Hello! Welcome to LittleBeasts.com
We do not breed Boston Terriers - we are just Boston terrier addicts!
We are glad to hear you have been bewitched by Bostons! They are wonderful
friends.
We have some great links for you if you are looking to adopt a Boston
Terrier puppy.
Over the years we have compiled a list of information on finding a reputable
Boston Terrier breeder. Finding a reputable breeder is a very important
step because you want a puppy that is healthy and has a wonderful temperament.
First of all, congratulations for looking for a good breeder and not supporting
puppymills by buying a puppy from a pet store or from an online puppymill
broker.
The information below has many good links to visit to learn about Boston
Terriers and finding a healthy Boston Terrier puppy from a reputable breeder.
The Widget Puppy Buyers Guide, Sekc's Zoo Puppy Buyers Guide and the BTCA
Reputable Breeder Guidelines will give you valuable information about
what to look for and what to avoid when looking for a breeder.
After reading the material below, you will be prepared with many questions
for the breeders you are researching. Be prepared - a good breeder will
have just as many questions (if not more) for you :)
What is a reputable breeder?
The following sites have articles that really are a "must read"
if you are considering buying a Boston Terrier puppy.
This is a puppy buyers guide written by a Boston Terrier breeder:
Widget's Puppy
Buyers Guide
This is a puppy buyers guide written by Sekc's Zoo. It has
photo examples of OFA, CERF & BAER certifications.
Sekc's Zoo Puppy Buyers Guide
The Boston Terrier Club of America (BTCA) how to find a reputable breeder
guidelines:
http://www.bostonterrierclubofamerica.org/ReputableBreeder.html
The Boston Terrier Club of America has a breeder referral service - but
they don't "vouch" for anyone so ask alot of questions and do
your research. Just because a breeder belongs to the club does not mean
that they follow to BTCA breeder guidelines and health testing recommendations.
http://www.bostonterrierclubofamerica.org/referral.html
The Pet Dogs L website has a great article called How
Do You Know When You've Found a Good Breeder?
It is not Boston specific but has important questions to ask of any
breeder before buying a puppy. There is also a good explanation of dog
registries.
Boston Terrier Health Issues
Bostons Terriers as a breed can have some health issues - you want to
find a breeder who tests for these problems BEFORE they breed. Both parents
as well as the puppies should be tested and certified.
You will want to see certifications for these specific tests. Some breeders
will tell you that all their dogs are health tested by their vet - this
is NOT the same as certified clear of the conditions
below. These are tests done by specialists.
Click
this link & scroll down to see a real example of an OFA Patella certificate,
a CERF test result & certificate and a BAER test.
Patellas (knees) certified through OFA
(Orthopedic Foundation for Animals)
Juvenile Cataracts certified through CERF
(Canine Eye Registration Foundation)
Deafness - certified through OFA with BAER
Tests (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response test)
Here is the BTCA
health information page.
The BTCA has a health certification program and participates in the CHIC
registry program. The BTCA health certificate requires the OFA exam for
patellas, CERF exam and BAER test. You can see who is registering their
health testing results with these programs. Please note that many reputable
breeders do health testing and do not register the results online. They
will have health certificates to show you. They are proud to show these
hard earned certificates.
BTCA
health certification program
CHIC Registry database for Boston Terriers
*Please note that there is a DNA test available to determine if a Boston
Terrier carries the Juvenile Cataract gene. This is fantastic news and
a big advantage for Boston Terriers as a breed. A reputable breeder will
have tested the dogs in their breeding program and will have identified
which dogs carry the gene. They can then make educated decisions when
they breed that dog. The juvenile cataract gene is passed on only if BOTH
parents carry the gene.
In our opinion, with this test available why would any breeder
who cared about the puppies they produce NOT do health testing?
Health Guarantees & Contracts
Read the contract and guarantee carefully. Many breeders will offer a
health guarantee. That may initially make you feel safe. Read more closely
and very often the terms of that guarantee offer to exchange your puppy
for a new puppy or a refund. That refund is only if you return
the puppy to the breeder. Think of the heartbreak of falling
in love and bonding with a puppy only to have to return it because s/he
is sick or has a genetic condition. Think about the expense of keeping
a puppy with a health issue like luxating patellas (LP). On average the
surgery to repair LP is $800 - $1500 per knee. Doing your research will
pay off.
What To Expect
A reputable breeder does not have many litters each year. You
may have to wait until they have puppies. You may also want to consider
traveling. If you are prepared to travel, you may increase your options
of good breeders to choose from. We drove 10 hours one way to get Bergamot
and Emrys - they were well worth the drive!
A responsible breeder will not sell a puppy before they are 8 to 12 weeks
old. If a breeder offers to sell a puppy at 5 to 7 weeks - this is a red
flag. It is important that the puppies are with their mother and siblings
until they are at least 8 weeks old for crucial socialization development.
Boston Terrier Rescue
Another way to add a Boston Terrier to your family is to look into adopting
a Boston from a Boston Terrier rescue group. There are many wonderful
Bostons waiting to find their forever homes.
Boston
Terrier Club of America Rescue.
Find a rescue near you on BTRescue.org.
We hope these tips will help you find a healthy puppy who will be your
friend for many years to come.
More info will be added as we work on making this section as informative
and helpful as we can.
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