Anyone have a Boston Terrier?

[SarahKate]

We have a daughter who is 6 and will be 7 in June. For a couple years my husband would talk about getting a dog and I shot him down and said "we need to decide if we're going to have a 2nd dog or a 2nd child because getting a dog is almost like having a 2nd child" and at the time I really didn't want the responsibility.

I LOVE dogs and DH loves dogs and we both grew up in multiple-dog families. Thus the reason I knew it was too much responsibility at the time.

Fast forward - I quit my day job a few months back and now have my own business and am at home a LOT more.

With the added time, I've really started to think about my daughter and her wellbeing. I'm not totally convinced that we'll never have a 2nd child, but I am really thinking that a dog could add something to our family dynamic and give her some responsibility (not all of it, she's not old enough for that yet). If we ever have a 2nd child, it will likely be a few years down the road, after I've established the business more.

I've gone through a few "dog selector tools" online and both times the dog at the top of the list for our particular family/lifestyle is a Boston Terrier! It's funny because not long ago I took DD to see "Hotel for Dogs" and one of her (and mine!) fav dogs in the movie is Georgia, who is a BT. I have always had a fondness for this dog, they just look so full of life and inquisitive.

OK, so that's a WHOLE lot of background. I really just wanted to see if any DISers have Boston Terriers and your thoughts on the breed. How demanding are they? How are they with your children? Are they lap dogs/affectionate? Also, I'm curious as to what your monthly "dog related expenses" are for food and that type of thing. I know that I'd want to buy a food that is nutritionally sound, so I'm sure it won't be that cheap! I know if we get a puppy, the expenses are a lot more the first year as well. Also did a little research and there are some within a 100-mile radius that are up for adoption.

Thanks all!

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

We don't have a Boston, but my parents do. He's a great little dog..my Dad's fishing buddy, as a matter of fact. He's very sweet, but hyper!! We have shih tzu's, so my children are sometimes intimidated by him. Terriers are diggers, and have strong feet and claws..not soft like our lap dogs. Other than that, he's great. Boston's have alot of personality and always appear to be smiling. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[MamaCoog]

Well, I dont actually have a Boston but I was very close to getting one a few years ago for Christmas. Instead I ended up with a baby boy for Christmas that year so the dog had to be put on hold for a little while. I have done lots of research on these dogs and from what I have seen, they are great house dogs but they have lots of energy, they are great with kids and other pets, and they can be stubborn but are trainable.

There is a great Boston Terriers forum where you can look at tons of pictures and ask advice from real owners.
Here is the link: http://www.woofboard.com/forum/

I spent alot of time on there when I was preparing for my new puppy. Hopefully one day soon I will finally get it lol!! Good luck with this!

 

[kacaju]

I don't have one yet.... I have always loved Bostons, but right now I prefer bigger dogs. My daughter has a collie that she is currently showing. Someday I want a Borzoi. BUT... I always say that a Boston will be my *old lady dog* meaning that once I get older and no longer want to deal with big dogs a Boston is what I will get!!

 

[Disney1976]

We have a daughter who is 6 and will be 7 in June. For a couple years my husband would talk about getting a dog and I shot him down and said "we need to decide if we're going to have a 2nd dog or a 2nd child because getting a dog is almost like having a 2nd child" and at the time I really didn't want the responsibility.

I LOVE dogs and DH loves dogs and we both grew up in multiple-dog families. Thus the reason I knew it was too much responsibility at the time.

Fast forward - I quit my day job a few months back and now have my own business and am at home a LOT more.

With the added time, I've really started to think about my daughter and her wellbeing. I'm not totally convinced that we'll never have a 2nd child, but I am really thinking that a dog could add something to our family dynamic and give her some responsibility (not all of it, she's not old enough for that yet). If we ever have a 2nd child, it will likely be a few years down the road, after I've established the business more.

I've gone through a few "dog selector tools" online and both times the dog at the top of the list for our particular family/lifestyle is a Boston Terrier! It's funny because not long ago I took DD to see "Hotel for Dogs" and one of her (and mine!) fav dogs in the movie is Georgia, who is a BT. I have always had a fondness for this dog, they just look so full of life and inquisitive.

OK, so that's a WHOLE lot of background. I really just wanted to see if any DISers have Boston Terriers and your thoughts on the breed. How demanding are they? How are they with your children? Are they lap dogs/affectionate? Also, I'm curious as to what your monthly "dog related expenses" are for food and that type of thing. I know that I'd want to buy a food that is nutritionally sound, so I'm sure it won't be that cheap! I know if we get a puppy, the expenses are a lot more the first year as well. Also did a little research and there are some within a 100-mile radius that are up for adoption.

Thanks all!

Well, I don't have one personally, but my friend/former business partner does. TERRIFIC dog! Very personable and outgoing, loves other dogs, loves people. Very gentle. Seems like he would be great with kids! He is high energy, like all terriers, so a yard to run around in, or walks/time at the dog park is a necessity. He's not shy about giving you a toy when he wants to play. I know many terriers dig, but he doesn't really-sometimes though he will try to "bury" a bone in the couch. He does bark when the doorbell rings, and if he hears dogs on television, he goes nuts, jumping and pawing at the screen!

