Lorraine Chapman | Patriot Farm Boston Terriers

Interview with Lorraine Chapman, Breeder of Patriot Farm Boston Terriers

Where do we live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder?

Lorraine Chapman: We live in Weirsdale, Florida, and have owned and loved dogs our entire lives. We’ve been breeding dogs for 15 years. In 2018, we fell in love with the Boston Terrier, and we have been developing our bloodline ever since.

What is our kennel name? How many dogs do we currently keep?

Lorraine Chapman: Our kennel name is Patriot Farm, and we currently have 12 Boston Terriers; four boys and eight girls.

Which show dogs from the past have been our noteworthy winners?

Lorraine Chapman: Our best dogs have been Rachel, Princess Leia, Ariela and Big Daddy. We are also proud of our most recent addition and new champion, Onix.

Which have been your most influential sires and dams?

• Our influential sires have been Baxter, Pedro, Rocky & Abraham.
• Our influential dams have been Chloe, Grace, Holly & Princess Leia.

Can we talk a bit about our facilities? Where are our puppies whelped? How are they raised?

Lorraine Chapman: We have a large CBS temperature-controlled building with kennels. Each dog has its own private kennel with attached run. They are exercised daily in large grass turnouts.

Our puppies are whelped in our home or at the vet if a C-section is required. We have an incubator and an oxygen concentrator on hand in the nursery.

Our puppies are raised with attention to early neurological stimulation and we use Pat Hastings’ Puppy Development, and Puppy Culture.

What is our “process” for selecting show puppies and Performance puppies?

Lorraine Chapman: We use Pat Hastings Puppy Puzzle techniques to evaluate our puppies. We also grade temperaments. Our final selection is made at the vet’s at eight weeks of age with a final x-ray exam of the spinal column.

At what age do we place puppies in show homes? In Performance homes?

Lorraine Chapman: When we have puppies that will be going to new parents, they typically leave between eight and nine weeks of age—which is the perfect age for them to start bonding with their new family.

Does our breed require any special preparation for competing in Conformance or Performance Events?

Lorraine Chapman: “Wash and wear” is how Boston Terriers are described… very easy to maintain in show condition. However, we do start stacking and leading early on.

Do we compete in Performance Events? If not, do these competitive arenas interest us?

Lorraine Chapman: We do not compete in Performance Events at this time, but are interested in Fast Cat, Agility, and Dock Diving.

In our opinion, is our breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?

Lorraine Chapman: Our breed is in good condition overall, but I would recommend that breeders pay more attention to spine health. Most of our girls free-whelp and I am hopeful to continue this tradition in my bloodline.

Are there any health-related concerns within our breed? Any special nutritional needs?

Lorraine Chapman: My biggest health-related concern within the Boston Terrier breed is their spines. The prevalence of hemivertebrae in the thoracic and lumbar spine is unsatisfactory for me, and I have been working to eradicate it from my bloodline. I have three Bostons that have 100 percent OFA clear spines in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spines. We feed Purina dog food with great results.

Is our breed well suited to be a family dog? Who are the best candidates to own our breed?

Lorraine Chapman: Boston Terriers are well suited to be family dogs and are adaptable to most situations and owners.

Is our breed a good choice as a Performance competitor? If so, in which events?

Lorraine Chapman: Boston Terriers can make good Performance Dogs as long as they have open nostrils and do not have breathing problems associated with an elongated soft palate. I would also choose a Performance competitor by examining spinal X-rays.

What is the biggest misconception about our breed? What is our breed’s best-kept secret?

Lorraine Chapman: One misconception is that they are only lap dogs. I have found the Boston to be an extremely versatile and talented breed. I’m not sure if it’s a secret, but a lot of breeders are not aware that they can do a preliminary X-ray at 7 weeks of age to determine which pups have the best spines. In doing so, they will be choosing the best bone structure to continue their line.

For a bit of fun, what’s the most amusing thing we’ve ever experienced with a Non-Sporting Dog?

Lorraine Chapman: Our Bostons are so loving and playful—every day is amusing! However, my most enjoyable moments are watching them enjoy life, running full-speed in their large pastures on the farm.

If we could share one suggestion with judges of our breed, what would we like to say to them about our breed?

Lorraine Chapman: I’d say, you can’t go wrong choosing a Boston with good balance and movement.

Are you looking for a Boston Terrier puppy?

The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase one from a responsible breeder. Not sure where to begin finding a breeder?

Contact the National Parent Club’s Breeder Referral person, which you can find on the AKC Breeder Referral Contacts page.

Want to help rescue and re-home a Boston Terrier dog?

Did you know nearly every recognized AKC purebred has a dedicated rescue group? Find your new best friend on the AKC Rescue Network Listing.

Boston Terrier Breed Magazine

Showsight Magazine is the only publication to offer dedicated Digital Breed Magazines for ALL recognized AKC Breeds.

Read and learn more about the bright Boston Terrier dog breed with articles and information in our Boston Terrier Breed Magazine.