Boston Terrier vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison

Boston Terrier vs Australian Kelpie - Breed ComparisonAustralian Kelpie is originated from Australia but Boston Terrier is originated from United States. Australian Kelpie may grow 8 cm / 4 inches higher than Boston Terrier. Australian Kelpie may weigh 9 kg / 20 pounds more than Boston Terrier. Both Australian Kelpie and Boston Terrier has almost same life span. Both Australian Kelpie and Boston Terrier has almost same litter size. Australian Kelpie requires Moderate Maintenance. But Boston Terrier requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Terrier dog
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Australia
United States
Height Male:
46 - 51 cm
18 - 21 inches
38 - 43 cm
14 - 17 inches
Height Female:
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
36 - 41 cm
14 - 17 inches
Weight Male:
14 - 20 kg
30 - 45 pounds
7 - 11 kg
15 - 25 pounds
Weight Female:
12 - 20 kg
26 - 45 pounds
5 - 11 kg
11 - 25 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
11 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 7
1 - 6
Size:
Medium
Small
Other Names:
Kelpie, Barb
Boston Bull, Boston Bull Terrier, American Gentlemen
Colors Available:
Many Colours, from solids to bi-colours - tan, fawn, blue, red, black, chocolate
Brindle with white markings, Brown and white or black and white.
Coat:
short and dense
Short and smooth
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

australian kelpieThe energetic Kelpie came into being around 1870, with this working dog breed having a role to play with the herding of sheep in the harsh Australian outback.The sheep and wool industry in Australia has always been big business, and Australian ranchers were looking for a tough dog that could cope with sheep but also cope with the harsh environment.

These are adaptable dogs too and their ancestors include the Coley or Collie, a British herding-type dog, the English- and the Australian Shepherd and the Dingo. In fact it is believed that up to 4% of their genes comes from the Dingo. These adaptable dogs were also brought to North America where they quickly adapted to the different climate and different livestock.

The Australian Kelpie isn’t your regular pet as they are essentially an outdoor, working dog. They are recognized today by the United Kennel Club and registered by the North American Australian Kelpie Registry.

boston terrierNicknamed the American Gentleman, the Boston Terrier is the result of crossing the British Bulldog with the white English Terrier. At first the Boston Terrier was bred to be a fighting dog, but since then, undesirable characteristics have been bred out and today the Boston Terrier is regarded as an indoor dog that doesn’t tolerate extreme weather conditions.

The breed emerged in the 1870s when Robert Hooper from Boston bought a dog thought to be a mix of a Terrier and Bull type lineage. A specialist breed club was formed in 1891 and in 1979 the commonwealth of Massachusetts named the Boston Terrier the Official State Dog. By the 20th century, the breed’s color and patterns were standard and an essential feature.

Description

The Coat

australian kelpie puppy - descriptionThe Kelpie is a medium-sized dog with a coat that comes in a number of colours – black, chocolate, fawn, red, blue, tan, white and gold. . The nose colour blends in with the dog’s coat colour and can be black, brownish and even pinkish.

A Sharp, Intelligent Look

The Kelpie has a medium-length tail which is low-set. The ears are pricked, giving the dog an intelligent, alert appearance. The dog’s head is also narrow and long, and his eyes are bright and inquisitive.

Lithe and Athletic

The Australian Kelpie has an athletic appearance, with a body which is longer than their height, similar to that of a German Shepherd. Because the Australian Kelpie is such an energetic, active breed, he’ll need plenty of ‘jobs to do’, lots of ball games and other exercise to keep him free from boredom and to ensure he maintains his lithe, lean, muscular limbs.

boston terrier puppy - descriptionThe Boston Terrier is a lively, strong-willed breed with an alert expression and fairly large, erect ears. He is a small to medium sized dog and his square muzzle puts him among the Bull breeds. The dog is compact in build and varies quite significantly in size. Weight with the dog is actually divided into 3 categories – lightweight (under 6.8kg), middleweight (up to 9kg) and the heavyweights being between 9.1kg and up to 11.4kg. The Boston has a short head and a naturally short, low-set tail. The coat is short and smooth, and the colour can be brindle with white markings, brown and white or black and white.

It’s the energetic liveliness of the Boston Terrier that makes him such a lovable and popular pet. He has an affectionate, gentle nature that makes him a fantastic family pet and he gets on well with children and pets in the home. He can adapt to city or country life. One or two interesting facts of this breed are -

with his short nose, he is prone to drool and snore

he is prone to corneal ulcers because of his large, somewhat protruding eyes

with a small pelvis, the females often battle with the birthing process and may require a caesarean section.

Characteristics

Friend of Children

australian kelpie dog - characteristicsThe Australian Kelpie is an active, busy, intelligent, loving breed who is highly protective of his human family. He gets on well with children and other pets in the home but you’ll want him trained if you want him to be gentle around children and smaller pets. He does tend to gravitate towards one particular family member as his ‘favourite’ though.

He Must be Busy

Your Kelpie won't do well in an apartment as he is a working dog who wants plenty of place to run and play. If he is bored, it manifests itself with constant barking. Make sure to provide a stimulating, active lifestyle for your Australian Kelpie, provide him with everything a dog needs and you’ll be rewarded with a devoted and loyal companion.

boston terrier dog - characteristicsThe Boston Terrier is such a sweet little dog, but you can’t really say what your puppy’s personality will be as personality varies quite a bit between individual Boston’s. Remember that just like with a human child, your puppy will turn out with characteristics that can be attributed to the way he was raised. The Boston just loves his human family and he wants to be part of all your activities, even though he may gravitate towards one favorite family member.

