Do Boston Terriers need a lot of attention
Boston Terriers are very people orientated and affectionate. They can be very clingy. Boston Terriers are often referred to as a velcro dog breed. A velcro dog is a dog that wants to be by their owner’s side at all times.
Boston Terriers are a companion dog that requires a lot of time, attention and human contact. They are also excellent with children and other pets in the home including cats.
This doesn’t mean that they can not be left home alone. Boston Terriers cope with being left alone quite well compared to many dog breeds. For a guide to leaving a Boston Terrier home alone see here.
However, you will need to devote time to spend with your Boston Terrier and provide lots of love and attention. This loving and caring nature of the Boston Terrier is what makes them such a wonderful family dog. For more on Boston Terriers as a family dog see here.
Are Boston Terriers easy to take care of
Boston Terriers are a relatively low maintenance dog compared to many other breeds of dogs. This is especially true when it comes to their grooming needs. This does not mean to say they don’t have grooming needs. See below for more on Boston Terrier grooming.
When it comes to healthcare, the Boston Terrier is a relatively healthy breed with a life expectancy of 13 to 15 years. However, there are some health issues that Boston Terriers are prone to.
As a Boston Terrier owner or someone considering getting a Boston Terrier, it is important to be aware of these potential health issues. This does not mean that all or even most Boston Terriers will suffer from any of these health issues. See below for more about Boston Terrier healthcare needs.
Other care needs of a Boston Terrier include their exercise and training needs and providing a healthy diet.
How do you take care of a Boston Terrier
With any breed of dog, there are certain things that are needed to provide to their care. As stated above, the Boston Terrier does require a reasonable amount of attention and time spent with them. They also have other care needs including grooming, exercise and training, and their general healthcare. We will look more at each of these categories here.
Boston Terrier grooming needs
Boston Terriers need relatively less grooming than many breeds. The grooming needs of a Boston Terrier are
- Bathing
- Brushing
- Ear Cleaning
- Nail clipping
- Teeth and dental care
- Cleaning around eyes
Bathing a Boston Terrier
Regular bathing your Boston Terrier is important to help maintain skin and coat health. It also keeps them smelling nice. It is important not to over bathe your Boston Terrier as this may dry out their skin and remove the natural oils from their coat. The recommended frequency for bathing your Boston Terrier is once a month.
For full instructions and tips on how to bathe a dog see here.
Boston Terrier brushing and shedding
The Boston Terrier as a fine and smooth double coat. They do shed, but with regular care and brushing this is usually minimal. Brushing your Boston Terrier 2 or 3 times a week should be sufficient. For more information on how to brush a dog see here.
These are my recommended best brushes for Boston Terrier shedding.
The Zoom Groom
The Zoom Groom removes loose hair like a magnet, and it stimulates capillaries and natural oil production for healthy skin and a healthy coat. It is like giving your dog a massage at the same time.
It can be also used in the bath on a wet coat. There are imitations of The Zoom Groom available but I have found that they don’t work as well as the Zoom Groom is made of a special type of rubber that attracts the loose fur well.
Shedding Blade
The shedding blade is my personal favorite de-shedding tool. It can be held in one-handed or the handle splits in two so you can use two-handed. Also great for dragging excess water off your dog after the bath.
It is important to note that with the steel de-shedding tools like this it is best not to do too much in one session as they can be scratchy and may cause brush burn and aggravate the skin. This is not a problem with the Zoom Groom.
Boston Terrier ear cleaning
Boston Terriers can be prone to getting ear infections. Regularly cleaning the ears can help prevent bacteria and infections from starting.
Every few days, gently wipe their ears with a cotton ball or pet safe ear wipe. Don’t go near the ear canal and never make the error of using a Q-tip/earbud.
If your dog is shaking or tilting their head it is best to have your vet to check inside the ear. Don’t put ear drops into the ear canal as you don’t know if there may be damage inside the ear you can’t see.
Boston Terrier nail clipping
You may need to clip your Boston Terriers nails every two to three weeks. Some dogs may not need their nails clipped if they walk on concrete or other hard surfaces. This will help keep the nails short. They may still need their dew claws clipped as they don’t contact the ground.
If you haven’t clipped a dog’s claws before you can go to your vet or a dog groomer to have it done.
