Does anyone have a Boston Terrier?

[sarahh]

My husband and I would like to buy a Boston Terrier puppy from a breeder in the New England area within the next 6 months to a year.

I was wondering if there are any BT owners here at Constant Chatter? If there are, would you mind sharing any info you think would be helpful in preparing for welcoming a BT into our home. Any info would be much appreciated; tips, advice, websites, breeder recommendations.

Thanks so much! :D

[KeliAnn]

My parents have a boston terrier named Lizzie, and she's the cutest.

1. She's so, so, so, so hyper. Not in a bad way, but in a "I-just-can't-stop-running-around-and-licking-people" way. It's funny, but there are times when they just have to put her in her crate to get a break.

2. My parents actually litter-box trained her, which may seem weird, but she's so small that it's basically like a cat. They don't actually use litter - they just use papers. When they first got her, they had about 3 different litter boxes around the house, but now, I think they only have one for emergencies - but she's since learned to wait at the door.

3. Get a crate. My parents got her a small one for her to sleep in, and then a large one for training. One half of the large wire crate had her litter pan and the other half had her bed and toys. She still sleeps in the little crate, and she gets so hyper that my mom will put her in the big crate to take naps, and she'll go in it whenever we're eating, but she doesn't spend all day in it or anything. Also, they've since taken the litter pan out of the big crate, so she has the whole thing to herself now.

4. I bought my mom a training book, but I can't remember the title. I remember as I looked through a bunch them at Petsmart that they all basically said the same stuff, so it shouldn't be hard to find a good one.

5. Obedience school - my mom takes her to puppy school, and it really helps. They are very smart dogs, so it doesn't take long for them to pick it up.

She's the sweetest little girl, and we all just love her to pieces.

Pictures? :D

When she was a baby:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5dc26b3127cce9fa1a280b10300000036108CZuHLFm5aA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5db04b3127cce9199ed0d141200000055138CZuHLFm5aA

In "jail" while my parents had a bunch of people over for a party:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d933b3127cce92eb3881ee3f00000026108CZuHLFm5aA

[sarahh]

Thanks so much for the tips and advice! I love the photos too....such a cute little BT!!:D

[KeliAnn]

Thanks so much for the tips and advice! I love the photos too....such a cute little BT!!:D
No problem! If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me, and I'll ask my mom for more advice. That's only what I know by talking to her on the phone and visiting once every few months.

Good luck!!

ps - I love Lizzie so much that I want a BT. Eventually. FH and I have 3 large dogs between us, so that's enough for now. ;)

[la_Mer]

Hi there. I am so excited for you, you are going to love having a BT as part of your family! We got MacGyver six months ago and we have been so in love with him ever since. When we got him he was already nine months old so we missed the puppy training steps, so I don't have much advice for you there. I definitely recommend getting a crate, and starting crate training right away. Mac also sleeps in his crate, he would LOVE to share our bed but Bostons tend to snore (LOUDLY!) and he is real bed hog. When it's time for bed he usually just walks right in and goes to sleep.

Bostons can have problems with hearing and with their knees. Also some are prone to having seizures. My in-laws have a champion BT that suddenly started having seizures. He is the only one from that litter with problems. He is ok otherwise, but it can be pretty scary. For these reasons I would (unless you want a resuce dog, which is also a great option) try to find a recommended breeder who knows how to screen for these problems or at least has detailed info on the family history. We are on the west coast so I can't offer you a direct recommendation but our breeder has a list of links to other breeders, some of which might be closer to you: http://coolbostons.com/Links.html

KelliAnne: Lizzie is such a cutie!

