Boston Terrier

by JC McGee
(Charlotte, NC)

Please don't hate me 'cause I'm beautiful.

Bostons are among the best breeds for people with children because of their non-aggressive demeanors. In general, Bostons will let a child paint their nails, dress them up or whatever else. It's important to make sure that your children know how to treat a dog in the first place, since Bostons (from my experience) won't usually defend themselves or snap when something is uncomfortable. I suppose as with all dogs, playing with children should be supervised - though in the case of Bostons, it's usually for THEIR safety!

Due to their energy levels, Bostons aren't for everyone. They love attention and to play, and a healthy Boston needs lots of time for both. This doesn't mean that your world has to revolve around the dog, but including him or her as much as possible in your activities gives them a real sense of purpose.

Boston's, like many "snub-nosed" breeds, have a stinky little secret, so it's best to be prepared for that.

Lastly, I've been around dogs all my life. Hands down, these tikes are my favorite breed. They usually stay in the small to lower medium size range, so are great indoor dogs. In fact, they thrive more indoors than outdoors, because of their short fur and noses - cold and heat both can harm them. They are loyal, extremely loving and would do anything to please their owners. Some people have been put off by their appearance, calling them ugly, but I think once you've let one into your life you'll find they're among the most beautiful dogs in the world.