American Gentleman: The Boston Terrier Dog

The Boston Terrier dog originates from the United States and is sometimes called the American Gentleman. The reason for this nickname, besides its gentle and loving manner, is due to its markings that make the Boston Terrier dog look as if it is wearing a little tux. The coat of the Boston Terrier is usually black, brindle or seal with white markings that cover the chest, muzzle, neck and about half of the forelegs.

The Boston Terrier is not a lapdog although it has a small build. It is studier and more compact than most lapdogs. Although it was originally bred as a fighting dog it has lost any aggressive traits that it might have originally possessed as it was then bred as a companion dog. Boston Terriers are excellent companions as they are very loving and enjoy being with people. It is this part of their personality that makes the Boston Terrier ideal for families.
You may have heard that the Boston Terrier dog is very yappy and aggressive. This fear of aggression in your Boston Terrier dog is probably confounded by that fact that it was once bred as a fighting dog. However any negative things you have heard about this breed in terms of behavior is the result of irresponsible breeders who produce neurotic puppies that will grow into neurotic dogs.

A well-socialized Boston Terrier will get along with everyone in your household and barks only when it senses danger or intruders. The high intelligence of a Boston Terrier allows it to differentiate between friends of the family who are welcome in the house and people who are clearly intruding. This is in part due to the sensitivity of Boston Terriers to their owner’s moods. They are especially sensitive to the tone of your voice and can instantly sense a rebuke in your voice.

If you want the best Boston Terrier dog possible then you should always buy your puppy from a reputable breeder. A reputable breeder is not in it for the money. Inspect your breeder’s premises, is it clean, are the dogs well cared for? Ask how many times a year the bitches have litters. If the breeder seems like they are trying to get as many puppies as possible from the one dog then you should avoid buying.

Irresponsible breeders don’t care about inbreeding or weak genetic pools and produce dogs that have health problems characteristic of the breed. A responsible breeder minimizes the chances of this happening. An irresponsible breeder also produces neurotic puppies that are aggressive and prone to incessant yapping. Poor breeding practices can even lead to retarded dogs when dogs are born with a skull defect that stunts brain growth. Find a good breeder and you will have the best puppies.

The Boston Terrier is a wonderful dog that does well in a family environment with plenty of people to play and cuddle with. Boston Terrier information about the dog’s temperament and nature can be found in this article.