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- Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
- Kategorie: Lebensstil
- Sprache: Englisch
Has a Boston Terrier stolen your heart? Whether you're thinking about adding one of these "American Gentlemen" to your home or you already have one, this fun, friendly guide is the key to becoming a responsible and happy puppy parent! Boston Terriers For Dummies gives you all the basics on raising and living with this intelligent, affectionate breed. You'll learn where and how this dog originated, what it needs, and how to determine if a Boston Terrier is the right dog for you and your family. From feeding and grooming to basic training, you get all the tips any Boston owner needs to make their dog feel welcome, loved, and well-cared for. You'll discover how to: * Understand the breed's origin and history * Choose the right Boston Terrier for you * Puppy-proof your home and yard * Teach your Boston basic commands * Housetrain and socialize your puppy * Correct Boston behavior gone bad * Handle breed-specific health concerns * Enhance your dog's quality of life * Travel with your Boston--or find a reputable sitter * Care for the senior dog Complete with sections on nutrition, first aid, and exercise and play, Boston Terriers For Dummies is the only guide you need to raise a happy, healthy dog!
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Seitenzahl: 432
Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2011
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Boston Terriers For Dummies®
by Wendy Bedwell-Wilson
Boston Terriers For Dummies®
Published byWiley Publishing, Inc.111 River St.Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774www.wiley.com
Copyright © 2007 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published simultaneously in Canada
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permission of the Publisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, 978-750-8400, fax 978-646-8600. Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Permissions Department, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030, 201-748-6011, fax 201-748-6008, or online at http://www.wiley.com/go/permissions.
Trademarks: Wiley, the Wiley Publishing logo, For Dummies, the Dummies Man logo, A Reference for the Rest of Us!, The Dummies Way, Dummies Daily, The Fun and Easy Way, Dummies.com and related trade dress are trademarks or registered trademarks of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and other countries, and may not be used without written permission. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Wiley Publishing, Inc., is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book.
LIMIT OF LIABILITY/DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY: The publisher and the author make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this work and specifically disclaim all warranties, including without limitation warranties of fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty may be created or extended by sales or promotional materials. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for every situation. This work is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional services. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for damages arising herefrom. The fact that an organization or Website is referred to in this work as a citation and/or a potential source of further information does not mean that the author or the publisher endorses the information the organization or Website may provide or recommendations it may make. Further, readers should be aware that Internet Websites listed in this work may have changed or disappeared between when this work was written and when it is read.
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2007926395
ISBN: 978-0-470-12768-1
Manufactured in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
About the Author
Pets and their quirks have been a part of Wendy Bedwell-Wilson’s life for as long as she can remember, but it was through her profession that she grew to truly appreciate them. After working in the publishing industry as a writer and editor for a variety of pet-themed trade, consumer, and online magazines for nearly 15 years, she ventured outside the cubicle and delved into writing professionally about four-legged friends from her home in Hawaii.
Her work has appeared in a range of pet publications, including Pet Product News, Veterinary Practice News, DogChannel.com, Cat Fancy, Koi World, FAMA, Aquarium Fish, Cats USA, Kittens USA, and the Popular Pets series. She completed one book — Yorkshire Terriers for the Animal Planet Pet Care Library series — before tackling Boston Terriers For Dummies. Her muses include a rescued Pointer-Hound mutt named Pete and two spoiled cats, Bubba and Benny. They’re no Boston Terriers, but they’re still little gentlemen.
Dedication
To my mother, Ruth Bedwell, the strongest woman I know.
Author’s Acknowledgments
Publishing a book like this requires a team of dedicated individuals, including editors, illustrators, production staff, and breed experts. My thanks goes out to Stacy Kennedy, acquisitions editor; Chrissy Guthrie, project editor; Vicki Adang, copy editor; Patty Kovach, DVM, technical editor; Barbara Frake, illustrator; and the production, printing, and distribution teams who made the book a reality and delivered it to the consumers.
I also owe gratitude to the many Boston Terrier experts I consulted, including dozens of breeders and Boston lovers associated with the Boston Terrier Club of America; trainers Ricko Rask and Ellen Carscadden; Andy Tesene, co-owner of Two Bostons in Naperville, Illinois; Mark Daly, DVM, who answered a host of veterinary questions; the American Kennel Club; the American Veterinary Medical Association; and the countless dog lovers who provided advice, support, and plenty of dog-inspired laughs. Thanks, too, to fellow author Eve Adamson, who helped to guide me to and through the project, and Lee Ann Chearney, my agent and book producer. And I can’t forget my patient and loyal husband, Ryan, my family, and our four-legged menagerie that brings unending joy to our lives.
Publisher’s Acknowledgments
We’re proud of this book; please send us your comments through our Dummies online registration form located at www.dummies.com/register/.
Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following:
Acquisitions, Editorial, and Media Development
Senior Project Editor: Christina Guthrie
Acquisitions Editor: Stacy Kennedy
Copy Editor: Vicki Adang
Technical Editor: Patty Kovach, DVM
Editorial Manager: Christine Meloy Beck
Editorial Assistants: Erin Calligan Mooney, Joe Niesen, Leeann Harney
Cover Photo: © ROBERT PEARCY/Animals Animals
Cartoons: Rich Tennant (www.the5thwave.com)
Composition Services
Project Coordinator: Erin Smith
Layout and Graphics: Heather Ryan, Alicia B. South
Special Art: Illustrations by Barbara Frake, color section photos by Jean Fogle (www.jeanfogle.com), Isabelle Francais, and Cathi Winkles
Anniversary Logo Design: Richard Pacifico
Proofreaders: Aptara, Susan Moritz
Indexer: Aptara
Publishing and Editorial for Consumer Dummies
Diane Graves Steele, Vice President and Publisher, Consumer Dummies
Joyce Pepple, Acquisitions Director, Consumer Dummies
Kristin A. Cocks, Product Development Director, Consumer Dummies
Michael Spring, Vice President and Publisher, Travel
Kelly Regan, Editorial Director, Travel
Publishing for Technology Dummies
Andy Cummings, Vice President and Publisher, Dummies Technology/General User
Composition Services
Gerry Fahey, Vice President of Production Services
Debbie Stailey, Director of Composition Services
Contents
Title
Introduction
About This Book
Conventions Used in This Book
What You’re Not to Read
Foolish Assumptions
How This Book Is Organized
Icons Used In This Book
Where to Go From Here
Part I : That Bullish Terrier
Chapter 1: Welcome to Boston!
Lovers, Not Fighters
Give Me Shelter — And Food!
How to Be a Good Boy
Caring for Your Boston’s Needs
Chapter 2: Tracking the Boston Terrier
Breed Origin and History
Building the First Boston
Developing a Standard
Personality Aplenty
Chapter 3: Committing to a Lifetime of Care
Judging Your Compatibility
Establishing Family Dynamics
Divvying Up Duties
The Real Costs
Chapter 4: A Match Made in Boston
Battle of the Sexes
Puppy or Adult?
If You Choose a Puppy . . .
If You Choose an Adult . . .
Part II : Caring for Your Boston Terrier
Chapter 5: Preparing for Your Boston’s Homecoming
Puppy-Proofing Basics
License and Registration, Please
Time to Go Shopping
Chapter 6: Welcome Home!
Taking the Home Tour
Meeting Other Members of the Pack
Surviving the First Night
Creating Consistency
Chapter 7: Eating Well
Feeding a Carnivore: Cost versus Quality
Knowing Your Ingredients
How to Read Pet Food Labels
Checking Out Your Commercial Diet Options
Choosing To Feed a Noncommercial Diet
Special Diets for Bostons with Health Issues
Come and Get It! Serving Meals
Supplementing Your Dog’s Diet
Treating Your Boston
Chapter 8: Looking Good
Grooming at Home
Visiting the Groomer or Spa
Clothes and Accessories for Your Boston
Part III : Stepping Out
Chapter 9: Housetraining for Bostons
Setting the Stage for Success: Housetraining Basics
Training Your Boston
Mistakes Will Happen
Okay Ways to Go Inside
Chapter 10: Socializing for Life
Understanding Your Boston’s Developmental Timeline
Socializing Your Puppy
Socializing Your Adult Dog
Reading Your Boston’s Body Language
Preventing Fear
Chapter 11: Training and Behavior
School Days
Establishing a Commanding Presence
Correcting Behavior Gone Bad
Calling in the Professional
Chapter 12: Taking Training to the Next Level
Training for Sport
Becoming a Therapy Dog
Having Some Organized Fun
Attending a Conformation Trial
Chapter 13: Traveling with (Or without) Your Boston
Preparing for the Journey
Hitting the Road
Flying the Skies
Leaving Your Boston Behind
Part IV : Health and Well-Being
Chapter 14: Your Visit to the Veterinarian
Finding a Vet for Your Pet
Your Boston’s First Vet Visit
Vaccinations: Protecting Your Dog from Deadly Diseases
Patrolling for Parasites
To Spay or Neuter
Making Annual Visits
Chapter 15: Breed-Specific Ailments
With a Snort and Wheeze
What Big Eyes You Have!
Say What?
Trick Knees
Chapter 16: First Aid
First-Aid Kit Essentials
Knowing Normal Vitals
Managing First-Aid Emergencies
Chapter 17: Caring for the Senior Dog
Knowing the Signs of Aging
Age-Related Disorders
Handling Your Senior Boston with Kid Gloves
Bidding Adieu to Your Boston
Part V : The Part of Tens
Chapter 18: Ten Trivia Tidbits about Bostons
The Dogfather
An American Original
What’s in a Name?
Manly Moniker
Top Billing
Little Men on Campus
Popular beyond Boston
The Incredible Shrinking Dog
State of the Boston
Odds ’n’ Ends
Chapter 19: Ten Ways to Make Your Boston’s Day
Get the Day Off to a Good Start
Take a Walk
Stroll to the Park
Throw a Party
Give Your Boston a Bone
Take a Spa Day
Bake Your Boston Some Cookies
Toss a Ball
Do Some Homework
Enjoy Each Other’s Company
: Further Reading
Introduction
I f you’ve picked up this book, you’re either considering whether to add a Boston Terrier to your life or you have already. Educating yourself is the first — and most important — step in becoming a responsible pet parent. Kudos to you for furthering your knowledge about the breed!
Learning about Boston Terriers, however, is just the beginning. After you encounter a Boston and get a feel for her good-natured personality, see how intelligent and devoted she is to her owner, understand her diverse and American-bred origins, and experience what a sheer delight she is to be around, you’ll be hooked for life.
Making the most of your human-pet relationship involves not only educating yourself about what makes your dog tick, but also realizing how to nurture her and help her develop into the dog she was born to be: a devoted friend, wise companion, and all-around dapper dog.
About This Book
This book serves as a reference guide for life with your Boston Terrier. Its purpose is twofold: First, it’ll help you decide whether a Boston is the right breed for you and your family. Some families want a larger breed like a Labrador; others want a fluffy lapdog, like a Bichon Frisé. These pages break down the basics and give you enough practical insight to make an informed decision about whether a Boston will fit into your household.
