Breed Spotlight: Boston Terriers

The mischievous and exuberant bundle of energy – the Boston Terrier! This breed
originated in Boston, Massachusetts, in the late 1800’s and was the product of
crossing bulldogs with white English terriers. Originally they were called American
Bull Terriers, however, owners of bulldogs and bull terriers at the time were
opposed to this designation and thus, the name Boston Terrier came to be.

Truly an American breed, Boston Terriers tend to be good-natured, playful dogs.
They certainly require a considerable amount of exercise and mental stimulation,
however they tend to do best with several short sessions of play throughout the day
as opposed to long vigorous exercise. They are very intelligent and respond well to
reward based training, however they are also quite stubborn and require constant
diligent discipline and patience. Boston Terriers are notorious for their “zoomies”
and can run extremely fast given their small size, therefore the most important
command to master prior to letting them off-leash in an open area is the “come
when called” command. Despite their athletic nature, Bostons are technically
classified as non-sporting companion animals.

Although they are not the most extreme example, Bostons are also technically part
of the brachycephalic classification meaning they have a shortened broad skull and
jaw structure that creates a flat, or “smooshy”, look. While this is a physically
appealing feature, it can create some health complications for the breed. The
compression of their skull structure leaves the tissues inside their mouths and
airways with very little space, often causing narrowed airways and nasal cavities.
This is an important point to consider when deciding to adopt or purchase a Boston
Terrier.

As with many other dog breeds, Bostons have genetic predispositions that put them
at risk of developing various conditions or diseases. Some common areas of concern
include gastrointestinal disease, luxating patellas, ophthalmic conditions
(particularly cataracts and conjunctivitis), skin conditions, and cardiac disease. It is
recommended to ensure that you are purchasing a Boston from a reputable and
responsible breeder that is registered with a governing agency of some sort to help
decrease the likelihood of your dog developing any of these conditions.

Due to their respiratory concerns, brachycephalic dogs can also quickly overheat
and are very sensitive to heat exhaustion. This can very quickly become an
emergency situation for our smooshy-faced friends! Concerned about transporting
your Boston Terrier in the heat? Toronto AMS is here to help with transport services
provided in a climate controlled environment! We are equipped to provide first aid
care and assistance to your pet under the supervision of trained Registered
Veterinary Technicians and animal care attendants.

Caitlyn A. is an RVT and a valued member of Toronto AMS.