Honestly, he's only got one really bad trait, and it's minor -he has terrible and frequent gas. My friend and his fiancee have tried all sorts of different foods and treatments, but their vet said it's normal for this breed and some of them seem more prone to it than others.

 

[MamaCoog]

Honestly, he's only got one really bad trait, and it's minor -he has terrible and frequent gas. My friend and his fiancee have tried all sorts of different foods and treatments, but their vet said it's normal for this breed and some of them seem more prone to it than others.

Oh yeah... I forgot to mention the gas! And they also tend to snore very loudly but I think thats cute lol.

 

[ckrum]

We have a Boglen which is a Boston Terrier/Beagle mix. We love her! We were initially going to get a Boston, but then we ran across this dog. DH remembered how I always said I wanted a beagle. We got her as a pup almost 2 years ago, DD was 7. We decided DD needed a puppy because we were unable to have more kids and felt the dog would be a good companion for her. Dolly (our dog) is very smart, trainable, and has endless energy. She is also a great lap dog. Or at least she thinks she is, but at 20 pounds she gets a little heavy. Dolly has been trained to ring a door bell (on the floor) when she needs to go outside, plays fetch until our arms fall off, can sit, dance, play dead, roll over, etc... She has a lot of personality and is a lot of fun. You're right though, it is as much work as another child.

 

[ckrum]

Oh yea, occasional gas that is toxic. But she doesn't go around the house gassing all the time.

We feel her Science Diet. A large bag is around $30 and lasts a couple of months. Lots of chewy toys & Nylabones because she loves to destroy her toys. The first year is expensive. Very managable after that, unless the dog has health issues.

 

[peytonsmomie]

My mom has a Boston, and she's always been a fantastic dog. Not only for my folks, but for my kids. She's genial and happy to see them, and small enough that she didn't overwhelm them when they were little. They're a very smart breed, and love to be pampered pooches. My mom's Boston walks the treadmill , and loves having her toenails painted. She's a total princess. Also, she's 14 years old and aside from Addison's disease, is in fantastic health. The Addison's is treatable, but it does cost a considerable amount of money. I don't think it's a disease Boston's are predisposed to any more than other breeds. Just dumb luck that mom's dog has it.

Although we chose big breeds for our house, we LOVE visiting my folks and spending time with her Boston. They really are great pups!

 

[peytonsmomie]

Oh, and as for the gas, it must be universal to the breed! In fact, my mom named her Boston Brie, b/c she's always 'cutting the cheese!'

 

[MyDizneyBoyz]

I've had Bostons (and Boxers) for over 20 years. In general, they are great family dogs. High energy but lovable energy. Most are tennis ball fanatics and can very happily play fetch for hours. When they're tired, they're great lapdogs.

Feed a high quality diet (one with zero to no corn, wheat or soy as they're nothing more than fillers to bulk up the food) and you'll reduce or eliminate their tendency to be gassy. It's the grain fillers in their food which pose the biggest gas problem - foods with rice or potato will be much better. If you still have an issue with gas, a spoonful of plain (unflavored) yogurt on their food once a day will just about eliminate it and they love the taste.

In general, Bostons are healthy and energetic dogs but as they do have the smushed in faces they can overheat more quickly than dogs with longer snouts. Just be aware that in the heat of the summer you should avoid long runs or too much exercise in the heat. Their ability to cool themselves down is hampered by the shape of their muzzle - it's a problem with all brachycephalic or short-snouted dogs.

Very few breed specific health issues, although a tendency to have allergies is a bit higher than some other breeds.

I love my current 13 year old BT, Maggie, as she has to be the absolute most tolerant dog on the face of the earth. I think you could cut off her leg with a spoon and she'd just give a heavy sigh and wait for you to finish... while never dropping the tennis ball in her mouth...

Good luck and kudos to you for doing your research!

 

[SarahKate]

You guys have given me such great responses, thank you so much. Aside from gas & snoring, I get the feedback from you all that B.T.'s are wonderful dogs. DD has the gas covered and DH has the snoring covered, so having a dog w/ both really won't be that big of a deal!!! I'm quite accustomed to both with my clan.

Now I just have to talk to DH about this and see if he's still onboard. I know the first thing he'll say is "I thought you didn't WANT a dog???!!!" I think that he'd love to have a larger dog, but think I can talk him into something smaller (they don't eat as much as a large dog = less $ on food!).

I'm glad to hear from ckrum about the only child and having the dog as a companion. That's really what I am looking for now. And since I'm working mostly at home, I won't have that guilt of having a dog at home alone all day (which I know people do ALL the time and I don't fault anyone for that, it's just that I always have something to feel guilty about!!!).

I am an only as is my DH. I don't really remember feeling lonely as a child. We ALWAYS had multiple dogs, hamsters, rabbits, you name it. So I think that we were always busy with animals and it kept us occupied.

