Recent studies indicate that seniors who own pets, live longer, experience better health and enjoy life much more than the senior who has no pet companionship. Results have shown that pet owners often experience a decrease in temperature, stress level, and even blood pressure! In addition to this luxury of companionship, pets can provide joy, entertainment, love and security and even calm the pet owner. Pets love you for being you — not for the psychological games you play — not “only” for the treats you shell out frequently — they are forgiving, loyal and love you unconditionally.

Learn the 6 ways pet ownership can enhance a senior’s quality of life:

#1. Companionship:

An increasing number of hospitals, clinics and nursing homes are now using pet therapy on their senior patients and the results are very encouraging. These patients are finding that having a four legged friend can be comforting, joyful and provide a feeling of security. Studies have proven that having a pet, improves the overall well-being of seniors, for many reasons. Often, seniors are unable to interact socially, perhaps through remoteness or immobility. Sometimes all recreational activity is limited for that senior. A pet can supply both of these things. Animal companionship lessens loneliness, the feeling of isolation and boredom and has even been known to eliminate depression in some patients.

#2. Increases Self-Worth:

Just the need to love and clean and provide for a pet, can certainly increase the self worth of that senior. A pet owner may certainly revel in the attention and affection this pet will offer. Think of the satisfaction derived from seeing this pet thrive and become your best friend — there is nothing like it.

#3. Loyalty and unconditional love received:

This feeling shared with your special pet is second to none. Regardless of the weather, lack of special friends, immobility, poor health — your pet will be by your side assuring you, you are the greatest ! Your pet may even become your most faithful travel companion (depending on your choice of pet, the mode of travel and personalities of both you and your pet)

#4. Improved quality of life:

By exercising your pet in the fresh air, your appetite should increase due to the increased activity, your interest in the outside world increases , you should experience great happiness and you focus less on your physical and emotional aches and pains. You gain a sense of purpose and a compelling reason to take good care of yourself so you can care for your “best friend”. This responsibility for providing protection and care for your pet should be a wonderful diversion for the pet owner.

#5. Stress Reduction:

What could be more tranquil than watching an aquarium full of tropical fish — even, a simple act of petting a dog has been shown to significantly lower a person’s blood pressure. Therapy pets as companions, for AIDS patients, cancer patients, those afflicted with mental illness and seniors, are much more commonly used today. This Pet Therapy concept is experiencing wonderful success in helping many patients experience greatly improved emotional and physical health.

#6. Self Reliance Increase:

Often the fear of being victimized or abused is greatly decreased when the pet owner is in the company of their pet. This self reliance is especially evident when sharing a residence with a dog.

Researchers speculate that the “care-taking role” involved in pet ownership “often provides older people with a sense of purpose and responsibility and encourage them to be less apathetic and more active in day-to-day activities.”
(From the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, March 1999)

Pets, like people display their own unique personalities — IF you or a senior you know are looking for that special friend — Assess the potential pet owner’s unique personality!

Some unique personalities:

** A Couch potato:

Possible choices may be, a tranquil indoor cat — a parakeet, finch or lovebird, or a turtle. A pet that may happily entertain themselves with a mirror, a bell, a ball of wool or a scratching post. Remember with all these pets, they must be fed and watered regularly, ALSO, make certain they have clean bed, kitty litter or cage (whatever the pet may need).

** A High-Energy City Dweller:

Possible choices may be, a bird, an aquarium with exotic fish, a ferret OR possibly a gecko!

** A Country Boy (or girl):

A larger dog (lab or retriever) are some good choices for walks, hikes, swimming, fishing , or enjoying rides in the country.

** The traveller:

Always on the go — Perhaps a pet with little care needed or a travel ready dog such as; a poodle, Chihuahua or Yorkshire terrier are excellent travel companions and are usually airline friendly. Fish, birds would also make a good companion for those breaks in between trips.