Ok and now for some pics!


http://photos23.flickr.com/24387466_f43d397d8d.jpg?v=0

http://photos10.flickr.com/13231390_270131dd2d.jpg?v=0

[EJM]

DH and I are owned by our 1.5 year old BT, Zoe! We love her to death. Please, please spend the time and find a good, quality breeder who health tests (OFA, CERF, and BAER (this one is less common) etc). With Bostons, it is always a crap shoot and despite Zoe's sire and dam being tested for the above, she still has severe seizures. She is the only one in her litter with any issues, and although we wouldn't trade her for the world we almost lost her to a massive seizure about 3 months ago. Not only was it expensive, but she spent 7 days in the hospital and we were told wasn't going to make it. Also, using a responsible breeder will generally also leads to pups with better temperments. Bostons are energetic, but others are down right hyper so make sure you are prepared to spend lots of time exercising any dog.

I've been involved with BT rescue for 2 years, so some of my advice comes from that perspective. I've seen Bostons with terrible health issues from irresponsible breeding. I always suggest getting a rescue, but I know how cute those pups can be :p

The New England area is a great place to find good breeder, lots of very well respected show breeders are based there but the pups in that area also are more expensive than other parts of the country. There is a very active BT message board called WOOF where you can find people who live for their Bostons and lots of advice on Boston temperments/characteristics. Get on a waiting list now, litters are small so the wait although long will be worth it.

Here's a photo of our little peanut on her first birthday, she's spoiled rotten! Good luck in your search, BTs are the best!

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d805b3127cce923711d4683600000025139AaNW7Vk1cO

[tgray99]

Yay! A BT thread! We're owned by 2 "Bottens," Sully (3 years old) and Gin-Gin (2.5 years old). We adopted Gin-Gin last year (actually, the day we got pregnant with DD!) from a rescue group. She's super sweet, hyper (which is usual) at home and calm when we're out. I've had Sully since he was 6 weeks old. I bought him from a breeder that litter-trained him. He was my baby for years before DH and I got married and had DD. He's funny, smart, easily trained (sit, laydown, rollover, shake and speak) and is hyper when we're out and calm at home. I love my babies and can't wait to give them a yard.

Sully did experience a little separation anxiety as a puppy (went back to work after a summer off). He chewed, made himself sick, and was very destructive. I medicated him for a while (think doggy ritalin) and now he's fine. I haven't had a single problem with seizures, hearing problems, hip problems or eye problems (BTs can have eye problems because they sometimes tend to be bug-eyed).

I grew up with BTs and they've all been happy and healthy. They're great, their hair never needs to be groomed (its like little eyelashes), they only need their nails trimmed.

Here are some pics:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4da06b3127cce9c68be859ecb00000016108AZs3LFk0bNP
Sully at the beach

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d600b3127cce9c68bc451f3a00000016108AZs3LFk0bNP
Gin, the day we got her

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d600b3127cce9c68bc591f2600000016108AZs3LFk0bNP
Sully & Gin-Gin, playing tug of war

[tigger8402]

I have a Boston/pug mix that currently lives with my parents. He is so calm and very laid back. he's a huge lap dog. the other picture is of the puppies he made about 2 years ago. We had the momma too but she passes away, i will have to scan some of her later. ENJOY!

http://us.f3.yahoofs.com/users/41cc95caz1bfa0cfd/87d5/__sr_/739a.jpg?phFb82CBxm0hAXjB
http://us.f3.yahoofs.com/users/41cc95caz1bfa0cfd/87d5/__sr_/fe97.jpg?phEb82CBR4rh_zac
http://us.f3.yahoofs.com/users/41cc95caz1bfa0cfd/87d5/__sr_/f7f2.jpg?phEb82CBl9vHXp1d

[Noniitis]

My Boston Ernie is the greatest dog. He is a huge Boston but not fat just bigger then any other Boston I have seen.http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4ce30b3127cce9a5f5657212400000035108AcsmbVu5Ytr

My favorite wedding gift was an oil painting done of Ernie by an artist friend of mine.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4ce30b3127cce9a5f5653212000000045108AcsmbVu5Ytr
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4ce30b3127cce9a5f5650a01300000046108AcsmbVu5Ytr

Its call the Importance of being Ernie. He did the coolest series of post card of Ernie too.