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Boston Terriers are slightly bigger than pugs, a bit more robust and less prone to as many health problem later in life.
However, as an owner of one huge dog AND her (even huger offspring) I must caution you that this is something you should not enter into lightly.
It's a total lifestyle choice that will effect EVERY aspect if your life. If it doesn't, then it may be, you'd be doing something incorrect.
While I personally don't have as large a yard as was recommended above, where I live has a park across the street and plenty of access to hiking and dog friendly parks & beaches for the weekends. I would recommend researching such factors in your area.
Are you a home owner?
If you're not then keep in mind that even the smallest dog may well cut your apartment hunting options down to as much as 30%.
Size isn't everything; a Jack Russle Terrier (made famous in films like THE MASK) would probably do more damage to one's apartment that a Golden Retriever that's about 3 times its size. Research the temperament of your potential pet's breed so you're not surprised by a destructive little pet that ends up rejected. Personally I think it's tragic that people will pay hundreds of dollars for a specific breed while local shelters are faced with the decision of killing animals they can't GIVE AWAY, on a daily basis.
Resolve yourself to the fact that this pet, you love, will break your heart. You will outlive it. You must eventually face its mortality, not just the "hit by a car" type of loss but also the gradual slide into old age and the choices associated with it. With that in mind you can also expect to bask in a unique inhuman kind of love.
You'll be challenged on many levels. A pet will observe you keenly and "push your buttons" in ways few if any others could. Socially you may be faced with choosing whether to exclude your pet or not, planning your vacations, visiting friends, going to the movies, etc. they will (or should) all be affected by this pet. Even the "cleanliness" of your home will be affected by shedding fur or muddy paws. Then of course there's picking up Dog shit as well.
There's money factors as well. There are the costs of vaccines, food and perhaps training. When it came time to buy a new car I had to factor the dogs my girlfriend was faced with the same decision when it was her turn. Things will come up that you wouldn't even imagine.
Still, after all I've said, I love my dogs greatly and there's nothing like a camping trip with them, or a walk on the beach, or just spending a sunday morning watching them tear their latest toy to pieces in the living room. Good luck, the world of dogs needs more good humans and less foolish ones. |
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