|
Boston Terrier
Originally bred for dog
fighting, the Boston Terrier is now more even-tempered and is
a playful and intelligent pet.
History:
The Boston Terrier, although
originally from Britain, was bred in Boston by crossing
Bulldogs with Terriers to develop a dog for fighting in the
rings. The Boston Terrier Club of America was founded in 1891
and was recognized in 1893 by the American Kennel Club.
Physical
characteristics:
A well-built, small dog with a
confident and graceful gait. Height: is not specified, but
usually ranges from 11 - 15 in (28 - 38 cm). Weight: less than
25 lb (11.3 kg). The head has a flat, square-shaped skull with
a well-defined stop. The muzzle is short, broad and square.
The chin is square and the bite is level or slightly
undershot. The nose is broad and black with a distinct groove
between the nostrils. The eyes are large, round and wide
apart, with an intelligent and alert expression. The ears are
small, fine and erect.
The
body has a broad chest with deep, prominent ribs, and the
shoulders slope down into a short back. The tail is set low,
and is short and either straight or skewed. The coat of the
Boston Terrier is short, fine, and has a shiny, smooth
texture. The color of the coat is ideally white markings on
the muzzle and an even white blaze on the forehead, collar,
breast, forelegs, and on the hindlegs below the hocks. Then
either black or brindle markings cover the remaining areas.
Behavior:
By crossing Bulldogs with
Terriers, the resultant breed might have been very aggressive.
However, by excluding any dogs of uneven temperament, the
Boston Terrier has become a well-balanced and reliable dog.
They make great watch-dogs and are even brave enough to double
as a guard dog in some cases. The Boston Terrier is really
quite sociable and gets along well with most other dogs. In
the majority of cases the Boston Terrier makes an excellent
family dog. They do, however, greatly benefit from early
socialization with people. This dog is readily trainable and
benefits from an early start to obedience work. It is
advisable to occasionally check the nose for any blockages,
and during summer their ears should be protected from biting
flies in affected areas.
 |
