Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why Boston Terriers?

A: For me the answer was pretty simple. I wanted a smallish dog with a friendly outgoing personality that didn't require a lot of grooming and didn't need a job like herding sheep or cattle and that had relatively few genetic problems compared to similar breeds.

Q: Your dogs are cute, why don't you have puppies more often?

A: You haven't seen cute until you're nose to nose with a Boston Terrier puppy. There is nothing quite like puppy breath and I believe it has magical properties. However I do not believe in breeding just for the sake of having more cute adorable puppies. I only breed when I want another dog to show.

Q: What are some of the common problems with Boston Terriers?

A: Boston Terriers like every other breed do have some genetic issues due to the inbreeding done before there was much information about genetics. As a rule Boston Terriers have relatively few genetic problems compared to similar breeds like Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Pugs and those they do have are typically less severe. That being said, what we see most often are congenital deafness associated with the gene that provides the white in the coat, Juvenile Cataracts, Luxating Patellas, and occasionally Cardio Myopathy (heart murmurs) and more recently being monitored - hemivertibrae. Less frequently they can have hip dysplasia as well but the incidence is so low it's not routinely checked. I like many other breeders are working to reduce the frequency of these problems through careful health screening and research.

Q. I'd like to adopt a Boston Terrier. Can you tell me what to look for in a breeder?

A. Opinions in this area vary widely and breeders breed for different reasons. In my opinion you should seek breeders who breed to improve the breed and provide ways for you to validate it independently. For instance before I breed a pair, I make sure they have undergone extensive health screening. They've passed BAER (hearing), OFA Cardiac, & CERF Juvenile Cataracts with a "normal" or "clear" diagnosis and OFA Patella of "normal" or grade 1 diagnosis. Note: I will not breed a pair where both have a grade 1 OFA Patella Diagnosis as the gene that causes it has to be present in both the dam and the sire for it to be passed on to the puppies. If I suspect hip dysplasia I will x-ray for that as well and will not breed a dog with anything less than a "Good" rating, and definitely not to a dog/bitch that has hip dysplasia as well. There is no certification yet on hemivertibrae as it's newly being monitored for incidence and severity, but I also x-ray for it. Breeders who perform these tests on their dams and sires (BAER on puppies) are usually proud of their results and are happy to show you their certificates or tell you where you can find the information independently (usually online). Most ethical breeders offer a health guarantee and are very interested in their puppies' ongoing health and condition. They want you to contact them if you run into any problems with your puppy or if you have any questions about the puppy's care. Other things you should look for is whether or not the breeder has a "home again" policy. A "home again" policy is one where the breeder will take the dog back if you are unable to care for him/her for any reason at any stage of life, no questions asked. Some breeders insist that if you cannot care for the puppy it must be immediately returned and they word their sales contracts accordingly. Many breeders implant a permanent ID microchip in their puppies. This makes sure the dog is identifiable and can be returned if picked up by animal control as a stray or if the dog is stolen. There are many other things you should look for as well, but if they are doing the above then they are also doing pretty much everything else they should be doing.

Q: You've mentioned hemivertibrae twice so far is it something I should be concerned about?

A: Very few Bostons are totally clear of malformed vertibrae, and only breeding those Bostons would do more harm than good as it would drastically reduce the available gene pool. It comes from the Bulldog and is what gives Boston Terriers a kinked or "screw" tail, or no tail at all. While it is something breeders are beginning to watch, it is less of a problem in Boston Terriers than it is in Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Pugs where is is more frequent and sometimes debilitating. As it stands today fewer than 1% of all Boston terrierrs exhibit any symptoms resulting from the condition. Data is still being gathered to determine how many deformed vertibrae and their locations are acceptable, but the fact breeders are aware of it before it becomes as problematic as it has with other similar breeds is a very positive sign.

Q. Do you require people who adopt your puppies to show or breed?

A. Only if the puppy is a show potential going to a show home. Otherwise I require people who adopt my puppies as pets to have them spayed or neutered between 4 and 8 months of age and I encourage it by offering a "rebate" of the cost of the procedure up to $200.

Q: I've been looking at other breeders and I've noticed "show breeders" tend to charge more for their puppies. Why?

A: The easy answer here is quality vs. quantity. The longer answer is that it is very expensive to produce a litter of well-bred puppies and show breeders rarely if ever make any profit. There are the costs of health testing, showing, stud fees, progesterone testing, pre-natal care, the possible emergency caesarian section, etc. The cost of producing a litter of puppies can be over $10,000 only to have one or two puppies or none at all. Sometimes it takes multiple tries. Breeders in California who sell puppies for under $1,000 usually don't do anything in the way of health testing on their sire, dam, or puppies, and often don't invest much more than basic care in the well-being of their brood dam. They try to produce as many puppies as they can for the least amount of money as their goal is to make a profit. My goal is to breed the best possible Boston Terrier. While no one can guarantee you won't have problems, I can say statistically better bred dogs, while more expensive to acquire, will actually be the bargain over the life of the dog since the likelihood of major problems resulting in large vet bills is greatly reduced over the life of the dog due to careful breeding.

Q: Is it a good idea to get more than one puppy at a time?

A: As a general rule, no. I recommend getting one puppy and then waiting at least six months to a year before getting another one. The reason is that you want the puppies to bond to you more strongly than they do each other. If you've ever watched twins or triplets as small children you may notice they learn how to speak somewhat later than other children. The reason why is they "communicate" with each other and don't feel the need to connect with anyone else until somewhat later. Also housebreaking one dog is difficult enough; the challenge doubles with each additional puppy.

