Animal-World > Dogs > Non-Sporting Dogs > Boston Terrier

Boston Terrier

Boston Bull, Boston Bull Terrier, Boxwood

Family: CanidaeCanis lupus familiarisPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Marg Dailey

  The well-mannered Boston Terrier is playful but gentle, a good match for families with small children.

  Boston Terriers are popular as pets. Their enthusiasm and sense of humor are two of their most recognizable traits, but the breed is also well behaved and gentle. The Boston Terrier is very intelligent and enjoys learning new things, making training easy. Health problems to look for when selecting this breed include breathing problems and heart and skin tumors.

Common Name(s)   Boston Terrier, Boston Bull, Boston Bull Terrier, Boxwood

Breed Type   The Boston Terrier is a non-sporting breed. Originally bred for fighting, today's Boston Terrier is playful and well-mannered thanks to selective breeding. This breed is best suited to moderate climates, because it doesn't tolerate extreme temperatures well.

Background   The Boston Terrier originated in the United States in the late 1800s. A descendent of unknown breeds of bull and terrier type dogs, the breed was much larger then than it is today. The dogs were bred selectively with smaller members of the breed and crossed with the French Bulldog to develop the modern Boston Terrier.
  Popular hybrids include the Boglen Terrier, a Boston Terrier and Beagle mix.

Description   The Boston Terrier is a muscular dog, with a black and white or brindle and white coat. Their muzzles are short and wide, their eyes large and wide-set, and their ears small and pointed. Their tails are naturally short. Boston Terriers are 15-17 inches tall and weigh 10-25 pounds.

Care and Feeding   The best foods for a Boston Terrier contain beef, fish, wheat, and yellow corn. Boston Terriers require minimal grooming. They should be brushed fairly regularly, and bathed only when needed. Their faces should be wiped clean daily, and their nails clipped as needed.
  Boston Terriers need yearly checkups. Vaccinations should be administered as follows:

• 6-8 weeks: Distemper, Leptospirosis, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvo, and Corona virus (DHLPPC)
• 10-12 weeks: Second DHLPPC
• 14-16 weeks: Third DHLPPC and rabies
• Annually: DHLPPC and rabies booster
  

  Boston Terriers shed moderately. Regular vacuuming is recommended if you keep this breed inside.

Housing Your Dog   The Boston Terrier can live indoors or out, as long as it is not exposed to extreme temperatures. The breed is not very active indoors, and it is suitable for apartment living.

Social Behaviors   The Boston Terrier is a friendly dog, both with people and other pets. They do well around children and strangers. Some males may become dominant around other male dogs.

Handling and Training   Boston Terriers are, for the most part, easy to train. Some, however, may be difficult to housebreak.

Activities   Boston Terriers need a daily walk to stay fit. They enjoy playing outdoors as much as possible.

Breeding/Reproduction   When selecting a mate for your Boston Terrier, it is important to be aware of hereditary problems in the potential mate's bloodline. Deafness, heart murmur, and luxating patellas are some things to look for. Cesarean sections are common in this breed, due to the puppies' large heads.

Common Health Problems   Boston Terriers are prone to eye injuries, heart problems, and skin disorders. They may also have breathing problems due to the shape of their faces.

Availability   Boston Terriers are fairly easy to find due to their popularity. Average prices for puppies are $400 to $800.

References "Boston Terrier", Wikipedia, Copyright 2008
"Boston Terrier", Dog Breed Info Center, Copyright 1998-2008
Cusick, William D., "What to Feed a Boston Terrier", Referenced online, 2008
"Boston Terrier Puppies for Sale", Copyright PuppyFind.com, LLC, Referenced online, 2008

Lastest Comments on Boston Terrier View all 5 comments on Boston Terrier Add Your Comment

Perry - 2010-01-21 We just got a 1.5 year old female Boston Terrier and we couldn't ask for a more loving playful dog, although she does have issues being in a crate or being left alone. She poops in her crate as soon as she is left alone, even if she just went prior to being left alone. Anyone with any advice feel free to advise. She is not going anywhere, it would just be nice to fix these issues. millie - 2010-09-26 Maybe this will work get a smaller crate.....the one you have may be too large, dogs generally do not go in their sleep area. Reply

tammy - 2011-07-23 We got a 5 year old female boston who is the love of our life!! Previously we have only had rotts and mastiffs, but our baby has changed our whole outlook! The new boston will be ready to join our family in about 4 weeks, however am concerned about the ear cropping. The owner said it was cosmetic and I'm not sure if I want to have it done or not. This is going to be a part of our family for our children to play and grow with, not to take to dog shows and compete. And no I dont think that showing dogs is wrong, I just dont feel that is the right path for us to take. Does the ear cropping have any advantages or disadvantages??? Charlie Roche - 2011-07-23 I know of no reason to crop the ears on a Boston. I had 3 dobies and the first one came with the ears cropped. The tape, the bandaids etc - The second one, the ears were not cropped and I asked the vet and he saidcropping was for cosmetic reasons for AKC onlky. No reason to crop. The dobies are shown in England without cropped ears. It was an AKC thing. Third dobie - did not crop. I had no problems at all - I sorta liked the no crop - They didn't look as ferocious and more cute. I wouldn't bother - not fun for the dog or the human and no reason to at all. Reply

Myra Micki Crimmin - 2012-01-19 My grandfather had several Boston as I was growing up. Each and ervery one was named "Punch" David Brough - 2012-01-19 What a cool name! I wonder if it has anything to do with Punch and Judy? Reply

John - 2010-12-15 We recently got a female Boston terrier puppy at 8 weeks old. A few weeks later a friend of ours told us about a 2 year old male Boston that belonged to her Mother in law who had become too ill to take take of him. She brought him over and it was love at first sight. They have just become a joy. They run around and wrestle and get into mischief sometimes , but on a whole they are such fun to watch. The way they interact with each other. They keep themselves entertained all day. She is the little diva , and he is just the sweetest little boy. It really is a wonderful breed lorraine daum - 2011-07-15 We also had two female bostons and unfortunatly we lost both of them within 6 months due to illness. Our hearts are broken. I cry every day because I miss them so much. We are looking for another boston but most every one wants to much money for them. Reply

Laike - 2010-04-24 Yes, my dog is the same. He has urine problems since we got him, it started when the previous owner got him spayed... And he whines in the kennel after I put him back in from being outside. But I love him still.!(Spyder) Reply

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