Breed Health

Although Boston Terrier's are generally healthy, long-lived dogs, problems can still occur with even the best of care. Although with careful breeding and careful puppy selection many health problems can be avoided.
below you will find a short guide to the main health issues that have a tendancy to affect the Boston Terrier.

The main health problem that is associated with the Boston Terrier's is an heriditary eye disease - Namely - Juvenile Hereditary Cataracts - JHC

Early-onset hereditary cataract in Boston Terriers is a condition that was first described in 1978 (Barnett 1978). In this disorder, cataracts are bilateral and can be diagnosed as early as 8-12 weeks of age, but are not congenital. Obvious cataracts occur between 9 and 15 months of age with further progression and maturity of the cataract between 2-4 years. The condition has an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance.

The mutation, or change to the structure of the gene, probably occurred spontaneously in a single dog but once in the population has been inherited from generation to generation like any other gene. The disorder shows an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance: two copies of the defective gene (one inherited from each parent) have to be present for a dog to be affected by the disease. Individuals with one copy of the defective gene and one copy of the normal gene - called carriers - show no symptoms but can pass the defective gene onto their offspring. When two apparently healthy carriers are crossed, 25% (on average) of the offspring will be affected by the disease, 25% will be clear and the remaining 50% will themselves be carriers.

The mutation responsible for the disease has recently been identified at the Animal Health Trust. Using the information from this research, They have developed a DNA test for the disease. This test not only diagnoses dogs affected with the disease but can also detect those dogs which are carriers, displaying no symptoms of the disease but able to produce affected pups. Under most circumstances, there will be a much greater number of carriers than affected animals in a population. It is important to eliminate such carriers from a breeding population since they represent a hidden reservoir of the disease that can produce affected dogs at any time.

Breeders and Owners are sent results identifying their dog as belonging to one of three categories:
 CLEAR: the dog has 2 copies of the normal gene and will neither develop Early-Onset Hereditary Cataract, nor pass a copy of the Early-Onset Hereditary Cataract gene to any of its offspring.
 CARRIER:  the dog has one copy of the normal gene and one copy of the mutant gene that causes Early-Onset Hereditary Cataract. It will not develop Early-Onset Hereditary Cataract but will pass on the Early-Onset Hereditary Cataract gene to 50% (on average) of its offspring.
 AFFECTED: the dog has two copies of the Early-Onset Hereditary Cataract mutation and is affected with Early-Onset Hereditary Cataract.

Carriers can still be bred to clear dogs. On average, 50% of such a litter will be clear and 50% carriers; there can be no affecteds produced from such a mating. Pups which will be used for breeding can themselves be DNA tested to determine whether they are clear or carrier.

The UK Kennel Club and Boston Breed Club are working closely with breeders by using the above DNA test and in addition to this using a Health Screening scheme called The BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme to help eliminate or reduce the frequency of eye disease being passed on to puppies. For more information on this scheme click on the following link.

Boston Terriers have large and expressive but somewhat protruding eyes, so protecting them is very important. Because of the prominence of their eyes, Bostons are susceptible to number of other eye diseases apart from JHC including:
 Corneal Ulcers - There are many things that can cause a canine corneal ulcer. The most common is trauma. For example, from rubbing the eye against an abrasive surface, or from a scratch (while playing with another pet). Another common cause is chemical burn of the cornea, which can happen when shampoo or other irritants get in the eye. The best treatment is prevention, since corneal ulcers can become infected and difficult to treat. Try to keep your Boston Terrier away from thorny plants and out of dusty conditions.
 Glaucoma - Affects about 1% of Boston Terriers, and is caused by pressure build up in the eye; which may result in blindness.
 Cherry Eye - Mode of inheritance is unknown; a congenital defect that has a breed predisposition. According to a 2001 health survey, Cherry Eye occurs in approximately 6% of Boston Terriers. This is because the tear gland may bulge out. Surgery may be required to reposition the third eyelid and the tear gland.
 Corneal Dystrophy - Mode of inheritance is unknown. Boston Terriers have a form of this canine eye disease that usually develops at 5 to 7 years of age. The disease begins with fluid build-up that makes the cornea appear white in color, beginning at the edge of the cornea, progressing to the center, often involving the entire cornea. It can cause a painful corneal ulcer that is difficult to treat.
 Distichiasis - A condition where hairs on the inner surface of the eye lid are abnormally placed, causing discomfort, and may cause corneal ulcers to develop. Corneal ulcers may not heal because of the irritation. Hair removal is usually recommended.
 Keratitis Sicca (aka "dry eye") -Occurs in 1 in 50 Boston Terriers very early in life, due to inadequate tear production. It can result in chronic, painful eye infections. Mode of inheritance is unknown.
 Entropion - Affects less than 1% of Bostons, and is caused by the lower lid margins rolling inward and the hair to rubbing against the eyeball. It can cause a reddened, inflamed eye, infections, and corneal ulcers. This condition is believed to be inherited and can usually be remedied with surgery.

