Don’t get scammed by a “Boston Terrier Breeder Near Me”

When it comes to buying a puppy, searching for a breeder using the search phrase “Boston Terrier Breeders Near Me” is the most searched phrase people use online.

But in recent times I’ve seen the rise of non-existent kennels positioning themselves on the first page and posing as breeders to scam you from a down payment, transport and medical fees and they are getting more skilled in how they try to deceive you.

Let me tell you something.

You are SMARTER than them.

But they are lying crooks and they are getting better at preying on people who are trustworthy.

Here’s the thing.

• There’s a shortage of Boston Terrier Puppies
• Puppy Scammers are getting better at faking identities
• It’s SO easy to steal photos of REAL people with their REAL puppies.  So if you are a good person who has never been swindled before – you might be the perfect target for them
• Buying puppies can be emotional.  Especially if have just lost one
• These crooks and thieves have infiltrated our facebook groups and so they are learning what to say
• It doesn’t cost much to put up a website to give them the appearance of being legit #haveialreadycalledthemacrook
• They set up face profiles on Facebook and Instagram and pretend to be real people #buththeyarecrooks

And that begs the question, how can you prevent yourself from being scammed when you search for a “Boston Terrier breeders near me?”

What is a scam website? It typically involves a website showing adorable puppies at suspiciously low prices. They often claim to be a breeder raising “lovingly raised” Boston Terrier puppies to hook you. The prices are typically very low and oftentimes they offer shipping.  Or when you get ready to buy the puppy they will say they moved and that is why they cannot see you in person but to reserve the puppy you have to send a down payment immediately.

When compared to real kennels’ websites, breeders of merit or the Boston Terrier Club of America, it’s easy to see who the real breeders are.

Key thing to NOT being scammed? 1. Knowing the breed standard and 2. Understanding what reputable breeders look like and how to verify that someone is indeed who they claim to be.

So now let’s talk a look at several breeder’s websites and compare them to what I consider to be a reputable breeder’s website should look like.

Suspicious Breeder Listings that Raise Red Flags

The first place I looked at were those websites that are running paid ads.

I already know that gooddog(dot)com is legitimate so I will focus on the other two.

Analysis of Bostonterrierisland(dot)com

If you look at their google snippet they use the word “cheap”

RED FLAG 1: saying your puppy as cheap just raises all sorts of red flags.  Well bred Boston Terrier puppies are not cheap.  Saying they are makes me suspicious.

When I go to their website’s home page. I see more red flags.

RED FLAG 2 : They must have copied and pasted this because they forgot to remove “Miniature Poodle Puppies” on the Boston Terrier Website

RED FLAG 3 : They are signaling that they are a reputable breeder by using the words “conformation” and “standards” so I’m going to look for puppies that look like they belong to show breeders when I get to the photos of puppies page.

RED FLAG 4: No such thing as a non-shedding Boston Terrier. Also there is no such thing as a “breeding hybrids of 3rd generation forward”

RED FLAG 5: “We are global” and “can ship to your State (or Country). This is a huge red flag to me because no reputable breeder I know will ship globally.

RED FLAG 6: Typically if you are a breeder or a kennel – your puppies will look like they are related.

None of these puppies look related to me and none of these look like they meet the breed standards. If you want to know what puppies should look like, read my article: Buying a Boston Terrier Puppy – everything you need to know.

There really isn’t much more to this website other than a contact form. It doesn’t show who the parents are or who the sellers are.

I would make a HARD PASS on this website.

Review or website bostonterriersforhomes(dot)com

RED FLAG 1: They use the word “Exotic”. And there is no such thing as an exotic Boston Terrier and they are not bred for “your comfort”

RED FLAG 2: 10th word references “mastiff” which also makes no sense. This is a Boston Terrier not a mastiff.

In the About Us Section.

RED FLAG 3: The mention miniature pinschers (I thought they were Boston Terrier Puppy breeders)

RED FLAG 4. Breeding spelled as “breading”.

RED FLAG 5: They say they started in 2005 but if you look at the footer they say they have been breeding 17 years …. The math doesn’t add up

Their Core Values do not make any sense.

They say they are a retail pet industry leader, and have pet counselors … it almost sounds like they copied and pasted different sentences to write their Core Values which sound nothing like what a breeder would state.

Moving over to their Available Puppies page:

RED FLAG 6: When you read the descriptions under each puppy it almost reads as if someone who doesn’t understand English wrote it.

Some of the sentences do not make any sense.

Some of the descriptions reference health tests which do not apply to Boston Terriers.

