What to Think About Before Getting a Boston Terrier: 25 Key Questions

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Updated on: Nov 24, 2021
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What to Think About Before Getting a Boston Terrier: 25 Key Questions

Boston Terriers, also called “America's gentleman”, are a unique and adorable pet breed to have. These dogs were bred for dogfighting brings about a century ago, however, since then they have become a fan-favorite family pet. If you think they look like Frenchies, that's not accidental. Boston Terriers were bred from English Bulldogs and White English Terriers, hence the short faces.

Do these dogs make for good family pets, however? Should you be worried about their fighting dog history? Do they have any health problems you need to watch out for? Find out through the most common 25 questions to consider before getting a Boston Terrier below.

1. Are Boston Terriers good pets?

The small but lively Boston Terrier is a fantastic family pet. Very playful and affectionate, the small Boston Terrier is a fantastic family pet.

2. How smart are Boston Terrier dogs?

These dogs are indeed quite smart. Even though they were bred neither as shepherds nor as retrievers, they still have the brains to solve complex problems, to follow commands, and to be little mischievous tricksters at home.

3. Are Boston Terriers social and good with strangers?

This may surprise some people but, yes, Boston Terriers are generally pretty good with strangers. Of course, some socialization is still required but that applies to any dog.

4. Are Boston Terriers good with children?

More than good, Boston Terriers are great with children. Their social, affectionate, and playful nature makes them the perfect child companion. And, their small size means that there's very little chance of an accidental knock or other accidents.

5. Do Boston Terriers like to snuggle?

Indeed they do. Boston Terriers are a bit too lively to be lap dogs, however, once playtime is over they will definitely love to snuggle up on your feet, beside you on the couch, or in your lap.

6. Can Boston Terriers be left alone?

These dogs really don't do well on their own. Boston Terriers are way too affectionate and social to be left home alone for long periods of time. Separation anxiety is just too much of a problem for this breed. Restlessness, stress, outright depression, and even destructive tendencies are very likely if you plan on leaving your Boston Terrier alone.

Instead, you should always try to have a family member look after your pup when you're away. Alternatively, consider hiring a dog walker or a dog sitter.

You can also arrange playdates when you are at work if none of the above are an option. At the very least, you should at least try to exhaust your Boston Terrier with playtime and exercise before you leave home.

7. Are Boston Terriers good with other dogs?

Boston Terriers are not too aggressive toward other dogs but they're not exactly dog-friendly either. Especially with males, remnants of their dogfighting days can still be seen when they feel that their territory has been threatened by another canine.

And, given that Boston Terriers don't care about size, it's a good idea to keep them on a leash lest they try to jump on a funky-looking Doberman or another dog that’s twice their size.

8. Can Boston Terriers get along with cats or other pets?

Boston Terriers are one of the very few terrier breeds the don't have much trouble living together with cats. The prey drive of most other terrier breeds is still strong but the American gentleman is just too good to members of his household, whether they’re human, feline, or others.

9. Are Boston Terriers easy to train?

Their high intelligence and their friendly, obedient nature make Boston Terriers pretty easy to train. The only exception is potty training - this may take a bit more patience and persistence. However, with positive reinforcement and frequent trips outside even that shouldn't be that much of a problem. Of course, obedience training is a must but that's not specific to this breed.

10. How big do Boston Terriers get?

The average height of an adult Boston Terrier is 12 to 15 inches at the shoulder (30 to 38 cm). A for their weight, that's usually between 10 and 25 pounds (4.5 to 11 kg) as long as you haven't allowed your Terrier to get overweight.

11. How much exercise do Boston Terriers need?

Boston Terriers are very lively and energetic. However, they're also quite small. So, about one hour of vigorous physical exercise outdoors is usually enough for these dogs. It's best to divide that into two separate half-hour walks. Just remember not to over-exercise your dog especially not durIng hot days as these dogs’ short faces can make them prone to overheating.

12. Do Boston Terriers need a yard?

Not really. Boston Terriers can have fun in a well-fenced yard, of course. However, they can be just as happy in an apartment with a large living room.

