Hi everyone,

I'm currently looking into getting a Boston Terrier and wondered whether anyone could point me in the direction of a good website with some information about the breed. I'm looking for information on temperament and compatibility with other animals (I have two CKCS's and 5 cats). Eventually I'll contact a breeder and make some enquiries but thought I'd like to do a little research first.

Thanks

CC

Here's a link Boston Terrier
Boston Terrier
Boston terrier
boston terrier
Medical conditions
boston basics

Hopefully Iam allowed to put all these and they are of some help, if not sorry Admin :( I will understand if they are deleted.

I have 5 boston's and a hybrid. I find them very willing to please, early socialization and obediance is a must. There is 2 different types, I have one that has a real pushed in face and more layed back and squat so to speak like a bulldogs and she snores lots, my other one has more of a snout does not snore as much and he takes alot after the terrier, he is very hyper. The offspring are inbetween the two, T-bone and Dozer.

Good luck :) I just love them, they are darling little dogs :)

Hi dollface,

Thanks ever so much for those links, I especially found the last one useful.

The backwards sneeze thing I assume is very much like the "snortals" my CKCS's have so I'm used to that. Also the snoring thing I'm very used to! I actually woke hubby up a few months ago and told him to stop snoring, only to discover it was one of my cavvies! Is there a KC scheme for the health checks like there is for hearts and eyes in cavvies?

If I do get Bostons I would probably like to get two so that they have a little solidarity against the cavvies (although the cavvies are so soft and affectionate they'd love anything I brought home!). Is there any reason with Bostons that I shouldn't do this? Also would it be better to get two male sibling, two females or one of each? (I have two male cavvies and all male cats so would initially probably go for two males) Also what's the best way to find a reputable breeder as there are very few registered here on CD and none in the South West (which is where I am).

And finally could you tell me what the average price for Bostons is please (not that it matters I'd just like to have an idea).

Anyway, thank you ever so much for your help and the info. Sorry I've asked so many questions but I really feel I need to do my research before I take on any other family members.

Thanks again

CC

I would reccomend one puppy at a time much easier to train and have the one bond to you first before bringing in a second. I really don't see a big difference between the two sexes, but me personally I prefer male. One couple bought two females (both spayed) off me out of different litters and another bought 2 males (1 still intact and one fixed) different litters. I have 2 of each and they seem to get along great.

Introducing a boston to ur cavies (I assume guinea pigs) I would just watch and observe, maybe introduce through the cage first and teach the boston what gentle means. Tiva and Dozer are great with the ferrets and so is Taz (all 158 pounds of him) but Junior and T-Bone are a little to hyper. When we first got Tiva I use to have a ferret and her and Tiva played together beautifully. When I had my brothers Chinchilla Tiva and Dozer played with him also...My sisters poodle plays with her cavie :) Just depends on your training and how hyper the dog is.

When calling breeders just make sure they have done all the tests and when you go see the puppies they should have proof for you to see. The eye's is a big thing so you definatly want both bitch and dog tested for Juvinile cateracts before they were ever bred from, same with the knee's.

I'm in Canada Saskatchewan and if you check out the Dog annual there are alot of breeders...If you tell me where about u are I can check and see if they have any close by and PM you their names and number. The best way to find a good breeder is to check out there place and ask alot of questions, how often they have showed and won ect, how often they breed from the same bitch ect. I found a lot of breeders very friendly to talk to and offer advice and tell me things I didn't know, those were the ones I looked more into.

Registered Boston's I have found go any where from $1000-$2500 thats for pet price all the way up to breeding rights, some go for even more.

A perfectly marked boston has a nice even blaze between the eye's, full black nose, full white collar, front legs white, back legs white up to the hock. Ears stand up on their own, some will crop but I don't see the need, tails should NEVER be docked...if you click on my name you can see pics of my boston's and they have naturally standing ears. The true color of the boston is brindle/white is what I have, junior is a little more black/white, alot of people prefer the black/white. White heads are a disqualification and these usually go for cheaper or are pts when born depends on the breeder.

Questions are good :)

Dollface, I'm amazed to read that some breeders put boston pups to sleep because their heads are the wrong colour !   Is this really true ? 

Joyce, Iin most breeds there are mismarks and non-standard colour puppies that are put to sleep. If there are so many dogs in rescue that can't find homes, it is sensible (though hard) for the breeder to try to ensure they don't add to the list by rearing pups that are unlikely to find a good home.

