THE BOSTON TERRIER: AN AMERICAN GENTLEMAN

 As the first American bred dog, the Boston Terrier is said to be "as American as apple pie and baseball." Kind and gentle with few equals as home companions, it's no wonder the Boston Terrier became the most popular dog in the country during the 1920s. Its presence was seen in ads from tobacco to playing cards, and in 1922 Boston University adopted the Boston Terrier character RHETT as their official mascot. From 1900 to 1950, the AKC registered more Boston Terriers than any other dog, and in 1979, Massachusetts named the Boston Terrier the Official State Dog. However, after years of "fading popularity," the ol' Round Heads are making a comeback and have been listed as the 21st most popular breed in America (plus or minus one) for the last ten years.

When looking back on the origination of the breed, we find that Robert C. Hooper of Boston purchased a dog of English descent that was thought to be a mix of an English Bulldog and English Terrier and named it Hooper’s Judge. Edward Burnett, also a resident of the Boston area, had an all-white bulldog named Gyp. Fortunately for everyone that loves today’s Boston Terrier, the Industrial Revolution produced a middle-class of workers that wanted to transform dogs into “high-society” companion animals. The goal was a short face dog with the solid nature of a bulldog, and the elegance and energy of a terrier. Hooper and Burnett decided to breed their dogs and that union produced just one puppy named Well’s Eph. Not quite what they had hoped for; however, the next union was between Well’s Eph and Tobin’s Kate, a small 20lb, golden brindle colored Terrier, who produced a new litter that was affectionately called Round Heads. It wasn’t until 1891 (and several dozen litters later) when the Boston Terrier Club of America was organized that they changed the name from Round Heads to Boston Terriers. Two years later, in 1893, they were admitted to the American Kennel Club with full recognition.

 The typical Boston Terrier is 12 to 15” in height and weighs between 10 to 25lbs. Their life expectancy ranges from 13 to 15 years. The breed does experience more than their fair share of issues compared to other small breeds. The biggest health issues that confront the breed are cataracts (clouded film over the eye lens), cherry eye (a protrusion of the third eyelid), heart murmurs, deafness, and megaesophagus (regurgitation of undigested food). Lesser conditions that confront the Boston Terrier are periodontal disease, dermatitis, and the potential to snore…a lot!!

While no one food is the perfect food for all dogs, knowing the predispositions of breeds will help you make more informed decisions regarding their nutritional needs. While meeting and exceeding nutritional guidelines doesn’t guarantee health and wellness, it certainly doesn’t hurt.

HOW GUARDIAN CAN HELP YOUR BOSTON TERRIER

At Guardian, we believe in using ingredients from nature with no artificial or synthetic vitamins and minerals. Our essential amino acids come from animal-based proteins (not synthetics) which makes them highly digestible. Since canines have zero need for carbohydrates, we minimize their inclusion, especially since they can play a role in obesity and related health issues. 

Our patented NOBL Canine Food Bars are nutrient-dense and freeze-dried, providing 100% complete and balanced nutrition. Each bar is pre-portioned, making it easier to monitor portions and help with weight control. They’re also super convenient with no thawing, rehydration, or bowl required, perfect for pet parents who take their Boston Terriers on the go. 

In our effort to innovate every day in support of pet health and wellness, our Dog Almighty Elixirs are an ultra-convenient and tasty way to help all dogs and Boston Terriers alike live their best lives. As drinkable supplements, pet parents can forgo the pills and powders and give their dogs something they’ll actually enjoy. Our Mobility formula can help maintain and enhance healthy bone and joint function, while our Calm formula can help sustain calmness and support balanced behavior.