Simply Southern Pups > Dog Breeds > Boston Terrier
Boston Terrier Breed Information
The Boston Terrier is a small, sturdy dog with an affectionate personality and lots of spunk. These dogs are great for families, singles, seniors, and first-time pet owners. Highly affectionate and loyal, they also get along great with kids. They love to play, but also love to snuggle up with their owners.
BREED TYPE / MIX
Purebred
ENERGY
Moderate
SHEDDING
Moderate
TRAINING
Determined
TEMPERAMENT
Affectionate, Friendly, Lively, Playful
ADULT WEIGHT
10-25 lbs
ADULT HEIGHT
15-17 in
LIFE SPAN
10-14 yrs
Characteristics
- No matter your lifestyle or personality, they're great pets that fit into any household
- The Boston Terrier is a friendly, energetic little dog
- They are extremely social and love to play
- They have a special charm and fun-loving personalities
- Boston Terrier puppies are very playful with other dogs and people and are also known for their love of children
- The Boston Terrier is an excellent companion and will get along great with other pets
- They are affectionate toward family members but may be reserved around strangers until they get to know them better
- Boston Terriers are generally quiet dogs that don't bark very often
Appearance
A small dog with a compact, muscular, and well-proportioned body, they have a short muzzle that is square-shaped and dark and a pair of gorgeous, large, and round eyes. The ears are erect, and their tails are short.
A Boston Terrier’s face is wide and flat, with a short muzzle and small, upright ears. Their coat is wiry and thick, with coarse hair on their head and legs. The color of their coat can be any shade of brindle, black or brown. Your Boston Terrier may have white markings on his chest or feet.
Boston Terriers are small and sturdy dogs. They stand at 17 inches tall and weigh between 10 to 25 pounds. They typically have short brindle fur, short legs, and big heads. In addition, they also have distinctive confidence.
Temperament
The Boston Terrier is a small, stocky dog with a distinctive head. The breed was first bred in Boston in the United States in the 19th century, hence its name.
They are very loyal and loving dogs who will cuddle up to you whenever they get the chance. They love running in the snow, but they don't like being left alone for long periods of time. They make good watchdogs because they bark when strangers approach but are not prone to excessive barking.
Boston Terriers are intelligent and fast learners, so training them should not be an issue at all. However, you need to be firm when training them as they can sometimes be stubborn or mischievous.
They love playing with toys and other dogs or even other pets! They also love running around in parks or fields so it's best if you have access to these areas where they can run free without any fear of traffic or other dangers.
If you have children, then Boston Terriers are ideal family dogs as they are very patient around them, making them the perfect babysitter, but should be supervised around small children.
Care
Grooming
Boston Terriers are a very low-maintenance breed. They have short, fine coats that don't shed much. They do need regular brushing to remove dead hair and to keep the coat shiny and healthy, but they don't require frequent bathing or clipping.
Baths should be given only when needed and should be no more than once every three months. Bathing too often can dry out the skin and cause serious problems with the dog's coat.
The nails should be clipped regularly to prevent them from growing into the pads of their feet. Their teeth should also be brushed on a weekly basis with toothpaste made especially for dogs.
Exercise Needs
The Boston Terrier is an energetic dog with a lot of stamina. They don’t have high exercise needs, but they do need regular activity to maintain their health and happiness.
They love canine games and sports, including flyball, agility competitions, and lure coursing. They also enjoy playing fetch, which can be a good way to wear them out if you have a large yard or other outdoor space. Swimming is another favorite activity, whether it’s in the pool or out on the beach, although it is highly recommended to supervise them while they swim as they get tired easily due to their small size. If your Boston has access to a fenced-in yard, he may run around it all day long just for fun.
Health
Boston Terriers are a healthy breed. They don't tend to develop many health problems, but there are some conditions that may affect your dog as he grows.
Because the Boston Terrier is brachycephalic (flat-faced), it's important that he has plenty of fresh air, moderate exercise, and room to move around. Because they're sensitive to heat, they shouldn't be left outside in the summertime or in an area without ventilation.
When they are young, they tend to get eye infections and skin allergies simply because they're energetic puppies and their immune systems aren't as strong as adults would be.
If you ever notice that your Boston Terrier isn't using their hind legs properly, take them to the vet right away. Your vet will examine them and see if there are any obvious reasons for the lameness.
Lifespan
Although this breed’s average lifespan is 12 to 14 years, the Boston Terrier can live up to 15 years.
There are things you can do to help keep them healthy so they can enjoy their full lifespan. Be sure that your dog gets plenty of exercise—a daily walk and short play sessions will do the trick. Also, make sure that your pet gets annual checkups at the vet, as well as regular teeth cleanings and vaccinations.
Training
Boston Terriers are among the most people-oriented dog breeds, but they are also at times stubborn. Therefore, it is important to be consistent and firm when training them.
These Terriers are very energetic and love to play with other dogs or people who will play with them. They are friendly toward strangers but can also be wary of people they don't know well.
Boston Terriers are known for their big personalities; therefore, you must be consistent with your training. You should work on obedience training every day, as well as practice tricks and agility with your dog. They are very intelligent dogs and will learn quickly what is expected of them.
Boston Terriers can be trained using positive reinforcement, clicker training, or using treats as rewards. Clicker training is a very effective method for small dogs because it allows you to use the dog's natural tendency to associate a click sound with food.
History
Boston Terriers are one of the cutest dogs on the planet. This breed of dog is known for its short stature, wide chest, and adorable face. You probably would never guess they were once used to fight other dogs in England. The history of this dog dates to the 1800s when the dogs were bred to fight other dogs in order to entertain spectators.
The English bred these dogs believing that they were a cross between Bulldogs and Terriers, but it was later discovered that they were a different breed, which they called the Boston Terrier. As time went on, people began to realize how cute these puppies were and how much personality they had, so they began adopting them for other purposes, such as pets and show animals.
The Boston Terrier is the current state dog of Massachusetts. They've been around for a while and were bestowed this title in 1979.