Boston Terrier Hub, All About Boston Terriers

Selecting Boston Terrier Puppies:

Few things are as cute as Boston Terrier Puppies!

Maybe you're thinking about whether to get a Boston Terrier puppy, or an adult Boston instead. Here's some info to help you get started on your search.

Recognizing a Healthy Puppy:

Breeders usually release their puppies at 10-12 weeks old, and after they have received one set of inoculations. Puppies are weaned at 8 weeks and at that point, they are no longer nursing. During the time a puppy is nursing, it receives some immunity to disease from its mother. Once it stops nursing, it becomes susceptible to a number of diseases, so it's important to keep your puppy current on all shots.

Personalities can vary greatly in Bostons. Some Boston Terrier puppies are very active while others are much less so. Some will want to romp and play, while others will want to sit quietly in your lap. No matter the type of personality you prefer, here are some things to look for:

The puppy should be clean
Skin should be supple, and the coat should be soft and smooth
Ears should be pink and clean - odor or a dark discharge could be a sign of ear mites
Puppy's breath should smell sweet
Teeth should be clean and bright
The nose should be cold and wet - there should be no nasal discharge
The jaw, lips and nostrils should be free of deformities
Eyes should be dark and clear - runny, red or irritated eyes could signal a problem
Check to make sure there is no rupture of the navel
Beware of coughing or diarrhea
The puppy should move about easily and without difficulty
Observe the puppy's attitude. A puppy that isn't feeling well will tend to snuggle up with a littermate rather than play, even when the other puppies are out and about.

Male or Female?

There are sex-related differences in Boston Terrier puppies to consider. We have a male and a female. We got our male first, and I wasn't really sure I wanted a male because of the typical territory marking they do. The marking and housetraining are unrelated and need to be dealt with separately. Males that are used in breeding tend to be more prone to marking and can be harder to train.

We opted to neuter Shadow since we didn't plan on breeding him. Our personal experience is that a male is just as sweet and as good a companion as a female (perhaps even better since he's almost outgrown the puppy stage and is calming down.)

Once they reach sexual maturity, a female will have a semi-annual "heat" cycle, which first occurs at around 9 to 10 months old. The cycle lasts about 21 days and for part of that time, she will have a bloody vaginal discharge. Pet shops sell "pants" that your female can wear during this time to avoid spotting the living area. It is very important to keep your female confined during this time to avoid unwanted pregnancy. Like Shadow, we had Sophie altered because we didn't plan to breed her.

Unless you plan on getting your Boston Terrier puppies for breeding or showing (your breeder can help you determine whether your puppy is suitable for show), they should be spayed or neutered.

Color and Markings:

The color and markings recognized by the AKC are: brindle, seal or black with white markings. You may find, like we did, a puppy that doesn't conform completely to the AKC breed standard for colors and markings. The coat may be mismarked or have blemishes. This is usually just a simple misalignment of the dark hair with the white hair. Since the official standard is very specific about some markings, a mismarked Boston cannot be shown, however, they still have all of the other wonderful attributes of a Boston and make great pets.

Boston Terrier puppies with markings and colors that conform to the AKC standard are typically sold as "show quality" and the mismarked, as "pet quality". You should expect to pay less for a pet quality Boston than for show quality. Whether you decide on a "show quality" or "pet quality" puppy, choose one that is as close to the breed standard as possible. This is a good indicator that your breeder has been selective in breeding, and has taken care to maintain the breed's best qualities while minimizing genetic defects. You may also find more "rare" colored Boston Terriers, such as red, chocolate and fawn Bostons. These colored Bostons are considered mismarks as well according to the breed standard.

When purchasing Boston Terrier puppies, you should receive three documents: a health record, a copy of the pedigree, and a registration certificate.

Health Record:

Most breeders have started the inoculation series for their puppies by eight weeks of age, which protect the puppies against distemper, leptospirosis, hepatitis and canine parvovirus. Some breeders and veterinarians have different programs for inoculations. Be sure to get a copy of the health record from the breeder. This should have an accurate list of which shots the puppy has received and when. This information will help your veterinarian determine which shots will be needed next. Usually, the rabies shot is given at 4 months or older.

Pedigree:

The pedigree indicates that the puppy's ancestors are purebred. The document authenticates the puppy's ancestry back to at least the 3rd generation. Pedigree in itself does not mean that the puppy is show quality, just that the ancestors were registered Boston Terriers.

Registration Certificate:

A registration certificate is basically the puppy's birth certificate, and is issued by a country's governing kennel club. Once you transfer ownership from the breed to you, the information is put on the certificate, mailed to the appropriate kennel club, where it is kept on file. Keep all these documents, as well as the contact information for your breeder in a safe place.

Guarantee of Health:

Ideally, you will want to take your puppy to your veterinarian within 24 hours of leaving the breeder's home. Most reputable breeders are more than happy to give a written agreement (health guarantee) stating that the purchase is contingent upon passing the veterinarian's examination.

What's Next?

Once you've picked out a puppy, the real fun begins: housetraining, feeding, socializing and training. Having a new puppy is a lot of work, but it's worth it. Enjoy you new puppy!

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Boston Terrier puppy photo "Roxy297" courtesy of Steve & Jeeta