They are big dogs in the body of a small dog. They are full of energy and affection. If you are looking for a dog that is well-fitted in any urban environment, this dog is for you! They are people-oriented and go great with children. But, even though they are small, they need daily exercise. Otherwise, you’ll have an anxious or destructive Boston Terrier, and trust me, you don’t want that.
- Size
Both male and female Boston Terrier dogs have the same standard size. According to the American Kennel Club, these are the standard proportions:
- Height: 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm)
- Weight: 12 to 25 pounds (5 to 11 kg)
Even though Boston Terriers are small dogs, not weighing over 25 pounds, that does not mean they are fragile. They are compact and quite sturdy for such a small size. They have short bodies but strong legs and appear muscular.
The Boston Terrier is recognizable by its short and square muzzle, erect ears, and lively and intelligent-looking big round eyes. They have such expressions that it seems as if they know everything we say to them. They are truly little intelligent dogs.
- Color
They have the so-called “tuxedo” coat colors. There are 5 coat colors accepted by the AKC:
- Black and white
- Seal and white
- Brindle and white
- Black brindle and white
- Seal brindle and white
There are no other markings but the white. If you plan to go on dog shows with your dog, then it is a disqualification if it is a solid black or solid seal. The Boston Terrier has to have a white mask that gives him a “tuxedo” look.
- Social Traits
These are some of the traits owners claim their Boston Terriers possess: dorky, energetic, affectionate, lovable, and energetic. Boston Terrier is a fun dog that loves affection and loves to play. They are people-pleasers and eager to participate in any family activity.
These are all good things or pros for most people looking for a dog. They love to cuddle, and give kisses, and they love to play – and need to play/exercise. We’ll talk more about their activity needs in the passage below.
Boston Terrier is a dog that goes great with children of all ages. However, it is important to mention that we need to teach our children not to hurt the dog too. Boston Terrier is a sturdy little dog but it is still quite small, and rough play is not an option. Also, no pulling or pinching is allowed either.
Good with other dogs: yes
Good with children: yes
Good with other animals: yes
Even though Boston Terriers go well with other animals, socialization from an early age is something we have to do to avoid any misbehavior. Teaching your Boston Terrier that a cat or a bunny are friends while he is still a puppy, is of great importance.
But, there is one thing that a lot of owners claim as a con (for some people, each to their own) – Boston Terrier is a gassy dog. If that’s something you have a big problem with, the Boston Terrier might not be a dog for you. They also grunt a lot and make similar noises. This is because of the short muzzle and it “comes” with every Boston Terrier.
*There is a possible solution for the gassy part, but more on that later in the Feeding passage.
- Trainability
Generally speaking, the Boston Terrier is easy to train. Every dog is unique and some may be more or less easy to train. However, in most cases, according to most owners we came across and spoke with, they say they were easy to train.
The best training technique is the positive reward system. They are food-motivated so giving them their favorite snack as a reward is a great way to teach them what to do or not do. The essence of this training is to give your dog a snack/treat every time they do the right thing.
This is useful for all kinds of training, especially for basic obedience training, such as heel, sit, stay, leave it, etc. Some days (not all the time) you can give your dog a fruit safe for dogs to eat as a reward. They are a good source of vitamins and fiber.
Some Boston Terriers can have a high prey drive. This can be an issue if you’d like to have other small animals. However, if introduced early and if well socialized, there shouldn’t be any problems.
- Activity Needs
Boston Terrier is a playful and active little dog. They need daily physical and mental stimulation to keep them healthy. However, it is very important not to over exercise them. They easily overheat, so keep the playtime short, up to 30 minutes. Then take a break.
This means that the ideal daily exercise plan for a Boston Terrier is having a couple of short play times or walks/runs throughout the day. You can combine morning walks, afternoon playtime, and an evening walk.
Don’t forget there are toys to keep your dog amused when they have to stay at home for a long time. You can give your dog some interactive dog toys or simply play a game where you hide a treat somewhere and let your dog sniff, explore, and find it. Just be careful how many treats you give a dog.
- Feeding
Every dog is unique. The amount of food they need depends on their activity level, health, age, sex, and what type of food we give them. If you’re feeding your dog kibble food, generally speaking, an adult Boston Terrier needs 0.5 to 1.5 cups of kibble daily.
The best option is to divide the amount into two meals, one in the morning and one in the evening. If you are unsure how much your Boston Terrier needs, you can use the Body Condition Score or BCS. It should give you a quick summary of whether your dog is overweight or underweight.
You can always consult your vet. They can give you instructions or suggestions on what food to use, how much, and whether your dog needs a change in diet.
As for the problem with Boston Terriers being gassy, some owners claim their dogs either completely stopped being gassy or reduced the amount of gas when switching to grain-free kibble. This is not a proven fact, but something that helped some owners.
- Grooming
Boston Terrier has a smooth and short coat type. They shed, but not a lot. And, it is not difficult to groom a Boston Terrier. You need a hound glove or a soft bristle brush. To keep the coat healthy and beautiful, and to help with the shedding, you should brush your dog at least once a week.
Brushing more than once a week is OK, too. After all, grooming time is a perfect time to bond with our dogs and to check if there are some changes in their bodies. You can look for any scratches or foreign objects stuck in their coat, paws, or ears.
Of course, besides brushing, we should also trim the nails and give an occasional bath.
- Possible Problems
Just like any other dog breed, the Boston Terrier can also have some health issues. They are especially prone to some breathing problems because of their short muzzles.
The most common health problems are:
- Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS)
- Glaucoma
- Luxating patellas
- Cherry eye
- Atopy
- Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS)
- Cushing’s syndrome
- Problems giving birth naturally
BOAS is a health issue that affects brachycephalic dog breeds. Those are dogs with short muzzles. As for the problems with giving birth naturally, it is also a problem that happens with some other similar dog breeds.
The Boston Terrier has a large, broad head and wide shoulders compared to a more narrow pelvis. This is a problem during natural birth because a puppy can get stuck in the birthing canal. This can lead to serious problems, for both mother and the puppies. That’s why most require a Caesarian section.
Summary
If you don’t mind a gassy dog that grunts a lot, and if you don’t mind playing with your dog a few times a day, Boston Terrier is the right dog for you.
They are affectionate and lovable dogs with big personalities. Don’t mistake their small bodies for a lack of energy. They love to play and they need to play every day. However, it is important not to overdo it, because they can get overheated easily. Also, because they are brachycephalic dogs, they can have problems breathing if they get too excited.
These dogs also go great with children of all ages and because of that are a great addition to a family. They are lively and affectionate. Just remember that they are not toys, even though they look small and cute. We need to teach our children how to play safely with dogs as well.
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