Every thing you need to know about Boston Terriers.

The Boston Terrier(aka the Boston Bull) is in the Non- sporting group.

They are active, highly intelligent, good family dog.

Origin-

In Englad in the mid 1800’s, Robert C. Hooper crossed an English Bulldog and a White English Terrier. The Boston terrier was the outcome.They were originally called American Bull Terriers In the beginging, it was a big 32 pound dog, over years of breeding, it became the dog it is today.There are over 75 dogs, whos acenstory is traced over 3 centuries, and are the foundation of what is now the Boston terrier. The first AKC Boston terrier was presented on 1893.After that, the names was changed to the Boston terrier. Since then the breed has slightly gotten smaller in size. The dogs were first shown in the New  England Kennel Club at Boston in April 1888.The earliest breeder was J. P. Barnard. Some other breeders were E.S. Pollard,Edward Axtell, and Edward Burnett.

Descriptions-

Quick description -The head is in proportion to the size of the dog. Their nose is wide and always black. Their eyes are always dark in color and big. Their ears are small, either cropped or left natural. Muzzle is short and in proportion to the skull.The body may seem boxy, but is in great square proportion for the dog.The tail is set low on the back. brindle, seal or black in color and evenly marked with white. The coat is short, smooth, bright and fine in texture.

Full description -Head -The head is in proportion to the size of the dog. Their head is an a very defined square skull. Their nose is wide and always black.The eyes are spaced apart, set square in the skull, and always dark in color and big.  Their ears are small, either cropped or left natural, to enhance the shaping of the dogs head. The mouth, or muzzle is short and in proportion to the skull.Body- The chest is deep, ribs well spread out. The body may seem boxy, but is in great square proportion for the dog.Tail-The tail is set low on the back.Coat- brindle, seal or black in color and evenly marked with white. The coat is short, smooth, bright and fine in texture.

Disqualifacations & faults -Blue eyes. Dudley nose.Wry mouth. Eyes showing too much white or haw.Wide nostrils. Size of ears out of proportion to the size of the head. Any showing of the tongue or teeth when the mouth isn’t open.Docked tail. Gaily carried tail. Roach back, sway back, slab-sided.Legs lacking in substance,splay feet.Solid black, solid brindle or solid seal without required white markings. Gray or liver colors

recognition: AKC CKC UKC FCI KCGB ANKC NZKC NKC APRI DRA ACR

Temperment-People mistake them for being high strung only because they haven’t had enough mental exercise. They are very sensitive to the tone of one’s voice,the only difficulty training them, is probably house training. Other wise the dog is quite eager to learn and it will be very simple. When you train Boston terriers, you NEED to let them know YOUR the boss. Depending on the outcome, the human will be that leader, or the dog will. The Boston terrier is a loving dog that likes to be a part of a family, which makes this dog a great house and family pet. I would consider this dog for children.They most always get along well with non-canine pets. Only because this dog will try to be dominant with other canines, but proper training can suffice that. A Boston terrier that hasn’t been trained properly will probably, developeSmall dog syndrome. Small dog syndrome is where the dog belives he is the pack leader to humans.

The most common Boston terrier color is the basic Black and White. But if you didn’t know, there are more colors in this breed than just black and white

Black and white- the most acceptable color of this breed. Brindle-grey or brown streak or a pattern .Seal-(black with some brown hairs visible in sunlight)NOT Acceptable colors -Red- A solid red, with or without white. Liver – A brown, that has greys tans, and silvers in it.Fawn, A light brown with or witout black outlining.Blue- A light black with a blue hue to it. White- A solid white. Merle- mere should never be made on purpose in a Boston Terrier, because it realtes to birth defects, blindness, and deafness.

Boston Terrier health problems.

Description for each health problems -

Patellar Luxation – The patella is the knee cap. Patellar Luxation is where the Patella pops out of place, in laderal or medial position.

Hemivertebrae – Is simply a deformed vertebra. Or a congenitally deformed vertebra. It occurs when two or more vertebral bodies fuse or form asymmetrically, creating a wedging effect.The screw tail is formed from hemivertebrae in the vertebrae of the tail . Hemivertebrae isn’t a serious health problem unless its higher up than the middle of the back, and the spinal cord can actually become compressed. Signs if your dog has Hemivertebrae: Weakness of the rear limbs, Urinary incontinence, andFecal incontinence.

Brachycephalic syndrome – Is resistance to airflow through the upper nose lyrnix.Brachycephalic syndrome is caused by bodly abnormalities related to the shortened bones of dogs compressed (smushed) faces without the same even shortening of the overlying soft tissues. Symptoms : Exercise intolerance, Noisy breathing, Cyanosis ( blue gums from lack of oxygen). Syncope ( fainting) .

Sensorineural Deafness/ Nerve Deafness- AKA hearing loss.Sensorineural Deafness/ Nerve Deafness is caused from problems in the inner ear, in the nerve close to the inner ear to the brain, or in the brain. Even though, Sensorineural Deafness / Nerve Deafness isidiopathic ( no known cause ), it is theoryed by scientist that it’s hereditary. If you think your dog has Sensorineural Deafness / Nerve Deafness, you should preform a hearing test, or take your dog to the vet.

