Are you a Boston Terrier person?

Is this your first dog? Boston Terriers may not be the best dogs for first-time owners, though they tend to be popular choices for these well-intentioned novices. This is a smart dog who needs an owner that is equally as smart as, or smarter than, he is. Doggy smarts are acquired mainly through experience, but reading this book from cover to cover is a good start in your Boston education.

When deciding to purchase a dog, remember that you are adding a member to your family and another four feet to your home. The Boston Terrier certainly is a companion that must live in the house with you and that will want to spend his waking hours with the family. Although Bostons aren't as needy as some spoiled toy dogs, they do require and thrive on human companionship. Are you ready to share your life with this handsome fellow?

Beyond these considerations, lets think about the kids. Do you have small children and are you willing to teach and supervise them so that they will not mistreat this pet? The Boston, because of his smallish size, will not handle any mistreatment from a child. Unlike a Boxer or a Golden Retriever, which will tolerate a certain amount of rough-and-tumble from a child, the Boston could have severe damage done to him through mishandling. You will have to teach your children how to behave toward and around the family pet.

Another consideration is your outdoor accommodations: do you have a fenced-in yard for your Boston? This is not a breed that you can leave tied out on the porch. Even though he is a small dog, he must have a secure area in which to run and exercise. A fenced yard should give you ample space to throw a ball and your dog freedom to run around as he pleases.

Perhaps the most obvious concern is financial. Can you afford to own and care for a dog? Beyond the initial expense of the puppy, which is a drop in the bucket compared to the expenses involved over the lifetime of the dog, there are the costs for veterinary care (inoculations, check-ups, pet insurance, medication, etc.), basic equipment (like collars, leads, bowls, flea and heartworm preventives, brushes and clippers, etc.), accommodations (a crate, a bed, a fence) and of course food, which can be costly. Theres also the expense of boarding the dog if you go on vacation or the weekly cost of doggy daycare or a dog walker if you are working a 9 to 5 job. Another potential expense is an air conditioner, if you don't already have one, since Bostons can overheat in the summer months and can experience breathing difficulties in hot, humid weather.

The Boston is dearly loved for his disposition, his size and his good looks. In addition, he is loved for his intelligence, his devotion to his family, his liveliness and his alert nature. However, do learn about the breed before rushing out and buying the first puppy you see. An excellent source of information is available on the website of the national breed club, the Boston Terrier Club of America.

Next step: Boston Terrier Overview

Reprinted from Breeders Best: Boston Terrier © 2004. Permission granted by Kennel Club Books, an imprint of BowTie Press.

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