Do you have a Boston Terrier? If so, there’s a pretty special holiday coming up. Boston Terrier Day is February 19th! This lovable pup, which is also the Massachusetts State Dog, is a very popular pet, and with good reason. A local vet discusses this adorable breed below.
H istory
The Boston Terrier dates back to 1875, to a pooch named Hooper’s Judge (or Judge, for short) a very good boy who was of the bull and terrier breed. Judge was bred with a white bulldog named Gyp, who provided her offspring with the blocky head that’s now characteristic of the breed. Though the Boston Terrier was originally a pit fighting dog, it didn’t take long for them to find their way into people’s homes and hearts. They’re now ranked as the 21st most popular breed in the AKC registry. Speaking of the AKC, they added the breed in 1893. The Boston Terrier was the first US breed to officially be listed. Another fun fact about this smart dog? Fido is not actually a terrier, at least officially. Instead, they are in the non-sporting group.
Lifestyle
Boston Terriers are not just cute: they are happy, friendly, lovable, and fiercely devoted. They are quite small, which makes them a great match for people who live in apartments or small homes. They’re also pretty quiet, which is another reason they’re good for urbanites. These dogs are also easily trainable. Boston Terriers can be found in agility and strength contests, and sometimes work as therapy dogs. They also excel at tracking and dock diving. And, as you may know, they are the official mascot for Boston University and Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC.
Exercise
Fido does need some activity to stay healthy. However, you’ll have to take care not to overexert your furry friend! Because these pooches have such short muzzles, they can get out of breath very easily. They also don’t do well with either extreme heat or extreme cold.
Grooming
One great thing about Boston Terriers is that they really don’t need a lot of grooming. Just brush Fido once a week, and bathe him regularly. As with any other dog, you’ll also need to keep up with his dental care and peticures.
Eyes
One of the Boston Terrier’s most prominent features are their eyes. Those cute bug eyes can be super expressive! In fact, a Boston Terrier named Bruschi is listed in the Guinness Book Of World Records for having the largest eyes. Boston Terriers sometimes get corneal ulcers and can suffer eye injuries from sand, dust, or debris. You’ll also need to be careful to remove potential hazards, such as thorny plants, that are at Fido’s eye level.
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