Boston Terrier Information & Characteristics

Boston Terriers have been popular amongst dog lovers ever since this breed was first created. Did you know that Boston Terriers were bred around a century ago for pit fighting? This practice is thankfully outlawed today. Boston Terriers back then looked a lot different from what we see these days. They were not only stronger but also bigger in size. The fun facts about this dog breed don’t end here. The Boston Terrier is the first breed of dog created in America! Wondering where in the USA? Well, the hint is in the name.

While dogs of this breed were initially created for a violent practice, Boston Terriers are actually affectionate in nature. Moreover, they love human interaction and get along with children. Hence, this dog breed makes for a great family pet. People generally mistake a Boston Terrier dog for a French Bulldog because both have similar features. So, read on to know how to identify a purebred Boston Terrier, its personality, origin, and more.

Key specifications of a Boston Terrier

As someone who wants to bring a Boston Terrier dog home, you might want to know details about a Boston Terrier’s lifespan, weight, height, and coat. Here, is some information on these attributes. 

Physical appearance of Boston Terriers

Boston Terriers have a short, smooth, and fine coat. In fact, their black and white coat looks like they have worn a tuxedo. Along with black and white, you can also see Boston Terriers in following colors:

• Blue
• Chocolate
• Brindle
• Red
• Seal

Extra fun fact: With a Boston Terrier, you do not have to worry about vacuuming your house multiple times a day because they are not heavy shedders.

Now that you know what their coat looks like, let us understand how to identify a purebred Boston Terrier. This breed of well-proportioned and handsome dogs has the following features:

• White coat on the chest
• Erect and angled ears
• Square head
• Short tail and muzzle
• Round and large eyes

Wondering how to differentiate a Boston Terrier from a French Bulldog? A Boston’s face is not as jowly as that of a Bulldog. You can also pay attention to its ears - if they are slightly round, this fur baby is probably a French Bulldog.

Boston Terrier personality traits

A Boston Terrier can seem full of itself; however, it is only full of life. Self-assured, playful, and mischievous, this dog breed loves resting in a comfy lap. Since Boston Terriers are affectionate and delightful, they are ideal companions for people of all age groups. This dog breed can be a tad stubborn, but it is a quick learner. It takes feedback sportingly and is easily motivated with dog treats and fun activities.

Are you planning to bring a Boston Terrier puppy home? You will be glad to know that these dogs are really devoted towards their owners. Boston Terriers have a low tendency of barking. In fact, they can seem soft spoken because when they bark, it is generally a low ‘woof’.

Do Boston Terriers need training?

Like any dog breed, a Boston Terrier too needs training. Proper training will help your dog learn and master commands. Training a Boston Terrier puppy will ensure that it grows into a confident and intelligent dog. Some dogs develop separation anxiety with time and training will also keep this behavior at bay. While training is a powerful tool to shape your dog’s behavior, it is also a great way to stimulate your Boston’s mental health. Dog training also ascertains that your pooch doesn’t develop any destructive behavioral patterns. Along with working on your dog’s mental health, training also helps your dog be friendly with strangers and other dogs. Do keep your pet’s favorite dog treats around so you can reward good behavior. 

How to care for a Boston Terrier?

Are you planning to adopt a Boston Terrier puppy? You will have to put in effort in understanding how to care for this bundle of joy.

• Health issues

Boston Terriers are generally healthy. However, they are prone to overheating; hence, you must pay extra attention to them in hot weather conditions. Moreover, a Boston Terrier dog is most likely to develop dry eyes which leads to squinting and dull-looking eyes. Due to the size and prominence of a Boston’s eyes, it is exposed to eye conditions like juvenile cataracts, cherry eye, and corneal ulcers. Apart from eye issues, this dog breed can also contract health conditions like Patella Luxation, Hemivertebrae, Epilepsy, and deafness.

• Grooming

Thanks to the Boston Terrier’s short coat, you do not have to trim, cut, or shave your pooch’s fur. In fact, you don’t even have to brush them regularly. While most dogs must be bathed at least once a week, Boston Terriers can do without these frequent washes. A dog of this breed can even go weeks without a nice dip. However, if your furry friend gets dirty in mud or a garbage bin, you must give it a bath. Though a Boston Terrier dog gives no stress for brushing and bathing, you will have to pay attention to its nails. Do not forget to trim your pet’s nails at least once a month as long nails could cause pain while walking or running.

• Physical activity

The level of exercise required for this dog differs from one Boston Terrier dog to another. While a brisk walk once or twice a day can be enough for some, the rest might need more play time to get rid of their pent-up energy. So, does that mean you can leave your pawfect pal alone in the backyard to blow off steam? No. It might just sit under the shade and while away the time. In fact, if a Boston Terrier dog is left alone, it can develop unpleasant behaviors. The best way to indulge your dog in some physical activity is to throw a ball/stick and spend some fun time with it.

• Nutritional requirement

It is no news that canine beings require protein in great quantities. However, they also need healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals to stay healthy. If you plan on feeding your Boston Terrier dog with kibble or any other dog food to meet the daily nutrition quota, check the list of ingredients. Ensure that the food doesn’t contain any allergens or chemicals. Since Boston Terriers are prone to obesity, you might have to keep a check on their calorie intake. You can prepare a Boston Terrier food chart that can guide you in remembering mealtimes. A vet can also help you with information on what makes for good food for your dog. 

A brief history of Boston Terriers

Boston Terriers were bred in the 1800s by crossing now-extinct White English Terriers and Bulldogs. The result of crossing these two breeds resulted in a tough, strong, and muscular Boston Terrier named Judge AKA Hooper’s Judge. Ever since the birth of Judge, Boston Terriers have been a pride of the Boston city. In fact, this dog breed has been the mascot of Boston University for around 100 years. Celebrities like Jake Gyllenhaal, Norman Reedus, Joan Rivers, Louis Armstrong, Helen Keller, and President Gerald Ford have adopted Boston Terriers.

This dog breed is among the few real all-American breeds and is known as the ‘American Gentleman’. That’s not the only nickname Boston Terriers have – some people also call them Boston bulls.

Want to learn more about different dog breeds? Head over to our breeds category page for more information.