Over the last 20 or so years dog, ownership has become not only a very popular trend, but a tremendous money maker for those who sell all of the items we are now told we need to buy to prove our love for our pets.

We are being programed to expect the same living standard for our pets as ourselves. While that is not normally a bad thing for some it may be getting a bit extreme. But this is a personal choice on whether to consider our animal friends as pets and loyal companions or if these animals in our homes are equal to human children. But we should remain aware that we are being heavily marketed into demanding things equal to human children.

The main Challenge:

 I see in this, is the growing demand for dogs from people who do not understand that these are living creatures. They will live sometimes longer than 10  years sometimes up to 20 years. While many of their needs are similar to humans, dogs are not human.  The cost of providing the basic standard of living for our pets is now exceeding over $500 plus a year. This does not include special medical costs that some may need, which runs into the thousands of dollars each year per dog. 
We should be prepared to respect and love them in their old age. Since we as their owners, brought them into our homes as young dogs, we should not throw them away when we tire of them or they become inconvenient.  If we are going to treat them almost equal to humans when they are young, then we should care for them in their old age with the same status.  That means caring for them until they cross over the rainbow.


Although dogs are classified as 'special property', under our human laws they are still property.

Their wellbeing is up to the owners of this property.  Many people are working now and have for many years, trying to educate pet owners to be 'responsible owners'. 

But what does that mean?  For most of us that means the owners should be held responsible, under law if necessary, to provide basic needs for these pets, i.e. appropriate amounts of water, food, shelter, emotional support and basic medical care. Also to ensure they are in a safe environment.  The problem arises when we try as a group to decide what these terms mean. This is a changing area and many people who in the past would have not been questioned in their methods of caring for their 'special property' are finding themselves on the wrong side of these new definitions of ’basic needs' and treatment of these wonderful loyal loving animals.   It is no longer found to be acceptable to just let one's dog run the streets, or not get basic medical care and to be covered with fleas and ticks or need to hunt to find its food. But many have not yet got the "memo". We recommend that everyone read their states laws concerning animal welfare.

The old norm of letting dogs breed, because "we want puppies" is another area that has become another area of growing contention. There are many reasons why this has become a target area to encourage a major change in attitude.  It is simple.  The numbers of homeless starving abandoned pregnant moms and their puppies. The noise deafening and the misery is devastating to the humans tasked to destroy them. Do not judge unless you have found out why these places even exist.
We suggest you might want to read this article:
Original Purpose of “Animal Control" Shelters, which you might not know

Not sure if this is an exaggeration?  When was the last time you visited your local 'dog pound' or kill shelter where the overflow is insane.

There are many dedicated groups desperately trying to change attitudes about kill shelters. In a very short time many are no longer tasked with destroying all of the dogs and cats that are turned over to them.  But that only makes the numbers of homeless unwanted animals grow.  While this saves many lives it also adds to the pressures to stop the unchecked breeding in the first place.  We are not even speaking about the additional money required to keep these animals in an upgraded healthier condition so that they might have a better chance to find a new home.

We also suggest that you may find this article informative.
 Should You Volunteer at a Shelter?

 Photo from files: NEWBORN WITH CLEFT PALATE

Just check out the ASPCA's numbers of abandoned young dogs, purebred or mutts, commonly called designer dogs in today's world.  Ask them what happens to the tremendous numbers of deformed, sick and mentally unstable animals being bred by the thousands every year. 

While I am still of the opinion we do need some controlled purebred breeding within established standards, if we are to keep the traits and breed out the bad ones. I can only support those breeders that truly follow the standard breeding basics, that when followed (In case you do not know, can cost thousands of dollars to follow) ensure healthier pups for the future generations of dog lovers.  But then these are strict breeding policies that ensure that the moms and the males are healthy and not carrying bad genes that cause so much of today's blindness, deformities, mental instability, breathing and heart problems etc.  Most of our current breeders cannot afford to do these tests and would be unwilling to only breed one litter every other year, or only for a few years before retiring both parents.   NO most of our amateur breeders have “no clue”. In fact, these details I have only found out by researching many different sources on how to breed and birth healthy litters. We know most hobby or causal breeders do not even know to look. In the case of puppy mills and many commercial breeding kennels, they plainly do not care, it is all about the money.

But there is hope as the growing numbers of rescues and similar organizations and individuals every day of the year 'save' thousands of dogs, one dog (Cats are also caught up in this out of control situation) at a time. Slowly the word is getting out that there is a better way to ensure a slowing of the bad breeding and over-breeding of these pets. There are standards and methods that should be minimally kept. Sometimes a new hobby breeder thinking this would be a great way to make money, sadly too late, discovers all of the hidden costs associated with breeding.  When they cannot find paying homes for the pups because of the numerous puppies available, they land up dropped off at the closest shelter. Or worse yet they just sell the dogs to anyone offering money without even ensuring the new owner will take care of the dog.  