Second, this book addresses some basic questions about the breed and general dog care. You’ll find answers to questions like:
Where did the breed originate, and why?
What is a Boston’s temperament like?
How do I prepare my home for her arrival?
Will a Boston get along with children and other pets?
How do I housetrain my Boston?
What are her basic nutritional and grooming requirements?
What are some common health concerns associated with the breed?
In case of a medical emergency, what do I do?
Conventions Used in This Book
This book contains a lot of information, so to help you navigate through the text, I set up a few stylistic conventions, including:
Italics: Italic type is used for emphasis and to highlight new words or terms that are defined.
Bold: Boldfaced text is used to highlight points in a series and bring attention to key concepts.
Monofont: Monofont is used for Web sites and e-mail addresses.
You’ll notice one other convention, and that’s the alternating use of masculine and feminine pronouns. With the help of my astute copy editor, I alternated between male and female, chapter by chapter. I’m not trying to give our four-legged friends human qualities; it just seems much more personable to use “he” and “she” rather than “it.”
What You’re Not to Read
The information in this book ranges from the absolutely essential — like how to provide adequate nutrition for your Boston — to the not-so-important — like how handlers dress in the dog-show ring. You can find the necessary reading within the body of the book, but you can find the nonessential information in two places:
Sidebars: The shaded boxes of text that appear throughout the chapters contain supplementary information you can skip or flip through later. It’s interesting stuff, but it’s not necessary.
Paragraphs highlighted with the Technical Stuff icon: If you’re the type who likes to know why or how, you’ll appreciate the technical information contained in these paragraphs. You can, however, skip those nitty-gritty tidbits and still glean what you need to know about Bostons.
Foolish Assumptions
As I wrote this book, I assumed several things about you and the type of information you’d be looking for:
You either have a Boston or you’re seriously thinking about adopting one.
You’re enamored with the breed and want to know more about its history, distinguishing characteristics, and care requirements.
You’ve adopted your first Boston and you’re not sure what specific things your dog will need.
You have some experience with dogs, but you can use a refresher course in basic care and training.
You’re overwhelmed with all those doggy doodads that are out there and you’re looking for some guidance.
You’re having difficulty with housetraining or obedience, and you’re looking for practical advice.
How This Book Is Organized
This book is put together in a logical way that allows you to find information quickly and easily. It contains five parts, each dedicated to a particular topic and broken down into several chapters that go into greater detail.
Part I: That Bullish Terrier
This first part gives you a general overview of what to expect in this book, and it provides an overview of the breed’s history and temperament. It describes where and how the dog originated, what a Boston needs, and what will be required of you and your family.
Ideally, you’ll read the chapters in this part before you adopt your puppy so you know what you’re getting yourself into! Deciding to add a Boston to your family is an important decision that will take some education. Part I is a great place to start.
Part II: Caring for Your Boston Terrier
After you’ve decided to welcome a Boston into your life, you’ll need to start thinking about how to care for her. This part guides you through how to puppy proof your home and yard, what products you’ll absolutely need, how to provide for her nutritional needs, and how to keep her looking her best.
You’ll also see the importance of setting up regular schedules for your Boston. Dogs are creatures of habit and like routine in their lives, from eating in the same place to going for walks at the same time every day. Part II will help you through the different routines to set up for your dog and your family.
Part III: Stepping Out
Well-trained and well-behaved dogs are a joy to be around. This part delves into how to mold your dog into a healthy and happy adult who thrives on being around humans and other dogs. You’ll find out how to housetrain your dog. You’ll understand the importance of proper socialization at all stages of her life. And you’ll get an introduction to basic training, competition, and trial events.
Because your Boston will likely shadow you wherever you go — from the grocery store to Grandma’s house — you’ll want to keep her safe while traveling. Part III also outlines ways to restrain your dog in the car and how to prepare her for an airplane journey. If you can’t take her with you, this section also describes how to find a reputable dog sitter or dog daycare center.
Part IV: Health and Well-Being
Perhaps the most important portion of the book, Part IV addresses health and well-being issues through all stages of your Boston’s life. It offers guidelines for basic Boston care, including what to expect during your dog’s first veterinary visit, breed-specific ailments, first aid, and senior care.
You’ll also get an introduction to vaccinations, internal and external parasites, and details about the special needs of brachycephalic breeds (dogs with short heads), like your Boston. After reading this section, you’ll have plenty to discuss with your veterinarian!
Part V: The Part of Tens
This part contains two chapters that give you fun facts about Boston Terriers. You’ll find out ten interesting facts about the breed and discover ten ways to enhance your pet’s life.
Icons Used In This Book
A useful feature in the For Dummies series, icons draw your attention to — or away from — particular types of information. I use the following icons throughout the book:
This icon appears wherever a bit of advice can save you time, money, hassle, or stress.
This icon points out important information that’s worth remembering.
When you see this icon, pay particular attention to the paragraph next to it. It highlights information about dangers that could cause your dog harm.
For those detail-oriented readers, the Technical Stuff icon indicates interesting but unnecessary information that you can skip.
Where to Go From Here
Each chapter and part of this book is self-contained, so you can jump to just about anywhere and find complete information. Though you’ll get a more well-rounded understanding of Bostons if you read the book from cover to cover, you don’t have to, especially if you’re looking for a certain topic, like how to housetrain your dog (Chapter 9), what to expect during your first veterinary visit (Chapter 14), where the breed originated (Chapter 2), or what kennel to purchase (Chapter 5). The Index will guide you to more specific topics.