 Avoid long periods of sun exposure. You can even purchase dog visors, sunglasses, and goggles that will help keep protect their eyes from the Sun.
 Don't let your Boston Terrier stick their head out of car windows because of the increased air pressure on the eyes.
 Keep your Boston out of dusty conditions.
 Carry dog eyewash eye drops with you so that you can wash it out any debris before the dog rubs his eyes, resulting in scratches.
 Keep your dog away from thorny plants like roses or cactus.

Many Bostons cannot tolerate excessive heat and also extremely cold weather, due to their shortened muzzle and 'flat' face that funnels the cold into the dogs nose and airways and it's fine coat, so hot or cold weather combined with demanding exercise can bring harm to a Boston Terrier. You may need to consider a coat or jumper if the weather is cold or wet, As a general rule if you need a sweater on so does your Boston. We use Fleece jumpers while indoors in the winter months and are now using quilted hooded Fleece Coats for rainy days as we were having major problems with the binding on the Danish Design 2 in 1 Coats as they have caused friction sores on our dogs front legs, due to the fineness of their hair, Danish Design have now confirmed that their coats are not suitable for fine coated breeds - which I find rather ironic being that fine smooth coated breeds are more likely to need to wear a coat than a long coated breed! Because the quilted hooded coats are soft and made of soft fleece around the under belly there is nothing to rub and create sores and they combine a suberb level of comfort and functionality.

A sensitive digestive system is also typical of the Boston Terrier. In the absence of proper diet, flatulence is associated with the breed. Boston Terriers take in air while they eat and drink this causes high flatulence. Therefore it can increase their risk of 'Bloat'. This can be helped by feeding a quality dry dog food and using special anti gulping bowls that are designed to slow down eating and drinking - Although there are many types of Anti Gulping feeding bowls available, after much testing of nearly every anti gulping bowl available both here and in the USA , we can recommend using the DURAPET SLOW FEED stainless steel feeding bowl as it has a single smooth domed hump in the middle of the bowl and can be cleaned much better than the plastic versions, We don;t recommend using the plastic anti gulping feeding bowls as like all plastic food bowls, they can cause skin conditions to occur around the mouth, The three pronged metal bowls also known to cause problems as although they can be cleaned better to reduce the risk of mouth sores, they can chip and damage teeth very easily. We have also found that the flat faced breeds seem to have difficulty reaching the food at the bottom of a three pronged bowl. As well as the Durapet Slow Feed we also use the Road Refresher water bowl for our own Bostons as they are anti spill and encourage tidy slower drinking. They also have a uniquley designed cage clip so the Road Refresher can be attached easily and securely to dog cages. It can be at home and while travelling without the risk of any spillage, giving your dog the access to water 24hours a day that it needs.

Slowing down eating and drinking can help with some health conditions including:
Vomiting. Excess gas. Indigestion. Regurgitation. Aspiration pneumonia, which can occur when food is aspirated into the lungs, usually a problem for dogs with conditions of the larynx. Bloat (also known as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) "stomach torsion," or "twisted stomach). It is an extremely serious condition.

Bostons, and other short-snouted breeds are brachycephalic breeds. The word comes from Greek roots "Brachy," meaning short and "cephalic," meaning head. This anatomy can cause tiny nostrils, long palates and a narrow trachea. Because of this, Bostons may be prone to snoring and reverse sneeze, a rapid and repeated forced inhalation through the nose, accompanied by snorting or gagging sounds used to clear the palate of mucus, but does not harm the dog in any way.

If you think your Boston has a health problem - please consult a qualified Vet for advise and treatment - the information above is only designed for information purposes and not intended to be used as a substitute for obtaining treatment for your Boston.