I have been breeding Boston Terriers since the Fall of 2002. I am very involved in Health Testing and serve on the Health Committee
for the Boston Terrier Club of America.
Here is how I do things:
Before a litter is Bred (and I only breed a couple of litters per year):
The Bitch must have passed these tests all as being Clear or Normal...... which means they do not have these health issues:
1.) We do the CERF Eye Exam where a Veterinary Ophthalmologist examines their eyes for any of the 20 eye diseases a Boston can
have. We re-test the eyes annually on our Bostons used for breeding to make sure nothing has developed.
2.) Then we do the BAER Hearing Test and they must have Normal hearing in both ears.
3.) They are all tested for Luxating Patellas. That is when the knee cap slides out of place and makes the dog lame. I have never bred
a dog that had Luxating Patellas. Surgery to correct a Luxating patella runs between $1,500 and $3,000 per knee. As does cataract
removal.
My dogs have also had their DNA tested and they DO NOT carry the gene that produces Juvenile Hereditary Cataracts. JHC's can
make a puppy blind by the time they are 2 years old.
All Health Testing is registered with OFA for public review on their web site. Just go to www.OFFA.Org. Click on the Non- Sporting
Group and then click on Boston Terriers. Type in my Kennel Name of: Achates and it will bring up all the Bostons that I have bred.
Now my Foundation Bitch is Ch Bluegrass Jolie of Buena Vista, CGC, ROM*. If you do a 2nd search, just copy and paste her name
into the search box on the OFA web site, and it will take you to her testing information.
I only breed to male Boston's that also have passed the same Health Testing. I do not want to ever produce a puppy that will have
debilitating Health Issues.
I SLEEP RIGHT BESIDE THESE BABIES FOR THE FIRST 4 WEEKS OF THEIR LIFE. THAT WAY I CAN MAKE SURE THE DAM IS
PROPERLY CARING FOR THE BABIES AND I CAN KEEP THEM AND THEIR LITTER BOX & BED CLEAN AT ALL TIMES. I WANT
THEM ALL OFF TO A GOOD START.
At 3 days of age we remove the babies Dew Claws so they can not be accidentally torn off as an adult and have a huge bleeding
problem. At 3 days their pain sensation is not yet developed and therefore it is easier on them at that time.
After they start to walk which is around 2 weeks, I start to litter train them. This keeps their puppy area very nice and clean. They are
usually totally litter trained by the time they are 5-6 weeks old. They also learn to go potty outside when they are older. But I litter train
them as I usually have my litters during the winter months. And it is too cold to take young babies outside at that young age.
All puppies are wormed several times and are micro-chipped for permanent identification prior to them being Health Tested. I have the
puppies CERF eye exam performed (locally) and also do the BAER Hearing test (down in Chicago) before they leave for their new
homes. The Patellas can not be tested or registered with OFA until a puppy reaches 1 year of age. So that can not be done before
they leave my home. But by Health Testing the parents before breeding them and only using dogs at are genetically sound, gives you
a very high chance of having healthy dogs without patella issues. However some patella issues develop due to an injury rather than
being caused by genetics.
The puppies receive their first Distemper Vaccine at 8 weeks of age and the 2nd one at 12 weeks of age. The 3rd Vaccine is due at
16 weeks of age and then I recommend not doing their Rabies Vaccine until 20 weeks of age. Doing them too close together or at the
same time can cause Auto-Immune disorders as it overloads their immune system. And you certainly do not want a sick dog for
his/her whole life.
I do this Health Testing between 10 and 12 weeks of their age before they leave for their new homes. Copies of all Health Testing
results are sent along with the puppy in their records folder. I include a Vaccine history as well.
When a puppy leaves for their new home, I send along the following items to make the transition easier and a safe one for the puppy:
:A Furrari Medium Size Kennel/Crate including bedding and an attached water cup.
:Some of the dog food they are eating.
