Black Terriers are adorable to look at due to their cute appearance. These dogs are also some of the friendliest puppies you may encounter. Their amusing behavior can keep you excited and engaged. If you’re curious to know more, here’s everything you need to know about a Black Boston Terrier.
Quick Navigation
- Everything You Need To Know About a Black Boston Terrier
- Does the AKC Recognize Black Boston Terriers?
- What Are the Traits of Black Boston Terriers?
- Black Boston Terrier Grooming Requirements
- Black Boston Terrier Dietary Requirements
- Black Boston Terrier Training and Exercise Requirements
- Health Issues Affecting Black Boston Terriers
- Do Black Boston Terriers Cost More?
- Conclusion
Everything You Need To Know About a Black Boston Terrier
Black Boston Terriers are a cross between an English Terrier and an English Bulldog. These dogs have glossy short hair and a black coat throughout their bodies.
Black Boston Terriers are also affectionate, intelligent, and lively. While they can be stubborn sometimes, you should avoid harsh punishment as it can make them sad. They also have large, black beautiful eyes that add to their attractive looks.
Does the AKC Recognize Black Boston Terriers?
Black Boston Terrier dogs do not have white hind and forelegs either partially or whole, a white chest, a white-tipped black tail, or a black head with a white muzzle, which are the AKC standards.
Other requirements include a full white collar and a white blaze. So these dogs aren’t accepted by the club since they don’t meet these criteria.
What Are the Traits of Black Boston Terriers?
Black Boston Terriers are mild-mannered and gentle. They are also friendly towards other pets and people. However, if you don’t socialize them well, they may get aggressive. Below are their most interesting traits:
Temperament
Black Boston Terrier dogs are loving and affectionate, which makes them great house pets. They thrive well in large or average-sized families because they crave companionship and are sociable. Since they’re strong-willed, obedience training should be done at an early age to ensure they don’t get out of control.
They can also be hostile if they haven’t been trained or were raised in a violent environment. Other than that, these puppies are perfect for apartment dwellers because they don’t like barking. Black Boston Terriers also get along with children and enjoy playing ball games.
Eating Habits
Surprisingly, these little dogs can be pretty picky about what they eat, making mealtime difficult for their owners. It can be challenging to ensure that they get enough food and that it is of good quality.
Size
Typically, Black Boston Terriers stand 12-17 inches tall and weigh between 12-25 pounds. While they’re compact dogs that do not grow to a large size, overfeeding them can increase their size and lead to obesity.
Coat Color
The main distinguishing trait is that Black Boston dogs have a smooth, black coat that’s easy to groom. So bathing and brushing them weekly is necessary to control shedding.
Black Boston Terrier Grooming Requirements
It’s essential to wash the face of your Black Boston Terrier daily and examine their eyes for irritation and redness. You should also brush your dog’s teeth thrice a week to prevent odor and gum disease.
If you can hear your Black Boston Terrier’s nails click on the floor, trim them to prevent painful nail tears. You should do this twice every month. Be careful not to cut too deep as you can cause bleeding. When this happens, your dog may refuse to cooperate the next time you want to trim them.
It’s also important to examine their ears weekly for ear infections. Get your Black Boston Terrier used to being groomed when they’re still a puppy and make the experience a positive one for them. When you do this, handling them when they grow will be a breeze.
Black Boston Terrier Dietary Requirements
Black Terrier puppies should be fed more times every day than adult dogs to help them grow faster. Below is a breakdown of their dietary needs:
| Age | Number of Times To Be Fed |
| Below 3 months | 4-5 times each day |
| Between 3 and 5 months | 3 times each day |
| Above 6 months | Twice each day |
Ensure the food you are feeding your dog is high in protein with few high-quality grains. Also, avoid sugary or salty foods because they can make your dog develop weight and heart conditions. You should also check for allergic signs when introducing your dog to a new diet.