If considering a pet for the elderly — keep in mind any restrictions or limitations the senior may have. Size and personality of a dog are important aspects to consider, if a senior wishes to have this type of pet. A small dog is often the pet of choice — but also consider the temperament of the dog.

Smaller dogs are usually easier to handle (unless an exceptionally active little one, i.e. a Jack Russell, however, very cute!) and tend to be less maintenance and easier to handle than larger ones. Usually a smaller dog are also beneficial for the elderly because they make great lap dogs — of course, you need to research the breed’s characteristics first.

Following are some choices of breed that the senior may enjoy:

– Pomeranian — cute, cuddly, perky — a lovely companion!

– Shih Tzu — friendly, gentle, alert and love companionship.

– Schnauzer — two sizes, miniature and standard — protective, wants to please — needs exercise and grooming.

– Boston Terrier — small size, very protective, laid back and friendly.

– Cocker Spaniel — Very patient and docile, little exercise, but regular grooming.

– Pug — Loves loving and to cuddle — but can be playful!

– Toy poodle — Absolutely loves attention — enjoys people presence immensely.

These are just a few breeds that seniors may appreciate — it may be wise to visit a humane society, pet shop and research online for just the companion the senior will love and enjoy.

For each and everyone of us who has ever owned or ever cared for a companion animal, we should not underestimate their important role in emotional health. Pets offer unconditional love and attention, they make us laugh, help us relax and divert us from daily issues. The psychological benefits of pet ownership can be amazing!

For more interesting and informative tips and news on pets for seniors, visit: [http://www.retirement-planning-success.com/Pets-for-seniors.html]

Gerry Dube – Retirement-Planning-Success.Com Providing Critical Tips, Information and Resources (including eBooks and eCourses) For All Aspects of Retirement Planning Success [http://www.retirement-planning-success.com]

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To compete with your Boston Terrier you will need to understand the requirements and procedures used for judging. The American Kennel Club releases breed standards for each breed of dog and the Boston Terriers specifications can be found here. You can also check more specialized clubs for the information about required standards for your Boston Terrier. The American Kennel club is currently revising these standards.

If you want your Boston Terrier to take part in dog shows then you will need to understand the standards and how they relate to your dog. If you already own or are thinking about owning a Boston Terrier and would like to compete (or show off your dog) here’s a guide to understanding breed specifications.

It’s important to note that these are descriptions of ideal Boston Terriers.

Competition ranking systems: Dogs are judged out of a total 100 score. When judging Boston Terriers this score comprises the following elements:

- General Appearance

- Size, Proportion, Substance

- Head – skull shape, characteristics of eyes, ears, muzzle, jaw shape.

- Neck, Topline and Body

- Forequarters

- Gait

- Coat

- Temperament

- Faults in the breed: can lead to instant disqualification

General Appearance

Boston Terriers are intelligent dogs. General appearance needs to be well-balanced; this means all limbs are in proportion. Boston Terriers have a smooth coat which is generally brindle, seal or black. The dog must have even white markings.
The body is short and the limbs are strong. The tail is short.

Size, Proportion, Substance

This refers to your dog’s weight. There are several official weight categories but the dog’s weight cannot exceed 25 pounds.

The Boston Terriers legs should be proportioned to give it its characteristic square appearance. The dog looks sturdy and muscular.

In general the only difference between the male and female is that the bitch generally has more refined features.

Head

The skull is short and flat on top. There should be no wrinkles. The cheeks are flat and the stop is well defined. Boston Terriers should have an alert _expression; reflecting their high intelligence. The eyes should be wide set and large. Boston Terriers with blue eyes – or any hint of blue in their eyes will be disqualified immediately. The ears should be small and stand upright.

The jaw is square and wide with short teeth. The bite is even.

Neck, Towline and Body

The neck should be slightly arched and carry the head gracefully. The neck of the ideal Boston terrier should display an image of balance.

Topline refers to the shape of the dogs back. The back should be shaped in such a way that it completes the square shape of the body.