Thanks again guys!

 

[Laura_M]

I have a Boston Terrier and I definitely reccommend the breed. My only suggestion is to definitely get him/her fixed. My dog has a tendency to be on people's legs. He is full of energy but house trained! He also has bad gas and snores a lot. He thinks he is a lap dog and absolutely loves to cuddle. I could go on and on because he is so cute!

 

[MyDizneyBoyz]

Ha! We were posting at the same time.

 

[dyna]

I've had bostons almost 40 yrs my 1st was the BEST he was the smartest best doggie ever lost him on Labor Day in 1982 extended family members an family friends still talks about that dog.

BT are good dogs they are high energy but low maintence meaning they need very little grooming a bath ever couple of weeks, cleaning of the ears an a nail trimming once a month an you set to go.

Other posters has been right they don't take the heat very well but the same is true with the cold too they are indoor dogs that enjoy being outside to run an get rid of energy on a regular bases. Summer time I kept a small kids wadding pool outside for my bostons they LOVED it. Dogs cool off thru their feet.

Just like ppl some of them are smarter than others I recommend getting a as much back ground on the parents as possible an what kind of dogs they are an if possible background from owners of pups from previous litters. I would do that for any dog not just BT's tho.

BY all means get the dog fixed esp if female an you do not plan to breed her bostons can have great difficulty giving birth an often require a Csection because the pups heads are so big when born.

Other posters has said that BT's tend to dig NONE of mine was ever diggers, mine tended to be swingers I usually had a rope swing for them in back yard they'd go out grab hold of the knot in end of rope an pull back as far as they could raise up back legs an swing or stand an pull on rope for hours.

Yes all of them wanted to be lap dogs most was content just to lay beside me tho.

One warning watch kids who not used to being around bostons as they tend to want to poke the dogs eyes an feel them while none of mine ever bit over that I'd say it would be a good way to get dog bit. Also a good way to turn dog against small children.

I'd recommend a good crate to keep pup/dog in when it can't be watched while in the training stage an good leash training they are much much stronger than they look. Believe me not leash trained that full grown boston will take your DD anywhere it wants to she will not be able to control it.

An yes they do tend to get gassy DH made the mistake of buying cheese flavored dog food 1 time that's been 20 yrs an we haven't forgotten it yet.

With careful choosing you can get a great pup that will bring many many hours of pleasure to your DD (my parents always said the best thing they ever bought me was my 1st BT) I agree 100%

 

[Bornteach]

We have a Boston, Rosie, and love her. I am/was not a dog person but my husband is. We got her before we were married and she has tolerated two small children (one that currently tries to ride her!) and she has been nothing but gentle!

We feed her the Iams in the green bag and make sure she eats nothing with corn!

She snores like the dickens and can have some killer gas but she is a love and at ten, has more energy than ever!

PM me if you have any questions!

p.s. We got her from a rescue site for BTs. She was free 8 years ago!

 

[dyna]

YES BT's do snore! My last BT slept in laundry room DD's bedroom is in basement right below laundry room the dog snored so loud her ceiling vibrated an she could see it vibrate. lol

 

[mcqueengroupie]

We are proud owners of a Boston Terrier, and we couldn't love Ozzy more!! He was just meant to be ours!!! We got him from a shelter almost a year ago, and we think he is about 5 or 6. Unlike other posters, our BT is not too active! He enjoys sleeping, sleeping and eating!!! We do go on walks which he loves, but he's not hyper if we don't go. Like people said, BT's have trouble regulating their temps, they don't like it too hot or too cold, Ozzy shakes when he is cold, so we have a sweater for him. He does sleep in our bed, I know some people don't like that, but we are cool with it. He goes under all the blankets, and yes he snores really loud, but we love it! Yes there is a gas issue, not all the time, but he has been known to empty a room every now and then! He loves being with us, and loves to sleep in our lap, not always easy, he is over 25lbs., but he is just so cute you don't want to move him. We've had other dogs, some bigger and some smaller, but the the BT is the best size for our 8 and 4 year olds. Not too small, so they don't step on him, and too big that they take up too much room. Best of luck, and I hope you are as happy as we are with Ozzy!

 

[SarahKate]

Thanks for all the great comments on your dogs!

I did bring it up to DH and we still need to talk about it. He's actually not keen on the idea of getting a dog anymore. But we'll still talk about it and see if we can reach a compromise!

I really feel like we need something to add to our family dynamic....I'd love for DD to have a companion here at home.

I've loved reading all of your stories.

 

[mcqueengroupie]

Well, you never know.....I swore we were done with dogs after having to put our 4 month old puppy down. But then one day Ozzy was brought into my husbands station (he is a P.O.) as a stray. He ran around until he saw my hubby, laid down in front of him and rolled over on his back for a belly rub! It was love at first sight!!! He did have to go to the shelter to see if anyone would claim him, but in a few weeks, he was ours forever!!!! Now we couldn't imagine life without him. Here he is: