Boston Terrier
Expert Grooming Article
Boston Terrier
The Boston Terrier is known as “the American gentleman”. This sturdy little dog with his alert and gentle expression, was recognised by the AKC in the early 1890s. Bred down from English Bulldogs and white English Terriers, he is lively and friendly, yet can well take care of himself, though not inclined to be a scrapper.
A well-balanced compact dog with body more terrier than bulldog, the Boston Terrier is a short-coated breed of either brindle, seal or black colour with specific white markings.
The coat is smooth and fine in texture and his whites described as “snowy white”.
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The Boston Terrier is known as “the American gentleman”. This sturdy little dog with his alert and gentle expression, was recognised by the AKC in the early 1890s. Bred down from English Bulldogs and white English Terriers, he is lively and friendly, yet can well take care of himself, though not inclined to be a scrapper.
A well-balanced compact dog with body more terrier than bulldog, the Boston Terrier is a short-coated breed of either brindle, seal or black colour with specific white markings.
The coat is smooth and fine in texture and his whites described as “snowy white”.
As with all short-coated breeds, the work of maintenance is just as paramount as the long haired or double coated breeds. Whilst one can be forgiven for thinking it is a rather wash and wear coat, there is much care to be taken keeping this coat showable at all times. Nothing worse than the coat exhibiting patchy holes from shedding.
The secrets to this coat are in advance work and long-term preparation. Protect condition and maintain at all times.
Firstly, whether show time or not, it’s best to weekly bath, oil and blow dry. Yes, blow dry!!! Blow drying with a cool dryer ensures all dead hair is removed allowing the new coat to regenerate and oiling allows you to wash and dry every week without fear of dehydration. This prevents that “moth eaten” appearance.
So, dilute all shampoos at least 1:5 (1 part shampoo to 5 parts water) as this allows even dispersion of all the extracts which are the hallmark of Plush Puppy shampoos. They really do achieve a definite outcome.
Use Plush Puppy Herbal Whitening Shampoo on the body of the coat. This Shampoo is primarily derived from organic sources with Ginseng extracts, protein, and violet tone combined in a rich formula. It works brilliantly to whiten whites and intensify darker colours. It DOES NOT lighten or bleach but instead tones with optical brighteners. It reduces yellowing or warm tones in white coats or white areas of the coat and will negate unwanted tones from sun fading or reddening in the coat. Similarly for darker colours, it will reduce any warm tones to intensify the depth of colour by revitalising any lost cool tones.
Plush Puppy Wonder Blok will further reduce stronger stained areas. It is not a bleach and contains no harmful chemicals but high amounts of naturally sourced vegetable surfactants and glycerin. This product is designed to remove gently unwanted warm or red tones to the coat. Best used on a damp or wet coat. Gently rub into the areas required allowing 5-10 minutes and rinse. For maximum effects repeat or allow a longer time for this amazing product to work. As with all products take care around eyes.
If shine is paramount, use Plush Puppy All Purpose Shampoo diluted 1:5 on the coloured areas, and stick to the Herbal Whitening Shampoo on the white areas. We call Natural All Purpose Shampoo the ‘Shine’ shampoo as it features natural Henna stalk extracts that impart a beautiful gloss and shine to your dog’s coat. It is wonderful to use on normal to slightly dehydrated coats.
Now for that unique and stunning face area. Always use the gentle Plush Puppy Let’s Face It. This is a hypoallergenic sulfate free low foaming shampoo designed for faces. It’s a nil fragrance, no tear formula with the highest quality Blue Cypress Extracts, Panthenol with Pro Vitamin B and SugaNate. These special ingredients clean, sooth, add moisture, aids healing and has anti-inflammatory benefits. A small golf ball sized amounts directly to the face and eye area allows you to thoroughly clean without causing irritation. Can be used in and around ears also with the same benefits. Its low foaming design allows easy of rinsing yet complete cleaning. Perfect for this brachy breed.
For between shows, use Plush Puppy Seabreeze Oil diluted well in warm water, 1/2 teaspoon to 500ml water. Saturate the coat AND LEAVE IN – DO NOT RINSE OUT. This will protect the skin and coat and allow you to constantly wash and dry without fear of over doing the coat. It is comprised of Evening Primrose and Calendula oils and is magnificent for giving great hydration and healthy vigour. Terrific if you have a dog that is inclined to have a scurfy skin.
You would then apply Plush Puppy Reviva Coat onto the dry coat during the week, approximately every second day. This is a leave in moisturiser without being greasy. Just a walnut sized amount smeared all over the head and topline especially. Wonderful for all coats and colours.
