Boston Terrier

Show Breed

Find

Compare with

Size: Small
Other Names: Boston, Boston Bull, Boston Bull Terrier, Boxwood, American Gentleman
Country of Origin: United States
Accreditation:
American Kennel Club (AKC): Non-Sporting
Canadian Kennel Club (CKC): Non-Sporting
United Kennel Club (UKC): Companion Dog
Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC): Non-Sporting
The Kennel Club (KC): Utility
Kennel Union of Southern Africa (KUSA): Utility
National Kennel Club (NKC): Recognized
New Zealand Kennel Club (NZKC): Non-Sporting

The Boston Terrier has an expression that is both alert and kind, indicating a high degree of intelligence. Boston Terriers are small, compactly-built, well-proportioned dogs, with a short, wrinkle-free muzzle, squareish face, erect ears, and a short tail.

A short-coated companion who fits an apartment well; little grooming, a modest voice, and short bursts of play rather than a working day.

Truly an American breed, Boston Terriers are thought to have ancestry in the American Pit Bull Terrier, Boxer, English Bull Terrier, French Bulldog, and English Bulldog. Boston "Terrier" is somewhat of a misnomer due to the Boxer and Bulldog in their ancestry. While originally bred for fighting, the Boston Terrier was later down-bred for companionship.

Height: 15-17 inches
Weight: 10-25 pounds
Color: Brindle, seal (black with a red cast), and/or black, with white markings
Coat: Short, smooth, fine
Lifespan: 11–13 years
Litter size: 3–5 puppies

Temperament

The Boston Terrier is a friendly and lively dog, with an excellent disposition and high degree of intelligence, making him an excellent companion dog. He has a strong, lovable, unforgettable personality, and can range from being eager to please to stubborn. He enjoys being around people and, if properly socialized, he will get along well with children, the elderly, other dogs and pets. Some Boston Terriers are very cuddly, while others are more independent.

Training

Boston terriers can be easily trained, given a patient and assertive owner.

Care and grooming

Due to his shortened muzzle, the Boston Terrier cannot tolerate excessively hot or cold weather, and demanding exercise can bring harm to him during these times. The Boston Terrier has a sensitive digestive system, and in the absence of a proper diet, flatulence may be experienced. Bostons are also prone to sensitive stomachs. Because of his anatomy, a Boston Terrier may be prone to snoring and reverse sneezing, which is a rapid and repeated forced inhalation through his nose, accompanied by snorting or gagging sounds used to clear his palate of mucus. This does not harm the dog in any way.

Shedding

Low; the short coat needs little more than a wipe and occasional brush.

Health

Boston Terriers may have patellar luxation, cataracts, heart murmurs, and the breathing problems common to short-nosed breeds. Use a harness and avoid heat and overexertion.

Crosses that include the Boston Terrier

These hybrid pages list this breed as a parent. Open a name to see the other contributing breed.

Top

View Privacy Policy

Pup.com accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of the advertisements placed on the Pup.com website or for the contents of any website to which a hypertext link from Pup.com links. The Seller Ads and links to products and/or services are provided as a service, and Pup.com gives no warranties, expressed or implied, about the information and/or policies of the Seller Ads or the linked-to webites, or of the information shown.

Pup.com is the sole owner of the services and of all information provided by and posted to the Pup.com website. The use, reproduction, or storing of content for any purpose other than to contact a Seller, purchase a product or service, or compare prices is prohibited. You cannot use the information provided by Pup.com to recreate a directory, rebrand the informaton or redistribute the information in any way. Information provided by Pup.com is for individual, non-commercial use only. All information, processes and content contained within and that make up the services are the sole property of Pup.com. You may not reproduce, duplicate or redistribute any information provided by Pup.com for profit or personal gain of any kind. You may not frame any content or pages contained within the Pup.com website unless expressly granted permission by Pup.com.