Want to adopt a Boston Terrier but don’t know anything about them? Well, that’s messed up because you are probably missing out on one of the bestest dogs to bring home.
In this 5 minute read, we have discussed everything you need to know about this handsome and playful dog—the Boston Terrier dog breed. From their temperament to their everyday needs—we have it all covered!
Overview
| Height | 15-17 inches |
| Weight | 10-25 lbs |
| Life span | 11-13 years |
| Exercise needs | 30 minutes to 1 hour daily |
| Temperament | Pleasers, Affectionate, Not hyperactive |
| Grooming | Low maintenance |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
| Origin | United States of America |
Origin of the Boston Terrier
The Boston Terrier originated in the late 19th century in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, which also gave them the title of the “American Gentleman.” If we dig more into their history, we can see that breeds like Bulldogs, known for their strength, and White English Terriers, prized for their agility, were cross-bred to develop the Boston Terriers we know today. Not only this but there was a lot of experimentation that took place in the 1860s that had all the skills and personality traits.
You would be surprised to know that initially, these dogs were referred to as the “Round Head” or “Bullet Head” dogs because of their distinctive physical attributes and appearance. Moreover, in 1893, big dog clubs and organizations recognized Boston Terriers, leading to their further popularity as a beloved companion and a skillful dog breed.
Appearance of the Boston Terrier
Here are the details about the physical attributes of the Boston Terrier dog breed that sets them apart from other dog breeds:
1. Size and body
The Boston dog breed is a small to medium-sized dog that easily fits right into your arms! They are about 15-17 inches tall and weigh just 10-25 pounds, depending on their overall nutrition and sex, as females are generally smaller than males. Moreover, these dogs are well-built and have muscular body stature.
2. Coat
The Boston Terrier dog breed has short, smooth fur that is fine in texture and sticks close to their skin. And thanks to their coat, their grooming needs will never be a problem! As for the color, their coat commonly includes brindle, seal, or black with white markings that make them look really handsome.
3. Other features
These dogs have a flat head structure that makes them prone to overheating and super sensitive to the sun, which is also called Brachycephalic in dogs (article). Besides this, the Boston Terriers have the “tuxedo” markings on their coat, which is one of their distinctive features.
Personality and Temperament
Now that you know about their history and appearance, let’s dig deeper into what kind of personality and temperament Boston Terrier carries:
1. Affectionate
These dogs are some of the cutest little dogs, and if they pass by you, they’ll probably shower you with their slobbery kisses. Boston Terriers are very affectionate dogs who can form deep connections with human families and adapt well to having kids around.
2. Adaptable
Another fantastic personality trait of the Boston Terrier dog breed is that they are very adaptable to various living situations. They can live in apartments as well as larger homes, so you don’t really have to think about “where will my pooch sit and sleep?” they are pretty much okay with a corner couch.
3. Hooman pleasers
You won’t believe it when we tell you this, but Boston Terriers are often referred to as “velcro dogs” because they always want to be close to their owners. Isn’t that cute? These terriers are definitely hooman pleasers dogs who thrive on making an impression on their owners for unlimited pats.
4. Not hyperactive
While Boston Terriers are known for their playful and jolly nature, they are not known for being hyperactive. They get tired easily and will probably snooze off at 8 pm, giving you ample time to fix your sleep cycle as well.
Boston Terriers always look like they just got home after hitting the gym—all muscular and confident!
Grooming Needs of the Boston Terrier
You would be glad to know that Boston Terriers are low-maintenance dogs that are a perfect fit for first-time owners who don’t understand where to start grooming. So, here is a grooming guide for you:
1. Brushing
You only need to brush the Boston Terrier’s coat every week, as there will barely be anything to remove from there. The max you can expect from their short hair is to shed very minimal amounts of fur here and there, but not so much that you have to clean your carpets every day.
2. Bathing
Another grooming essential is to bathe Boston Terriers, which you only have to do once every six weeks. So again, this will be super easy for any newbie to bathe them. However, you should always only use dog supplies like shampoo, soap, and conditioner that are dog-friendly.
3. Cleaning
Now that you know about brushing and bathing, here are some areas of problems that you should clean from time to time or as needed:
- Dirt inside the toenails
- Nail trimming
- Eye boogers (can be an infection, too)
- Ear wax buildup
- Debris
- Cavities and plaque
Exercise and Training Needs
Congratulations, the Boston Terriers check another box, as they also have very low training needs. To be precise, you only need to train them 30 minutes a day, or some days if they are in the mood to, you can extend it to 1 hour. That, too you can divide into different slots of the day. So what you can do in those training sessions is mentioned right below:
1. Mental stimulation
The Boston Terriers are one of the breeds that thrives on mental stimulation and games that demand intelligence. As these dogs have a short attention span, it would be great to include games like puzzles and hide and seek to keep their minds sharp.
2. Early socialization
Another training essential for these dogs is to teach them basic obedience, manners, and how to behave in social settings. Although Boston Terriers are quite gentlemanly themselves, you should expose them to various places and people for them to adapt as they grow up.
3. Daily walks
Last but not least, just like any other breed, Boston Terriers also require daily walks. In fact, you would be surprised to know that walking your dog not only helps them but can be efficient for dog walkers as well (study). So, even if you don’t have a dog, you can take your neighbor’s dog out!
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the Boston Terrier dog breed is one of the best breeds a first-time dog owner can opt for, and there are several reasons for the same! Firstly, their personality is not too much to deal with as they are pretty calm, and then it comes to their low-maintenance grooming needs and barely any training hours to spend. However, these Boston Terriers can be clingy, so if that is something you are fond of, then what are you waiting for? Just get these Terriers home already!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! The Boston Terrier is a very gentle dog breed that gels well with families and kids. So, if you have a family and are looking for a dog that would adapt easily, then these small dogs, Boston Terriers will be a great choice.
Unfortunately, the Boston Terrier dog breed is not hypoallergenic. Even though they have a pretty short and soft fur coat, they can shed at times and spread allergens to people with allergies.
Yes! The Boston Terrier dog breed is known for its calm and docile temperament that sets them apart from other stubborn dog breeds. These dogs also have less tendency to bark constantly unless they sense a threat and want to warn their owners.
Generally, you can occasionally leave Boston Terriers alone at home for 4- 6 hours, but it should not be a routine. It is because every dog thrives on human companionship, and lack of quality time can turn them against their owners or even lead to separation anxiety.
Not at all! The Boston Terrier dog breed barely requires any hardcore training! They are easy to train, even for a first-time dog owner without specialized experience. So, all you have to do is research their basic training needs properly, and that’s that!