Your Boston can be your Best Friend

Your Boston is a Terrier and that means he is full of life and will require being exercised by you. He can’t just be left outdoors day after day because this is one particular breed that can’t adapt to changing weather conditions. He likes being inside where the temperature is more even. Look after your Boston, because if you do, you’ll be rewarded by having one of the best friends you’ve ever had.

Health Problems

A Healthy Breed

australian kelpie puppies - health problemsYour Australian Kelpie is a hardy breed and you won’t find many health problems with him. Yes, every dog is susceptible to illnesses which are common with all dog breeds, and these are illnesses such as hip dysplasia and cryptorchidism.

You will need to check your Kelpie out for eye disease such as PRA or Progressive Retinal Atrophy, a group of genetic diseases which are found in some breeds of dogs. This can lead to cataracts and blindness.

Lifestyle and Environment Impact Health

Health problems in your Australian Kelpie can certainly be partially prevented by the way you feed your dog and by the environment you provide him with. Every dog has the potential to develop genetic health problems, but as we’ve said, the Kelpie is a generally healthy breed.

Always find a reputable breeder whose focus is on breeding healthy dogs and who can provide certification that the parents of the dog are clear of defects and are in tip-top condition for breeding.

Puppy Vaccinations

Along with quality food and fresh water, getting your puppy vaccinated is hugely important. Australian Kelpie puppy shots will protect your new 4-legged family member from the likes of distemper, parvovirus and hepatitis. Your puppy will also need additional booster vaccinations after his first shots which start at around 8 weeks of age.

boston terrier puppies - health problemsBoston Terriers are generally healthy, feisty little dogs but it is always wise to know that you may well come across some health conditions that can affect your pet.

Eye Problems

Your Boston may well have to contend with cataracts, and in the dog world, this isn’t only an ailment for old dogs. Juvenile cataracts can develop in young puppies already. Cherry Eye is another eye problem with a prolapse of the gland of the third eyelid. It is also an eye disease than can be found in young dog of less than a year old.

Deafness

Boston Terriers actually have a fairly high incidence of deafness in one or both ears. White Bostons tend to produce more puppies with deafness.

Brachycephalic Syndrome

The Boston Terrier is a brachycephalic dog and therefore more predisposed to Brachyphalic Syndrome where the dog battles to breathe because of too much soft tissue which forms in the airways.

To avoid many dog diseases with your Boston, buy your puppy from a reputable dog breeder who screens dogs used in a breeding program as this prevents puppies inheriting genetic disorders.

Caring The Pet

Grooming

australian kelpie dogs - caringAustralian Kelpies are low maintenance and their coat is easy to groom and maintain. You want to give him a good brush twice a week to get rid of loose hair. Australian Kelpies are moderate shedders.

Feeding your Kelpie

It is important to get your puppy off on the right foot to avoid health problems later on. Homemade dog food which includes chicken, rice and vegetables is always the best food for your dog. If you can't prepared your own meals for your Kelpie, top grade commercial dog food brands are recommended.

When looking at dog foods, remember that your Kelpie is a working dog – a naturally active breed and you’ll need to look at dog food which has been specially formulated for active dogs. Every dog will need raw meat in their diet if you want to avoid a dog with an itchy, flaky skin, a dog with poor energy levels and a dog that has no resistance to infection.

Training

Every owner who cares for their dog will provide him with socialization and training. The Australian Kelpie is an intelligent breed who responds well to training.

Exercise

boston terrier dogs - caringThe Boston Terrier is a lively dog, and even though he doesn't have any extreme exercise requirements, he will still require you exercising him by taking him on walks, or having ball games with him. As an essentially indoor dog, he can even enjoy some quieter indoor games.

Feeding

You’ll be able to gauge how much your pet requires in terms of high quality food, but by the time he is an adult, he usually has one or two bowls of food a day. Size and age play an important role in determining his eating habits. Home made foods made up of rice, meat and vegetables are always welcome for your pet and these can be added into his top quality commercially produced dog food. For a healthy dog who is free of skin problems include some raw meat in the diet from time to time. Always make sure that there is a bowl of fresh, cool water which is available 24/7.

Grooming

With his short coat, the Boston Terrier isn’t a heavy shedder and is low maintenance in terms of keeping his coat groomed. Brush him at least twice a week to remove loose hairs and to also prevent flea and tick infestations. Brush his teeth 2 or 3 times a week to ensure no plaque build-up which can damage the teeth. Never use human toothpaste, but invest in special toothpaste and -brush for dogs. If he is essentially an indoor dog, you may have to get the vet to trim his nails too.

Comparison with other breeds

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  9. Boston Terrier vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
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  26. Australian Kelpie vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Australian Kelpie vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Australian Kelpie vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Australian Kelpie vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Australian Kelpie vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Australian Kelpie vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Australian Kelpie vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Australian Kelpie vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Australian Kelpie vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Australian Kelpie vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Australian Kelpie vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Australian Kelpie vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Australian Kelpie vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Australian Kelpie vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Australian Kelpie vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Australian Kelpie vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Australian Kelpie vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Australian Kelpie vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Australian Kelpie vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Australian Kelpie vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Australian Kelpie vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Australian Kelpie vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Australian Kelpie vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Australian Kelpie vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Australian Kelpie vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison