Monday, June 30th, 2008
A Boston Terrier makes an excellent pet, but like other excellent breeds, they aren’t for everyone. As they say, it all depends on your lifestyle. Here are some info and pictures of boston terriers to help you decide.
It is said that the Boston Terrier originated in Boston, Massachusetts around 1865. It is thought that Bostons were bred from the English Bulldog and the White Terrier, with possibly some Boxer, French Bulldog and Bull Terrier thrown in. Apparently they were trying to create a new fighting dog. Back then, Bostons were more like a Bull Terrier. The aspect of becoming a fighting dog never caught on and instead they became popular as a companion dog.
This lively, highly intelligent, smooth coated, short-headed, compactly built, short-tailed, well balanced dog, brindle, seal or black in color and evenly marked with white called Boston Terrier and some called Boston Bull has an excellent disposition and a high degree of intellegence, which makes them an incomparable companion. This breed likes to learn and therefore is not difficult to train. Their intelligence ensures they pick things up quickly. At times they can be somewhat willful. There are some owners who have reported that their dogs are good watchdogs - barking only when necessary, while other owners reported that their female Boston Terriers do not bark at the door at all.
Not much grooming is required for Boston Terriers. The boston terrier is an average shedder and is one of those breed that are easy to groom. A pair of comb and brush with a firm bristle brush is needed when grooming this breed. The face needs to be wiped with a damp cloth too everyday as well as the prominent eyes carefully. And like other breeds, their nails needs to be clipped from time to time. Owners should check both the ears and eyes too for possible grass seeds. And because boston terriers are short-faced dogs, they have tendency to snore and drool. The Boston Terrier originally weighed up to 44 pounds (20 kg.). They are also good for apartment as well as country living, but owners should keep in mind that this breed is sensitive to weather extremes. They can live for about 15 or more years.
They are good with children, most especially with elderly people. They are normally sociable pet dogs; they are amiable, playful, very easy to get along with and very friendly with strangers. They are also very affectionate and likes to be part of the family. This breed not only get along with their masters and the people around them; they also can be harmoniously side by side with other canine pets and non-canine pets. But still, they much prefer human companionship and seemingly require lots of attention from their owners. This breed became very popular in the United States, because of its excellent character. Indeed, boston terriers are very loving dogs and will always want to be on their masters’ side, following them around.
Posted in Breed, Dog, Lifestyle | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008
A new puppy might be little, cute and cuddly, but that might not last long. What is true about a puppy’s size on day one will very likely not hold valid on day 365. While most people understand their puppies will grow, some don’t quite expect they will as much as they can and do.
The unfortunate truth is that a lot of unwanted pets result from the fact that people misjudged the eventual size of the breed they picked out. Whether this is from a misunderstanding of how big a purebred can get or the result of an unknown factor with a mixed breed, the result can be the same. A dog that becomes far bigger than its owner anticipated can run the risk of becoming unwanted.
With this in mind, it is very important for people to properly research breeds before they bring home a puppy. An eight-pound cutie today could very well grow up to be a 100-pound beauty down the road.
There are four basic sizes of dogs: toy, small, medium and large. Let’s examine some of the common breeds found in each category.
Toy
These are the smallest of breeds. Generally only growing to be a few pounds at full adulthood, these dogs are ideal for those who don’t want a dog that can become too large. Some of the more common breeds found in this class include the Chihuahua, toy poodle and the Yorkshire terrier.
Small
Small breed dogs are known for their light weights, but they can grow to more than 25 pounds or so. Some of the examples of these dogs include beagles, daschund and Llaso Apso. There are some variations on the sizes of dogs in this class, but the generalization is they are fairly compact.
Medium
Many people mistake the medium breed dogs for “large.” Dogs in this class can range from about 30 or so pounds up to about 120 pounds. This class includes retrievers, greyhounds, huskies, shelties and even Weimaraners. Some of the most common working dogs fall into this category.
Large
When the true large breeds are looked at the differences between them and the medium breeds becomes evident. True large breed dogs can grow well beyond the 100 pound mark. They include such dogs as the Great Dane, Saint Bernard, Irish wolfhound and even English sheepdogs.
While most purebreds tend to follow the growth distinction of their breeds, it is possible for there to be some variation in the mix. When looking at mixed breeds, however, it can be very difficult to tell what their eventual size might be. Consider the dominant traits to help get a rough estimate. Veterinarians can sometimes help determine breed possibilities and even potential growth outcome.
It is very important for people to consider eventual size in picking out a puppy. To ensure the “little” puppy of today will grow into a size that’s manageable, research background and potential maximum adult size before taking a new dog home. Doing otherwise could result in a choice that won’t make the owner happy down the road, with the dog paying the biggest price.
Article by Kelly Perry of Oh My Dog Supplies - The place to go for quality dog beds and feeders
Posted in Breed, Lifestyle, Tips | 3 Comments »