It's sad, but it's something you face up to if you are a responsible breeder.
:)

Jeangenie,

Responsible breeders do not cull healthy puppies because they aren't perfect matches to the breed standard.   Unless an unusual colour is a genetic marker to a health problem, putting a puppy down because it's colour is not in keeping with the breed standard is nothing short of barbaric. 

In the case of Boston's a mismarked puppy will make just as lovely a family pet as one who is "correctly" marked.  No one should breed any breed of dog who cannot place pet-quality puppies in good homes. 

"It's sad, but it's something you face up to if you are a responsible breeder."   It is desperately sad if a there is a breeder that considers themselves responsible and would put a puppy down because it was the wrong colour.  If there is a concern that the puppy will be bred, then neuter the puppy before it is sold or placed. 

Stacey

It's not the putting down because it is the wrong colour that is responsible; it is the putting down if it is unlikely to find a good home. All puppies should have the right to a good life - if that is unlikely, then sadly ending it early, in a humane way, may well be the more responsible thing to do. The 'life at all costs' attitude, though touching, isn't necessarily the right one.

Luckily I have managed to find excellent homes for the two mismarks I have bred, but in other breeds it may be much harder.

I have to say I agree with Stacey on this.  Calling a breeder 'responsible' for destroying a pup that was born the wrong colour is a bit of a contradiction to say the least.  Presumably they put them to sleep soon after birth ?  How can they possibly know so early on that they won't be able to find a good pet home ? Sounds to me like they don't make much of an effort to look for one.

I'm sure there are plenty of owners, like myself, who want a certain breed but don't want to be part of the showing scene.  I've taken on several pedigrees who for one reason or another have not been the perfect specimens in the looks department but they've been great dogs and have enjoyed the best of lives. 

Breeders who elect to cull because of such insignificant 'faults' should be ashamed of themselves, in my view.

Although it is a very unpleasant thing to even think about, if someone proposes to breed a litter they have to be aware of, and be prepared to accept, the downside as well as the up. If they are willing to keep a pup that might prove unsaleable for whatever reason as their own pet and give it a good life, then there is no need to consider putting it to sleep. Some breeds, however, are much harder to home than others, and this is where decisions have to be made.

If there were guaranteed good homes, like all pups, then this situation would never arise. Unfortunately we all know that there is a limited number of suitable homes out there.

It comes down to an ethical choice - does a breeder hang on to all their pups that don't sell (and older pups don't sell easily); do they flog 'em off cheap to 'get rid'; or do they cut down on numbers?

My choice, in that situation, was to keep my unsaleable pup as my own pet. Others are entitled to make their own choice. The important thing is that the pup doesn't suffer. Maybe when there are no existing unwanted dogs in rescue there will be homes for all.

Just out of interest, I wonder which breeds don't have colours/mismarks that are sometimes put to sleep because of it?

If there are a limited number of suitable homes perhaps breeders ought to think twice before they mate their bitches.  I'm aware that the decision to have another litter is often based on the breeder's desire to produce another 'show' quality dog, perhaps to take over from their veteran dogs.

On the other hand I know that in some breeds demand outstrips supply so they have long waiting lists for pups, both for show and pet.

Thanks for all the info dollface. Unfortunately I'm in the UK so breeders would have to be near me.

Oh, and the cavvies are actually my cavalier king charles spaniels (sorry should have explained that!).
Glad you mentioned the docking issue because I couldn't find any info on it and wanted to check what happens with Bostons.

Anyway, thanks again for your advice, I'll keep going on my quest to find a breeder here!

cc

In the UK ear cropping is illegal.  Boston's are not cropped here, nor are there tails docked anywhere.

Stacey

I too often get confused when people talk about their cavies, because 'cavy' is the 'proper' name for a guinea pig! Cavvies, with two 'v's, makes it a bit clearer for easily muddled folk like me!
;)

They should get along fine with your other dogs lol :D sorry about that....

I talked to one breeder who had a pup born with a white head and some other breeders told her she should pts. She inreturn could not (nor could I) and she kept him. She said that he is the most behaved dog they have lol. Some people actually prefer the mismarked ones because they are different.....Funny cause the true boston before what it is today had a full white head and a brindle body.

If you do a search on here I believe the Boston Terrier and the olde boston terrier has been discussed on the forum before :)

Good luck and I hope you find a good breeder :)