They also mention tails being docked. Keep in mind Boston Terriers are born with naturally short tails and docking is not allowed in this breed.

Lastly remember on the home page they mention they breed for conformation and to standard. But this doesn’t match their available puppy listings because they show Boston Terrier puppies that are clearly disqualified colors and their markings are not to standard.

They also “ship worldwide” which is a huge red flag to me.

When I reviewed the rest of the website I could not find any photos of the parents or the sellers.

I would make a HARD PASS on this website.

Boston Terrier Scammers on Facebook and Instagram

There are people are on Facebook or Instagram trying to scam you out of your money.  These scammers don’t even have any puppies.  They claim to have puppies but often time have taken on another identity in order to fool you out of a down payment.  They are getting smarter and more conniving.   Below is a short list in how they try to fool you into thinking they have puppies:

• They  post other people puppies
• They require a deposit for you to hold the puppy
• Their profiles are typically new (under 2 years)
• Their friends also have new profiles
• They will post photos (that are stolen) of a child or a family with a Boston
• They will claim to be good family people, often even use religion in their “About Me” page.  #dontbelieveeverythingyouread

What Can You Do To Find Out If A Breeder is Legit

Typically scammers infiltrate dog groups.  And they will target those that say “I’m looking for a Boston Terrier Puppy”.

They will claim to have a puppy but they will ask for a deposit.

BEFORE you give them any money ask the following:

1.  Ask to do a video chat with the puppies they are advertising and the parents.  If they refuse – then walk away.
2. Ask for a photo with the puppy and a newspaper with today’s date.
3. Ask to visit the puppy – if they refuse, then walk away.

Scammers are preying on the fact that there is a shortage of Boston Terrier puppies.   And so you need to know they are preying on your emotions.  Be sure to use logic and take the steps you need to verify you are speaking to a legitimate breeder.

Diving Deeper to Validate The Breeder

A reputable breeder has the following characteristics:

• If they use the phrase “breed to standard” or “conformation” that implies that they show their dogs.  That means that their dogs titled, and typically they show the parents with their winning show photos.
• You can cross reference the parents names in dog shows they have registered for
• You would most likely find the breeders kennel registered with the AKC
• You would most likely find the breeders in one of the dog fancier’s magazines
• They will show photos of the parents
• They would available for you to talk to and in today’s times, even available for face time or zoom calls
• They would be more interested in getting to know you as opposed to just trying to sell you a fast and quick puppy
• They would be registered with the AKC as a Breeder of H.E.A.R.T or a Breeder of Merit

These are just a few characteristics of a reputable breeder. I have two articles to help you:

HOW TO FIND A REPUTABLE BOSTON TERRIER BREEDER

FINDING A BOSTON TERRIER PUPPY – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Avoid These Websites When Looking for A Boston Terrier Puppy

• Craigslist
• puppyfind(dot)com
• Any other obscure listing website

Where To Find Legitimate “Boston Terrier Breeder Near Me” Listings

• Gooddog(dot)com (Look for AKC Breeders of H.E.A.R.T. or breeders that title their dogs)
• Boston Terrier Club of America
• ebostonterriers(dot)com is an independent digital publication and sometimes you will find breeders registering their kennels and advertising in there

What Other Ways Can I Find A Boston Terrier Breeder Near Me

Most cities have a local or regional Boston Terrier Club. You can find the affiliate Clubs on this page.

Who To Contact If You Have Been Scammed

Contact your local police department and Pet Scams.

Have You Been Scammed By A Boston Terrier Breeder?

First of all.  I’m sorry.  I’m sorry those crooks took your money.

If you could please leave a comment at the bottom of this article so that other people can learn who they were and what happened to you.

Also please consider saving this article to your Pinterest or share it on your social.  The more people we can educate the less often crooks win.

The Bottom Line

There are unscrupulous people trying to trick you into giving them money for a puppy that does not exist.

Websites like the two above that have inconsistencies.  PASS

Seller claims to be a breeder but you can’t verify that with AKC.  PASS

Seller that cannot show you the puppy or parents in person (or via facetime).  PASS

Puppies do not look like they are bred to meet the standard.  PASS

Puppies that are available to ship.  PASS.  This isn’t Amazon.

Seller that requires a downpayment.  PASS

Discount puppies.  PASS.  Discount puppies are never really discount because they come with behavioral long term issues or sickness.

You are buying a puppy that will be living in your car for thirteen to seventeen years.  You want to educate yourself on how to find a reputable breeder, what you need to know when buying a puppy and what the breed standard looks like.

Are you a Boston Terrier Owner?  Then join this Facebook group