The Boston Terrier is not a Terrier at all, but rather more like a Bulldog. Terriers were traditionally bred to be hunting partners, whereas Bulldogs were bred for fighting and companionship. This purebred dog is descended from Old English Bulldogs and English White Terriers. An American breeder, Robert C. Hopper, crossed the first Boston Terriers with English and French Bulldogs to make them into a smaller-sized, companion breed. Though the breed is seen as traditionally Bostonian and is the state dog of Massachusetts, Boston Terriers have personalities that reflect those of refined American gentlemen. Membership for the Boston Terrier, as the first American breed, into the American Kennel Club was granted in 1983.
Although the Boston Terrier is a lot like a Bulldog the aggressive and fighting traits have breed bred out of the breed. Without this aggression, the Boston Terrier is an extremely affectionate, energetic and intelligent companion dog.
The American Gentleman, as the Boston Terrier is also known, has a dapper appearance. It is an overall sleek, sturdy dog with a short, fine coat that has markings similar to that of a man’s tuxedo. Boston Terriers come in several dark colors with uniform white markings. Coats can be brindle and white, brown and white or black and white. The coat is white on the muzzle, between the eyes, on the chest, in a band (or collar) around the neck, and up the forelegs. The Boston Terrier has large, dark, wide-set eyes with and an intelligent expression. These compact dogs appear to be well-dressed little gentleman. The temperament of the Boston Terrier is also refined. Every Boston Terrier breeder has attempted to breed out the aggression of Bulldog ancestors. Breeders choose dogs with the finest breed standard personality traits such as alertness, trainability, energy, affection, humor and overall sociability.
The first question a potential buyer needs to ask a Boston Terrier breeder is what Boston Terrier information the breeder can provide. Breeders should be experts on their breed. The second question asked should be whether breeders sell to pet stores. The answer to this question should always be no. No respectable Boston Terrier breeder sells or brokers dogs. This is an inhumane form of treatment. Good breeders will be affiliated with breed-specific rescue centers and may encourage dog buyers to visit rescue centers as well as breeder kennels to consider rescued dogs as an alternative to puppies. Buyers need to ask themselves whether they can provide for all the needs of a Boston Terrier. It is important that both buyer and breeder match the potential dog owner with the appropriate puppy so that the Boston Terrier can be placed in a loving, permanent home. Good Boston Terrier Breeders will provide information on training, care, discipline and history to help prepare dog owners to raise their Boston Terriers.
Buyers ask questions of Boston Terrier breeders and should also expect to be interviewed by the breeders. This article provides Boston Terrier information and questions to ask the Boston Terrier breeder.
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