The chest should be deep with a good width, ribs etc.

Forequarters

The shoulders should be laid back and should slope. IT is this shape which gives Boston Terriers their stylish movement. The elbows should be straight and not protrude in any way. The dewclaws may be removed.
Gait

This refers to the way in which your dog carries himself. The ideal Boston Terrier is sure-footed and straight gaited. The forelegs and hind legs should move in a straight line with perfect rhythm. Each step should be that of grace and power.

Coat

The coat should be short, smooth and fine in texture. Color must be brindle, seal or black with bright markings. The Boston Terrier must have a white muzzle band, white between the eyes and a white chest.

Temperament

The ideal Boston Terrier is friendly and lively. The dog is known for its high intelligence.
Faults in the breed (grounds for disqualification)

Any traces of blue or blue eyes – eyes must be dark

Dudley nose – This means a loss of pigmentation in the nose and it is pink or flesh colored, however when Boston’s are first born and up to 6 months their nose will be pink. It will change to the color black so don’t let this hinder you from buying a Boston with a pink nose.

Docked tail – This refers to the practice of cutting tails. It is an outdated practice and your dog will be disqualified.

Lack of required markings

Other serious faults

Wry mouth – one side of the mouth is longer than the other.

Any showing of the tongue/teeth when the mouth is closed

Other faults

Blocky or chunky appearance

Overshot bite/undershot bite – much like human ‘faults’ this just means an over or under bite.

The Boston Terriers make a great family pet. They are highly intelligent, loyal, great with children and very easy going. They are not considered fighters but definitely can hold their own. If you don’t plan to show your Boston then these qualifications don’t mean a thing. Boston Terriers are the perfect all around companion just the way they are.

Steve Allison is a third generation of professional dog breeders along with his brother Gary. It all started with his grandparents in 1970 with the Boston Terriers and has expanded to Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Pugs, Shih Tzu’s and Pomeranians. He is also actively involved with dog rescue and has a website that showcases the puppies they occasionally has for sale at All My Puppies Online Steve is also the co-author of two consumer guides, Carpet Secrets and Moving Secrets Guide

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Boston Terriers are the top dog breed in many different respects. Bostons–or BTs–as many Boston owners often refer to them, are considered on-top for a variety of reasons:

** They’re tops in playfulness.

** They’re tops in eating.

** They’re tops in snoring.

** They’re tops in passing gas and producing solid waste (sorry, but it’s true).

** They’re tops in sleeping peacefully for hours on end.

** They’re tops in chewing and gnawing on bones.

** They’re tops in cuteness.

** They’re tops in loving.

It’s probably true that most dog breed owners believe their preferred dog breed to be the best, but Boston Terriers are some of the greatest dogs around. But let’s take a little closer look at Boston Terriers…

A puppy trainer once said that, “Boston Terriers are a big dog in a little dog’s body…”, and nothing could be more apt. BTs are not afraid of much. They’ll rumble at will with much bigger Golden Retrievers and Labradors. In fact, many Boston Terriers seem to prefer playing with big dogs.

Boston’s have a wonderful muscular physique. Compact and strong, they usually top out at 20 or 25 pounds, and it’s not uncommon to find more petite Boston Terriers as well.

BTs love to play and they’re speedy and athletic, so be sure to have lots of fetch toys available. They may even be good candidates for agility training, a sort of obstacle course for dogs. But they also love to chew and have strong jaws, so you’ll want to keep strong bones on hand, plus well-made chew ropes or hard rubber tug toys. Forget the little plastic squeaky toys… they’ll be mincemeat in minutes… honestly.

Boston Terriers do play hard, but when they stop, they sleep hard too. Few dog breeds can crash into total oblivion as fast as a Boston. And if they can curl up on the bed or couch with you, so much the better. They absolutely love to nestle into the curve between your butt and knees if you lay on your side. Be prepared to share your bed with your Boston Terrier… they’re almost impossible to resist!