13. Were Boston Terriers bred to be fighting dogs?

Unfortunately, they were. However, those days are behind them and they've been bred exclusively as family dogs for just about a century.

14. Are Boston Terriers aggressive?

Not really, no. They can be a bit territorial but you can train that behavior out of them. Aside from that, they're pretty social and affectionate.

15. How long do Boston Terriers live?

The average lifespan of the Boston Terrier is 13 to 15 years. However, that's just the average. If you get a healthy pup and take good care of it it can live well past that.

16. Are Boston Terriers a healthy breed?

Boston Terriers are more healthy than they look. People often think that all dogs with flat faces have a ton of health problems. However, that's not always the case. If you get a purebred Boston Terrier puppy from a reputable breeder, chances are there will be very few if any health problems (aside from the inevitable Brachycephalic Syndrome).

However, if you get a dog from a puppy mill or a pet store you will need to look out for a plethora of possible health issues such as:

17. What type of coat do Boston Terriers have?

The Boston Terrier has a smooth and fine coat that's pretty short and easy to take good care of. Additionally, these dogs don't have an undercoat. This means they can have a hard time tolerating extra hot or extra cold weather.

18. Do Boston Terriers shed?

Because they don't have an undercoat, Boston Terriers don't really shed that much. Weekly or bi-weekly brushing is usually enough to keep your home free from floating dog hair.

19. What colors do Boston Terriers come in?

Boston Terriers tend to come in three color combinations: black, seal, or brindle. All these have a white muzzle and chest which is what gives this dog the look of a gentleman in a tuxedo.

20. Are Boston Terriers high maintenance to groom?

Maintaining a Boston Terriers coat is definitely not high maintenance. However, looking after their skin, their eyes and ears, their nails, and their overall health can take some doing. So, while they're still not that high of a maintenance breed, they do need some looking after.

21. Do Boston Terriers bark a lot?

Boston Terriers are both great watchdogs as well as a breed that doesn't really bark a lot. This may sound like a contradiction, however, Boston Terriers will alert you of danger - just not by barking. Instead, they tend to shout out when they sense a problem. So, if you're worried about barking then the Boston Terrier shouldn't give you much trouble.

22. Is it better to get a male or female Boston Terrier?

Both males and females make fantastic family pets. Males tend to be more energetic and playful but they can also have some territorial issues. Females, on the other hand, are much more easygoing and well-mannered.

23. How much do Boston Terrier puppies cost?

The average price for a purebred Boston Terrier puppy ranges between $1,000 and $2,000. Additionally, there can be a bit of a wait time for these dogs as breeding them is typically more difficult compared to other breeds.

You may be tempted to go to a pet store or a puppy mill for a more affordable pup. However, remember that these dogs tend to come with lots of health problems. So, the higher price of a reputable dog breeder is almost always worth it down the line.

24. Do Boston Terriers drool?

Unfortunately they do. They're not quite as bad as Newfoundlands or as Saint Bernards, however, they do drool. They tend to fart as well so keep that in mind if you're on the fence about this breed.

25. What's bad about Boston Terriers?

Like any other dog breed, the Boston Terrier has some drawbacks as well. The Brachycephalic syndrome of this breed makes for possible breathing difficulties as well as low tolerance for heat and cold.

Additionally, there are a few other possible health problems to look out for as well. The small pelvis and large heads of these dogs make breeding pretty difficult. Keep that in mind if you want to breed your little Terrier. That's also why people sometimes have to wait extra long for a purebred Boston Terrier puppy. It’s very common for terrier mothers to have litters of just one pup at a time.

Other than that, Boston Terriers do have some territorial instincts that need to be trained out. They also tend to drool and fart a little bit but that's something future Boston Terrier owners just need to accept.

As you can see, while Boston Terriers are not for everyone they can make for a very special pet for lots of households. Adorable, loving, and playful these dogs are great family companions and are very good with kids too. They can have some territorial issues if you don't socialize them well of course. Plus, they can drool and fart a bit too much for some people’s taste. However, if you're okay with those little drawbacks the small Boston Terrier is a fantastic pet to have.

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