The Boston Terrier is an adorable small breed that is perfect for everyone! With low-care needs and their sociable and kind personality, the Boston Terrier makes a great pet even for those who have no experience with dogs. Their small and compact size also means they are suitable for those who live in cities and don’t have a lot of space for a bigger pup, but still want lots of love and attention!
The official state dog of Massachusetts, there is a lot to learn about this American dog. Read on below to find out everything you need to about this pup and see whether they might be the right canine for your home.
History Of The Boston Terrier
The Boston Terrier is a family companion that thrives around humans. They are a generally very happy dog with an excitable nature and makes an excellent pet to all, even first-time owners.
The Boston Terrier is the official state dog of Massachusetts, which is thanks to their history. They were first recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1893, just after the Boston Terrier Club of America was founded in 1891. There are also many affiliate breed clubs across the United States, Canada and New Zealand.
Breed Origin
The Boston Terrier does not have the best history. These dogs were originally created as people wanted to see whether they could breed a dog versatile for rodent catching contests out of dog fighting breeds. Englishmen bred the Boston Terrier by crossbreeding the Bulldog and the White English Terrier together.
Once the Boston Terrier was created, one was sold to a man living in Boston, Massachusetts in the 1870s. From here, breeders favored the dog’s size and kind nature and began to breed them further.
Characteristics Of The Boston Terrier
Boston Terrier puppies are normally born in litter sizes of 1 to 6 puppies and can range in price from $2,000 to $3,500. They are an expensive breed but this is down to their popularity. The price can increase even more if the parent’s are show dogs or if the breeders are registered with certain associations. Although they are more pricey, buying from a reputable breeder is always advised because you are less likely to buy a dog with health issues.
Appearance
The Boston Terrier is considered a small dog and stands between 15 to 17 inches tall and weighs between 12 to 25 lbs. Their small size makes them an excellent choice of dog for those who live in small apartments.
Boston Terriers have a strong and compact body, with the top of their body being much heavier than their smaller hind legs. They have round heads and prominent eyes. They do not have a long tail and it is more like a small stub!
Coat
The Boston Terrier’s coat is short, single coat that is smooth. Fortunately, they do not shed very much so you may be able to get away with having one of these dogs in your home even if you have allergies.
Their short coat means they can have trouble in the cold and will need a jacket to keep warm, especially if you live in a cooler climate. However, this does mean that they will stay cool in the summer.
Color
The Boston Terrier’s markings normally makes them look like they are wearing a tuxedo! These dogs are normally seen with black and white markings, but they can also come in other colors such as brindle and seal. Despite which colorway they are, their ears, back and hind legs are a solid color and their front legs, chest and face are white.
Temperament
The Boston Terrier has a wonderful temperament. Their loving and friendly nature is one of the reasons that breeders decided to breed them as companion dogs, rather than fighting dogs. These pups love people and want to be around their owners at all times. They also love meeting new people and are an extremely trusting dog.
With their love for people comes a love for playing and they will thrive in an environment where they can play games with their owners. This popular breed will certainly keep you on your toes and wants your attention all the time, even going as far as whining when they feel you are not giving them enough affection! They can also be known to snore from time to time!
Their high energy levels means that they get very excited to play with other dogs, however they can also get jealous of other dogs, especially ones that live in the home, if they feel they are getting more attention! Socialization is very important for this breed so they learn how to behave around others.
Lifespan
The Boston Terrier has an average life expectancy of between 11 and 13 years.
Known Health Issues
The Boston Terrier, like many dogs, is prone to some health problems. Many of these are linked to irresponsible breeding in their past that has led the Boston Terrier to suffer from eye problems and issues relating to their flattened face. We have laid out the main health concerns below.
- Cataracts — you might suspect your dog has cataracts if they are constantly bumping into furniture. Cataracts can be cured with surgery.
- Glaucoma — this is when pressure in the eye is abnormally high and the eye is constantly producing and draining fluid.
- Brachycephalic airway syndrome — this is a condition that is normally seen in dogs who have a short and flattened head and face. It can lead to breathing issues and loss of breath if they are overexerted.
Regular vet checkups and keeping an eye on your dog will ensure you can catch any of these issues before they become untreatable.
Remember — buy from a reputable breeder and the chances your dog will suffer any health conditions will be greatly reduced.
Daily Life
Now we know all about the traits and characteristics of the Boston Terrier, it is time to take a look and see what living with one of these dogs on a day to day basis is really like. Fortunately, they do not have very high care needs and are great for first time dog owners. We will cover their food and diet, their exercise requirements and their grooming needs.
Food And Diet
The Boston Terrier needs around 500 calories of food a day, which equates to roughly two cups of kibble. The exact amount you feed them should be based on their weight, and you should always double check the back of the food packet to see how much of a certain food you should be feeding them.
