Quick Facts About Boston Terriers
- Temperament: friendly, affectionate, goofy, smart, amusing
- Height: 15-17 inches
- Weight: 12 -25 pounds
- Life expectancy: 12-15 years
- Athleticism: Non sporting
- Energy level: Average; can go to extremes - a lazy couch potato to an athletic dog (sometimes all in one day)
- Exercise requirements: 20-40 minutes of low exercise per day
- Grooming Needs: Low
- Friendliness: The Boston Terrier has never met a stranger, everyone is a potential new friend.
- Housetraining: easily housetrained
- Tendency to Snore: High
- Tendency to Bark: moderate
- Tendency to dig: Low
- Tendency to Drool: Low
- Social/Attention Needs: Moderate
- Bred For: Companionship
- Coat: short and either white with black, brindle, or seal
Named from their place of origin, this cross between an English Bulldog and English Terrier are lively companions known for their happy go lucky attitudes. Boston Terriers were bred to be companions, and live up to their reputation as a best friend. If you’ve ever wondered whether a Boston Terrier is a good fit for you and your family, read on to learn about their personality and behavior, physical characteristics, and health.
History
Boston Terriers come from Boston, MA, where they were developed in the late 1800s. They are a mix of an English Bulldog and a White English Terrier. The first Boston Terrier was named Hooper Judge. He and his offspring are the original ancestors.
Boston Terriers are truly one of the few all-American breeds, earning their nickname, “American gentleman,” and are often known as the national dog of the United States. The breed was accepted by the American Kennel Club in 1893.
They were a common breed into the mid 1900s and since 1960, their popularity has declined. Bostons Terriers have since emerged in several television commercials, signaling a renewed interest in the breed.
Famous Celebrities with Boston Terriers
- Sergeant Stubby- an American WWI dog hero known for warning American soldiers against poisonous gas and imminent attacks
- President Warren G. Harding: 29th U.S President
- President Gerald R. Ford: 38th U.S President
- Louis Armstrong: American jazz trumpeter and singer
- Helen Keller: American author, political activist, and lecturer
- Famke Janssen: Dutch actress, director, screenwriter, and former fashion model, best known for her role in X- Men
- Rose McGowen: American actress, singer, and director, best known for her role in Charmed
- LeAnn Rimes: American country singer and actress
- Allison Sweeny: Host of The Biggest Loser
- Joan Rivers: American actress, comedian, writer, producer, and television host
- Jake Gyllenhaal: American actor
- Denise Richards: American actress and former fashion model
- Robin Williams: American actor and comedian
Personality and Behavior
Boston Terriers tend to be good-natured, playful dogs. They are lovers, not fighters. One of the few dogs to originate in the United States, they were bred to be a best friend, happy to do anything that involves being with their family. For those who want a cheerful companion, Bostons can be a great choice.
They are known for their affectionate, kind, curious, and mischievous manners. They are sturdy and portable, making for great urban pets. They are people-oriented, social, and always up to go for a walk or to the park. A smart dog with a natural gift of entertaining and comedy, Boston Terriers are the source of many laughs. They are people pleasers and just want to be by their human’s side.
Energy
Boston Terriers are considered “non-sporting” and “companion” dogs by the AKC and UKC classification. They can vary in energy levels on a scale of happy as a couch potato or a canine athlete. Many Bostons can go to either extreme, depending on the time of day or family members around them. In addition, they make great apartment dogs, as long as they are able to go on short walks.
Intelligence
Boston Terriers are highly intelligent dogs. They also tend to be stubborn, which can make them more difficult to train than other breeds. A Boston Terrier owner must be patient when training and disciplining. However, they are considered smart.
Barking
Boston Terriers bark less compared to other Terriers due to their lineage. Most dogs in the Terrier group were bred for working, but the Boston Terrier wasn’t. Since they lack the history of herding animals, the Boston Terrier is typically more relaxed and feels no need to bark at every little thing. Most dogs in this breed will only bark aggressively and sometimes even playfully. The pitch of their bark is low, which prevents the sound from carrying over to the neighbor’s house.
Boston Terriers with Children and Other Pets
A well-socialized Boston gets along with children, strangers, and other pets. In fact, they tend to become overly excited when they meet someone new, crossing the boundaries of personal space.
Boston Terriers are generally sociable dogs that get along well with children of all ages. With younger kids, you have to keep an eye on both child and dog to avoid accidental injuries from your energetic Boston Terrier. Older kids should be taught how to care for a dog to avoid accidentally hurting them. No matter the age of your child when you bring the Boston Terrier home, a period of acclimation is recommended. This will let everyone get familiar with each other before living together. Because Bostons have a sturdy build, they are probably more tolerant of kids than most other breeds.
Boston Terriers will often not only get along well with other dogs, but cats as well. It helps if you raise the Terrier with the other pet when they’re both young. Do know that in some instances, the Boston Terrier will bark at other dogs, but it’s mostly out of friendliness.
Physical Aspects
Considered to be handsome fellows, Boston Terriers have a sporty and compact body with a short-tail. They are brachycephalic breeds, which means they have a “squished” in face with a muzzle that is short, square, and broad. They have square heads that are flat on top. The Boston’s eyes are round, large, and dark. The ears are upright, like a bat. The tail is short and straight like a “cork-screw.”
They weigh about 12-25 pounds. The height of a Boston Terrier varies by gender; males tend to be on average 17 inches, and females tend to be about 16 inches.