                                                                                                                                                Photo from our files RESCUED PUP

But as long as it is 'cool' to breed dogs just to show what birth looks like, or people think having a puppy is cute without knowledge on the basic costs of raising a dog or cat or how to train them how to behave in the world of humans (hmm, many don't even teach their own children either, but that is a whole other issue we leave to others) this problem will continue.
As the numbers of unwanted excess animals continue to rise, more cities, towns, counties and states are stepping in with regulations, laws and licensing in a patchwork fashion in their frantic attempt to stem this rising tide. But in many cases it's simply because these animals are threats to human health, and not totally to protect the animals.  This is a growing area of law and many more of us are rising up with 'enough is enough' of the animal abuse...

What can an individual pet owner do to help? 
As a responsible dog owner, one of the things you should do for your dog is have it spayed or neutered before it becomes sexually mature. The recommended age to do this is usually around six months old. Dogs reach sexual maturity when they are about six months old. Your veterinarian can help you make an informed decision about the best age to neuter your individual pet. Mainly this recommendation at this young of an age is made because of the astonishing number of abandoned dogs and cats born “accidentally” or unwanted. By spaying or neutering your pet, you’ll help control the pet homelessness crisis, which results in millions of healthy dogs and cats being euthanized in the United States each year simply because there aren’t enough homes to go around. Yes you have heard this tiresome tirad before. But can you be 100% sure your young dog will remain with you its whole life?  The numbers are staggering of how short their life span remains with the original owner. Remember dogs can live up to 10 to 20 years. Alot can change in this time.

There are also medical and behavioral benefits to spaying (female pets) and neutering (male pets) your animals.

For dogs: While the traditional age for neutering is six to nine months, puppies as young as eight weeks old can be neutered as long as they’re healthy. Dogs can be neutered as adults as well, although there’s a slightly higher risk of postoperative complications in older dogs, dogs that are overweight or dogs that have health problems.¹

Some people say they want their children to witness birth. OKAY, you can still do that. There are plenty of rescue groups out there trying to help animals that have been abandoned by irresponsible pet owners. Many have pregnant animals. Volunteer to help...

The ASPCA states “We (ASPCA) spay or neuter dogs at our clinic at eight weeks as long as they weigh at least two pounds. Of course, it varies by breed. Some of the tiny breeds have to be done later. But larger breeds are usually ready by two months of age.
There are still some people who say pediatric spay/neuter is dangerous, but that’s not true. It has become much more widely accepted.

Those ideas about needing to wait until after a dog is six months or a year old are really antiquated and the evidence is to the contrary. Even the American Veterinary Medical Association supports early spay/neuter.²
Neutering a male will remove its psychological need to mate, it will tend to lose any aggressive tendencies and the danger of testicular cancer is removed. Spayed bitches are often healthier and live longer and will not attract male dogs when they no longer come in season for three weeks twice a year. The American Kennel Club allows spayed and neutered animals to participate in all phases of obedience, agility, and junior handling, but not in most conformation classes.
Spaying/neutering your pets is also highly cost-effective. The cost of your pet's spay/neuter surgery is far less than the cost of having and caring for a litter.

Diagram of a female dog - spaying

For those who still insist on their "right " to breed their dog: Please read the following information as a starting place for healthy pups.
You should consider breeding your Boston Terrier only if it has passed an eye examination by a Board Certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist (CERF), a hearing test (a BAER test if you can find someone to give a hearing test in your area), and a physical given by your veterinarian indicating that your Boston has normal patella's (knees), is in good health, and shows no sign of genetic disease. Additionally, no Boston Terrier showing any indications of bad temperament should ever be used for breeding.
Any Boston Terrier used for breeding should be a good representative of the breed as defined by the AKC Standard for the Boston Terrier. Before you consider using your stud dog or bitch for breeding, remember that only dogs free from any genetic defects should ever be used for breeding. If ever a puppy is born with any genetic defects, it means that the parents are carriers of that hereditary disease, and the breeding should not be repeated.

       Photo from our files breeder surrended breed mom

 BUT some Boston owners cannot pass up the lure to try hobby breeding. If this is an idea you have been toying with, then you need to know how to ensure the Boston’s health and that of the possible puppies.

PLEASE READ THIS:
You also need to consider the fact that breeding Boston Terriers requires a certain amount of skill and knowledge. Litters can be small (the average litter is 3.5 puppies), and C-sections are often required in order to protect the life of the mother and the puppies.
Breeding Boston Terriers is rarely a financially profitable venture. Birth defects sometimes occur.
Breeding dogs requires a financial investment as well as good veterinary care. Breeders also need to devote the time and energy to properly socialize their puppies so that they become good members of human society. Responsible breeders should also be very careful with their puppy placements so that Boston Terriers never turn up in dog shelters like other “short-snouted” breeds like Shih Tzu and Pugs. Boston Terriers can be susceptible to problems caused by its head and face shape.

BOSTON TERRIER NETWORK REMARKS:  Because many of our readers will have strong opinions on this subject we ask that comments be respectful.  Any disrespectful or inappropriate comments will be removed.  We do welcome comments that can add in a positive mature balanced way to this discussion.  Thank you

¹http://www.aspca.org
²http://pets.webmd.com