Boston Terriers

[mydaddysjag]

I know a few forum members have Bostons, and I was wondering if you could tell me a little about them, and their exercise needs. I've been researching and find different information everywhere. Some places say they are very high energy and need a lot of running around, other places say that they are happy with a quick romp around the yard and walks.

We took my "rescued" kitty to be neutered at a mobile clinic hosted by our local SPCA and when we got there they had a two year old brindle female Boston tied outside while they were cleaning her pen inside. I walked over to her and was petting her and talking to her, when I overheard someone say that she is supposedly mean. She sure didn't seem mean outside, she was approachable and I would have had no clue she might not be friendly, as she was wagging her tail. Anyway, a few people pet her and the shelter staff had me take her for a walk. She doesn't seem like she knows anything (how to walk on a leash, sit, stay, etc) but she never got snarly or anything. A few puppies got loose when they were taking them back inside and ran over to her, and she did kinda stiffen up, but didnt have her shackles up, or snarl at them. She was tied outside next to a pen of puppies who she didn't seem to have any issues with. she did seem pretty interested in a feral cat who was lose in the parking lot, but was was just trying to pull her way over to him, not barking or in attack mode.

Anyway, I spoke with the shelter manager and they said that she sometimes will snarl at people when she is in her cage inside the shelter. She also shows signs of mild food aggression, but they feel that both issues are probably due to the stress of being in the shelter. They do not feel that she is severly agressive, but there is a sign on her cage that says she is unpredictable and may bite. They said she has never bitten anyone, however they have to have that sign there so child tries to pet or handle her without a shelter worker there. Her original owner turned her into the shelter because their hamster got loose and she killed it.

We're hoping to get back on Saturday to see how she is when she is actually one on one with a cat, and see how her temperament is. From the 2 hours I spent with this dog yesterday, I would have never guessed she might be aggressive if they didn't tell me.

I really hope she isnt truely agressing and its just the stress of the shelter, I really fell in love with "Bella" and would like to have her in our home if she gets along with cats.

 

[liltnt]

first off let me tell you I havent ever owned a boston terrier but I have had terriers. What I have observed is that they can be what I call croutchie, kind of like old people. I had a mixed breed terrier and he was so funny grumbled all the time especially if he had gotten comfortable in bed and you made him move. Or even in your lap and you made him move. Never bitten anyone but... he would scare the crud outta you with the growling. It could be what this dog is doing. Especially since he is in a strange place and being shuffled around.

 

[mydaddysjag]

Im hoping thats what it is. My parents have chihuahuas, and they are loving dogs, but a stranger would call them vicious, and they would be vicious in a situation like Bella is in.

She did seem really friendly outside, I squatted down to pet her and she jumped up on my knees, sat down, and was wagging her tail.

Kind of odd I fell in love with her, Im a german shepherd type of person. They had two, but I just didnt click with them.

 

[Reijel's Mom]

How long has she been at the shelter? At the shelter I volunteer at, we truly do have some dogs that do not behave well there that are FINE once in homes. Those are dogs that usually start out friendly but then get a form of shelter fatigue.

 

[garyo]

Gary and I just adopted two Boston Bull Terriers. Gary had one as a small boy and loved him. I began searching for one who was purebred but needed a home. I found these two on Craigslist. They are both supposedly purebred although the smaller spayed female could pass for a boston/pug mix and has no papers. The male came with papers. Both dogs' families were losing their homes and needed to rehome them. They are very affectionate, smart and love to play. Although the research I did described them as great condo/apt. dogs they love to run all over the farm. Most of our horses have come to like them and are not aggressive towards them in their paddocks. They have never been aggressive towards anything on our farm. They are curious about the peacocks in the aviary and the male barks at the cat which annoys her. Here is a pic of Bugg & Belle playing football in the foyer.

By the way, the research I did indicated that they are not actually terriers. They were bred through as a cross of two bull dog breeds (English & french maybe?) originally to fight. The aggression has been bred out of them over time. They do not tolerate heat very well so can only stay outside for an hour or two when I'm working with the horses and must live inside.

 

[Mona]

Would the shelter allow you to take her home on a 2 week or 1 month trial? Then you would get to know her a whole lot better. We have a 14 lb Boston Terrier, "Molly". I just LOVE her to pieces! She is so funny, and is like a little clown, always making us laugh, yet she LOVES to snuggle and cuddle too!

She loves to do chores with me, lay in the sun, and she like to play Tug of War. She loves to attack the water hose while the water is coming out, the vacuum cleaner, the mop, the broom, the flyswatter, kids plastic guns when they click the trigger etc. I guess they might be considered high energy, but not in the aspect that they need lots of exercise, more just they like to be "on the go" alot, playing etc. Molly actually has "bursts" where she plays, but she sleeps a LOT throughout the day like most any other dog. She loves kids and people of all ages...she has not yet met a stranger, and thinks EVERYONE should love dogs and allow her up on their lap.

She accepts dogs quite well, but she will growl at them if they are jumping in her face. One of my Chihuahuas is like that with her, so she growls and growls...never baring teeth of long growling, just a short grrr, grrr, grrr, trying to get her to leave her alone.

It's funny that a previous reply mentioned the "grumbling". That is what we have termed something Molly does too! She has done it occassionally since she was a pup. If she was sleeping on my lap and I moved her, she would "grumble". Sometimes now if I pick her up to move her, she "grumbles". It's kind of like a growl, but not really meant in the same manner, as it is not threatening at all, so that is why we have termed it as "grumbling"...she is basically just communicating her displeasure with us not allowing her to have her own way. Molly has NEVER bared her teeth or snapped at anyone, ever! We don't have any other type of animals, so I don't know what she would be like. I am sure she would be fine if taught to accept any. She had killed a squirrel baby and a mouse/shrew or something, but that is what Terriers do. I wouldn't trade my Molly for anything!!

