Dog Breed

Boston Terrier

Fits in your backpack
Primary image of Boston Terrier dog breed
Full Name
Boston Terrier
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Life Span
11 - 13 years
Weight
10 - 25 pounds
Description

These dogs are sometimes known as "The American Gentleman" because of their black and white tuxedo coat, and because they can seem very proper, and well mannered. However, anyone who has owned one knows how goofy and playful they really are.

They are very friendly, and make a great family dog. They are small and can be great for apartment living, but they are still terriers so need a good amount of exercise.

Overall the Boston Terrier is a healthy breed, but they do oftentimes have problems with their eyes. The eyes are exposed, and are vulnerable to dust, pollen, and injuries.

Origin
United States of America
Bred For
Ratting, Companionship
Attachments
    Family Considerations
    Child Friendly

    Is the Boston Terrier good with children?

    Yes! The Boston Terrier is naturally friendly with children. As always, socialization is always important, but the Boston Terrier is an excellent dog for anyone with small children.
    Stranger Friendly

    Is the Boston Terrier friendly with strangers?

    Yes, the Boston Terrier is very friendly with strangers. We still recommend early socialization while the Boston Terrier is a puppy to introduce them to various new people, but in general they are friendly with everyone.
    Dog Friendly

    Is the Boston Terrier friendly with other dogs?

    Yes! The Boston Terrier naturally loves other dogs. As always, socialization is always important, but the Boston Terrier typically gets along with every dog it meets
    Likes to Cuddle

    Does the Boston Terrier like to cuddle?

    The Boston Terrier appreciates affection and that includes kisses and snuggles!
    Playfulness

    Does the Boston Terrier like to play?

    The Boston Terrier is always ready for play! It's important to keep in mind, as they need to be stimulated with games and affection throughout the day.
    Service Dog Ability

    Does the Boston Terrier make a good service dog?

    The Boston Terrier would not be a great fit as a service dog for several reasons.
    Overall Ease of Breed
    Ease for Novice

    Is the Boston Terrier good for first-time owners?

    The Boston Terrier is an excellent breed for first-time owners. They love pleasing their owner, and rarely are aggressive or over-dominant.
    Training Potential

    How well can the Boston Terrier be trained?

    The Boston Terrier can be trained very well. With discipline and a routine training program the Boston Terrier can be incredibly well-trained.
    Amount of Shedding

    Does the Boston Terrier shed a lot?

    The Boston Terrier does shed, but less than average.
    Ease of Grooming

    Is the Boston Terrier easy to groom?

    The Boston Terrier requires very little grooming relative to other dog breeds, their coat is very low maintenance.
    Exercise Need

    Does the Boston Terrier need a lot of exercise?

    The Boston Terrier requires some daily exercise, but daily walks should be enough. The Boston Terrier appreciates going outside and on daily walks, but they will be ok without anything overly athletic.
    Personality
    Intelligence

    How smart is the Boston Terrier?

    The Boston Terrier has average intelligence. They are smart and witty, but do not need to be constantly challenged mentally, as some other breeds.
    Amount of Barking

    How much does the Boston Terrier bark? Does the Boston Terrier bark too much?

    The Boston Terrier occasionally barks, but only for specific reasons such as when they need something, for protection, etc.
    Guard Dog Ability

    Is the Boston Terrier a good guard dog?

    The Boston Terrier is the opposite of a guard dog!
    Tolerates Being Alone

    Is the Boston Terrier good at staying alone? Is the Boston Terrier independent?

    The Boston Terrier prefers having family around at all times, but can also do well when left alone. The Boston Terrier still needs plenty of attention, but is independent, and can typically be left alone for several hours without issues.
    Home and Environment Considerations
    Good for Apartment Living

    Is the Boston Terrier a good apartment dog?

    The Boston Terrier is an excellent dog breed for an apartment. Some daily exercise is still important, but if they get that then the apartment will be more than enough for them to call home.
    Size

    How big is the Boston Terrier?

    The Boston Terrier is below average when it comes to size. They are not a "toy" breed, but it is still significantly easier to travel with them.
    Tolerates Heat

    How much does the Boston Terrier tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Boston Terrier?

    The Boston Terrier can tolerate some heat, but should not be over-exposed to hot weather. In general, they can live in hot weather climates, but would do best with air conditioning or at least a fan in their home, especially where they sleep.
    Tolerates Cold

    How much does the Boston Terrier tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Boston Terrier?

    The Boston Terrier does not tolerate cold weather very well, and we would not recommend having a Boston Terrier if you live in a very cold weather climate. Even if your home is warm, it can be inconvenient to go on walks, and you may need to have a sweater for your Boston Terrier.
    Potential to Run Away

    Does the Boston Terrier try to run away?

    The Boston Terrier does not have a large drive to run away. They can still be distracted and run, so precautions should be taken, but overall they have a less than average urge to run away.
    Physical Characteristics
    General Health

    Is the Boston Terrier a healthy dog? The health of a Boston Terrier should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.

    The Boston Terrier is healthy, but has an average number of health risks that should be taken into consideration.
    Energy Level

    How energetic is the Boston Terrier?

    The Boston Terrier has a lot of energy and this needs to be considered before bringing the Boston Terrier into your home. Can you give your Boston Terrier enough exercise? They will need several small daily walks, or a large dog park trip to get all of the energy out.
    Amount of Drooling

    How much does the Boston Terrier drool?

    The Boston Terrier drools very little, typically to where it's never a concern.
    Prey Drive

    Does the Boston Terrier have a large prey drive? Does the Boston Terrier like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?

    The Boston Terrier has some prey drive, so should not be left alone with very small animals such as birds, mice, or gerbils, but with some gradual introduction should be fine living with a cat in the same home.
    Athleticism

    Is the Boston Terrier atheltic?

    The Boston Terrier can have athletic moments, and bursts of speed, but does not have the endurance as other highly athletic dog breeds. They would do great for occasional jogs, but probably not the best for long-distance runs or anything more athletic than that.

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  • Thumbnail image 0 of Boston Terrier dog breed
  1. Non-Sporting
  2. Toy Terrier
  3. Boston Terrier
The Boston Terrier is a purebred dog that belongs to the Toy Terrier sub group, which falls under the larger Non-Sporting dog breed group.
Non-Sporting group: The Non-Sporting group of dogs is probably the most diverse in the sense that it has a variety of dogs, and they were not all bred for one specific purpose. Each breed in the non-sporting group is unique! They have been primarily bred as house pets, and because of that make excellent additions to the family. Exercise is still important for them, but the typical non-sporting dog does not have the energy of of a sporting or working group dog.
Toy Terrier sub-group: Expect craziness and cuteness all in one. The toy terrier is a toy dog that is very small, perfect for your lap, and will provide endless amounts of love. But at the same time, at their core they are a terrier- with a big personality and plenty of confidence that exceeds their size a hundred times over. They are very alert, so can even serve as a bit of a watchdog- certainly compared to other toy dogs. They were bred to hunt vermin, so they like when they have a job, and they have more energy than the average toy dog. Because of their proud personality, they may not be immediately friendly with strangers or other dogs.

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