A logical place to start, of course, is Chapter 1, which is a general overview of the book, and Chapter 2, which details the breed’s history, standard, and temperament. Regardless of where you begin, however, you’re about to embark on a new adventure — with your Boston!
Part I
That Bullish Terrier
In this part . . .
Before you welcome a dog into your life, one of the first things you’ll do is find out all you can about the different breeds. You’ll research magazines, Web sites, and books like this one. You’ll talk to breeders, dog club representatives, friends, and neighbors. You’ll gather as much information as you can so that you will choose the right type of dog for your family.
In this first section of Boston Terriers For Dummies, you get an overview of the breed’s history and temperament. It prompts you to take a look at your family’s lifestyle, leading you to decide whether the Boston Terrier will make a fitting addition to your household. You also understand how to find a reputable breeder and how to identify the perfect pup for you.
You may find, after reading this first section, that a Boston isn’t right for your family. Maybe you’re looking for a larger breed or a petite lap dog. If that’s the case, that’s okay! It’s better to decide that before you bring the puppy home. But if you breeze through this section and still want to share your life with a Boston, you’re on your way to a life-changing experience!
Chapter 1
Welcome to Boston!
In This Chapter
Exploring Boston Terriers’ ancestors and canine appeal
Understanding a pup’s basic needs
Realizing the importance of housetraining and obedience
Knowing how to care for his medical needs
W hen you think of a Boston Terrier, what picture pops into your mind? Perhaps you think of his unmistakable pug nose and pointy ears, his one-of-a-kind black-and-white tuxedo of a coat, or his endearing snorts and wheezes that trumpet his approach. Bostons pack a lot of personality in their small 15-pound bodies. It’s no wonder why you’re interested in this dapper little breed!
Before you invite a Boston to share your life, however, you should know a little bit about what makes these dogs tick. In this chapter, I describe why Bostons make such fantastic pets. I also offer pointers for how to care for their basic needs, from food and water to shelter and wellness.
Lovers, Not Fighters
Boston Terriers earned the nickname “American Gentleman” for good reason: They’re intelligent, affectionate, classy dogs who make excellent companions. With their amiable demeanor, it’s hard to believe that their ancestors were originally bred to be fighters!
The early days
Bostons are a blend of English Bulldogs and white English Terriers (now extinct). The first of these dogs was named Hooper’s Judge, owned by Robert C. Hooper of Boston, Massachusetts. He imported the bulldog-terrier blend from his native England around 1870.
Early breeders in the United States admired the dog’s look, so they refined and stabilized the breed, selecting for a smaller size, a likeable personality, and large expressive eyes. Eventually, they produced the American original that we know today.
These dogs enjoyed extreme popularity in the early 1900s. Placing first or second on the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) list of registered breeds from 1905 through 1934, Boston Terriers were all the rage among fanciers and socialites alike. Over the past century, they’ve held a prominent position among the AKC’s most popular dogs, consistently ranking among the top 20.
Today, Boston Terriers have made themselves at home in a range of households, from small apartments to large farms and everything in between. Though they retain hints of their terrier and bulldog ancestry, Bostons are unique, well-mannered dogs who bring joy to just about any home. To read more about the origins and breed standard of Boston Terriers, flip to Chapter 2.
Personality plus
Ask any Boston owner to describe her dog, and you’ll get nothing but praise. Boston owners love their dogs, and for good reason! They’re highly intelligent, low maintenance, well-mannered, and ready for anything.
Here are some more reasons to love Bostons:
They’re great with kids. Most Bostons adore children. When children are taught how to behave around dogs, Bostons and kids become fast friends, with the dogs often enduring wrestling matches and playing dress-up without a hitch. Because they have such a solid constitution, these little dogs can handle just about anything that a child can dish out. Jump to Chapter 6 for details about how to introduce your child to a Boston.
They’re great with adults. Integrating well in any household, Bostons make attentive companions for adults and seniors, too. Some Bostons become good therapy dogs, well-behaved pups who travel to nursing homes and hospitals to bring joy to patients. Skip to Chapter 12 for details.
They’re easy to care for. A definite perk, Boston Terriers are simple to maintain. They have short coats that can be easily washed and brushed. (See Chapter 8 for more about grooming your Boston.) They don’t require a great deal of energy-expending exercise. And they are very intelligent, taking to housetraining and obedience training quickly. (Hop to Chapter 9 and 11 for housetraining and obedience-training details.)
They’re a relatively healthy breed. Though they do have some difficulties stemming from their shortened snout, or being brachycephalic, Boston Terriers are healthy dogs. They often live 12 years, often reaching their 15th birthdays. (Chapter 15 describes some breed-specific ailments to watch for.)
They fit in just about any home. Bostons are the perfect size for apartments, townhouses, or single-family homes. Because they don’t require a large yard, they make wonderful house pets.
They get along well with other pets. Being an easy-going breed, Bostons are happy to share their homes with other dogs, cats, or even a caged hamster or bearded dragon. As long as they are introduced slowly, they’ll get along like siblings! (Chapter 6 covers introductions between four-legged friends.)
They’re addictive. Once you get one, you can’t stop, or so many Boston owners attest. Prepare to add a second Boston to your menagerie shortly after you get your first!
Why go purebred?
With all the homeless animals crowding shelters, you may ask yourself, why should I get a purebred dog when I can rescue a mutt? Purebred dogs have their advantages, including:
You can learn all about the breed before you bring him home. Unlike a mixed-breed dog, purebred dogs have books like this one dedicated to them. You can read all about Bostons and get an idea of what they’re like.
With a purebred dog, you have a good idea of what you’re getting. After researching about Bostons, you’ll know how large the dog will grow to be. You’ll be prepared for his playful personality. You’ll be aware of any unique medical conditions the breed faces.
If you adopt your dog from a breeder, you also know the dog’s lineage and pedigree. You can trace the dog’s ancestors and learn about her predecessors. You may have a grand champion in your family!
You’ll benefit from breed-specific clubs and organizations dedicated to Boston Terriers. Often, these clubs offer a forum for discussing health and behavior issues. You can learn about obedience courses and agility trials. Plus, it’s a great place to socialize with other Boston lovers!
If you feel strongly about adopting a puppy or adult rescue, consider opening your home to a rescued Boston. Organizations across the country continually look for loving homes for special-needs or abandoned Boston Terriers, including: the Boston Terrier Club of America (http://bostonterrierclubofamerica.org/rescue.html), Boston Terrier Rescue (www.btrescue.org), Boston Terrier Rescue Net (www.bostonrescue.net), and Nationwide Boston Terrier Rescue Inc. (www.nationwidebostonrescue.org).
Give Me Shelter — And Food!
Like any pet, Boston Terriers require food and water, shelter, stimulation, and lots of love to thrive. The following sections touch on your pet’s basic needs and how you can fill them.
Feed me!
Because they’re considered small dogs, Bostons don’t require copious amounts of food, unlike their giant-breed cousins who can eat up to 5 cups of chow a day or more!
Bostons eat a lesser amount, so quality matters when feeding your dog. You need to provide a delicious diet that meets his nutritional needs, which include digestible protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Luckily, pet stores and veterinary offices offer more variety than ever before — from dry kibble and canned foods to holistic and prescription diets. You’ll find a formula that you and your dog are happy with.
Chapter 7 gives you more-detailed nutrition know-how, but for now, here’s a rundown of the different diets you can feed your Boston:
Dried kibble: These crunchy little morsels are formulated to contain all the nutrition your Boston needs. They come in a wide range of flavors and formulas, and contain a variety of nutrition sources. Whatever you choose, make sure that it’s a quality recipe that derives its protein, carbohydrates, and fats from easily digestible sources.
Semi-moist: With a texture resembling moist clay, semi-moist foods also contain balanced nutrition. They contain higher water content than the dried kibble, but because of the higher sugar content, semi-moist foods can cause plaque and tartar buildup on a dog’s teeth, which can lead to tooth decay. Semi-moist food is best served as a treat rather than daily.
Canned: What dog doesn’t love a meaty stew? Canned diets closely resemble “real” food. They’re often packed with carrots, potatoes, chunks of meat, and lots of gravy. Canned diets provide complete nutrition, a good amount of water, and a tempting meal for finicky eaters.
Natural or organic: Very popular diets to feed dogs, many natural formulas derive their ingredients from organic farms and often claim to contain “human-quality” ingredients. These foods can be excellent choices for your Boston, but only buy them from reputable sources.
Raw: Raw diets are just that: raw meat to feed to your pet. The prepackaged meals can be found in your pet store’s freezer case. If you choose to feed your Boston a raw diet, first consult with your veterinarian. These diets lack the vitamins and minerals found in plant-based foods, so you’ll need to supplement your pup’s meals to provide adequate nutrition.
Homemade: Rather than purchase a premade dog food from the grocery store, some people prefer to make their dog’s meals from scratch. There are quite a few dog food cookbooks on the market that contain mouth-watering recipes for your pup. To ensure your Boston is getting all of his nutritional requirements, however, consult with your veterinarian before offering this type of diet to your dog.
Prescription: Purchased through veterinary offices, prescription diets are for dogs who may have allergies or special nutritional requirements. Your veterinarian can prescribe the best brand to ease your Boston’s condition.
Besides offering your pup a quality diet, you also need to feed him the right amount of food. A 15- to 20-pound dog, like your Boston, typically eats about a 1/2 cup per meal, twice a day. If you feed him treats, you should decrease that amount to account for the extra calories. You don’t want a bulging Boston!
Food is important, but clean water is even more so! All dogs require access to fresh clean water to keep their bodies functioning normally. Fill his bowl daily and put one wherever your Boston roams — including outside and near his food bowl.
A home of his own
Just like you, your Boston needs his own space — a safe, comfortable environment to call home. That home includes his own crate or kennel, and his larger home — yours!
Creating his own space
Dogs are denning animals, which means that they like to have a dark, enclosed cave where they can feel safe and secure. Their den is where they can sleep, take a nap, or just enjoy some private time with their favorite toy.
A crate or kennel makes a perfect den. Available at your local pet specialty retailer, crates or kennels are typically made from plastic, powder-coated metal, or durable canvas. No matter what type you choose, make sure that it’s easy to clean and sized appropriately — not too big and not too small. Jump to Chapter 5 for more information about kennels.
Crates are also a tool to help you housetrain your Boston. When you housetrain your dog, you teach him to hold his bladder and bowels until he’s in an approved bathroom area. Dogs rarely defecate in the same place they sleep, so when you confine him to his den, he’ll learn to wait to go to the bathroom. Chapter 9 gives you step-by-step instructions for how to housetrain your Boston.
Adapting your space
Though he’ll have his own den, he’ll consider your home an extension of his domain. To keep him out of trouble, you need to dogproof your home, just as you would childproof a home. Get on all fours — your hands and knees — and investigate each room from your dog’s perspective:
Kitchen: With all the smells to investigate and cabinets to explore, the kitchen is a tempting place for a Boston. Install childproof latches on all the cabinets and drawers, and keep a secure lid on the garbage can.
Bathroom: The bathroom can be a dangerous place for your pup. Cosmetics, medications, razors, and dangling cords look like playthings to your Boston. Keep them out of his reach. Your dog could ingest a stray cotton swab or bar of soap — which could mean a trip to the emergency room!
Living room: A busy area of the house, the living room contains a range of temptations, from houseplants and electronics to strewn shoes and books. Secure loose cords behind furniture, and keep houseplants and other important objects out of your Boston’s reach.
Bedroom: If an item of clothing smells like you, it’s fair game for your dog! To protect your belongings, keep your clothing and shoes in a closed closet. Secure loose cords, position plants out of your Boston’s reach, and keep the area tidy.
Garage: Keep all those car fluids, yard tools, fertilizers, and poisons behind closed and locked cabinets. Antifreeze is a particular danger because it tastes sweet to animals, yet just a small amount can be toxic.
In the yard: Rat poisons, snail bait, and fertilizer can be deadly to your dog, and gardening tools look like fun toys to a playful pup. While your Boston is in his exploring stages, avoid using poisons and put away your tools to prevent bumps, cuts, and other injuries. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
Chapter 5 has more details about protecting your Boston from dangers in your home.
Time for fun!
Your Boston also needs some things to keep his little mind stimulated. From balls and toys to interactive games and playtime with you, you can offer your curious Boston all sorts of diversions.
Bostons in Toyland
Toys and games for your Boston include squeaky toys, plush animals, bouncy balls, and treat-dispensing Kongs. Your Boston will choose his favorite and adopt it as his own!
Pet stores stock a variety of toys. Choose those that are sized appropriately for your small Boston. Toys that are too small can be a choking risk; too large may mean your dog won’t play with them.
To keep things interesting for your dog, rotate his toys. Instead of giving him a dozen new toys at once, pull them out sporadically or offer him a new one when the old one wears out. You’ll want to buy him a fun new trinket every time you visit the pet store, but resist the temptation to give it to him right away.
Get out and play
With their ceaseless energy — especially when they’re puppies — Bostons love to get out and explore. Here are some fun things you can do with your dog:
Take a walk. Outfit your pup in a harness, attach a leash, grab some pickup bags and go for a walk. Your Boston will explore everything he comes into contact with! If you take your puppy on dusty trails, however, keep the journey short. His prominent eyes are prone to scratches and irritation. Stick to walks through a grassy park or around the neighborhood where he’s less likely to irritate his eyes.
Visit your local dog park. As pet popularity continues to skyrocket, more dog parks are opening up. These fenced-in areas allow you to let your Boston run free! Before you visit one of these places, however, make sure he’s up to date on all his vaccinations.
Play a game of fetch. A great way to expend pent-up energy, a rousing game of fetch challenges your Boston to retrieve and return a ball, disc, or any other quarry. Some dogs enjoy this fun for hours and hours!
Get involved in organized sports. Enroll your Boston in competitive sports like agility, tracking, or flyball. Agility requires your dog to run through obstacles in a timed race, tracking challenges him to follow a scent over a distance through various terrains, and flyball pits him against other dogs to jump over hurdles to catch a flying tennis ball. Organizers of these activities can be found through your local dog breed club. Chapter 12 describes these fun sports in detail.
Plan a party. Who doesn’t love a party? Gather your dog-owning friends and host a dog social. Make a cake — for the dogs, of course — plan games and activities for the dogs, and have a fun time! The dogs will love to interact and socialize, and you will enjoy spending time with other dog owners.
How to Be a Good Boy
Besides providing food, shelter, and toys for your dog, you also want to train him to be a well-behaved member of society. Here are some things to consider:
Socializing for life
Socializing your Boston is when you teach him how to interact with his world. When your Boston is a puppy, he needs to experience as many sights and sounds as possible. He needs to meet many different people and be introduced to many different situations. When you teach him these things, he’ll be on track for becoming a well-mannered pooch.
Here are some milestones you should be aware of. (Chapter 10 contains additional pointers for bringing up a polite Boston.)
Part of the litter
From birth to about 6 weeks of age, puppies get their social stimuli from their mother and littermates. They learn how to interact with one another, begin to understand the social hierarchy, and start to develop their own personalities. Because your puppy will likely still be with his mother (and breeder) during these first formative weeks, you won’t see too much of this developmental phase.
The human connection
Dogs begin to interact with humans when they reach 5 to 12 weeks of age. They learn — hopefully — that people bring positive things, like food, shelter, and lots of love. It’s critical at this phase to introduce your Boston to as many people as possible. They should hold your dog, pet him, and handle him. They should let the puppy sniff them and get to know what humans are like.
At about 8 weeks old, puppies enter their first fear phase. At this age, he becomes aware of the world around him — and sometimes, it can be frightening! Most breeders won’t let puppies go to their new homes until after they pass through this fear phase.
The wide, wild world
By the time your Boston reaches his 3-month birthday, he’ll be ready to explore the world. From about 12 weeks to 20 weeks old, your Boston should experience as many different environments as possible. He’ll want to inspect and sniff everything he sees. Take your dog with you wherever you go (if possible) to open his eyes to the world. The more things he experiences, the better.
