Pet Brief

Nicknamed “the American Gentleman,” the Boston Terrier is an adorable little dog that is friendly, intelligent, and playful. They are just about the perfect pet, affectionate, balanced, with an easy to maintain coat and moderate exercise requirements.Boston’s are considered one of the few true American dog breeds, but in fact their origins are in the English Bulldog, Bull Terrier, and later, the French Bulldog. All Boston’s trace their linage back to a single sire, Judge, owned by Edward Hooper.

Hard though it is to believe given their friendly nature, Bostons were, in fact, originally bred for the dog fighting pits. The Boston is a compact little dog, with a short face, small erect ears, and protruding eyes. They stand up to 17 inches at the shoulder, and weigh between 10 and 25 pounds, depending on gender.

They are usually black and white in color, but may also be brindle or seal. The distinctive white markings are required in the breed standard. Despite the name, they are not true terriers, and are classified by the AKC in the non-sporting group. In fact, they were the founder member of that group, gaining AKC recognition in 1893.

Within the breed there are variances of temperament, some are extremely eager to please, while others may be stubborn and willful. Having said that, Boston’s tend to form strong bonds with their owners and have an uncanny knack of interpreting their moods. They are very sensitive to tone of voice and don’t appreciate harsh words or treatment.Despite their stature, they are not afraid to stand their ground, and will protect their family against any threat.

Grooming is a relatively straightforward task. The Boston sheds minimally, and requires only a weekly brush down to keep the coat in good condition. You will however have to pay special attention to keeping the eyes clean and free of infection.

Although they are not the most active of dogs, you will have to get your Boston Terrier out for a walk every day. Dogs that are insufficiently exercised and lacking in mental stimulation often develop behavioral problems, and in this breed it is likely to manifest as chewing and problem barking.

They can adapt well to living in an apartment provided their daily exercise needs are met. When exercising you should be careful not to overexert your dog as they sometimes have difficulty breathing, especially in warm weather.

Median lifespan for the breed is 15 years. This is a healthy dog breed, although not immune to congenital diseases. Common health problems include brachycephalic syndrome, skin and heart tumors, and cataracts.

If you’re looking for puppy names, for your Boston Terrier, I’d recommend Puppy Names HQ, a site with an extensive database of dog names, including thousands of cute dog names.

Named for the Belgian city in which it originated, the Belgian Malinois is a medium-sized dog that stands up to 26 inches at the withers and can weigh as much as 65 pounds. In appearance it is not unlike the German Shepherd, although the Malinois is slightly smaller and less heavily-built.

There are, in fact, four closely related breeds of Belgian sheepdog. In addition to the Malinois you’ll find the Tervuren, Groenendal, and Laekenois. Different kennel clubs recognize these breeds differently, some consider them variants of a single breed, while others have accredited each as a breed in its own right.

Although originally bred as a shepherd dog, the Malinois’ intelligence and obedience has seen them used extensively for police work, including narcotics detection, bomb detection, search and rescue and guarding work.

These are smart dogs with a protective nature that can make them excellent pets, under the right conditions. The Malinios needs training, socialization and consistent pack leadership. You will also need to be prepared for long exercise sessions with your dog, every day. Dogs that become bored and frustrated due to lack of activity, often develop behavioral problems and this will almost certainly be the case with a Malinois.

With early socialization they do well with children, but care should be taken with non-canine pets. They may also show dominant behavior towards other dogs so it is important to socialize early and supervise things like feeding times, where dominance may be an issue.

Another common behavioral issue with this breed is that the herding instinct is still strong, and they will sometimes try to herd people by nipping at their ankles.

If you’re a first time dog owner you should think long and hard before taking on the responsibility of a Malinois as they can be a real handful. Speak to other owners, breeders and perhaps a dog trainer before making a decision. This is not an ideal breed for the inexperienced.

The Belgian Malinois is a robust and healthy dog breed with few major health issues. Minor concerns for the breed includes cataracts, epilepsy, thyroid disease and progressive retinal atrophy.As far as behavioral issues are concerned, aggressiveness or shyness may occur in dogs that have not been properly socialized.

The Malinois is an easy breed to care for and requires only a good brush down a few times per week to keep the coat looking its best.

The Malinois is a working dog and not ideally suited to apartment living. They can however do okay in a smaller space provided they get rigorous daily exercise. They do like to be outdoors, but they are generally devoted to their families and would much rather live indoors among their human ‘pack’.

Finding good puppy names, for a Belgian Malinois can be a challenge. Your best bet is to use an online dog names database like Puppy Names HQ, which has literally thousands of excellent dog names, including a mega-list of male dog names.