A. A well
kept and healthy Boston can live well into their teens. The average
life span is around 11 to 13 years.
Q. I'm
looking for a new Boston Terrier for a pet. How can I tell a good Boston
from a bad one?
A. Some
people will tell you that there is no such thing as a bad Boston Terrier
but in reality there are good ones and there are bad ones. The first
thing you need to do is to read and study the Official Boston Terrier Standard.
You can find this by clicking HERE. The next thing
you need to understand is that more "bad" Boston Terriers are bred by people
who have no regard for the health and well being of the breed than any other reason.
Most back yard breeders and Puppy Mills (sell online and to pet stores)can turn out Bostons faster than the shelters can rescue them.
A Boston, when bred without due consideration as to the Standard, often have structure faults that are so severe that the quality of life for that puppy will not
be as good as one that was produced by a knowledgeable and caring breeder.
Choose your breeder and your new Boston carefully and you will be rewarded
with a wonderful companion for many years. Remember, getting a new Boston
Terrier is one of the few times in your life that you can choose a
family member !
Q. I want
a Boston Terrier for a pet. Do rescue Boston Terriers make good
pets?
A. Its
a sad fact of life that we as BTCA members and Boston lovers have to deal
with the needs of rescued Boston Terriers. But the truth is that most
of these little Bostons are just as loving as any. The only difference
is that many have started off life under less than happy circumstances.
Many are well loved pets that the owners can no longer properly care for
due to personal health or other reasons and need new homes. The BTCA has a network
of Boston Terrier rescue groups all across the U.S. that make sure that
each and every Boston that is in need of a new home gets a chance to be
adopted by a loving family. You can find more information about Boston
Terrier Rescue by clicking HERE.
Q. I have
a young Boston Terrier that I would like to breed. How can I find another
Boston Terrier to breed to?
A. The
very first thing you need to ask yourself is .."Why do I want to breed my
Boston Terrier?" If you are breeding just because you want puppies,
please stop and consider the fact that there are too many Boston Terriers
found in shelters now. Too many people breed their dogs (Bostons) to
the first one that they find that is close to them. A breeding of convenience
is the worst thing you can do the breed as a whole and as a breeder. You must first research
the background of your Boston and know its pedigree for at least three
generations and thier general health. Then know the same of the other Boston you plan on using. You must know
the strengths of each generation and also their weaknesses. You must
decide if that pedigree will help you improve the breed over all. You must
never breed any two dogs that have the same faults or weaknesses.
This only sets the breed back in development. You must try to find
another dog that will help correct any weakness in your dog or line.
Now...once you have done your homework
and you are sure you want to breed your Boston, find a reputable breeder
and ask questions and then listen to the many other things that you must
be aware of before, during and after the breeding. If you are still
wanting to breed, then make sure that when you do, you realize that you are
helping create another litter of Bostons and YOU alone will be responsible
for those puppies until they pass away...even if you have sold them as pets.
Breeding Boston Terriers should not be taken lightly and done only after long and careful consideration as to the outcome. If you have made it this far in your desire to breed your Boston, step back and think about it one more time....are you sure?
O.K.....now you must find that special
other Boston to be the other parent of your new litter. That search
is up to you...but don't take the easy way out and breed to the Boston
in the block down the street !
Q. Are
white Boston Terriers rare? What about the new "Red" colors as well? I found one on the internet and they say
it is a rare Boston and want a lot of money for it. Is it worth that
much more?
A. PLEASE
! PLEASE ! First read the Official Standard for the Boston
Terrier. There is no mention of a white Boston Terrier anywhere (nor Red's, Fawns or Blue).
A white Boston Terrier is not a legitimate color for the breed (neither is
red or blue as some puppy mills and back yard breeders are advertising). A white Boston
Terrier (or the other "non-standard" colors mentioned) should NEVER be sold as rare...much less ask more money for the poor
Boston. These colord dogs (or lack of color) are generally a geneticly weaker dog that is more susceptible to all kinds of health problems. If a breeder should ever offer you a white, red or blue Boston Terrier as rare, don't just walk away. RUN away as fast as
you can. Let me say it again...WHITE BOSTON TERRIERS ARE NOT RARE
! They are unfortunate mistakes of nature.
There is another type of Boston
that you will come across as a pet. These are often referred to as
mis-marked Bostons. This is usually just a simple misalignment of the
dark hair with the white hair on the Boston. But since the Official
Standard is very specific about some markings, a mis-marked Boston can not
be shown and should not be used as a stud dog. These mis-marked Bostons
are usually placed in loving homes by the breeder since they still have all
of the other wonderful attributes of a Boston Terrier. But be aware
that these mis-marked Bostons are pet quality only and you should pay only
pet price. These Bostons should also be neutered as soon as possible.
These mis-marked Bostons are different from the "white" Bostons that we
are seeing being advertised on the internet as rare.
