Boston Terriers are the Best! (The Best Dogs Ever)

By: Elaine Landau
Publisher: Lerner Publications
Publication Date: August 2010
ISBN: 978-0761350552
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: September 2010

Some dogs are great watchdogs, some can jump through hoops at a circus, but probably the most loveable are “people pooches.” Add a sense of humor to that and you have none other than the Boston terrier or BT for short. They are a small dog about “15 to 17 inches (38 to 43 centimeters) tall at the shoulders” and weigh in around 25 pounds (11 kilograms). In the 1800s these dogs were bred to fight one another and weighed up to 44 pounds (20 kg). They didn’t prove to be particularly good fighters and by the time the 1900s rolled around they were once again being bred as pets. The BT is a real cutie pie that has a short, smooth coat, a square head, a “wide, flat muzzle,” and large round, dark irresistible eyes. They do come in a few different colors, but no matter what color they come in they make for a super duper family pet!

This charming breed is valued for their “intelligence, good looks, and willingness to please.” The American Kennel Club (AKC) places the Boston terrier in the “nonsporting group” along with such dogs as the Tibetan terrier and the dalmatian. One very interesting fact is that the BT “was the first breed in its group to be started in the United States.” Convinced that you want this all American dog? In this book the author stresses that you need to be aware of not only the dog’s needs, but also yours. For example the BT does not do well in hot, humid places because it “may have trouble breathing.” If you don’t have the time for a high energy dog, you might want to consider a hamster instead. In this book you’ll learn about the Boston terrier’s faults, how easy they are to train, what supplies you’ll need to have on hand so “your household will be BT-ready,” the need for proper veterinarian care, grooming, and other breed specific needs.

This is an excellent book to take a look at if your family is considering adding a Boston terrier to your family. Although this book is targeted toward the young, potential pet owner from the ages of four to eight, if you do decide to get a BT you will obviously need to purchase a book specific to the breed. This book encourages responsibility and will definitely inform the young reader about the dog and their part in raising it. The cute factor is ten on a scale of ten with numerous engaging photographs. There are several captions and sidebars that offer up several interesting vignettes and additional information about the breed. For example, one talks about two U.S. presidents who owned them. In the back of the book is an index, a glossary, and additional recommended books and websites to explore.

Quill says: Reading this book will likely cause you to fall in love with the Boston terrier.