Boston’s eat well too. Not picky, for the most part, they’ll wolf down meals with abandon. And be sure to keep some tasty–but healthy–snacks on hand too to reward good behavior, or just to spoil your little cutie.

And talk about cute… What could be cuter than your little “tuxedo man” (or woman) with the black and white markings, big brown eyes, huge ears, smushy face, and that little pout? One inquisitive look from a Boston Terrier with his head cocked, and you melt.

Of course, Boston Terriers are also “good” at some less desirable things. With their short snouts, breathing is more of a challenge, and they’ll snore better than some humans when sleeping. So, if you’re not a sound sleeper, it could create some problems. Some Boston owners consider their pet to be a “solid waste factory”. It’s not uncommon during a 10-block walk for him to “go” at least twice. So, bring lots of bags!

If you like to exercise, walk, or hike with your Boston, it’s also important to know that their short snouts make it difficult for them to cool their bodies effectively during hot weather. Their dark coats don’t help either. So, you may need to leave your Boston Terriers home on hot days… or to provide some kind of cooling, through a vest with cold packs in it or some such. Cold weather can be hard for a BT too, with their short hair and lack of extra fat. It may look silly, but your BT needs to wear a warm coat when outside on cold days.

But what Boston Terriers are absolutely the best at is… loving their owners. They love us with their total being, following us around the house, and always wanting to be close. Most dogs provide unconditional love to their people; it’s one of the biggest reasons to own a dog. But Boston Terriers are absolutely devoted to people.

Boston’s are hands down one of the top dog breeds you could ever own. Won’t you adopt a Boston Terrier today?

About the Author:

Article by Dog-and-Cat-Training.com
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Boston Terrier Puppy

Boston Terriers need a lot of human attention and interaction with their family. They love to be around you at all times and would like to sit on your lap if you let them.

They require daily physical exercise and mental stimulation. A daily pack walk with your dog is a must for every owner to fulfill your Boston Terrier’s need to migrate and establish your position as pack leader.

Boston Terriers love to accompany you on many indoor and outdoor sports and activities. There are a lot of sports offered for dog owners that would work well for your Boston Terrier, including dog agility and dog dancing. Most Bostons are good swimmers and can dive, too.

Some Boston Terriers can have a dominant streak, though in general they are not one of the more dominant breeds. Ask the breeder or at the foster home about the dog’s level of dominance to find the right individual for you.

Obedience training is important for any dog and dog owner. The Boston Terrier is no exception here. They excel in obedience due to their strong desire to please. Make sure to give your Boston enough mental exercise besides the physical side, or they may become high strung, which can result in destructive behavior.

If you are thinking about getting a Boston Terrier, you need to be willing to care for your dog’s health on a daily basis. The Boston Terrier is a fairly healthy bull breed, but they still may require a lot of medical attention. As with other dog breeds, you should keep the financial aspects of frequent visits to the vet in mind.

Boston Terriers are great companions for people of all ages. They are gentle and loving, and will try to match your energy level as best as they can. If you don’t think you can keep up with a Boston Terrier puppy why not consider getting a mature dog from a rescue?

Generally Boston Terriers get along very well with other animals. A dog-friendly cat is in most cases no problem for a Boston. Some males may show a certain amount of same-sex dog aggression, stemming from their days as pit fighters.

Keep in mind that bringing a predator into your home may result in a continually stressful situation for small pets such as rodents. Also, you should always watch any interaction between your pets to prevent accidents from happening.

Boston Terriers make great companions for kids, especially the more mellow minded individuals who inherited their patient nature from the Bulldog. Bostons are very energetic and enjoy taking part in a lot of activities ranging from dog dancing to dog agility and obedience training.