Bordetella – full name is Bordetella pertussis. Bordetella causes tracheobonchitis (Kennel cough)  in dogs. Bordetella is a bactererial  illness/virus that is most common around a large group of dogs. ( such as dogs shows or kennels) In 3- 7 days you will be able to tell if your dog has Bordetella, the only symptoms will be a dry hacking (coughing) consisantly until it is gone. In 7 – 21 days it should be gone. It is rare for Bordetella to be a serious life threating element for the dog. Most dogs dont need medications for Bordetella. But if you persist to give your dog medication for it, use antibiotics or cough suppresants.

Distemper - Is a  highly fatal disease. Canine distemper  is caused by a Morbillivirus.Morbillivirus is related to the virus causing measles in humans.Distemper is mostly seen in puppies 3 to 6 months old and in young dogs who haven’t been vaccinated. Also the puppies can be infected in utero which is when the virus crosses the placental barrier between the mom and fetuses. This often causes a still-birth. If the puppies survive, they might show sign of central nervous system damage like wobblines, tremours, and seizures. Those symptoms get worse as the puppy ages.  Distemper is extremely contagious, thats ones reason why its so fatal. Symptoms are : Fever, Anorexia,  pneumonia, vomiting and diarrhea. It damages the brain and spinal cord causes neurologic sign.

Parvovirus- AKA PARVO Parvovirus is basically, EXTREMELY serverre, bloody diarrhea.Parvo is a very contagious disease known by diarrhea that is often bloody.  There are vaccinations for dogs, which everyone should get their dogs treated while they are puppies. Parvo is spread when a dog makes contact with feces contaning the virus. Parvo can survive up to 5 months on the ground, in dog cages, and clothing. It can practically survive anywhere if it is in the right conditions.  Symptoms are: vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and lethargy. Lethargy is inactivity, unconsiousness, and deep sleep.

Glaucoma- Is pressure within the eye. Glaucoma is an inherited condition. Glaucoma occurs when fluid isn’t draining from the eye fast enough. It usually starts in one eye, then slowly takes over both eyes. Its outcome is blindness. The only way to know if your dog has this condition, is to take him/her to the vet. Treatment is Surgical or medical therapy.

Early On-set Cataracts – Devolped early in life. It’s the  breakdown to the  disruption of the normal arrangement of the lens fibers or its capsule. Cataracts can be inherited, depending on the dog breed. The only way to treat canine cataracts consists of surgical removal of the lens. Symptoms: Only your vet will be able to tell if your dog has Cataracts.

Late On-set Cataracts -Developed in dogs 6 years or older. It’s the  breakdown to the  disruption of the normal arrangement of the lens fibers or its capsule. Cataracts can be inherited, depending on the dog breed. The only way to treat canine cataracts consists of surgical removal of the lens. Symptoms: Only your vet will be able to tell if your dog has Cataracts.

Corneal Ulcers - Ulcers in the cornea can be deep or shallow. They can form from a scratch to bacteria. When the cornea gets torn it become painful, and very irritated. When you see your dog squinting, and tearing up, it’s called Blepharospasm. The only way to tell if you dog has Corneal Ulcers is to preform a series of test, or take your dog to the vet.

Cherry eye –  The cause of this health problem isn’t known, but  is thought to be caused by the tissues in the eye. Cherry eye, is when the dogs third eyelid becomes inflamed. There is very little known about cherry eye, and you would be able to tell if your dog had it, because its eye would have a large red, inflamed swelled ulcer. The only treatment is surgical removal from a vet.

Corneal Dystrophy –  It’s only inherited in 6 dogs breeds, it’s a disease of the cornea that is bilateral.Corneal dystrophy looks gray-white, in the center of the cornea.It may affect any layer of the cornea, the epithelium (outer layer), the stroma (the thick, middle layer), or the endothelium (the inner layer). It’s usually oval or round and are sometimes doughnut-shaped. The only treatment is surgical removal.

Distichiasis- Is an inherited condition where there is growth of extra eyelashes. It’s not fatal, its just very irritating to the dog. Symptoms : blood vessel accumulation, Pigmentation of the cornea, Corneal ulcers, White areas around the cornea, redness, and squinting.

Keratitis Sicca (aka “dry eye”) This is like a form of dog allergies. The dog will develop a thick, yellowish discharge. What happens is the  infections are common as the lack of the bactericidal tears allows bacterial organisms to overgrow on the eye, so the eye trys to flush away all the bad stuff. If left untreated, it can lead to chronic eye infections. Symptoms is thick yellowy dishcharge. Ointments or drops can treat this infection, but make sure you see a vet.

Entropion-  It’s inherited in most purebred dogs. All Entropion is, is an inward rolling of the eyelid edges. It can develope to pain, and cause other disesase in the eye.  Symptoms : Tearing, Squinting, rubbing of the eyes, Thick discharge from the eyes, and rolling of the eyelid.