Boston Terrier

friendly / bright / amusing

Non-Sporting Group >>

Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.

Height

15-17 inches

Weight

12-25 pounds

Life Expectancy

11-13 years

Breed Traits & Characteristics

Affectionate With Family

Independent Lovey-Dovey
100% 100%

How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.

Good With Young Children

Not Recommended Good With Children
100% 100%

A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
80% 80%

How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

No Shedding Hair Everywhere
40% 40%

How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

Monthly Daily
40% 40%

How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
20% 20%

How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded

Curly

Double

Hairless

Rough

Silky

Smooth

Wavy

Wiry

Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long

Medium

Short

How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
100% 100%

How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
100% 100%

How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
60% 60%

A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
60% 60%

How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

Self-Willed Eager to Please
80% 80%

How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

Couch Potato High Energy
80% 80%

The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

Only To Alert Very Vocal
40% 40%

How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
60% 60%

How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

Affectionate With Family

Independent Lovey-Dovey
100% 100%

How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.

Good With Young Children

Not Recommended Good With Children
100% 100%

A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
80% 80%

How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

No Shedding Hair Everywhere
40% 40%

How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

Monthly Daily
40% 40%

How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
20% 20%

How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded

Curly

Double

Hairless

Rough

Silky

Smooth

Wavy

Wiry

Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long

Medium

Short

How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
100% 100%

How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
100% 100%

How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
60% 60%

A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
60% 60%

How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

Self-Willed Eager to Please
80% 80%

How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

Couch Potato High Energy
80% 80%

The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

Only To Alert Very Vocal
40% 40%

How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
60% 60%

How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

About the Breed

The Boston Terrier is a vivacious little buddy distinguished by his sporty yet compact frame, large, wide eyes, and tight tuxedo jacket. The Boston Terrier is a little, well-balanced dog that weighs no more than 25 pounds and is compact, short-tailed, and has immaculate manners, earning him the moniker “The American Gentleman.” The fashionable ‘tuxedo’ coat is available in white and seal (dark brown), brindle, or black. The huge, round eyes can gleam with compassion, curiosity, or mischief. The head is square; the muzzle is short. Bostons have a jovial, rhythmic step as they stroll around, always aware of their surroundings. A breed named after a city, like the Havanese or Brussels Griffon, is a sure bet to make a great urban pet. Bostonians are no different; they are strong but lightweight, people-oriented, and always willing to take a quick stroll to the park or an outdoor café. The stylish Bostonian is a constant source of smiles since he is a bright dog with a natural talent for comedy.

What To Expect When Caring For a Boston Terrier

Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.

Health

It is especially crucial to safeguard the Boston Terrier's strikingly lovely but prominent eyes. Every day, the eyes should be examined for irritation or redness. Saline eye drops are carried by certain owners to remove dust or dirt. Responsible breeders examine their stock for deafness, patellar luxation, which is similar to a "trick knee" in humans, as well as eye conditions like cataracts, corneal ulcers, and glaucoma. Like many flat-faced breeds, Boston terriers might have breathing problems if they are not provided enough protection from extreme heat or humidity.

Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:

Patella Evaluation
BAER Testing
Ophthalmologist Evaluation

Grooming

Although not significantly, the sleek, beautiful coat of the Boston does shed slightly. The loose hair can be removed by giving your dog a weekly brushing with a soft-bristle brush, a rubber grooming tool or mitt, or a hound glove. A thorough brushing also encourages the growth of new hair and helps to maintain the quality of the coat by distributing skin oils throughout it. Unless they get into something messy, Bostons only occasionally need to be bathed. Like all breeds, the Boston should have its nails cut periodically since they can become painful and interfere with the dog's ability to run and walk.

Exercise

The necessity for exercise in the Boston varies from person to person. Some people only need to take brisk daily walks. Others will require more time to play and run around every day to release tension. A Boston won't likely do anything other than wait at the door until he is allowed back in, so simply putting him out into the backyard doesn't count as exercise. A Boston has a propensity to become frustrated and exhibit unpleasant behaviors when left alone for extended periods of time. But if you toss him a ball or a toy, he'll be delighted to play with you. It's fun to use canine sports like agility, obedience, flyball, and rally to channel the enthusiasm of the breed.

Training

Puppy training sessions and early socialization are advised for all breeds. He will grow into a well-adjusted, well-mannered adult through socialization, which involves gradually exposing the puppy to a wide range of people, places, and situations. Treats work well as a training motivator. Many Bostons are highly sensitive; therefore, loving congratulations should come after polite corrections.

Nutrition

The Boston Terrier should do well on high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian's supervision and approval. Any diet should be appropriate to the dog's age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog's calorie consumption and weight level. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog's weight or diet. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

History

An obsession with breeding terriers and bull-type breeds to create dogs that would succeed in pit fighting and ratting competitions resulted from the popularity of blood sports in 19th-century England. A strong, powerful dog named Judge was produced in Liverpool sometime in the late 1860s through a mix between a Bulldog and the now-extinct white English Terrier.

William O’Brien, an American, purchased Judge from his previous owner and took him to Boston with him. O’Brien sold Judge to Robert C. Hooper, a fellow Bostonian, in 1870. Judge, who was from that point on referred to in breed histories as “Hooper’s Judge,” evolved into the Boston Terrier breed’s patriarch and the ancestor of nearly all true Bostons. Judge is described as a “strongly built, high stationed dog of about thirty-two pounds weight” by a breed historian. He had a white stripe running across his face and was a dark brindle in hue. He had a blocky, square head and a fairly even mouth, making him look like the Boston Terrier of today.

Hooper crossed Judge with Burnett’s Gyp, a little white female owned by Edward Burnett of Southboro, Massachusetts. And in the family tree so well known to Boston Terrier enthusiasts, Judge and Gyp were the parents of Well’s Eph, who was the father of Tobin’s Kate, and so on through the important generations of Boston’s American history. The hefty warrior of Judge’s Day was selectively bred during the breed’s early years to produce a smaller, kinder, and more appealing companion dog.

The breed name was changed to Boston Terrier in recognition of the city where these joyful canines were so diligently produced. The Boston Terrier Club of America was established in 1891, and the AKC registered the first of the breed’s canines two years later. Boston Terriers continue to be a source of local pride. The Boston Terrier has served as Boston University’s mascot for for a century, and in 1979 the Massachusetts state legislature designated the “American Gentleman” as the state dog.