Everything You Need To Know About Blue Eyed Boston Terriers

Blue-eyed Boston Terriers are small, intelligent dogs that love to play games. However, did you know their blue eyes can make them become deaf and also develop other eye problems? If you’re wondering what causes this and more, here’s everything you need to know about Blue-eyed Boston Terriers. 

Everything You Need To Know About Blue Eyed Boston Terriers

According to the American Kennel Club breed standards, Boston Terriers should have large, round dark eyes. The eyes should also be set wide apart and square in the dog’s skull. Additionally, the outside corners should be aligned to the cheeks. 

From this information, the Blue-eyed Terriers are disqualified by the club because of their eye color. This also means the dogs can’t participate in dog shows. The Kennel Club doesn’t accept these dogs to protect their health and aesthetic appearance. 

So breeders who are reproducing the Blue-eyed Boston Terriers are doing so to satisfy some people’s preferences or demand while ignoring the dog’s health. In this article, I’ll look at a specific genetic abnormality that causes blue eyes, potential health problems, and more. 

What Causes Boston Terriers’ Blue Eyes?

Blue eyes in Boston Terrier puppies are caused by a certain genetic disorder in the breed. Some dogs have the piebald gene, which causes blue eyes. The gene usually manifests as excessive white patches within the coat or excessive white hair on the dog’s head. 

The piebald gene is also responsible for the lack of brown pigmentation in the iris (the colored part of an eye). The absence of brown pigmentation makes the eyes appear blue. 

What Are the Health Concerns for Blue-Eyed Boston Terriers?

The major health concern for Blue-eyed Boston Terriers is deafness. Blue-eyed Boston Terriers are at a higher risk of becoming deaf because the piebald gene is associated with deafness. In fact, it’s estimated that 10% of deaf Boston dogs have excessive white on their coat or two blue eyes.

Due to the high risk of deafness, I do not recommend breeding Boston Terriers with blue eyes. This is because the puppies can also be deaf even when both parents do not have any hearing problems. 

Other health conditions affecting these dogs include eye problems (cataracts and glaucoma), joint problems (patellar luxation and hip dysplasia), and allergies.

Signs of Deafness in Blue Eyed Boston Terriers

If you suspect your Blue-Eyed Boston Terrier may be deaf, check out the following symptoms:

• Not responding to their dog toys that produce noise
• Not responding when you’re calling them
• Being startled when you touch them
• Sleeping soundly in noisy places

How To Test for Hearing in Blue Eyed Boston Terriers

There are two methods you can test your dog’s hearing ability:

• Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) Testing: This test is performed by a vet in puppies that are above six weeks. It’s done to determine whether your puppy is deaf in one or both ears.
• The At-Home Test: Clap loudly or call your dog’s name when they’re asleep to see if they’ll wake up. If they don’t, then it’s likely they can’t hear. However, this test can’t help you to know how severe the problem is. So consult your vet.

Blue Eyed Boston Terriers Characteristics

Blue-eyed Terrier dogs have distinct features that make spotting them in a crowd easy. Below are some of their traits:

Appearance

Blue-eyed Terriers are small, compactly build puppies that stand about 17 inches tall and weigh around 12-25 pounds. They also have short, smooth coats that are easy to clean. Their short tail is either curled or straight while their ears are upright. These dogs also have large, blue eyes with short, broad muzzles.

Temperament

Blue-eyed Bostons are great dogs for families as they love people. They’re also cheerful, calm, and affectionate. Other than grunting and snoring, they aren’t noisy and only bark when someone is at the door. These dogs also tend to show dominance as they can be possessive of food and toys. 

Lifespan

Blue-eyed Boston Terriers’ life expectancy is about 11-13 years. However, they can live longer with proper care and diet. The leading causes of their death include cancer, heart attack, and old age. 

Blue Eyed Boston Terriers Feeding Requirements

Give your Blue-eyed Boston Terriers ½ to 1½ cups of quality pet food daily 3-4 times. Note that the amount your Boston Terrier eats depends on her activity level, age, and size. Like people, they require different amounts of food. For instance, a highly active puppy will need more food than a less-active one. 

Blue Eyed Boston Terriers Grooming Requirements

Grooming Blue-eyed Boston Terriers is easy. Brush their coat weekly and bathe them regularly. Also, check their eyes daily for irritation after washing their faces. It’s also essential to brush their teeth thrice a week to prevent bad breath. Lastly, trim their nails and check their ears weekly for infections.

Blue Eyed Boston Terriers Exercise Requirements

Although Blue-eyed Boston Terriers are active, they require a few exercises. They enjoy taking a one hour walk with you every day. These dogs are also very sensitive. So during training, watch the tone of your voice and avoid using harsh punishment as it can make them shut down.

What Is the Cost of Blue Eyed Boston Terriers?

Blue-eyed Boston Terriers cost about $600-$1,200. However, you can buy puppies that aren’t purebred at a lower price. Other expenses you should include in your budget are food, grooming, and veterinarian costs, which can cost around $500-1,600. 

However, the cost of treating the Blue-eyed Boston Terriers can be higher because of their eye condition. 

Where To Buy or Adopt Blue Eyed Boston Terriers

If you search online, you can find farms selling Blue-eyed Boston Terriers like Patriot Farm Boston Terriers. However, you need to be careful since there are many scammers online. You can also buy your dog from breeders who breed Blue-eyed Boston Terriers. Consider places like Public Animal Shelters that give up dogs for adoption.

Conclusion

Blue-eyed Boston Terriers a great pets, with some health concerns. If you have a Blue-eyed Boston Terrier and you suspect they’re suffering from deafness, consult your vet. He may conduct some tests that can determine the extent of the problem and even restore your dog’s hearing ability.