FAQ - Bedford Reg'd Boston Terriers

The only good reason to breed is to improve the breed! Period. In order to do this, we try to keep back a puppy from every litter (as every litter was planned for a particular purpose), or forfeit pick puppy to friends/associates in order to make a contribution to the betterment of the breed. We are breeding for the “total dog” and feel that being a good show dog and being a healthy and good brood bitch/stud, shouldn't be mutually exclusive. We feel that a dog should be all these things with an excellent temperament to boot. Please see our About Us page for more information about us.

How Long Have You Been Involved with Boston Terriers?

We got our first Boston in 2001.

Are You a Member of The Canadian Kennel Club (CKC), or Any Other Breed Clubs? Do You Have Experience With Dogs?

We are members in good standing with the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) and have been, since 2004. I used to be affiliated with a couple of Obedience clubs before getting into breeding. We are hoping to be members of more clubs in the near future. Please see our About Us page for more information about our experience.

Do You Show Your Dogs?

Yes! We show our dogs in CKC sanctioned events and hope to get to shows in the U.S. and Europe in the future. We are also hoping to get involved with Obedience again, as in the past.

How Do You Do What You Do? How Do You Part With Your Puppies?

I get this question a lot. It should really be question#1 on the list. Without going into too much detail, after having worked at Vets and an Animal Shelter (a “No Kill” shelter) and having seen the “tragic” cases (abuse, neglect, euthanasia, etc.), adopting puppies out to loving homes is nothing compared to that (without these previous experiences, I could not breed and sell my puppies). PLUS we also started with several dogs that came to us as adults (that had been bred before) to help "ease" us into breeding. We housetrained them, crate trained them and socialized them with kids, cats and other dogs. When it came time to their retirement, we were sad, but we felt good about what we did for them (and their new families). If we had started with several puppies and raised them to adulthood ourselves, we'd quickly be out of breeding, as we wouldn't have been able to start a breeding program and continue on, as we wouldn't be able to part with them! Indeed our original dogs (our foundation) are still in our family. Anyway, In comparison to the tragic cases that I used to see come into the shelter or Vet, what I do is very satisfying and positive and I usually get to know prospective puppy parents very well over the course of the two months (sometimes longer if they’ve been on the waiting list for long) of pictures and updates. It certainly helps “ease” my mind having the expectations, screenings and policies that we do. If we're not comfortable with a particular owner in the sense that we do not feel that they could provide a good home for one of our puppies/dogs, we do not adopt our puppies/dogs out to them. Thus, this decreases uncertainty and feelings of anxiety and sadness. It's never easy however and yes, we do cry from time to time when they leave us. As for parting with adults, I don't even want to “go there”. We live in denial that we will ever have to do that at some point in our dogs' lives and do not think about that - otherwise, it'd be too hard. We tell ourselves that they’re staying, unless for some reason they’re not “fitting in” in our home with the other dogs, as our breeding program and household changes. To part with an adult dog, a breeder has to be selfless and do what’s best for the dog. If a home can not provide at least the same amount of care and quality home as we can, then we don’t let them go. We do what’s in our dog’s best interest.

Are Your Dogs CKC Registered?

Yes! In some cases, our breeding stock is also AKC and/or FCI registered if imported.

Do Your Puppies Receive Any Veterinary Care?

Yes, our puppies are seen and examined by our Veterinarian and are micro-chipped and vaccinated prior to going to their new homes. Our puppies are also de-wormed and given an Advantage Multi treatment for the treatment/prevention of internal parasites, fleas, ticks, mites and heartworm. Please see our Adoption Information page for more information.

What Tests or Health Scans Do You Have Done On Your Adult/Breeding Dogs?

At the very least, our Bostons patellas (knees) are checked for luxating patellas and they are DNA tested for Juvenile Hereditary Cataracts. We have also done/do CERF (eyes), Baer (hearing) and cardiac testing.

What Are the Breed Characteristics of Boston Terriers?

Please see our Boston Terrier Breed Information page.

How Many Dogs Do You Have?

Please see our Boston Terrier page. ALL of the dogs (champions or not) that we use in our breeding program are listed on our site. However in some cases, dogs are co-owned or outside studs or Champions we have produced and do not live here.

How Many Litters Do You Have Per Year?

We have approximately 1-3 litters a year. We breed our dogs when THEY'RE ready (and physically able and healthy) and we do not "fill orders"!

How Often Do You Breed Your Girls, How Many Litters Do They Have and When Do You Retire Them?

Since Bostons require c-sections most of the time, we breed these girls only once a year and only three times. This is not an absolute number however and if they can only have one litter, they have one. The girls that “free-whelp” (have puppies naturally) often can have four litters, but again, it depends on them and whether they are able to. It's not about how many litters we can “get out of them”, it's about them and how many they can have healthily. We do not like to breed our girls too early nor do we want to start breeding them too late either, as it has been our experience that they have more difficulty whelping and with recovery and they are older and are often not as good of mothers. We like our girls to retire at four to five years of age or younger.

Why Do You Import Dogs When There Are Breeders Here in Canada?

As per our About Us page, we breed for health, so we do not in-breed or closely line-breed (indeed we have bloodlines from around the world). Thus, we work with breeders who have a similar focus on health and we go how ever far is necessary to facilitate our goals.

What Are the Genetic Problems the Breed(s) is Prone to?

Please see our Boston Terrier Breed Information page.

How Do You Socialize Your Puppies?

Home-raised puppies are a lot different than puppies raised in a kennel! Our puppies are raised in our sterile Maternity room (which is in our bedroom) and then at 3 ½ weeks old, in our kitchen. Our puppies are well-socialized with kids, cats, other dogs and are well accustomed to household noises. They are given bones, chew toys and other toys for early stimulation (Fisher Price toys work great!). Our pups are raised in x-pens (not pens with closed sides or pens with grated bottoms!), so even while confined to the space of the x-pen, they can still interact with the other dogs, our children, etc. When the puppies are large enough, they are taken out of the x-pen for supervised play with some of our other dogs. We start nail clipping at 2 weeks of age and in addition to regular handling and care, our dogs are “stacked” (stood and placed) weekly for pictures.

Where Do Your Adult Dogs Live? Where Are They Kept?

Our dogs live in our home. Our dogs have their own room in our house off of our laundry room on the main floor of our house. Our dogs play inside and outside during the day and have lots of outdoor time, house time and rest time. Our dogs are well socialized. Our maternity room and some of the places (we utilize all rooms of our house) our dogs are kept when we're not home are sterile areas, given that most diseases and illnesses are airborne and carried on feet and clothing.

How Do You Exercise Your Dogs?

Our dogs get lots of regular indoor and outdoor play (in our fenced yards), as well as there's walks, handling/training classes and we also have a treadmill for our dogs if necessary (weather, etc.).

Does it Really Matter Whether One Buys a Dog From a Registered Breeder or Not?

Yes. There are rules, regulations and ethics a breeder has to follow in order to be a member and remain a member in good standing with the CKC (or other recognized registry). A non-member is not bound by the same rules, regulations and ethics and a prospective owner has less “power” in dealing with a breeder if unfortunately there should be problems or issues that need to be dealt with (not getting registration papers, etc.).

Does it Really Matter Whether One Buys a Dog From a Breeder Who Shows?

Generally, yes. If you go to a breeder who shows their dogs, the chances are greater that the breeders' dogs are within breed standard and that you will be getting a dog within standard. Further, if the breeder shows, they are more likely to be breeding (to the standard) to improve the breed and not just breeding for money. Showing dogs is expensive!

I am Interested in Either a Boston or a Pug. Are They Essentially the Same Breed But Just Look Different?

No! Bostons and Pugs are totally different breeds. Besides being brachycephalic, having moderate needs for exercise, and being very dependant on human companionship (they are similar in their drive to want and need to be with humans), they are nothing alike. While not working terriers, Bostons are terriers and act like other short-haired terriers. While they are not supposed to be hyper, they are more energetic, “scrappier” and more mischievous than Pugs (or so we find). They are also much more confident and proud. If trouble starts, it's usually a Boston who has done it! If a Boston is upset with you, they will let you know, whereas a Pug is more forgiving. A Boston is much more vengeful. On a more positive note, we find the Bostons to have more of a drive and aptitude for Obedience and they are generally easier to train/handle for show than Pugs. Bostons tend to be more sophisticated and Pugs are “sillier”.

Do You Provide a Health Guarantee?

Yes. We offer an 18 month health guarantee (until 18 months of age). Please view our Boston Terrier contract/guarantee for more information.

Can We Come Pick Out Our Puppy in Person Just After the Pups Are Born?