Always ensure that the food you feed your Boston Terrier meets all their nutritional requirements. Dry food is often advised because it can help to clean their teeth as they chew. It is also worth looking for a food that is specially formulated for little dogs.
Due to the fact that the Boston Terrier has a short snout, they can be more prone to choking if they eat too fast. For this reason, it might be a good idea to put their food into a puzzle feeder so they have to slow down as they eat!
Best Dog Food For The Boston Terrier
We recommend this dry dog food from Nutro for your Boston Terrier. This food is specially formulated for small breeds and the kibble pieces are small so your dog can easily chew and swallow them.
There are a range of proteins in this food too, including chicken, lamb and salmon, that ensure your dog keeps strong and lean muscles way into their adult years. Added fruits and vegetables also gives your pup a shiny and healthy coat and aid digestion. Even better, this food doesn’t contain any artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
Exercise
The Boston Terrier is an active dog with high exercise needs. These pups need between 40 and 60 minutes of exercise a day to keep them entertained and out of trouble! Without adequate exercise, the Boston Terrier can be prone to exhibiting destructive and unwanted behaviors.
Due to their small size and athletic build, the Boston Terrier can excel at dog sports such as agility and flyball. They are intelligent so interactive toys and sports such as these will help to keep them mentally stimulated. They’re also great at learning tricks!
Family Compatibility
Boston Terriers make wonderful family pets! These dogs love people, both adults and children included, and love to be around them all the time. They have a wonderful playful and energetic personality and therefore make great playmates for children and will keep everyone in the house on their toes.
With their love for attention can come some separation anxiety and frustration when they feel they are not being given enough love, so this will need to be trained out of them. Fortunately, their training needs and general care needs are not high, which is why they are often recommended for first time dog owners.
These dogs do require a fair bit of exercise and you must make sure you can dedicate time to them. However, due to their size they do not need a lot of space, making them a great dog for those with limited space or families who live in apartments. As long as you can take them out to the park everyday for playtime, they will be happy!
Training
The Boston Terrier is an intelligent dog breed that loves to please their owners, so training is very easy! This is one of the reasons this dog is recommend for first time dog owners.
These dogs respond best to reward based training and positive reinforcement training. This includes verbal praise as well as treats. You should never get angry or annoyed with your Boston Terrier because this will make them not want to learn.
Remember, these pups are very intelligent and so they can excel at obedience training and other dog sports.
Socializing
The Boston Terrier is a very sociable dog breed who loves people. However, they can have a stubborn streak and therefore socializing from a young age is very important so they grow up to be a well-rounded and well-adapted dog.
You should introduce your Boston Terrier to new sights, sounds, places, smells, people and animals when they are young, in a safe and controlled way. This way they will understand there is nothing to be afraid of.
Grooming
The Boston Terrier does not require much grooming and is therefore relatively low maintenance. They need to be brushed regularly but, due to the fact that they don’t shed very much, this doesn’t need to be done every day. They will only need a bath occasionally, depending on how much they are outside and how dirty they get.
You should clip their nails every one to two months, which can be done either by you, your vet or your groomer. You should also try to brush their teeth two to three times a day to help prevent dental decay and disease.
The wrinkles on the Boston Terrier’s face can trap dirt and debris which can lead to infections. You will need to clean them a few times a week and then give them a deep clean when they go to the groomers!
Boston Terrier FAQ’s
How much does a Boston Terrier cost?
Boston Terrier puppies can be expensive! One of these dogs can set you back between $2,000 and $3,500, purely because of how popular they are. You should always make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder who can show you health clearances for both parent dogs.
If buying a Boston Terrier is out of your price range or you would prefer to adopt, you can always check your local shelter. There are also some organizations that you can go to to find a Boston Terrier rescue, such as American Boston Terrier Rescue and Rehabilitation and Midwest Boston Terrier Rescue.
Are Boston Terriers aggressive?
Not at all! Boston Terriers were originally bred to be fighting dogs. However, breeders quickly realized their sweet and loving temperament meant that they were much better suited as companion dogs, and have been companion and family dogs ever since. Therefore, we cannot say that the Boston Terrier is aggressive.
These dogs love people and are extremely playful. They love to play games and have fun with all members of the family, children included, and you do not have to worry about any aggressive nature. However, they might whine when you don’t give them enough attention!
Summary
The Boston Terrier is a wonderful dog with an even better personality. Loving, friendly and family orientated, these dogs are the perfect companion for both adults and children. Playful and energetic, they can make the perfect playmate for kids and, because they don’t really like to be left alone, their small size means you can take them with you wherever you go. With low care needs and the perfect first dog, it is no wonder this breed is gaining popularity rapidly. If you’ve got the love and affection the Boston Terrier needs, why not think about adding one of these dogs to your home?