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Jan
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HOW TO SELECT YOUR BOSTON TERRIER, PART 1 |
HOW TO SELECT YOUR BOSTON TERRIER, PART 1
The purchase of any dog is an important step, and the well-cared-for Boston Terrier will live with you for many years. Once the prospective Boston Terrier owner decides that he is definitely ready for the responsibilities of dog ownership, he will undoubtedly want to rush out and purchase a puppy right away. This is not a good idea. It is extremely important that anyone considering taking home a Boston Terrier thoroughly researches the breed. You must be certain that a Boston Terrier will fit in with your family, home environment, and lifestyle.
It is very important that your Boston Terrier be purchased from a breeder who has earned a reputation for consistently producing dogs that are physically healthy and mentally sound. Breeders earn that reputation for quality by selectively breeding their dogs. Selective breeding aims to maintain the virtues of a breed and eliminate genetic weaknesses. The American Kennel Club can assist a prospective dog buyer in finding a responsible breeder of quality stock.
The responsible Boston Terrier breeder will breed for good temperament far ahead of any other characteristic and will ensure that his or her puppies are properly socialized. The socialization process should not be overlooked. Proper socialization will help produce a mentally stable dog that will be able to get along with all kinds of people and other animals. A
well-socialized Boston Terrier will not show fear, shyness, or aggressiveness. Because Boston Terrier pups need human contact right from the beginning, it is important that the breeder spend a lot of time with each puppy individually to establish the human/canine relationship.
With any luck, you will be able to find a reputable breeder residing in your area who will not only be able to provide the right Boston Terrier for you, but who will also have the parents of the puppy on the premises. Meeting the parents of the puppy gives you an opportunity to see firsthand what kind of dogs your puppy comes from. The puppy’s parents should be certified with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) as free of hip dysplasia and the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) as free of hereditary eye diseases such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. Good breeders are not only willing to have you see the dam (mother) and sire (father) of the litter, but also to inspect the facility in which the dogs are raised. These breeders will also be able to discuss with you any genetic problems that exist in the breed, how they deal with these problems, and how they take measures to safeguard against them.