For more details on dog nail clipping see here
Boston Terrier dental care
For dental care chew toys work wonders as these help keep their teeth strong, prevent cavities, and minimize tartar build-up. However, just like us, even dogs require regular teeth cleaning. You will require a toothbrush and toothpaste that are specially made for dogs. Human toothpaste is not suitable for dogs as obviously they can’t rinse.
Although it is advised that you brush their teeth every night, you can do so every two days. For about 20 to 30 seconds, brush your dog’s teeth in an up and down movement. Also, ensure that you massage their gums while brushing their teeth.
Boston Terrier eye care
Boston Terriers can be prone to eye issues. It is important to regularly clean the corners of your dog’s eyes to remove dirt build-up. The simplest way to do this is to use a pet-safe eye wipe.
Boston Terrier exercise needs
Boston Terriers require a reasonable amount of daily exercise. It is recommended that they receive around 1 hour of exercise and activity daily. This should include a daily walk plus other purposeful activities and play. They also require mental stimulation and enrichment to challenge their minds. Mental exercise can tire a dog as much physical activity.
Without the opportunity to release all that pent up energy and to challenge their minds they can develop behavior problems. This can include barking, digging, destructive behavior and escaping to explore on their own.
For a guide to Boston Terrier Exercise see here
Boston Terrier training needs
Boston Terriers are enthusiastic and eager to please their owners. This makes them relatively easy to train as long as you focus their attention. They are also quite intelligent and love to learn. For more on how smart a Boston Terrier is see here.
As Boston Terriers are so attached to their owners, positive reinforcement type training is generally the most effective approach to take. However, it is still important to be consistent with the rules and boundaries
The one area of training that can be a little more difficult is potty or house training. This may take patience, consistency, and persistence but it is achievable.
There are many approaches to potty training a Boston Terrier puppy. This can be using crate training or puppy pads. If you are wanting to teach them to go outside it is best to teach this from the start. This is easier than going from puppy pads to then learning to go outside. This just causes confusion.
To teach them to toilet outside will require time and effort. You will need to take them outside every one or two hours, especially after eating and sleeping. Take them into the yard and use a cue word such as “toilet”. When they do relieve themselves, wait for them to finish, and then give them lots of praise. Over time they will learn to go when you use the cue word.
Boston Terrier healthcare needs
When it comes to your Boston Terriers health needs it is best to consult with your vet. They will advise you about vaccinations and regular health checks.
The Boston Terrier is a relatively healthy and long-lived breed with a life expectancy of 13 to 15 years. However, there are some common genetic health issues that can affect them. Being aware of common health issues of any dog breed you may be considering can be beneficial, Recognizing symptoms early ensures you can take action if required.
Boston Terriers are a short-faced breed and as a result, they do tend to suffer from breathing issues. These types of breeds are known as brachycephalic.
The most common issue to affect this breed is Brachycephalic Syndrome. Dogs with the condition have trouble breathing due to an excess of soft tissue having formed in their airways. The three most common disorders include stenotic nares, everted laryngeal saccules, and elongated soft palate.
Other potential health issues for Boston Terriers include;
Patellar Luxation – This is a genetic knee issue meaning the knee joint is loose. The symptoms to watch out for include lameness, stretching a hind leg back in an attempt to pop the patella back into the correct position. It can also lead to cruciate ligament damage.
Hemivertebrae – This is a genetic disorder that affects many brachycephalic breeds that also have screw-tails. This can be quite serious due to the effect the deformity could have on their spine.
Ear infections – Boston Terriers can be prone to ear infections. If left untreated this can lead to Sensorineural Deafness. If action is taken early, most ear infection is easily treated.
Eye Issues – Due to Boston Terriers have such prominent eyes, they are more predisposed to suffering from certain eye problems and injuries. These can include Cataracts, Corneal Ulcers, Glaucoma, Dry eye, and Cherry eye.
Summary – Caring for a Boston Terrier
Boston Terriers, like all dogs, have certain needs to provide to their overall care. This includes their grooming, exercise, training, and healthcare needs.
They are also are very people orientated and loving of their owners. You will need to devote time to spend with your Boston Terrier and provide lots of love and attention.
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