Boston terrier

This popular breed of dogs originated in the United States Of America in the 18th century. Boston Terriers are well proportioned and petite of a compact build. The face is square in shape and they have a wrinkle free muzzle. Weighing between 10 and 25 pounds Boston terriers stand about 15-17 inches tall.

The Boston terrier has a characteristic shade of colour and is often described as seal. They are patented with white in combination with black, brindle, seal or a combination of all three. The white usually covers the front of the body and is seen on all dogs. This breed got the name of “American gentleman” because of its fur combination which makes it look like formal wear, along with a pleasant and calm behaviour.

These dogs are usually friendly and are very keen to please their masters. Sometimes stubborn, they are a blend of a strong and pleasant company. In the beginning, they were bred for other reasons such as fighting and protecting but now days they are trained to be more of a companion than a guard. Despite the name terrier these dogs have mellowed down over the years and are now known as well mannered and attentive in nature.

They enjoy being around people and if they are properly trained they get along with small children also. They enjoy companionship with each other and don’t like being left alone. Some of these small dogs love to be hugged while others appreciate their personal space. Since these dogs are not built big they aren’t much into outdoor activities and sports though they can be quite hyper at times.

There are many health issues that bother the Boston terrier. Also a structural fault of the dog, they are faced with curvature of the back known as roaching. This results in the rear legs leaning into the forelegs. Other diseases such as cherry eye, allergies, deafness and heart murmur also are faced by them. Most of these dogs are not used to extreme weathers such as heat or freezing temperatures due to the small muzzle and short fur and can bring great harm to them. They also have a very sensitive stomach and can be prone to digestive problems in the absence of a nutritious diet. There are other problems concerning the Boston because of their short snouts.

They also tend to have tiny nostrils and a tapered trachea. Due to this they snore and have a condition called reverse sneezing. This does not harm the dog in any way. They sometime make choking and gagging sounds in a way to clear the mucus in the wind pipe. A newborn Boston terrier is usually not any larger than a human palm and can be quite ugly at first sight. They get better looking as they grow older and live up to an age of 15 years and weigh around29 pounds. These dogs are otherwise known as Boston bull terrier or boxwood.