		The Boston measures between 38-43cms at the withers. The weight should never be more than 11.5kgs. They are divided into three classes according to their weight. Lightweight is under 6.8kgs, Middleweight is over 6.8kgs and under 9.1kgs and Heavyweight is between 9.1-11.5kgs.
Ailments		Although the Boston appears to suffer from several ailments they are hardy and live quite a long time. They do suffer from quite a number of congenital and hereditary problems and because of this care must be taken when purchasing a puppy.
Common Ailments		Hereditary heart defects and deafness Walrus puppies and swimmer puppy syndrome Straight stifles, improper vertebra development and sinus problems
Susceptibility To Illness		Medium
Other
History		The Boston was, in the 1800's, originally a cross between an English Bulldog and an English White Terrier. More crossbreedings were carried out and the Boston was further developed. This occurred around 1893. The breeds used for this further crossing were the English Bull Terrier, Boxer and the Pit Bull Terrier along with other terriers. Originally the Boston weighed over 20kgs but was bred smaller and smaller until they became the size we know them as today.
Intelligence		They are not difficult dogs to train as they are quite intelligent and are eager to please. The Boston should be socialised fron an early age as the males can sometimes be quite territorial.
Show Characteristics		The head appears square in shape, with a square skull that is flat on top. The ears should be placed as near as possible to the corner of the skull, and carried erect. The eyes should be set wide apart, be large and dark in colour. The teeth should allow for an even bite or be slightly undershot. The ribs should be deep and well sprung. The body should appear to be short but not chunky. The thighs should be strong and well muscled. The feet should be small, round and compact. The tail is short, set low and never carried above the horizontal, the tail is not docked. Colourwise brindles with white markings are preferred to the black with white markings. Ideally the muzzle should be white with an even white blaze over the head, collar and breast.
Country Of Origin		United States
Famous Examples
Records Held
Characteristics
Energy		Low
Overall Exercise		20 - 40 minutes per day. The exercise requirements of this dog are quite undemanding. They do not yearn for long walks, but they do like to go everywhere with their owners. As they are not too heavy they can be carried with relative ease.
Distress Caused if Left Alone
Personal Protection		Medium
Suitability As Guard Dog		High
Risk of Sheep Worrying		High
Tendency to Bark		Medium
Ease of Transportation		High
Level of Aggression		Low
Compatibility With Other Animals		Medium
Suitable For Children		High
General Character And Temperament		The Boston is a lively and intelligent little dog that can be quite determined and strong willed. They are very good with children and make ideal house dogs. They can be quite boisterous and do love to play. Care must be taken that games are not too rough as they can be prone to injury, especially the eyes as they bulge out slightly. They do love human company and make affectionate pets. They also make excellent watch dogs, and are not yappy with it. If introduced to other household pets when young there will be no problems.
Grooming
Coat Length		Short/Smooth
Grooming Requirement		Once a week
Trimming		None
Requires Professional Groomer
Grooming		The Boston is easily groomed, a grooming mitt used on the coat once a week should be adequate enough to remove any dead hairs from the coat. This is a clean breed with no doggy odours.
Colour		The colours that the Boston comes in are brindle and white, black with white markings and reddish black with white markings.
Shedding		Little
Suffers From Allergies
Tendency to Cause Allergies

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