:Safe cookies free from dye and bad ingredients
:Assorted bones including Nylabones and natural smoked bones
:A bottle of a safe dog shampoo
:A bag of litter if you plan to keep a litter box as back up (I recommend doing this)
: A puppy collar which they will quickly outgrow
:And a few safe toys for them to play with.
You need to provide a leash and a stainless water and food bowl and any dog coats .....all that sort of stuff. I recommend using a
raised feeder that can be bought at Petco or one of those types of stores or stores on the Internet. You can put a place mat
underneath it and keep things nice and clean.
After the puppies are born, I take photos and post them to my web site so the new owners can watch them as they grow. I will send
you a link to these photos so you can stay up to date on their progress. I select they registered name and each puppy is registered
with AKC. I co-own every puppy I produce. If for some reason ...whatever that reason may be.......if you can not keep this puppy for its
entire life.....IT MUST BE RETURNED TO ME. It can not be dropped off at a shelter, given to any Humane Society or RESOLD. Going
to another family member is fine as long as that person really wants the Boston and will love and care for it. This must be approved by
me in writing. I brought this puppy into this world and I feel it is my responsibility to make sure it is properly cared for, for its entire life.
I have been very fortunate in that the families I have selected to receive one of my babies, has turned out to be great forever homes.
Everyone keeps in touch...mostly by e-mail.....with happenings and photos of fun activities they are doing together.
I have about 5 families now that have 2 of my Bostons.....getting a 2nd one to keep the first one company. However I recommend a
couple of year age spread before getting a 2nd puppy or you will have a harder time training the 2nd one.
I also sell dog food so I am set up as a business and must collect WI sales Tax from WI residents that purchase a puppy from me. If
you live outside of Wisconsin, I do not need to charge you tax.
As I said earlier, my price is not cheap, but I sell quality Bostons that have been well cared for during the first 12 weeks of their lives
verses dogs that are born into a Puppy Mill or to a commercial dog breeder. Pet stores are right up there in price and they do not sell
healthy puppies.
I can provide references for you if you'd like to contact some of the other families that have one (or 2) of my Bostons. And if you have
questions that arise after you pick up your puppy, I make myself available either by e-mail or telephone 24/7, for the rest of the dog’s
life, to help you with any questions you may have. I have made some wonderful friends in the last 10 years of breeding and showing
Bostons. It is like one big extended family.
I will also add your e-mail listing to a Group that I have made for all my New Puppy Owners. Occasionally I will send out alerts on
different Dog Food or Dog Product Recalls or News Alerts. I pass along any information that may be of help to you in raising and
caring for your new Boston.
I do not always have puppies available as I only breed a couple of litters a year. So I may have a waiting list when you contact me. I
occasionally have an older Boston available as a pet companion. It may be a retired champion that has had up to 3 litters of
puppies. Or a retired male AKC Champion that I no longer wish to use in my breeding program. Either of these types of Bostons will
be neutered before leaving my home. I do not sell my puppies into Puppy Mills or into Commercial Breeding situations. I only sell to
individuals who pass my Home inspection provide character references and will provide a loving forever home. Here is a link to my
Puppy Questionnaire. If you are interested in purchasing a companion Boston from me, please complete this and return it to me for
consideration.
If you live out of state and wish to have the puppy shipped, that is done on a COD Basis. And I will only ship on a direct flight, no lay
overs or plane changes. I can drive to Milwaukee if needed to help with an airline that may fly closer to you and still keep it a direct
flight. If you live out of state, I reserve the right to contact a fellow member of The Boston Terrier Club of America to come to your
home and do a Home inspection for me. During a Home Inspection this person will help you access all areas to make sure it is safe
for a young puppy. They will point out any issues that could be a hazard to a puppy, for you to correct before receiving your new
companion.
Please contact me at AchatesBostons@Ameritech.Net with any questions and to receive pricing and availability on my Bostons.
How things are done here at Achates Bostons::