However, playtime between Boston Terriers and very young children should be supervised. This bull breed is not as resistant to pain as its more robust cousins and should not be left unmonitored with small children (this is of course true for all pets in general and dogs in particular). Boston Terriers can only take so much, and if your toddler handles the dog too roughly they may eventually bite. Also your Boston Terrier can easily be hurt by childish play. Dropping them can quickly lead to a broken leg or worse.

Children also need to be told that their little buddy is not capable of prolonged strenuous activities in hot or very cold weather due to brachycephalic syndrome. However, they love playing with kids and don’t overheat as easily as a Bulldog, making for longer play time in the sun.

Boston Terriers make great playmates that crave mental stimulation and physical exercise. Boston Terriers have a strong desire to please and will be happy to take part in many of the indoors and outdoors activities that your kids come up with.

The Boston Terrier is a medium seized breed that is categorized by the kennel clubs in three weight classes. The Boston’s weight is somewhere between less than 15lb (7kg) in the lowest weight class and up to 25lb (11kg) in the highest.

Like its close relative the Bulldog, the Boston Terrier has a short and broad (brachycephalic) skull with a short, but wrinkle-less, snout and large, expressive eyes.

Boston Terrier Seal Coat

The Boston Terrier’s coat is short and can be brindle, seal or black with white markings typically found between the eyes, around the muzzle and the neck.

The Boston’s ears are bat-like and usually carried erect. Some breeders will crop the dog’s ears if they are not erect as outlined in the breed standard. A lot of countries have outlawed such modifications, viewing it as mutilation.

If you would like to read up on the Boston Terrier breed standards in the various kennel clubs please take a look at the links below:

Boston Terrier Breed Standards

American Kennel Club

United Kennel Club

Canadian Kennel Club (Please note that the link is to a PDF)

Kennel Club

Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Links to English .DOC file)

New Zealand Kennel Club

Australian National Kennel Council

In the time when the bloody gambling sport of bullbaiting had not yet been outlawed, Bull-and-Terrier type dogs, which were bred on the British Isles, were used as ferocious fighters. The dogs tried to latch onto the bull’s snout and suffocate their opponent in a brutal duel.

Boston Terrier History

The dog owners, however, had to be able to handle their dogs, and thus dogs were selectively bred for their friendliness towards humans. After bullbaiting had been outlawed in England in 1835, the Bulldog in its old form had outlived its usefulness and would have been forgotten, had enthusiastic breeders not seen the Bulldog’s potential and turned the ferocious fighter into a lovable companion dog.

Importing dogs to the US from Europe was common, and in 1870 William O’Brian imported a dog named Judge from England and brought him to Boston, where he was sold to Robert C. Hooper. Judge was imported as a fighting dog for pit fighting, which had replaced bullbaiting.

Little is known about Judge’s ancestry, however, it has been speculated that he was either a direct descendant of the old Bull-and-Terrier type dogs or a cross between the modern Bulldog and a White English Terrier. These terriers were bred in the 1860s for shows but within 30 years of their acceptance into the Kennel Club the breed fell into obscurity and is now extinct.

Judge was later bred to a white female dog, who belonged to Edward Burnett of Southboro. Because of the breed’s young age and small gene pool, later generations were significantly inbred and crossed with breeds such as the French Bulldog. These earlier forms of the Boston Terrier are known today as Olde Boston Bulldogge.

Boston Terriers (which were not known as such yet) quickly became popular, and so fanciers in the Boston area came together to form the American Bull Terrier Club. Because of the name’s similarity to other bull breeds, the breed had to be renamed. It was finally decided to name this new breed of dog the Boston Terrier.

Even though “terrier” is a part of its breed name, it is only a minor aspect of the Boston Terrier’s temperament. Much of its people-friendliness and gentle behavior stems from its Bulldog ancestors, who are still know today for their amazingly loving character.

Other names for this breed include Boston Bull and Boxwood.

The Boston Terrier was first recognized as a breed by the Canadian Kennel Club in 1888. Five years later – in 1893 – the Boston Terrier was accepted into the American Kennel Club.