How to Care for a Boston Terrier

The shorthaired and lively Boston terrier will spread warmth through any household with her happy and expressive nature. This breed gets along well with people, children and pets. You may need a lot of patience while housebreaking.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dog Beds
• Dog Bones
• Dog Brushes
• Dog Collars
• Dog Combs
• Dog Conditioner
• Dog Dishes
• Dog Flea/tick Control Medication
• Dog Food
• Dog Grooming Sprays
• Dog Leashes
• Dog Shampoo
• Dog Tags
• Dog Toys
• Dog Treats
• Dog Shampoo

1. Follow your veterinarian's recommendations for vaccinating your Boston terrier when you first get her, then get booster vaccinations for her as needed. Consult your veterinarian about flea and tick control products, heartworm medications and worming your dog.

2. Feed your Boston terrier high-grade dog food from a major dog food company. Make sure the food is appropriate for the dog's age. The first ingredient should be meat if you want a quality product. Crude protein should be no less than 30 percent, and crude fat no less than 20 percent. Fiber content should be 4 percent or less.

3. Brush your Boston terrier weekly with a firm-bristle brush. This breed sheds seasonally. Clean her face daily with a wet cloth, making sure you clean around the eyes.

4. Check your dog's ears regularly for ticks.

5. Walk your Boston terrier daily if you don't have a fenced yard. This breed is happy to go on short walks and doesn't need a vigorous workout.

6. Socialize your Boston terrier at a very early age to be with other dogs. Some males have aggressive tendencies toward other dogs.

7. Have patience when housebreaking your terrier, as this breed can take a while to train. Boston terriers are perfect house dogs after proper training.

8. Understand that Boston terriers are prone to cataracts (the lens of the eye becomes cloudy), hypothyroidism (a condition that causes the body to slow down) and skin tumors.

9. Be prepared to enjoy as many as 12 years with your Boston terrier, as this is the average life expectancy of the breed.

Tips & Warnings

• While Boston terriers are very active, enjoying a romp around the yard, they're primarily indoor dogs because of their sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures.
• Boston terriers do not bark often.
• Watch the tone of your voice when training or speaking to your Boston terrier. These dogs are very sensitive to harsh tones.
• Boston terriers are prone to snoring.
• Be careful when exercising your Boston terrier in extreme hot or cold weather, as she can develop breathing problems. Watch for heat exhaustion and avoid leaving your dog in a hot car for prolonged periods of time.

[ekp411]

on 7/8/2009 My Boston is now 7 months old, I've had her since she was 8 weeks old. She is just the sweetest little thing. She knows sit, shake, touch, and is learning hi-five, down (lay down), off (get off of furniture), kiss (for none tongue kisses), wait (for when we are going somewhere) and stay (for when I'm going somewhere without her). She is also potty trained and leash trained. But I am having two problems and don't know what to do- 1) she's been eating my beagle's poop (she doesn't eat her own just the beagle's) and 2) she won't come when she is called, unless I trick her (tempt with treats, act like I'm going to play with her, squeak her toys, or cuddle with my beagle) and even then if she's being really stubborn she refuses to listen. I live in Tucson where it reaches 100-115 degrees and I don't want her to stay outside for more than a few minutes (just for her to relieve herself, war...

[debbiedis1]

on 3/15/2009 Is it normal for a Boston mother dog to carry her pups with their whole head in her mouth?

[bwoodward]

on 2/6/2009 We have a 15month old male Boston Terrier who we thought was housebroken pretty well. We moved into a new home a few months ago and are finding that even though we seem to take him out alot he has been urinating on the bathroom rugs, the bed ruffle, and a corner of the living room. It's been too cold to leave him out very long and we don't have the yard fenced yet. How can we re-train him?

[dunkinsmom]

on 10/6/2008 I have a boston that is 11 months old. He is the 4th one that I've had. I love him lots, although he is very different from the others I have had. He is very timid and scared of all other people, except myself and my boyfriend. He shakes uncontrollable and if any comes near him he shows his teeth as if he might bite- he hasn' bitten anyone yet. I'm not sure what to do. I have been slowly trying to socialize him since I got him (at 7 weeks of age). Any suggestions????

[dunkinsmom]

on 10/6/2008 I have a boston that is 11 months old. He is the 4th one that I've had. I love him lots, although he is very different from the others I have had. He is very timid and scared of all other people, except myself and my boyfriend. He shakes uncontrollable and if any comes near him he shows his teeth as if he might bite- he hasn' bitten anyone yet. I'm not sure what to do. I have been slowly trying to socialize him since I got him (at 7 weeks of age). Any suggestions????