A Boston Terrier standing on a beach

Boston Terrier Insurance, Care and Health Advice

The Boston Terrier breed originated in Boston, United States, by breeding the English Bulldog with a White English Terrier. Fondly known as the “American Gentleman”, the Boston was accepted by the American Kennel Club in 1893.

The most common colour is seal with white, but they can also be brindle, red, or black, all with white markings. They can also be all black and all white. Despite being a non-sporting breed, Boston’s are athletic and do well with agility dog sports. You can buy a Boston Terrier from a reputable dog breeder, or they can be adopted from rescue groups.

Boston Terrier Facts

Dog breed type icon
Type
Utility
Dog breed lifespan icon
Lifespan
13 - 15 years
Dog breed size icon
Size
Small to medium
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Weight
4.5 - 11 kg
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Height
38 - 43 cm
Dog breed temperament icon
Temperament
Friendly, stubborn, energetic
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Exercise
30 - 60 mins per day
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Grooming
Low maintenance

Is a Boston Terrier Right for Me?

A Boston Terriers’ gentle temperament makes for an ideal companion. They’re loving, loyal and lively. They love to play and often have sudden bursts of energy, which are highly entertaining to watch but can make training difficult. Fortunately, their grooming requirements are low, so as long as you have time to walk, play and cuddle, this breed is right for you!

Boston Terrier puppy

What Are Boston Terrier Puppies Like?

Much like their adult form, Boston Terrier Puppies have lots of energy to burn. They enjoy playing games and going for walks. They’re also an intelligent breed so make sure you keep them entertained to prevent destructive behaviour – like chewing on your furniture! 

Puzzle games or hiding treats around the room is a great way to keep them stimulated. It’s also a good idea to start training from a young age as they learn quicker, and it will help to prevent unwanted behaviour.

Boston Terrier standing in the park

Life with a Boston Terrier

The Boston Terrier is a great choice for any family – they’re good with kids and other pets! Their lively and friendly personalities make them a popular breed. There’s even a Boston Terrier club, which was formed in 1935 by Lady Essex. 

A Boston will keep you active and entertained, but don’t worry, they also love to chill out at home, preferably on the sofa or on your lap. They’re an easy-going breed so make perfect pets for first time owners.

Caring for Your Boston Terrier

This greedy breed will eat anything! When it comes to their mealtimes, weigh their food out so that you don’t overfeed your dog by mistake. You don’t want your little buddy piling on the pounds. 

Boston’s are a brachycephalic breed, which refers to their flat faces. Their squished noses make breathing harder for them than long nosed breeds and being overweight makes it even more difficult.

If you’re unsure how much food your dog needs, check the food packaging for guidelines or ask your vet. Two smaller meals a day is better than one big meal. High-quality dog food will meet all your dog’s nutritional needs, so you don’t need to feed them anything else. But an odd treat here and there will be gratefully received.

The short smooth coat of a Boston Terrier is easy to maintain – a weekly brush will do the trick! Brushing regularly helps to remove the loose fur and dead skin that’s shed naturally. Most dogs only need bathing once a month, or every 6 weeks. But if your dog likes to roll in things, you could find yourself bathing them more often. 

Bathing your dog at home can be an easy and pleasant experience, especially if you start it from a young age. Or you can take them to a professional groomer for a pampering session. Why not treat them to a pedicure while they are there? Your dog’s nails will need clipping regularly to prevent them from overgrowing.

Training a Boston can be difficult. They’re intelligent but also stubborn, so you’ll need to be consistent. They’re big foodies, so positive reward training with treats will get the best results. Make sure you reward your dog every time they complete a command to keep them interested. 

If training isn’t going to plan, remember you can always take them to training classes for extra advice and support. Boston’s are a lively breed that needs around an hour of exercise every day. A couple of daily walks will burn off most of that energy, but they also love to play. A game of fetch in the garden will tire them out, or you can hide treats around the house for them to find. 

Boston's are not a fan of being left alone, so make sure you exercise them before you go and keep them entertained with toys.
 

Boston Terrier Insurance

Boston Terriers are charming and playful, but as a prospective owner, knowing they can be prone to specific health issues is essential. Therefore, considering pet insurance for your Boston Terrier before bringing one into your home is wise.

Everypaw offers Lifetime Dog Insurance policies tailored to meet different vet fee coverage needs, which can be invaluable when addressing illnesses and injuries. Our policies include unlimited access to a dedicated team of veterinarians and vet nurses, along with added benefits such as complementary treatments and physiotherapy. Protect your furry friend with a plan that ensures you're prepared for whatever comes your way!

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Common Boston Terrier Health Problems by Vetstream

Boston Terriers are prone to some health problems. It’s important to know what the symptoms are. We've teamed up with veterinary experts Vetstream to give you an idea of what to keep an eye out for in your dog.

Dystocia refers to difficulties giving birth during any stage of labour. It can be caused by the unborn pups, the mother, or a combination of both. This includes birth canal abnormalities, foetal abnormalities, or abnormal positioning of the puppies. This condition is common in small dogs and means veterinary assistance will be needed to deliver the puppies, including caesarean sections.

Cataracts are easy to spot as they cause a cloudiness over the eye(s), which prevents light from entering the eye and reduces vision. Hereditary cataracts affect both eyes but not always at the same time. They may be present from birth or develop at a young age. 

Fortunately, cataracts can often be removed with surgery. If left untreated, cataracts are likely to cause complete blindness.

Any dog can be affected by a luxating patella as it can be a result of trauma. But small breeds of dog, like the Boston Terrier, are more susceptible due to hereditary issues. 

Patellar luxation is when the kneecap doesn’t line up properly with the groove it normally slides into. This causes the leg to lock up, causing the dog to hop and hold up the leg. It’s a painful condition that needs surgery to sort it out.

Brachycephalic breeds are those with short noses like the Boston Terrier. They have the same amount of tissue in their nose and throat as long nosed breeds, but it all gets squashed up causing wrinkles and folds. These block the airways making it difficult for the dog to breathe, especially when trying to exercise. 

Overweight dogs will suffer more from BAOS. The only way to fully resolve the problem is to surgically take out any excess tissue to open the airways.

Quick Boston Terrier Q&A

Boston Terriers have a life expectancy of 13-15 years. The right diet and exercise will help to keep your dog healthy, but some health conditions can’t be avoided. Regular health check-ups with a vet will help to detect any health concerns at an early stage.

They can be left alone but they’re prone to separation anxiety, which can lead to destructive behaviour. Ideally, don’t leave your dog alone for long periods, and when you do leave, make sure they have lots of toys to keep them entertained. Cameras with a speaker and/or treat dispenser can also help to calm an anxious dog.

Yes, they do shed but their short smooth coat sheds less than other breeds of dog. They’re considered year-round light shedders, but you may see slightly more fur loss during spring and autumn. Weekly brushing will help to reduce shedding as it removes dead skin and loose fur.

Boston Terriers are generally not an aggressive breed. They may bark when someone knocks on the door but as soon as the door is open, they welcome their visitors with a happy face and waggy tail. Despite being naturally friendly, it’s best to socialise your dog from a young age, particularly with other dogs.

That’s All You Need to Know About Boston Terriers

This intelligent, stubborn but loving breed is a great choice for any family home. They’re great with kids and other pets if socialised at an early age. They enjoy lots of playtime and going for daily walks. Meeting new people is never an issue – they love everyone! 

Training may be tricky but with perseverance comes success, and food will always get their attention. Unfortunately, as they’re a brachycephalic breed, they are prone to a few health conditions. 

Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.
 

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