A good deep treatment once a month is a mix of 2 teaspoons Plush Puppy Coat Rescue, 1/2 teaspoon Seabreeze Oil and 2 teaspoons Plush Puppy Silk Protein Conditioner. Add enough warm water to make a sloppy slurry and smear it by hand, all over the dog. Leave for as long as possible and then rinse off.
For show presentation, use the shampoos as described above but do not use the Seabreeze Oil.
Instead mix 1 tablespoon of Plush Puppy Silk Protein Conditioner with 500mls warm water and using a large sponge, saturate the coat with the conditioner mix and leave for 2 mins and rinse. This is better than applying non-diluted conditioner to the coat and ensures even softness and application.
Now blow dry using a coolish dryer and keeping the coat lying flat and smooth.
Blow drying is brilliant on short coats to dislodge any dead hair. Grooming mitts and brushes will never get the amount of dead hair out that a good forced dryer will remove. The quicker the dead hair is dislodged, the faster it will regrow. I find that bathing, oiling and blow drying each and every week, gives a better all over finish to the hair and you don’t suffer those horrid times of coat shedding where the coat appears as if moth eaten. The oil allows you to bath and dry each week without damage or dehydration thus getting the best of both worlds.
Speed up drying time with Plush Puppy FAST Blow Dry Spray. It adds moisture and conditions while protecting the coat as it contains Australian Native Flame Tree extracts known for their hydrating properties. It also protects the coat from damage from sun and heat. A brilliant blow drying spray that halves the drying time and is amazing on short coats for a brilliant shine.
On show day apply Plush Puppy Cover Up Cream which is a great cover for stains or discolouration. Excellent on “red” area on worn elbows and to the white on the muzzle. When you really need to cover stains your whites or intensify white areas. Apply with a barely damp sponge using a small amount. Build up coverage as required layer by layer. Then use powder or chalk as required whilst cream is drying. Brush off excess when dry.
Add a tiny bit of Plush Puppy Chalkestral with your fingertips to the white legs to assist holding the white powder you apply. You need something to help grip and to protect the coat from abrasion. Best of all is Plush Puppy Fairy Frost. This ultra-fine and bright white powder that is more effective and innovative than the usual methods of white chalking and adding powder to coats. Fairy Frost will create the brightest white tone that clings all day. Plus, it covers all coats without creating harshness. Fine and easy to use, our formulation means a little goes a long way. Fairy Frost Regular is naturally sourced and contains no chalk or talc. Use this product instead of chalk or mix with your usual white powder. This product is best for glamorous, perfect whites as it never gets clumpy, even when wet. This stays on the coat well and will last the day till washed off. Apply with the Plush Puppy Ultimate Powder Brush. Work well into the area where required for enhancing whites and cover.
You can sneak in a tiny amount of Plush Puppy Pixie Dust. I do say a tiny amount and add it into the Fairy Frost Regular. This will pick up glints of light especially in the sun, but you don’t overdo it. It’s meant to be subtle.
Plush Puppy Wonder Wash is a no rinse wet instant shampoo for “those show day” last-minute emergencies as this will clean up anything, pronto. Just spray foam with the fingers and towel off. Wonder Wash is a brilliant quick self-rinsing bathing alternative solution for quick and easy cleaning without the need for a complete bath. It contains optical brighteners, has a fresh apple fragrance, and violet tone.
Use Plush Puppy Wonder Wash to clean off the Fairy Frost Regular or chalk or powder after the show if you are not re-bathing for the next day. It freshens up the coat and stops the whites from looking artificial. Apply, foam with your hands and towel dry off. Next day for the show, redo the Chalkestral and then the Plush Puppy Fairy Frost Regular applying always with a Plush Puppy Ultimate Powder Brush.
Just prior to ring time, give the dog a light brush over with a soft brush such as Plush Puppy Ultimate Pure Boar Bristle Brush and a light mist of Plush Puppy Shine and Comb. With the Boston it’s best not to spray directly onto this fine coat, but preferably spray onto the brush or approximately 30cms above the coat and let the mist fall onto the coat. This will give a final boost to the shine and lustre of the coat.
See, there is a lot one can do for a Boston coat! It may seem arduous and over the top, but the discipline of doing this all the time becomes easier and the coats benefit greatly. Besides, the dogs seem to enjoy all the attention and it is quite relaxing and therapeutic for the owner too.
Now let’s see the same determination from your Boston, exhibiting his strength and graceful carriage as he sure footedly works his way around the ring all with a lively expression, moving with a style of high order. High order indeed!
This breed really is a knockout in the ring and pound for pound, can stand out as surely as if he were a big dog. He is one smart dog in all ways.
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