Boston Terrier

Boston Terrier

Background: The Boston Terrier is said to be "as American as apple pie" (Animal Planet). Due to their, color pattern they gained the nickname the  American gentleman because their coat resembles a tuxedo. As it says in their name they were bred and developed in Boston Massachusetts around the 1800's, the breed was a cross bred between  a bulldog and a now extinct white English terrier. in 1865 these dogs were once used originally for pit fighting a common sport that is still done today but in most places the practice of dog fighting is illegal. Now retired this breed has become a wildly popular breed to own.

Characteristics:  

Weight: 10-25 lbs

Height:15-17 inches

Lifespan:15+ years

Temperament:Boston terriers are very people loving, lively with boundless energy, sweet natured, good guard dogs. They love to please their owners. They do not bark unless it is necessary.

Coat and Color: Their short coat requires little grooming.With a base coat of white they come in brindle black, seal (seal is when it looks black but when in the light has a red cast)

Health issues: Due to their short wide muzzles they suffer from respiratory issues, and this is why they shouldn't be too active because they will push themselves over the limit and overheat. Also due to their short muzzles they are known to be gassy, snort and snore. They can also suffer from eye issues. 

Living conditions: They can live in almost any environment and are good for children and as family companions. 

Final Note: 

These dogs are good dogs that provide endless hours of fun and entertainment and from my own experience with these dogs they are truly very loving toward people and I would highly recommend to anyone to own a Boston Terrier. 

Citations:

Boston terrier. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2012 , from Dog Breed info : http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/bostonterrier.htm

Dogs 101. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2012 , from Animal Planet : http://animal.discovery.com/tv-shows/dogs-101#all-videos

Italian Greyhound

Italian Greyhound

Back ground: Despite their name these dogs surprisingly are not from Italy but in fact they are from Greece and Turkey. The Italian Greyhound was well known during the renaissance age and can be seen in multiple renaissance paintings which is why they are called, "The Italian Greyhound". They were also been considered to be a high class dog in the past and mainly seen with royalty such as Charles the 1st, Catherine the great, queen Ann, queen Victoria, and Fredrick the 2nd. This was because they were good companion dogs.

                                                                    

Characteristics: Italian Greyhounds are sometimes called Velcro dogs because they love to be by your side and snuggle for warmth with their owners. They are built for speed like their cousins the original greyhound that are used for dog races. With their speed is their acute sight and hearing. All this leads to their speeds reaching as fast as 25 miles per hour.

Weight: 6-10 lbs

Life span: about 15 years

Temperament: Italian Greyhounds are very shy and need to be socialized early during puppy stages. They have also been known to be cat like, they have a good temperament overall.

Coat & Color: They can come in multiple colors ranging from black, grey, tan etc.  Their coat doesn't shed a lot and there is little odor.

Health Issues: A fairly healthy breed.

Living Conditions:  They are adaptable to pretty much any living conditions whether it's an apartment or a house. They are not tolerant at all so during the cold seasons they need to be kept warm with blankets or coats and should be kept indoors to avoid the cold.

Tips:

* It is best to keep them out of the cold so litter box training is possible.

* For the 1st 12-18 months they should be watched carefully because their bones are very fragile and can break easily.

* They are fast dogs and do not do well with responding to being called back after they are after something so they should always be kept on a leash when outside in an unfenced yard.

* They are not good with lively children because they are so shy so a family of either adults is best for them.

Final Note: These are excellent companion  dogs that are good for novice or new dog owners.

Sources: Animal Planet's Dogs 101 television series