Black Boston Terrier Training and Exercise Requirements
While Black Boston Terriers are easier to train, you should start training and exposing them to different environments, places, and people at a tender age. They also need some playtime and a few walks every day. You can play with your dog by throwing a ball and playing fetch because Black Boston Terriers are very playful.
Early socialization and puppy training sessions are essential for all breeds. Socialization will help the black Boston terrier grow into a well-adjusted, well-mannered adult by gradually exposing them to a wide variety of people, places, and situations.
Treats are a terrific way to motivate your dog to train. Many Boston terriers are extremely sensitive; after gentle instructions, show them affection and appreciation.
Health Issues Affecting Black Boston Terriers
The average lifespan of Black Boston Terriers is 10.92. However, a healthy diet and regular exercise can make them live longer. That said, it’s essential to know the health problems that affect this breed to help you care for them properly. Common health conditions include:
Cataracts
Cataracts occur when a cloudy film forms over your Black Boston Terrier’s eye lens. Cataracts cause blurred vision and blindness when the entire lens is clouded. Black Boston Terriers can either develop adult or juvenile cataracts which occur between 8 weeks and one year.
Before buying or adopting your dog, go through the breeding paperwork to check eye health since this is a hereditary condition. This is essential because cataracts aren’t reversible. However, some Black Boston Terriers can undergo surgery to remove it.
Patellar Luxation
Patella luxation, often known as “slipped stifles,” is a common condition in tiny dogs, and the Black Boston Terrier is no exception. It is caused by a misalignment of the patella, which is made up of three parts: the femur (thigh bone), patella (knee cap), and tibia (calf).
This misalignment results in lameness in the dog’s leg or an irregular gait. Patellar luxation causes friction, which can lead to arthritis, a degenerative joint condition.
There are four stages of “slipped stifles,” ranging from grade I, a minor luxation that causes brief joint lameness, to grade IV, a severe luxation that prevents the patella from being realigned manually.
Brachycephalic Syndrome (Respiratory Condition)
This condition affects the nose structure and short muzzle of the Black Boston Terriers.
Its a combination of the following:
- Laryngeal saccules (tissues in front of the vocal cords) tend to be pulled into the trachea
- The mouth becomes too long and extends to the airways
- The nose becomes too narrow
Cherry Eye
This is a displacement of the third eyelid gland. It occurs in Black Boston Terriers that are below one year. Some vets remove the gland while others reposition it to its original position surgically.
Reverse Sneezing
Reverse sneezing is an ailment that can affect your black Boston Terrier at any time. It usually happens when your dog is very enthusiastic, eats too quickly, or you expose them to pollen in the air.
The soft palate closes across the windpipe as nasal secretions fall onto it. The dog may feel scared if it makes a wheezing sound. To reduce the episode, speak soothingly to them and try to persuade them to relax.
Some people believe that clamping the dog’s nostrils shut or placing your palm over its nose to force it to breathe through its mouth is the fastest way to stop reverse sneezing. Stroking his throat is another option.
Allergies
Black Boston Terriers suffer from different types of allergies including contact and food allergies. Your puppy may have an allergy if they’re rubbing their face or licking their paws. Luckily, allergies can be treated by your vet.
Megaesophagus
Megaesophagus is an esophageal abnormality that causes your black Boston Terrier to spew its partially digested meal. Regurgitation or spewing is different from vomiting in that it usually occurs without warning, whereas vomiting requires apparent effort.
Do Black Boston Terriers Cost More?
Generally, Black Boston Terriers cost between $500 and $1,200. The prices vary due to gender and whether the dog is purebred. Prices can also increase in places they are rare. You can buy your puppy from reputable breeders or adopt one for a minimal fee from a local animal shelter.
Conclusion
Bringing home a Black Boston Terrier requires commitment. It’s crucial to have adequate space for your puppy to move around and exercise regularly. In turn, this will minimize the risk of common health conditions and help them stay healthy.