You can see more of Molly HERE. If you visit her page, you'll get a good glimpse of her character and many moods/personalities.

 

[Jill]

I think they are SO cute!!! We had actually debated getting one (a good friend needed to rehome hers) recently, but I was afraid of how she would fit in with our shih-tzu crew and also that the breed may be more high energy than is compatable with us. But I love their looks so much!

 

[Ashley]

Ours are kind of crabby with the other dogs, however never with humans. Ours love people and kids. One licks your feet. However, ours would kill cats if allowed(one actually did kill a litter of kittens as she got out and we didnt know it). I would not trust them at all around small pets. Both of these guys were raise from pups with a cat and it didnt matter.

 

[Just Us N Texas]

Our Petie Love is a fantastic dog. He will grumble, but really loves everyone as long as they introduce themselves to him first and don't just stick their face in his first. He plays with all the animals, cats included, has to be kept on a leash around the horses because he thinks they are just great big dogs that will play with him. However they think playing with him would be a hoof on the head! If another dog tries to jump him, he will not back off a good argument. He is the greatest traveler, gets in the truck lays down and goes to sleep be it a long drive or a short one. Never asks for anything but a drink or go potty occasionally. He will "shop" on my coffee and end tables if given the opportunity. He was a little difficult at first to house break, but once he got it, he got it! If an emergency arises and we aren't here, he will go potty right in front of our potty, so no real mess in the house. Doesn't do that often, but I think he has figured out that is the place he has to go if in the house and no one here to let hiim out. He needs a lot of exercise, not necessarily walks, but a lot of playing! A tennis ball and a chew bone are his favorite toys. I will say he is the worst "child", I have ever had as far as putting things in his mouth. It doesn't matter what it is, it goes in his mouth! Rocks, kleenex, napkins, etc, etc. but he is a picky eater. As long as it comes from our plates, it is delicious whatever it is, but dog food is for other dogs, not him. Oh, did I mention, we sort of spoiled him, but we just can't figure out when or how! After all, when the boy is a clown and entertains us, he can get away with slightly more than most others! He is also so darn smart. You can watch him reason things out.

I would say if you could take the little girl on a trial basis, go for it! They are really the most fantastic little guys you could imagine!

 

[Boss Mare]

I don't own a Boston, but I have several personal friends who do (one has a brindle male! and the other a blk./white female w/ 1 blue eye!) and I am also a professional groomer. I am a fan of the breed. Some tend to be hyper and totally fun-loving. I think of them as a really tiny Boxer; easier to handle, care for, better for smaller homes, etc. Active outdoors, but will chill out inside when exericised. Usually great with kids. As with any dog; training, nutrition, exercise, grooming etc. is key.

Grooming a Boston is easy, a bath, curry, nail trim and ear cleaning. Don't forget those face wrinkles! and sinus/ nasal issues due to their short muzzle. Oh, and oral care.

Good luck.

PS: My Father once showed Bostons and he LOVES the breed.

 

[TangoMango]

Another Boston Lover here. We currently have 5. Tinkerbell and her 3 pups and Riley. Her pup from lat year,. They are fun little dogs, and SMART!

A very pathetic Tinkerbell, she got in trouble.

 

[mydaddysjag]

Bella came home this afternoon!

 

[TangoMango]

:yeah

:yeah

 

[chandab]

Bella came home this afternoon!

:yeah

:yeah

Ok, now you know you can't make such an announcement without pictures. Give 'em up.

 

[Mona]

Bella came home this afternoon!

:yeah

:yeah

Ok, now you know you can't make such an announcement without pictures. Give 'em up.

I'LL SAY!!!

You just can't do that!

And give us all the details too...how is she getting along/fitting in there? Is she there on trial, or permanently?

 

[mydaddysjag]

Not a great pic because it was taken with my phone, but this is moments after she claimed my bed.

Another camera phone picture

Tied outside at the pound while they were cleaning her cage

None show how pretty she really is, I'll try to get better ones tomorrow. They arent able to do trials with the dogs or foster care, so she is home permanently. She hopped right in the car and sat down, seems to like to go for rides. We took her to tractor supply to purchase a smaller crate for her, and she greeted everyone there. she became a bed hog in under 5 minutes, and acts like a clown. I crated her for 6 hours while I went to work, and while I was gone my mom came to check on her, and she did snarl at her. I came home and shes not growling at me, opened her crate door, and she hasnt decided to come out yet. She didnt have any accidents in her crate though, and Im thrilled about that.

Im just sitting here with her crate door open waiting for her to come out on her own.

 

[Mona]

Thanks for the pics!

with her! I hope you are able to get things all worked out with her, and sounds like maybe she will test you, so you are going to need to be vigilant in letting her know that her poor attitude/behavior is not acceptable and all the good stuff is.

Maybe she was just allowed to "rule the roost", and they gave her an inch, so she took a mile! She looks to be the same color as my Molly is.

 

[sundancer]

I don't own a Boston, but my parents do. They love Pebbles to pieces! My parents are in thier late 70's, so Pebbles doesnt get a whole lot of exercise. She lives with a German Shepherd and a black lab owned by my sister and a couple of cats. My parents have an in law apt at my sisters. Pebbles is first in the car for a ride, loves to be bathed and loves to come visit my 2 jack russells and play. Pebbles is less active than my Jack Russells (they are shorties).MY dogs get walked a couple of miles a day and can still do circles around Pebbles. All I can say is she is a sweetie and doesnt have a mean or bitter bone in her body! I can't find anything to fault on the breed from what I have seen with my parents and a friend of mine who has one too.

Julie

Victory Pass Stable

Maine