They have a short, smooth coat and are considered to be the “best dressed” dog, due to their tuxedo markings. A Boston Terrier coat can be white and either black, brindle or seal (black with a red cast when viewed in sun or bright light). Their tuxedo-like markings have earned them the nickname, “The American Gentleman.”
Care
Overall, Boston Terriers are low maintenance dogs when it comes to their health, grooming, and exercise. They are house dogs and do not like to be left outside alone, which makes them great lap dogs. They do have some few basic needs just as all dogs do.
Grooming and Shedding
Boston Terriers require minimal grooming because they shed less compared to other dogs. They’re even considered hypoallergenic. Boston Terriers shed to get rid of dead hair. As a single-coated breed, Terriers don’t shed nearly as much as canines with double coats. Further making your life easier is that the Boston Terrier has short, neat fur that’s not a headache to clean up. Grooming involves an occasional bath with brushing or rubbing the fur with a mitt.
Exercise
Boston Terriers definitely require exercise, but short walks around the block or several games of fetch are sufficient enough to draw out their energy. Bostons are not the type of breed that need long, vigorous exercise sessions. In fact, too long of an exercise session can cause them to overheat.
Training
Bostons are highly intelligent animals, as well as quick and eager learners. However, they are stubborn. This makes their obedience levels slightly lower than the average dog. They will quickly learn basic commands, but may not always want to obey. Since Boston Terriers are easily trainable, they can quickly learn how to be house trained and seldom have accidents.
Food
Bostons tend to be picky eaters. Once the owner figures out which foods they like, feeding them should not be an issue. If they like the food, they tend to be gluttonous eaters and need to be monitored so that they do not become overweight. They have delicate digestive systems and are prone to gas, which can be related to diet. Feed a high quality food to reduce the likelihood of this issue.
The amount of food your Boston will need to eat depends on size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. Just like people, dogs do not all need the same amounts of food. The quality of food also makes a difference – the better the quality, the less food you will likely need to nourish your Boston. It is best to advise with your veterinarian on your Bostons feeding needs.
Temperature
Because Boston Terriers can quickly overheat in hot and humid temperatures, they do best in slightly cooler temperatures. They do not tolerate heat well, however, they should still be protected from cold temperatures.
Snorting and Snoring
Boston Terriers are known for their loud snoring. The reason they snore so audibly is because of their shorter face. Their abridged muzzle can interrupt breathing, which then leads to snoring, grunting, wheezing, and other noises. This can be jarring if you’re trying to get a good night’s sleep, but there are ways to reduce the noise. By switching beds, adding a pillow, and keeping the home clean, your Terrier may snore less. While snoring is often not a health issue, it can be at times. It’s always a good idea to see a vet if your Boston Terrier is snoring very loudly.
Farting
Boston Terriers fart (a lot) more than other dogs. They are brachycephalic dogs, characterized by their shorter, broader skull. This affects the way they digest food, causing excess flatulence. The formation of gases in the digestive tract is the result of bacterial fermentation, which usually has a dietary cause. Their shorter nose causes them to swallow more air when they eat. More air in, unfortunately, equals more air out. Excessive farts do not mean that your Boston Terrier is sick. Because they are predestined to fart so much, even healthy Boston Terriers are prone to farting.
Health
Boston Terriers have no major health concerns and are generally healthy, but like most breeds, are prone to certain medical conditions. Not all Boston Terriers get the following diseases, but it is important to be aware of if you are considering this breed. Note that the following conditions may only be diagnosed and managed by your veterinarian.
Cataracts
A cloudy film over they eye lens, Boston Terriers can develop this as young adults or as older adults.
Red Eyes
Boston Terriers are susceptible to an eye condition known as cherry eye. This occurs when their third eyelid’s glands protrude visibly. Besides cherry eye, your Terrier could also have conjunctivitis, dry eye, or red eye.
Patellar Luxation
Known as a common problem in small dogs, this involves the patella “slipping” out of place. This causes a lameness in the leg or abnormal gait. Rubbing of the patella can cause arthritis or degenerative joint disease. These dogs will usually present with a bowlegged appearance and may be resolved through chiropractic care, or in more severe cases, surgery.
Heart Murmurs
This is a soft or loud, harsh, regurgitatant sound in the heart that causes a back flowing of blood. If this occurs, the heart is not as efficient as it should be in providing blood to the body. Treatment includes a low sodium diet, restriction of exercise, and medications.
Deafness
It is not uncommon for Boston Terriers to have deafness in one or both ears. Those that are white over more than one-third of their heads or bodies tend to have higher deafness rates and birth puppies that are deaf.
Allergies
Like most breeds, Boston Terrier can suffer from allergies, ranging from contact allergies to food allergies. If your Boston is constantly licking his paws or rubbing his face, he may have an allergy.
Megaesophagus
This is a defect in the structure of the esophagus that may cause your Boston to regurgitate its food. Unlike vomiting, there is no advance warning that occurs if your dog is about to regurgitate his undigested food.
Reverse Sneezing
Reverse sneezing is very common throughout a Boston Terriers life. It mainly occurs if the dog is overly excited, eats too fast, or is sensitive to pollen in the air. The dog makes a wheezing sound and may become alarmed, but can be calmed down by the owner talking in a soothing voice and trying to get him to relax.
The Boston Terrier was bred to be the perfect companion, and he does just that. Although he does require exercise, training, and socialization, the time spent adapting your dog to your life will be a life spent with an entertaining, goofy best friend. Their low maintenance coats and compact bodies make them great apartment dogs, as long as they are able to go on short walks. Their social nature makes them great family dogs and they are surely the life of the party wherever they go!
Author Andie Ibarra