You should learn about the HEALTH ISSUES that face the Boston Terrier.
The Boston Terrier Club of America has developed an extensive and informative list of health issues on the Boston Terrier . Please click on the link below to go to thier page and read about this important health information. Remember not all Boston Terriers will have all of these problems , but any Boston Terrier is apt to have any one or more of these health problems. That is why it is imperative that you study these pages and learn how to look for a healthy , well bred Boston Terrier. Breeding stock should be OFA'd for their patella's , CERF'd for cataracts, and if at all possible BAER tested for deafness.
Now ask yourself this question.
Do I want to Show a Boston Terrier in conformation, agility, obedience,or a companion dog.
Of course any Boston Terrier will become your companion above all else, but you may want to pursue some of these other events as well. A Boston Terrier is a lively little fellow who loves to please .
Any and all of these events will only stregnthen your relationship with your Boston.
Now you ask what is the difference?
Click the link below to read an article about the difference in a show puppy and a companion pet puppy.
Now you must begin your search... for a REPUTABLE BREEDER.
How will you know a reputable breeder? There are many tell tell signs to look for.
The first one being of course what we mentioned above...
1. Do they have their breeding stock tested for the above mentioned diseases?
2. Can they provide proof of these test?
3. Can you observe the dogs living arrangements?
4. Can you see the parents(at least the mother, because the dad may not live at their home)?
5. Check them out with other breeders, not just one , but a couple.
6. Ask if they can provide references from people who have purchased a Boston for them before.
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7. I have added a new one: A reputable breeder will insist that you spay or neuter your puppy.
In February 2006 The Animal Health Trust discovered the gene mutation that causes Juvenile Cataracts in Boston Terriers. This is an amazing discovery because it will allow responsible breeders to never produce a puppy affected with this terrible genetic disease. We are currently having all of our breeding stock evaluated for the disease. This is truly a great scientific discovery. Carriers can now be bred to Clear Non- Carriers and no puppies will ever have to be affected again. But this will only happen if breeders are responsible and do the testing. So always ask if the puppies parents were DNA tested for the Juvenile Cataract Genes.