Q: Are Boston Terriers good with children?

A: Most Bostons are great with children! There are no children in my home so you might think my Bostons wouldn't be tolerant of children. That assumption is totally false. I've watched very young children about 2-3 years old poke and prod my "kids" and they've tolerated it completely. In fact while they'll tend to be very excited around older kids and adults, they do seem to be much gentler with smaller children.

Q: I can't afford a puppy but I still would love to have a Boston Terrier. Are there other ways to get one?

A: Of course! I encourage anyone looking for any breed to check out the rescues. You can usually adopt a rescue for a nominal fee. I usually only ask for what it cost me in vet bills, but sometimes I'll ask for less depending on the adopter's ability to pay since the object is to find a great forever home for the dog.

Q: While I love puppies, I can't take the time to potty train. Do you have older dogs available?

A: Sometimes. It's not unusual for me to be fostering an adult or senior rescue or know someone who has one available, and occasionally one of the other show breeders I know will have a "retired" dog they're looking to place. Please feel free to contact me if you're looking for something specific. If I don't know of any available, I will keep your contact info for when I find a dog who might be a good match for you.

Q: Are Boston Terriers easy to train?

A: Boston Terriers as a rule are easy to train because they want to please you. However they are also very intelligent and mischievous so they can be a challenge. Consistency is the key. Some Bostons have a sense of humor and while they know what you want they will instead choose to joke with you by doing exactly the opposite of what you're asking.

Q: I've decided I'd like to adopt from Ipolani Bostons. What is the procedure?

A: I like most other show breeders maintain a waiting list of people who are looking for puppies. I am very careful about with whom I will place my puppies and require the completion of a lengthy questionnaire to make sure that Boston Terriers are a good match for the potential adopter and that the adopter is ready to assume the long term responsibility of owning a dog. Once I've received and reviewed the questionnaire, the potential adopter goes on my waiting list. Don't worry, the vast majority of people who apply are approved since most unsuitable adopters will realize while they're completing the questionnaire a Boston Terrier isn't a good match for them.

Q: Do you require a deposit with the application?

A: I do not require a deposit. Some breeders do because they see it as an indication of how serious a potential adopter is about adopting a puppy and to "lock" them in. I feel if I have to "lock" someone into adopting one of my puppies then I've not done my job as a responsible breeder.

Q: When it comes time to pick up my puppy what forms of payment will you accept?

A: The usual forms, cash, check, or any form of guaranteed funds. If you pay by personal check I will hold on to the AKC registration paperwork for a couple of weeks while the check clears. If you pay by guaranteed funds, i.e. cash, cashier's check, Amex Traveler's Checks, Amex Gift Checks, or money order, I will release the AKC paperwork immediately.

Q: Do you take credit cards?

A: I do not have a merchant account so the only way I can take credit cards is through PayPal, which is very expensive for me as their fees are roughly 15% for each transaction. If that's your preferred method of payment please add 15% as a "convenience fee" to cover my costs.

Q: What do you do with any profits you make from placing puppies?

A: I like most show breeders rarely if ever make any profit from placing puppies. However if for some reason I do the extra money goes towards my rescue efforts and/or to charitable organizations devoted to rescue and health.

Q: Do you ship puppies?

A: No. I will not ship a puppy. The person adopting the puppy must come to me and pick up the puppy. It's stressful enough for the puppy to be separated from its mother and littermates and thrust into a whole new environment. Spending hours alone in the cargo hold of an airplane compounds that stress and can lead to behavior problems later. If you are coming from out of state and flying, that's okay as long as the puppy flies in the cabin with you. You will need to make arrangements with your airline before making the trip and be sure to bring along a small carrier that will fit under the seat in front of you.

Q: I'd like to buy a Boston Terrier for my ________ as a gift for ___________. Can you help me find one?

A: I don't recommend giving a dog as a gift as a general rule, especially for a Christmas gift. While it's lots of fun to watch the look of surprise when the recipient sees the dog/puppy it's often not the best idea for the dog or the recipient because getting a dog is a life changing event that comes with as many responsibilities as having children. As a result many gift dogs/puppies end up either being abused or in rescue. I recommend instead that on the occasion where you're giving the gift, give the recipient a card with a "gift certificate" in it for a dog. Then you and the recipient can have lots of fun deciding on what breed, picking out a puppy together at a time when the recipient is ready to assume the commitment (up to 20 years) and responsibility of dog guardianship.

Q: I have a female Boston I'd like to breed just once so she can have the motherhood experience. Can you help me find a good male?

A: The short answer is no. The reason why is because responsible breeders do not breed casually and breeding brings with it the moral responsibility to look after each and every puppy produced for life, a responsibility casual breeders are usually not willing to assume. Poor or uniformed breeding decisions often result in puppies being born with severe and crippling defects like cleft palates or grade 4 patellar luxation, which require thousands of dollars in surgery to repair just to make the dog comfortable or juvenile cataracts, which will render a dog completely blind in less than two years. Some puppies become deaf within the first 8 weeks of life and that's something not easily detected, usually requiring a BAER test to make sure. In addition many times Boston Terrier puppies must be delivered by Caesarian Section, an expensive operation, especially at 2 am when you've finally realized your bitch is in trouble and needs it on an emergency basis.