What should I look for when buying a dog?

Question

I am interested in purchasing a boston terrier and I want to know what should I be looking for in a healthy dog. Also why do they cost soooo much?

Answer 1

You want these to be "yes"


Are the puppies born on the premises?
Does the breeder insist that the puppies be at least seven weeks before being placed?
Did the breeder seem happy that you are asking questions?
Did the breeder ask you lots of questions? Questions about your lifestyle, family, experience with dogs and other pets, why you wanted a dog? Did you feel a bit like you were applying for a million dollar mortage?
Is the breeder a member of a breed club?
Are the sire and dam each at least two years old?
Were both sire and dam tested for genetic health before the breeding?
Does the breeder have information on the health testing of most of the immediate relatives of the sire and dam?
Did the breeder volunteer information on the health testing, and volunteer proof?
Does the breeder offer a guarantee against genetic health problems at least two years long?
Did the breeder ask you whether you planned on breeding?
Does the breeder make you feel comfortable calling for advise?
Did the breeder go over some of the problems some people have with the breed?
Is the dam a family pet (meaning does she live in the house as part of the family)? (For that matter does the breeder know what a "dam" is?)
Have the puppies been introduced to children? To other animals?


You want these to be "no"

Did the breeder state or imply that puppies would be arriving from off premises? (e.g. shipped in soon)
Will the breed agree to sell a puppy less than 7 weeks old?
Was the breeder reluctant to answer questions?
Did the breeder seem to be defensive in answering questions?
Does the breeder charge different prices for dogs with or without papers?
Does the breeder claim the dogs are purebred but unpapered?
Did the breeder claim that his or her lines were entirely free of health problems?
Does the health guarantee require that you return the puppy?
Do you feel pressured into buying a puppy? Do you feel like the breeder is trying to "sell" the puppy (as in persuading you to buy)?

Answer 2

I would suggest you go to the AKC website and check out good breeders for Boston's. That website will also tell you common problems in Boston's and what to look for when you are thinking about buying one. Just make sure you get one from a good breeder, and not a puppy mill. Mill dogs have sooooo many issues. Make sure you see both the parents (or at least the mother) and make sure they look healthy, happy, and well socialized. Don't buy a dog from a breeder that will let you take it before they are 9 wks old, and preferably they need to be 16 weeks old before seperated with their parents. Ask if you can inspect the kennels or rooms where the dogs live, and make sure they are clean, well fed, etc. Take it to the vet immediately after you buy it, and have it checked for worms, and other diseases. If you get it from a breeder that says they do their own vaccinations, you need to make sure by getting the little stickers from the vaccination vial. If they don't give you the sticker, no vet will take it as proof that they had it. As far as money goes, the general rule is it is good to spend more. If you have someone selling them for cheap, it probably means that their dogs are fed cheap food and not well cared for. Just know who you are buying from. Oh. And my best suggestion? Search for a Boston Terrier Rescue instead. Some of those dogs even come with papers. Just google it or look on Petfinder.com.

Answer 3

Put your fingers over her heart. It should be a strong, steady beat. If it's fluttering in a funny beat, it could have heart issues. Make sure the dog is not lethargic. Check the fur; if there is thinness in some parts, or patches missing there could be a skin problem or fleas. Check the inside of the ears to see if they are dirty or inflamed. Check the eyes for redness and reaction [make sure she blinks when your finger comes close to the eye]. Also make sure the ears and nose aren't runny. Check that the teeth are clean and white and that the gums and tongue are a healthy pink. Make sure you can't feel ribs sticking out.

The best way is to get vet records. Good breeders will have check-ups.

Or adopt. Adopting is better, in my opinion. The dogs won't be as expensive and it will save a life. Plus, if you really want a purebred, you can still get one.

Check petfinder.com for bostons or google boston terrier rescues in your city or area.

Also, most shelters have a waiting list you can put your name on for certain breeds, if you don't mind waiting a little bit.

Don't buy from a pet shop.

Good luck.