Listening and obeying
Obedience is more than teaching your dog fun parlor tricks. Obedience is when your dog learns to obey commands like “come” or “stay” — edicts that may be very important if he is in a life-or-death situation, like running into oncoming traffic!
When you’re teaching your Boston basic commands, always use positive reinforcement rather than negative correction techniques. Positive reinforcement recognizes the pup’s positive behaviors, rewarding him with treats and praise for a job well done.
Puppy kindergarten is a great place to begin to teach your puppy obedience. Often offered through veterinary clinics, pet specialty stores, or humane societies, puppy kindergarten teaches you tools for training your Boston. You learn basic commands, including the following (which are also detailed in Chapter 11):
Settle: This command puts your dog in a submissive position. Your pup is calm and relaxed, with soft eyes, ears back, belly up, and tail tucked. He is essentially relinquishing control.
Sit: Sit is when you command your dog to stay in place, waiting for your instruction. The starting point for most other commands, Sit requires your pup to look to you for guidance.
Stay: Paired with Sit, Stay is when your dog holds his position until you tell him otherwise. It’s a posture that can save his life.
Come: Another life-saving command, Come tells your dog to return immediately to you. It’s one of the most important commands your dog will learn.
Heel: When you walk with your Boston, you want him to walk beside you and not pull on the leash. This is especially important for Bostons because some can have narrow windpipes, which make it difficult to breathe.
Caring for Your Boston’s Needs
To keep your Boston healthy and happy until his 12th or 15th birthday (or longer!), you need to care for his medical needs. That includes establishing a good relationship with a veterinarian, keeping a canine first-aid kit handy, and being aware of your dog’s unique medical needs. Here are some things to consider:
Veterinary visits are fun! Besides you and your family, your dog’s veterinarian will be his best friend. Your vet will offer preventive advice, emergency service, annual checkups, and general advice about dog care. Teach your Boston early that visits to the veterinarian are something to look forward to! Chapter 14 describes qualities to look for in veterinarians and what to expect during your pup’s vet visits.
Know your Boston’s special medical needs. Bostons are a brachycephalic breed, which means that their shortened snouts can create respiratory challenges. That snorting and wheezing may be endearing, but it can be a sign of a debilitating medical condition. See Chapter 15 for details.
Be prepared. Gather canine first-aid supplies and keep them near your human first-aid kit. In case of emergency, those tools can help to stabilize your Boston until you can get him to an emergency clinic. The essentials are listed in Chapter 16.
Check him while grooming. Your Boston can’t tell you when something hurts, but you can watch his reactions when you inspect his body while grooming or petting him. Look for unusual lumps, bumps, or sore spots. If you see something new, consult with your veterinarian.
Aging Bostons have special needs, too. Elderly dogs have their own set of medical conditions, including age-related disorders and dietary changes, that warrant your attention. Chapter 17 goes through them in detail.
Chapter 2
Tracking the Boston Terrier
In This Chapter
Looking at the Boston Terrier’s lineage and history
Meeting the first Boston Terrier and her offspring
Developing a standard for the breed
Getting to know the Terrier’s temperament and personality
B oston Terriers enjoy a rich and well-documented history that reaches back to the mid-19th century. They represent one of a handful of breeds that claim the United States as their home turf.
You can learn a lot about your Boston by understanding the different breeds that make her up. In this chapter, you discover the origins and history of the Boston Terrier, how and why the dog was developed, her various breed standards as defined by the country’s top registries, and the Boston’s spunky yet gentle temperament and personality.
Breed Origin and History
Boston Terriers, nicknamed the “American Gentlemen,” owe their compact physique and exuberant charm to their forefathers: English Bulldogs (commonly known as Bulldogs) and white English Terriers (now extinct). They are two very distinct breeds, but they blended together to create the stout, lovable dog you know today.
The roots of the Boston’s build
Early Bulldogs, known as Molossers, descended from ferocious Mastiff-type dogs who were bred to fight in Roman arenas. These same litters produced guard dogs, protectors, and draft dogs. They were known as Alains or Alaunts until the Middle Ages.
Large, solidly built dogs with heavy bones, muscular necks, and short muzzles, Molossers comprise a group of early canines known for their strength and courage. They were the predecessors of the Mastiff, Great Dane, Newfoundland, Rottweiler, and other large- and giant-breed dogs who tip the scales at 100 pounds or more. Embodying vigor and bravery, early generations of these massive dogs guarded shepherds’ homes and flocks with their sheer might and guttural barks.
In England, these vicious dogs were known as Bandogs because they required bands, ropes, and chains to contain them. Those who weren’t cut out for the fight ring assisted butchers in controlling savage bulls awaiting slaughter. (In those days, people believed that when the dogs harassed the bulls before butchering, the bulls yielded a more tender and nutritious meat compared to those that were immediately killed!)
Breeders developed these dogs with short legs and a stout body to keep them safe from the bull’s piercing horns. Eventually, these dogs were bred to participate in a sport that pitted the dog against a tethered bull. Known as bull-baiting, the dog clenched the bull’s nose with its strong undershot jaw with the goal of taking down the restrained beast by suffocating or bleeding it to death.
The English Parliament banned the sport in 1835, but the dog’s tenacious temperament and formidable traits remained in subsequent generations. Its physical characteristics — the undershot jaw, its heavy body weight, and low center of gravity — became the standard by which the dog was bred.
You can see many of these qualities in the Boston Terrier. It certainly is no longer a fighter, but its stocky build, square and blocky shape, and slightly undershot jaw are now hallmarks of the breed.