No. As previously mentioned and as per our Policies page, we do not allow any visitors when we have un-vaccinated puppies. We do not expect people to give us money “blindly” and feel that between the information and pictures on our website and the updated photos every week, we more than compensate for this. We have a separate website for our prospective “puppy parents” with photos, videos, a blog (for updates, developmental milestones, etc.), puppy care information, etc. so prospective puppy parents literally get to see their puppies grow. In addition, 75% of the deposit is refundable, if when people come to pick up their puppies they don't like us, our dogs, their puppy or our home. OR if it’s just the case they don’t like their puppy, they can put ALL the deposit toward a pup from another litter. We feel that we are taking a chance on you (8 weeks of pictures, updates and time invested, etc.), just as much as you are taking a chance on us and our dogs. How would you feel if we had an “open door” policy and we allowed people to come in and handle your puppy and have to tell you (after 6 weeks of updates and pictures) that your puppy has died of Kennel Cough, etc? OR you end up taking your puppy home incubating a disease? By having an “open door” policy we void our own guarantee (as we cover contagious diseases for a short period of time after adoption within the incubation period, leaving here). IF however, we have puppies that are vaccinated, available (unspoken for) and ready to go, then prospective owenrs can potentially choose between the available puppies and a deposit is not required to hold the pup (if individuals are coming to see the puppy/puppies right away). However, an application is mandatory before anyone will be considered for one of our puppies.

How Are Prospective Buyers and Puppies Matched?

In an ideal world, it would be great if people could send their deposits in and pick out their puppies in person when the puppies are ready to go. In very few cases this happens, but most of the time, it doesn't. People usually have a pretty good idea as to which puppy they want and grow fond of a particular puppy through our correspondence with regards to pictures and weekly updates on development, personality, temperament, activity level, disposition, etc. Given that Bostons (and other man-made companion breeds) were bred for companionship, they are very even tempered and are very adaptable to their environments. So, people often choose their puppies by pictures and by the information provided by us with regards to temperament, activity level, characteristics, attributes, etc. Also, given that Bostons tend to have small litters and that most people want only a male/female and we keep back ourselves, choices of pups are significantly reduced. Further, the mandatory application that must be completed prior to getting onto our waiting list also helps us to determine suitability of not only the breed, but also for a particular puppy. If at any time, a puppy is not developing in such a way as to be a suitable match for a prospective owner, we will either suggest another puppy, put the deposit toward a puppy from another litter, etc.

Will You Be Available to Answer Questions and Give Advice After Adoption?

Absolutely! We offer lifetime support, in addition to a lifetime “welcome home” policy for our dogs.

At What Age Do You Place (Adopt Out) Your Puppies?

Our puppies are typically big, healthy and robust enough go to their new homes at 8-9 weeks of age. IF however, we had a smaller puppy, or if our Vet recommended it, we would hold back the puppy a bit longer before vaccinating them (and sending them to their new homes), as we feel puppies need to be at least 3lbs before they are vaccinated. This has only happened once or twice however and most of our pups tend to be well over 3lbs at 8 weeks of age.

Why Are Bostons So Expensive? Why Do They Cost More Than Labs, etc?

The “Bully”, brachycephalic breeds cannot be compared to most other breeds, given that they are “man made” and can not propagate on their own without the help of humans. Bostons usually have small litters of 1-4 puppies and most require costly c-sections to deliver. C-sections in our area costs $1000-$2000.

What Can I Expect to Pay for a Boston Terrier?

Registered Boston Terriers in Canada usually range in price between $1800 and $3000, depending on location (c-sections are much more expensive in some areas), sex (some breeders charge a different price for males and females), bloodlines, purpose (pet, show, breeding, etc.) and whether the breeder charges and pays taxes.

Do You Have a Payment Plan?

No. Our puppies must be paid for in full at the time of adoption. We are happy to hold puppies for individuals however and we do accept payments up until the time the puppies are ready to go. These arrangements need to be made prior to sending in a deposit to reserve a puppy, however.

What Types of Payment do You Accept?

For DEPOSITS we accept email direct deposit, cheques, money orders and Visa, MasterCard and PayPal (there is a 3.5% service fee for PayPal and credit card payments). For FINAL PAYMENT we accept CASH ONLY. We do not accept cheques of any kind, for any reason, under any circumstances for final payment. We do not have a payment plan and puppies must be paid for in full at the time of adoption.

Last revised: Jan.19, 2012