Bossie -- Boston Terrier X Australian Shepherd

		Bossie
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			U.S.A. -> U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen
This breed is also known as			Baussie

A brief presentation of the Bossie

Bossies are a cross between a Boston Terrier and an Australian Shepherd, and characteristics of each of these breeds will be present in their offspring. They should have a similar temperament and appearance to both breeds, but it will be difficult to determine how much of each breed the dog will have. Although they are very energetic dogs, Bossies should not be left alone in the backyard or they may feel abandoned and become upset and destructive. They will be medium-sized and should be fed accordingly, but make sure they get enough exercise or they could become overweight.

History of the Bossie

Hybrid breeds know little about their history, as they were all created recently. The Bossie is a dog created from the combination of a Boston Terrier and an Australian Shepherd.

	A little of the Boston Terrier
	Boston Terriers were dogs that were much larger than those known today and were actually used in pit fighting. Initially, Boston Terriers were created by breeding English White Terriers, now extinct, and English Bulldogs. At some point, French Bulldogs were also included in the mix. The foundation of the breed was defined by a dog named Hooper's Judge, which was created using both breeds. People began crossing Boston Terriers and reducing them by breeding with smaller females. They were originally called American Bull Terriers and nicknamed roundheads, but this finally changed when they were named Boston Terrier after their birthplace.

	Standard of the Boston Terrier
	A little of the Australian Shepherd
	Australian Shepherds have a misleading name, as they didn't originate in Australia, but rather in the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain. They were commonly used as herding dogs in the United States. The breed's ancestors most likely include certain Spanish dogs as well as the stock Collie. From the beginning to the present day, this breed has been known to be highly talented in a number of canine sports, jobs and activities, including breeding, obedience, agility, retrieving, police work, guarding and observation, narcotics detection, performing tricks and search and rescue.

	Standard of the Australian Shepherd

Appearance of the Bossie

Bossie hybrid dogs will look a little like each of their parents. Bossies will mainly resemble an Australian Shepherd and will be slightly larger than the standard Boston Terrier. They are medium-sized and have muscular bodies. Boston Terriers are strong and small, with short bodies and a square appearance. Their head is flat on top and proportionate to the body, and the short muzzle is deep and broad. These dogs have black noses and well-defined stops. They have even or insufficient bite. Their dark eyes are large, round and wide apart, and the small ears will be erect. They have straight, solid legs set slightly apart, broad chests and slightly arched necks. These dogs have a low, tapering tail that is straight or corkscrewed. Australian Shepherds are also medium-sized. They generally have longer coats and shorter tails, which in most cases will be docked.

Temperament of the Bossie

These dogs are adorable, but get along best with older children. They are intelligent but stubborn, and the more you talk to them, the more they will misbehave. They can be learned and not commanded just as easily, and you may need to recondition them often. With this breed, you should always reward them when they're good and ignore them when they're bad. You should start training your Bossie as a puppy, as they can be stubborn when young and can also be solid when on a leash. They'll often try to be the boss, and you'll need to show that you're the leader and must be respected. They can sometimes bark at other animals and become destructive if bored, so they should always have access to toys to keep them entertained. Bossies love their owner and must not be left alone outside all day, otherwise they'll feel abandoned, which can lead to bad behavior.

Needs and activities of the Bossie

This very active breed will need plenty of exercise inside the house as well as outside. Keep them active and entertained, or they could become destructive. If your Bossie is similar to the Australian Shepherd, it will enjoy having work to do and can be restless if not sufficiently trained. They will need a minimum of 60 to 120 minutes of exercise every day to stay happy and healthy.

Maintenance of the Bossie

Although this breed is very low-maintenance in terms of coat care, it still represents a big commitment and has other means to take care of. They don't require frequent grooming, and the same goes for bathing, as they have very little canine odor. It's important to teach these dogs proper obedience and respect as puppies, as they can be independent and stubborn. Like all dogs, the Bossie will need regular maintenance of ears, teeth and nails. They should have their teeth brushed two or three times a week, or better still, every day if you can manage it. Trim their nails as often as they need, which will probably be once or twice a month, unless they wear themselves out. Clean your dog's ears weekly with a cotton ball to prevent infection. Dogs of all breeds need to stay active by exercising mentally and physically every day.