| The Boston Terrier is one of the few breeds of | | | | require large amounts of space for their exercise. |
| dog that America can claim as its own. Around | | | | They are sociable and friendly dogs that are |
| 1870, Robert C. Hooper of Boston purchased | | | | described as intelligent and energetic. Boston |
| Hooper's Judge, a cross between an English | | | | Terriers make good family pets and companions |
| Bulldog and an English White Terrier. Hooper's | | | | and are generally good around children and other |
| Judge was bred with a smaller female, and that | | | | pets. They make fair watchdogs; some Boston |
| litter bred with French bulldogs, providing the | | | | Terriers will bark only when necessary and others |
| beginnings of the Boston Terrier, America's first | | | | will never bark. |
| non-hunting dog. Though originally bred for dog | | | | Boston Terriers are prone to breathing problems, |
| fighting, Boston Terriers are no longer used for | | | | due to their short snouts. Some of them will |
| that purpose and the aggressive traits have been | | | | snore when sleeping, which can be a sign of a |
| bred out of the breed. | | | | more serious medical condition, but it can be |
| Also know as the Boston Bull, Boston Terriers are | | | | corrected with surgery. Exercise caution when out |
| compact, muscular dogs with short, wide muzzles, | | | | in excessive heat and humidity with a Boston |
| dark, large round eyes, short tails and pointy | | | | Terrier, as they are more prone to heat |
| erect ears. Their short coats come in black and | | | | exhaustion due to their short snouts. Boston |
| white or brown and white and are easy to groom. | | | | Terriers are more likely to experience problems |
| Some breeders have tried selling all white Boston | | | | with heart and skin tumors and are more likely to |
| Terriers as rare. However, an all white coloring | | | | suffer eye injuries due to their prominent eyes. |
| generally indicates a genetic weakness, making | | | | There is a website that has great information on |
| them more prone to health problems. Though | | | | Boston Terriers and most other breeds of dogs. |
| Boston Terriers do shed, it is not excessive and | | | | It has details that pertain to a dog breeds health, |
| with regular brushing, the shedding is easy to | | | | grooming, living conditions, best food choices and |
| manage. Baths are only given when necessary. | | | | more, the website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, |
| With the proper care, Boston Terriers can live 15 | | | | and can be found at this url: |
| years or longer, but usually average about 13 | | | | By Robert W. Benjamin |
| years. Boston Terriers will grow to an average of | | | | Copyright © 2006 |
| 15 to 17 inches in height and 10 to 25 pounds in | | | | You may publish this article in your ezine, |
| weight. Their smaller size makes them suitable for | | | | newsletter on your web site as long as it is |
| all types of living environments including | | | | reprinted in its entirety and without modification |
| apartments. Boston Terriers do need regular | | | | except for formatting needs or grammar |
| sessions of walking and playtime, and do not | | | | corrections. |