A New Zealand “Bostonite” on Kiwi BTs

By Deslie Blanch, Secretary, Boston Terrier Club Inc, New Zealand

In New Zealand, a Boston Terrier could be classified as a rare breed, since at most there are probably no more than 400 Bostons being adored by families in this country. Many of these families have two Bostons.

In the 1950s, Boston Terriers were usually imported here from Great Britain. These dogs were seen at New Zealand Kennel Club shows, and the request, “Where can I get a puppy? I just love that adorable face!” became more and more common.

The number of Boston Terriers slowly grew, and The Boston Terrier Club Inc was formed in 1973.

The club is the only one for Boston Terriers in New Zealand. There are 111 members, 21 of whom are overseas “Bostonites” from the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, United States, Canada, South Africa, Philippines, Australia and other countries. Of the New Zealand membership, 95 percent are pet-only folks (they’re not interested in showing their Bostons).

The club championship show is held every two years, and there is an annual ”Fun Day” in the South Island. The Fun Day is eagerly awaited every February, with folks traveling hundreds of miles to attend.

Normally around 17 Bostons come to the Fun Day, but last year, 30 turned up since several litters had been born during 2009. The year 2008 was also unusual for Boston puppies: Over the 12 months, 48 puppies were born – a record.

Of the six breeding kennels in New Zealand, five are associated with the club. All NZ breeders conform to the older UK standard for the Boston Terrier and, thankfully, keep strictly to what a true Boston should be. So unusual colors, designer dogs and other strange concepts are not seen here.

To get a Boston Terrier in NZ, you may have to wait two years and keep pestering the breeder so that when a litter does become available, your name is foremost in the breeder’s mind, and you maybe lucky enough to be offered a puppy.

Thankfully, Boston Terrier rescue groups are unheard of here and unneeded, since getting your Boston takes so much determination that once that dog crosses your front door, there is no way it will become anything but a treasured family member.

We are so lucky in New Zealand in that we have no “nasties:” No snakes or wildlife to worry about when our Bostons go out to play. We do not have to worry about ticks of any sort, heartworm, rabies or any of the other sort of creepie-crawlies common overseas. The most our Bostons may have to worry about is a bee or wasp sting.

Because of this, Boston Terriers from New Zealand are sought after from overseas should a puppy be available. Shipping a dog from here to most countries requires little in the way of veterinary certificates and quarantine.

So overall, a Boston Terrier in New Zealand has a pretty good life.

The club does have a website,  and anyone in the world can join and get our eagerly awaited quarterly magazine, “The Chit Chat,” which is full of ideas on how to care for your Boston Terrier and dogs in general.

Four club members will be attending the American Boston Terrier Club Show in Reno, Nev., in April, so if you want to talk about the club in person, we will be out and about the show area most days.

PHOTOS: Delsie Blanch; Boston Terrier Club Inc, New Zealand

i Love Dogs, Inc.

i Love Dogs, Inc.’s three websites – ilovedogs.com, ilovedogfriendly.com and findavet.us – provide information and up-to-the-minute news to keep pet parents aware of all things dog. A premium canine vitamins and lifestyle company, i Love Dogs is famous for its line of diamond dog collars. The name says it all — at i Love Dogs, we are committed to the health and happiness of our canine companions.

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