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 »
Tuesday, February 26th, 2008
The fireworks of the Fourth of July, the tinsel on a Christmas tree, the beauty of holly berries on a plant. The holidays can be wonderful times for humans, but for dogs, they can be downright dangerous. Hazards tend to lurk around every corner as some of the bigger holidays rolls around. Keeping a pet safe, secure and happy amid the festivities will require some planning, but the whole family will enjoy the time more if the legwork is done.
While it’s certainly true there are hazards to dogs’ health and safety at home 365 days a year, a few days are a little more hair-raising than others. Some of the biggest trouble days out of the year for the family dog include:
July 4, New Year’s
It is highly unlikely fireworks will directly hurt a dog, but they can scare them greatly. If this happens, a dog might become distressed, anxious and a bit of a problem. The best thing to do is to keep the family pet in on nights when there is a lot of noise and action expected in the sky. Take care to ensure they are safely enclosed to avoid a dog getting loose and into trouble on a road or with a neighbor. If a party is being held to coincide with the holidays, watch out for stray drinks as alcohol can cause problems for pets, too. Do take the time to reassure them if they become anxious because of the hubbub.
Easter, Halloween, others
Any holiday that might include a lot of sweets or chocolates can present problems for the family dog. While not all dogs have reactions to chocolate, to some the substance is toxic. Take care to keep sweets and other foods they shouldn’t eat out of reach of the family dog. If chocolate is ingested, check with the family vet just to be safe.
Christmas
This might be the single biggest threat to a family dog as far as holidays are concerned. From the plants of the season to the decorations and beyond, there are all kinds of potential problems that arise. In regard to wrappings and trimmings, try to keep them away from the family pet if at all possible. Plants associated with the holidays, such as poinsettias and holly, can be very toxic, so do keep them up and away from dogs and small children. The lights and tree itself can also cause some problems. If a dog has a tendency to jump at them, consider securing the tree or securing the dog away form it. Also, watch out for tinsel and other unusual things a dog might try to ingest. Not everything associated with the holidays is toxic to a dog, but it’s best to take extreme care to ensure the family dog is probably cared for during the season. Keep things such as candy, chocolate and other food items a dog shouldn’t eat far away from them, too.
Caring for the family dog shouldn’t stop during the holidays. While it is very smart to take precautions to protect them, this doesn’t mean that holiday fun has to stop. When a dog is well training and its owner is, too, the holidays can be a great time for the entire family, the dog included.
By Kelly Perry of Oh My Dog Supplies - http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/
Posted in Dog, Dog Training, Lifestyle, Tips | 1 Comment »
