Boston Terrier Club of America strongly recommends that any Boston, both males and females, that are used for breeding be tested for three specific health problem which are often hereditary. Anyone looking to purchase a Boston puppy should ask it's breeder for a proof that the parents of the puppy have passed the following testing.
CERF testing for eyes.
BAER testing for hearing.
OFA Patella testing for knees.
Do not be fooled by "Vet Certificate". Vet certificate only means that the puppy was seen by a Veterinarian. Many of the hereditary conditions does not show up until the puppy is older. The only way to lessen the possibility that a puppy is affected by a genetic condition is to get a puppy from a healthy parents that have passed the CERF, BAER and OFA patella testing.
If the breeder cannot provide certificates for these tests, you are taking a chance that the puppy which looks cute and cuddly now might develop juvenile cataract, deafness and/or be lame from patella luxation in a couple of years. Cataract surgery runs anywhere from $2000 to $2500. Deafness cannot be corrected. Patella surgery cost around $1500 per knee.
Boston Terriers are coming back in popularity due to several recent commercials featuring this breed. Unfortunately, when a breed becomes popular, some people who have no business breeding dogs decides that this is a great way to make a quick buck. In addition to these top three health problems, we are starting to see a lot of Bostons' with epilepsy, Adrenal Cortical Hyperfunction (Cushing's), Hemi-vertebrae (spine distortion) and hypothyroidism. Hereditary heart condition, hip dysplasia and corneal dystrophy is on the rise also.
Please also be aware that "puppy brokers" who buys puppies from puppy-mills across the country often uses lists such as the CraigsList to sell the puppies. "Puppy-mills are breeding facilities that produce purebred puppies in large numbers. The puppies are sold either directly to the public via the Internet, newspaper ads, at the mill itself, or are sold to brokers and pet shops across the country. The documented problems of puppy mills include overbreeding, inbreeding, minimal veterinary care, poor quality of food and shelter, lack of socialization with humans, overcrowded cages, and the killing of unwanted animals.
To the unwitting consumer, this situation frequently means buying a puppy facing an array of immediate veterinary problems or harboring genetically borne diseases that do not appear until years later. Sadly, some dogs are forced to live in puppy mills for their entire lives. They are kept there for one reason only: to produce more puppies. Repeatedly bred, many of these "brood bitches" are killed once their reproductive capacity wanes."
If you are looking to add a Boston puppy to your family, please do your homework and purchase one from a reputable breeder who have done the proper health screening. For additional information, please visit the Boston Terrier Club of America's website at, http://bostonterrierclubofamerica.org and also the Boston Terrier health website at http://www.bostonterrierclubofamerica.org/health/HealthPages.html
Thank you for reading.
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