Stirring in some spunk
Energetic and spirited, terriers descend from working dogs bred to hunt and kill vermin. Known as ratters, the dogs performed specific jobs for their owners that required speed, agility, and a rapid response.
When the British wanted to breed spunk and agility into their dogs, they turned to the terrier. They chose the white English Terrier, a small, white working dog who eventually evolved into Fox Terriers and Jack Russell Terriers. The white English Terrier became extinct in the 1870s, but it has been linked to several bulldog-terrier crosses, including the English Bullterrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, and the Boston Terrier.
As a group recognized by the various dog registries, terriers range in size from the smaller West Highland White Terrier (14 to 21 pounds) to the large Airedale Terrier (43 to 60 pounds). Though their sizes differ, they all exhibit the feisty, energetic nature that made them such adept vermin catchers.
You can see the terrier’s traits in your Boston, too. (And not just in her name!) She is a very intelligent and lively breed who always wants a job to do, whether it’s playing a game or chewing on a piece of rawhide.
Building the First Boston
The Boston Terrier you fell in love with traces her ancestry to a dog named Judge, who was owned by Robert C. Hooper. A resident of Boston, Massachusetts, Hooper purchased an imported bulldog-terrier crossbreed from his native England around 1870.
More resembling a bulldog than a terrier, Judge weighed 32 pounds and displayed a stocky build with a short brindle coat (a coat pattern speckled with varying shades of gray, brown, and tan fur) and a white collar.
Edward Burnett of Southborough, Massachusetts, admired Hooper’s dog and bred his 20-pound bitch (female dog), Gyp, with Judge. Gyp displayed similar blocky characteristics to Judge, but she was all white and shorter. Their mating produced only one offspring: Well’s Eph. Described as an unattractive dog, Well’s Eph produced eye-catching offspring, including a male named Barnard’s Tom. Tom exhibited the characteristics embodied by Bostons today, but most acknowledge Judge as the breed’s Adam.
Early breeders continued to refine the dog, selecting for compact size, distinct look, and gentlemanly temperament. The Boston Terrier took on the positive characteristics of both its bulldog and terrier ancestors: lap dog, vermin chaser, watchdog, and down-to-earth scrapper.
Join the club!
In 1889, Charles F. Leland, a Harvard University student and breed fancier, located 40 others in the Boston area who shared his love of the dog. He invited them to form a club called the American Bull Terrier Club. They showed dogs under the name Round Heads or Bull Terriers.
Gaining acceptance in the American Kennel Club, however, would not come easy. Bull Terrier and Bulldog fanciers objected to the new breed, claiming that it was distinctly different and protesting the similarity of the breeds’ names.
Relentless, the new breed’s supporters pressed on, eventually establishing the Boston Terrier Club of America (BTCA) in 1891, taking on the name of the city where the dog originated. They wrote a standard that still influences the breed standard today (see the “Developing a Standard” section later in this chapter).
By 1893, the AKC admitted Hector, the first Boston Terrier stud, into its registry.
The Boston Terrier Club of America exists to this day, maintaining the original breed standards through a network of breeders and fanciers. To join the BTCA, you must submit an application with two letters of recommendation from BTCA club members in good standing, and be voted in by the board of directors. Once accepted, you must agree to abide by the club’s constitution and bylaws. Visit www.bostonterrierclubofamerica.org for more information.
Renewed popularity
During the Boston’s early days, it enjoyed extreme popularity, consistently holding the number-one or number-two spot among AKC registered breeds from 1905 to 1935.
Its popularity has waxed and waned since then, but another peak may be on the horizon. In 1995 and 1996, the breed ranked number 23 and number 21 respectively in the AKC registry, and by 2006, the organization listed it as the 15th most popular registered breed. In their namesake Boston, Massachusetts, Boston Terriers’ popularity has risen even higher — they’re listed as the area’s 11th most popular dog. (Flip to Chapter 18 for more trivia tidbits about Bostons.)
They may never reach the number-one spot again, but as companion dogs, Boston Terriers are hard to beat.
Developing a Standard
You already know what your Boston looks like. She has those adoring dark eyes, short black- or brindle-and-white coat, those perpetually perked-up ears, and a stance that could scare off the brashest bull (well, at least the neighborhood cat!).
Someone had to come up with the unmistakable “look,” or the Boston’s breed standard, and that’s where breed clubs come into play.
In order for a breed to be recognized by a country’s presiding kennel club (in the United States, it’s the AKC), that breed’s fanciers must organize and provide documentation certifying that their dogs had bred true to form and free from out-crosses (introduction of other breeds) for at least five generations.
The breed club develops a written description of what the dog looks like in her most ideal form. It details things like her eyes, ears, nose, jaw, head, body, tail, forequarters, hindquarters, and demeanor with humans.
Judges use breed standards to judge dogs during competitive events, but many people use breed standards, too, to decide what type of dog to introduce into their home. By reading the various breed descriptions, prospective dog owners will know what to expect from a particular breed; you can find out everything from its adult height and weight to its care requirements and personality. If you’re looking for a lap dog, you certainly wouldn’t want to adopt a Great Dane!
You can read a paraphrased version of the Boston Terrier’s AKC breed standard in the following section and compare the descriptions to your Boston (or, if you want, you can consult the AKC Web site for the exact information and wording). The standard has been revised since Charles F. Leland and the original Boston Terrier Club wrote it in 1891, but it still retains many of the original characteristics that made the dogs so endearing more than 100 years ago.
The standard is only a guideline for the ideal Boston Terrier. If your dog doesn’t meet up to these marks, don’t worry, unless you plan to show her, of course!