Answer 4

first you should be able to go to the house where the dog is breed. you should be able to see the circumstance's in which the dog was brought up. You should see a booklet from the vet with vaccines and any comments. mostly the vets name and phone #. you should see a written health gurantee. you should see AKC papers if not on the pup then on the mom and dad. The price is due to the high cost of vet bills. not sure how many pups a boston terier has but my yorkshire terriers can only have 1-3 so vet cost are a lot more and only go into heat 7-9 months. instead of every six. hope this helps.

Answer 5

First of all make sure the parents are AKC register..Do not buy the puppy with out the litter registration... Most breeders will tell you they will send them to you. DO NOT buy a puppy with out them..There is no reason for them not to have them..AKC is very good about getting the papers back to the owners.

Ask to see both parents if male isn't on premises then ask where you can view the male.

Look at where the puppies were born , is it clean? Are the puppies clean?? Ears eyes and nose. Watch and see how the puppies act toward the owner. That is a sure way of telling how she is with the puppies.

If she seem odd about answering your questions, All Breeders should know their dogs.Make sure you have a contract that both of you agree on...Another thing be aware if they are breeding different dogs. I am sure you are going to get a lot of feedback on what to look for just add this to it

The cost?? I am not up to date on a Boston Terrier. But as the old wise tell taught me.. You get what you pay for.

Answer 6

Well, Bostons are the most loyal breed that I know of. My whole family has Bostons. They are really good dogs. Be sure to get a pup, because you want to be able to bond with the dog and teach them yourself vs. getting an adult dog. Try to get the runt of the litter. They tend to be the best dog out of the litter. Make sure that you have a 1-2 year guarantee for the pup and that if there is a birth defect in the pup, that you will be given another pup for free in place of the "bad" one. Make sure that the breeder has been breeding for a long time and that they are part of AKC or any other well known organization. Make sure that the pup is registered with papers on him/her and the sire"father" and the dam"mother". Make sure that there are no genetic diseases that run in the dam or sires lines. Make sure that the puppy is NO YOUNGER than 8 weeks old when he/she is ready to be taken home. And, try to see if you can find a Boston for cheaper. Google Boston Terrior puppies and it should have a bunch of websites that list a bunch of breeders. www.puppysites.com has a bunch of breeders for specific breeds listed. That is how I found my Chihuahua puppy that I am going to go get on the 19th when he reaches 8 weeks old. Try to find a breeder in your state so that you do not have to cover shipping charges for the pup. Something bad could also happen during shipping.

Answer 7

it is a lot of work, time; to have puppies and the money doesn't match the time, effort if you do it right; the parents , the other siblings; how many times has the dog had puppies; health guarantees; is the pup kennel raised or family raised; what if you have questions thereafter, are they available; will they take the pup back if health problem?? ; talk to other people who have boston terrier for temperments and traits of the breed; training needs to be done; time investment is more valuable then how much they cost; research the health concerns of the breed ; just for starters

Answer 8

Purchasing a Boston from a reputable breeder is expensive for many good reasons. Your money is spent on getting the mom and dad tested for genetic problems, among other things. You may want to look in to rescue groups as well, if you like the breed. There are many, many homeless dogs in need of forever homes.
http://bostonterrierclubofamerica.org/rescue.html
http://www.bthaven.org/

Answer 9

Check it's pulse...if you feel something it probably means it is alive. Put your hand near it's snout, if you feel air coming out that is another good sign as well. Check to make sure the dog has 4 legs. Make sure it's not frothing at the mouth...kinda like ur dad looks when he is shaving... this could be a sign of rabies. Step on it's tail-if it meows then it is a cat attempting to pass off as a dog!!! If it barks, make sure you can run fast, cuz it might wanna bite you cuz you stepped on it's tail.
The reason it costs so much is so that socio-economically disadvantaged youths won't buy them and use them in satanic sacrifice rituals.
Good Luck!!!

Answer 10

Some SPCA's get the Boston Terriers in. You might check with them. I'm sure they would be less expensive. Why do they cost so much? Because people will pay a lot for them.