Boston Terrier puppies for sale in Miami

Boston Terriers earned the nickname "the American Gentleman" for their sharp tuxedo coat and their polite, friendly manners. They are cheerful, affectionate dogs that love people, and most of them greet strangers like old friends.

Bostons have a fun, goofy side. They get bursts of energy where they zoom around the house, then settle down happily on the couch with you. They are smart and sensitive, and they pick up on your mood. Most do well with kids, seniors, and other pets when they are raised with them.

They are usually not big barkers, which makes them good condo neighbors, but some will bark at the door to let you know someone is there. Bostons want to be part of the family and do best when they are not left alone for long stretches.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. Always talk with your vet about your own dog.

Boston Terriers are a brachycephalic, or short-nosed, breed. Their flat faces can make breathing harder, especially in heat, humidity, or during exercise. This is called brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, or BOAS. Some dogs have narrow nostrils or a long soft palate that may need surgery.

Their large, prominent eyes are another big concern. Because the eyes stick out, they are easy to scratch on plants, toys, or another dog's paw, and corneal ulcers are common in the breed. Other eye problems include cataracts, cherry eye, and dry eye.

Other common issues include:

• Loose kneecaps (patellar luxation)
• Deafness, in one or both ears
• Skin allergies
• Spine problems such as hemivertebrae
• Sensitive stomachs and gas

Before you choose a puppy, ask what health information is available for the puppy. Useful tests include an eye exam by a veterinary eye specialist, a patella check, a hearing (BAER) test, a breathing evaluation, and the DNA test for the juvenile cataract gene seen in Bostons.

Call your vet right away if your Boston has loud or labored breathing, gums or tongue turning blue or gray, collapse, or an eye that is red, cloudy, squinting, watering a lot, or that your dog keeps pawing at. Eye injuries can get worse within hours, so do not wait.

Many owners enroll in pet insurance while their puppy is young, before any condition becomes pre-existing. Check whether eye care and breathing surgery are covered.

Florida has a pet lemon law that protects puppy buyers. Learn more about your rights under Florida law.

Heat is the biggest risk for a Boston in South Florida. Short-nosed dogs cannot cool themselves well by panting, so they overheat quickly. Walk early in the morning or after sunset, keep walks short, and bring water. Keep your home cool with AC, and know the signs of heatstroke: heavy panting, drooling, bright red gums, vomiting, weakness, or stumbling.

Protect those eyes outdoors. Keep your dog away from thorny hedges and palm fronds at face level, and rinse out sand after a beach trip if your vet recommends it.

Many Bostons are not strong swimmers because of their short noses and compact bodies. Fence or supervise pools, use a dog life vest near pools, boats, and the beach, and teach your dog where the pool steps are.

For the Miami basics every dog owner needs, like hot pavement, parked cars, year-round parasites, cane toads and hurricane prep, see our Miami puppy care guide.

Boston Terriers have a short, smooth, fine coat. The breed standard colors are brindle, seal, or black, each with white markings. Seal is a black that shows a reddish tint in sunlight.

The classic "tuxedo" look is a white muzzle band, a white blaze between the eyes, and a white chest. Many Bostons also have a white collar and white on the legs. You may also see colors like red, fawn, or blue in some lines. These are not part of the AKC standard, but they can still make great pets.

Your first week sets the tone. Here is a simple checklist:

• Get supplies ready: crate, bed, food and water bowls, the same food your puppy has been eating, a harness (not a neck collar for walks), a leash, ID tag, chew toys, and puppy pads
• Puppy-proof at eye level: remove sharp-edged toys and trim plants your puppy could poke an eye on
• Book a first vet visit within a few days of bringing your puppy home
• Keep the vaccine schedule going and bring your puppy's records to the vet
• Start a crate and potty routine on day one: out after waking, eating, and playing
• Keep things calm and cool, and let your puppy nap often
• Begin gentle socialization with new people, sounds, and surfaces once your vet says it is safe

Questions about the breed or our current litters? Ask us about our Boston Terrier puppies, and see our financing options.