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Do Boston Terriers Shed a Lot? Grooming Tips & Health Facts
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Boston Terriers are known for their sweet disposition, cute appearance, and gentle nature. These amazing dogs make great family pets and companions. They rush around full of energy and love to make any home complete. If you’re new to the world of Boston Terriers, however, you may have questions before you bring one home. One of the most common is, do Boston Terriers shed a lot?
With so many people around the world having allergies or simply not wanting a lot of dog hair in their homes, learning the answer to this question before adopting a dog is important. Luckily, when it comes to the Boston Terrier the answer is no, they don’t shed a lot. Let’s learn more about this dog breed and its grooming requirements so you’ll know what to expect when welcoming one of these cuties into your home.
A Bit About the Boston Terrier
While the Boston Terrier has ties to 19th century England, they're an American native dog breed. A muscular and strong dog by the name of Judge was bred in England when dog fighting was all the rage. He was a mix between the now-extinct English Terrier and a Bulldog. Judge was an impressive animal which made people want him. Oddly enough, after a few deals, Judge found himself being sold to a Boston native named William Hooper. While in Hooper’s care, Judge was bred and became the patriarch of the Boston Terrier line.
With careful breeding over the years, the size and fighting history of the Boston Terrier was bred out. This is thanks in part to breeders who worked hard to make the breed more suitable for being a companion dog. In 1891, the Boston Terrier Club of America was formed to show the growing love of these dogs. Not long after, in 1893, the American Kennel Club recognized the Boston Terrier as a breed. The “American Gentleman” as they are called has gone as far as being declared the mascot for Boston University and the official dog of Massachusetts.
The Boston Terrier’s Coat
Shedding can be a major concern for dog owners. There are some breeds out there, like the Husky, that leave hair in their wake no matter where they go. Then some breeds barely shed at all, like the Poodle. The American Kennel Club even uses a scale to help you know how much shedding you should expect from certain dog breeds. The Boston Terrier, and its smooth coat, fall at a level 2 out of 5 on this scale. Their shedding level is similar to that of a Pug. What does this mean for you and your home? It means they shed only a minimal amount throughout the year.
The Boston Terrier has a single coat of fur. It consists of short, thin fur. They, unlike the Huskies we just mentioned, don’t sport a double coat which is often used to offer the dog more protection and insulation throughout the year. This also means your Boston Terrier isn’t equipped to handle extreme heat or cold due to this. This breed’s small size and single coat means they won’t be leaving layers of hair all around your house each day.
How to Reduce Your Boston Terrier’s Shedding
Although they have relatively short fur, Boston Terriers still need grooming. This will help reduce the amount of hair they shed daily. With their thinner coats, you won’t need aggressive de-shedding tools. A quality bristle brush should do the trick. You’ll need to be gentle when working with the Boston Terrier, as the coats are thin making it easier to damage their skin. Simply brush them thoroughly twice a week to help reduce the amount of hair left around the home.
Routine bathing also helps reduce shedding by removing loose hairs on your dog’s coat. However, you do not want to constantly bathe your Boston Terrier. The natural oils on their skin are needed to protect against drying and itching. Instead, plan on bathing your pooch once a month. These little dogs are very active, however, so you could find your Boston Terrier getting a bit dirty in between baths. If that’s the case, don’t panic. Go ahead and bathe them so they can be clean. Just remember to use the bristle brush after each bath to help get rid of those loose hairs.
Diet and Shedding
Yes, a dog’s diet can contribute to how much they shed. A dog that is fed a poor diet is going to shed more. For your Boston Terrier, you should provide them with high-quality dog food from a brand you feel you can trust. This will help ensure they are getting proper nutrition. Take a look at the ingredients list to see if the food includes omega-3 fatty acids. These are great additions to the diet that promotes better skin and coat health.
Final Thoughts
If a Boston Terrier is the perfect dog for you, don’t let a bit of shedding stop you from bringing one of these dogs home. While you may find a few hairs lying around the house or on your clothes, this breed only sheds a minimal amount. Luckily, with good grooming practices and a healthy diet, you can help reduce your Boston Terrier’s shedding. That is a win for both you and your pooch.
Featured Image Credit by Eve Photography, Shutterstock
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Melissa was born and raised in the mountains of East Tennessee where she spent her time writing in an old notebook and playing outside with her pets. As an avid animal lover, she has brought many into her home over the years. Currently, she is the mom of 5 fur babies. Her 2 cats, Princess and Pepper are total opposites who demand attention. Her dogs Jazzy, Whitey, and Demon are full of spunk and keep the entire family on their toes.
Beyond life as an animal mom, Melissa is a dedicated wife and mother to 2 children. Writing in her old notebook led her down the path of becoming not only a freelance writer but a published Indie author under the pen name, Rena Marin.
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