Boston Terrier Dog BreedingFind the Perfect Match

Essential health tests for Boston Terriers include: 1) Patella evaluation (OFA) - MANDATORY for detecting luxation that affects 10-25% of the breed. 2) Annual eye examination (CERF/OFA) - Required due to prominent eyes prone to injury, cataracts, and cherry eye. 3) BAER hearing test - Critical especially for white Boston Terriers where deafness affects up to 8%. 4) Spinal X-rays for hemivertebrae - Important due to corkscrew tail structure. 5) Cardiac evaluation - Recommended annually. 6) Breathing function assessment - Critical for this brachycephalic breed. These tests ensure you're breeding healthy Boston Terriers that can enjoy active, comfortable lives.

Boston Terriers have an 80%+ C-section rate due to their unique anatomy. Their large, round heads (brachycephalic structure) combined with narrow pelvises make natural delivery difficult. Additionally, small litter sizes (typically 3-4 puppies) mean less natural dilation occurs. Planning C-sections with experienced veterinarians ensures safe deliveries for both mothers and puppies. This isn't a weakness but rather a characteristic that requires responsible breeding practices. Budget $1,500-$3,000 per C-section and limit females to 2-3 litters lifetime with 18-month recovery periods between surgeries.

Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) affects Boston Terriers due to their flat faces. Signs include loud breathing, exercise intolerance, and overheating. Responsible breeders can improve this by: 1) Selecting for open, wide nostrils (stenotic nares are hereditary). 2) Choosing moderate muzzle length over extreme flatness. 3) Testing breathing function before breeding - dogs should tolerate 15-minute walks without distress. 4) Avoiding breeding dogs that snore excessively or require surgery for elongated soft palates. 5) Maintaining healthy weights as obesity worsens BOAS. Your breeding choices directly impact whether puppies can enjoy active, comfortable lives.

Hemivertebrae are malformed vertebrae causing the characteristic 'corkscrew' tail in Boston Terriers. While the curly tail is breed-typical, severe cases can cause spinal compression, pain, and paralysis. X-ray screening before breeding identifies affected dogs. Select for moderate tail curves rather than tight corkscrews. Signs of problems include difficulty defecating, weakness in hind legs, or incontinence. Most Boston Terriers with hemivertebrae live normal lives, but breeding away from extreme tail types prevents suffering. This is why spinal X-rays are recommended in breeding programs.

Boston Terriers should begin breeding at 2 years old when fully mature and health tested. Males can breed from 2-7 years, while females should retire earlier at 5 years due to C-section stress. Never breed a female Boston Terrier before 2 years or after 5 years. Due to high C-section rates (80%+), limit females to maximum one litter per year with 2-3 litters lifetime total. The 18-month recovery between C-sections is critical for maternal health. Early retirement protects the breeding female's long-term wellbeing.

Cherry eye occurs when the third eyelid gland prolapses, appearing as a red mass in the eye corner. Boston Terriers' prominent eyes make them susceptible, with 5-10% affected. It's believed to be hereditary, involving weak connective tissue. While not painful initially, untreated cherry eye causes dry eye and discomfort. Surgical correction has 90%+ success rate when performed by experienced vets. Breeding dogs with cherry eye history isn't recommended as it increases puppy risk. Include annual eye exams (CERF) in your health testing protocol to identify and manage eye conditions early.

Patellar luxation (kneecap dislocation) affects 10-25% of Boston Terriers, making OFA patella evaluation MANDATORY before breeding. Grade 1-2 luxations may cause occasional limping, while Grade 3-4 require surgery costing $3,000-$5,000 per knee. It's hereditary, so never breed affected dogs even if symptoms seem mild. Select breeding pairs with OFA Patella Normal results. Early detection through veterinary palpation identifies affected puppies by 8 weeks. Maintaining healthy weight and muscle tone helps prevent progression. Your commitment to patella testing ensures puppies enjoy active, pain-free lives.

White Boston Terriers have higher deafness risk (up to 8%) due to lack of pigment in the inner ear, affecting nerve development. The same genes controlling white coat color influence inner ear pigmentation. BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) testing at 6 weeks identifies affected puppies. Unilateral (one ear) deafness often goes unnoticed without testing. While deaf dogs can live happy lives with proper training, breeding two dogs with extensive white markings increases deafness risk. Responsible breeders BAER test all puppies, especially from white-heavy parents, and avoid breeding affected dogs.

Juvenile cataracts in Boston Terriers are hereditary, appearing between 8 weeks and 4 years old, affecting up to 10% of the breed. Unlike age-related cataracts, juvenile forms progress rapidly and can cause blindness. Annual CERF/OFA eye exams are essential for early detection. Affected dogs should never be bred as it's an autosomal recessive trait - carriers show no symptoms but produce affected puppies when bred together. Surgery can restore vision ($3,000-$5,000 per eye) but doesn't change genetic status. Clear breeding stock through multiple generations reduces incidence.

Boston Terriers are extremely temperature-sensitive due to their brachycephalic structure and thin coat. Heat stress occurs above 75°F, potentially causing heat stroke during breeding or whelping. Cold sensitivity below 45°F requires heated whelping areas as newborns cannot regulate temperature. Breeding facilities need climate control year-round. Schedule breeding attempts during cooler morning hours. C-section timing is critical - avoid hot afternoons. Newborn puppies require 85-90°F environment for first week. Many Boston Terrier puppies need warming assistance at birth due to small litter sizes (3-4 puppies) providing less mutual warmth. Temperature management is essential for breeding success.