The perfect dog for any formal occasion, the Boston Terrier comes dressed to impress. The tuxedo-like black and white markings make the Boston Terrier a fancy canine companion indeed and the brindle and brown varieties are no less stunning. She's also doggedly devoted, if you'll pardon the pun. No wonder this breed is so wildly popular!
These sturdy, small-sized, and medium-energy dogs can grow to between 10-25 pounds and live an average of 13-15 years. The breed is recognized by the American Kennel Club—in fact, they were the the first American Kennel Club-recognized dog to be bred in the United States. Boston Terriers are classified as a member of the Non-Sporting group.
| AKC Recognized | Y |
| Breed's original pastime | Pest control |
| Origin | USA |
| Breed group | Non-Sporting |
| Average lifespan | 13-15 years |
| Size | Small |
| Bark Factor | Rarely barks, if ever |
| AKC Ranking | 18 |
| Family | Terrier, companion |
| Date of origin | 1800s |
| Original function | Ratting, companion |
| Today's function | Companion |
| Average size of male | Height: 15-17 Weight: 10-25 |
| Average size of female | Height: 15-17 Weight: 10-25 |
| Other name | None |
| Energy level | Medium energy |
| Exercise needs | Low |
| Playfullness | Moderately playful |
| Affection level | Moderately affectionate |
| Friendliness toward other dogs | Friendly |
| Friendliness toward other pets | Very Friendly |
| Friendliness toward strangers | Friendly |
| Ease of training | Moderately easy to train |
| Watchdog ability | High |
| Protection ability | Not very protective |
| Grooming needs | Low maintenance |
| Cold tolerance | Low tolerance |
| Heat tolerance | Low tolerance |
BEHAVIOR & TRAINING
WHAT IS A BOSTON TERRIER'S PERSONALITY LIKE?
Boston Terriers love people. These dogs are intelligent, boisterous comedians. Described as sweet and clown-like, Boston Terriers are tenacious yet accommodating.
This dog's sweet and energetic nature is a great fit for supervised play with kids. They can be friendly with other dogs but do best under supervision. They're often great with family pets and other small animals, and they're usually friendly toward strangers.
WHAT IS BOSTON TERRIER BEHAVIOR LIKE?
Boston Terriers are active but prone to overheating, so keep an eye on them and be sure to carry water with you on hot days. Boston Terriers are also a somewhat noisy breed: they tend to be flatulent, and they grunt, snort, and snore. However they're infrequent barkers — they mostly bark during playtime or when someone comes to the door.
They need daily exercise—a short jog, rowdy game, or walk should do the trick. They love to chase balls.
HOW EASY IS IT TO TRAIN A BOSTON TERRIER?
Intelligent and determined, the Boston Terrier is a very biddable dog. Obedience training will help challenge this smarty-paws.
CARE & HEALTH
HOW MUCH DO BOSTON TERRIERS SHED AND WHAT ARE THEIR GROOMING NEEDS?
A Boston Terrier's short coat is fine and flat. They are minimal shedders who don't require much grooming. Brush them weekly and bathe as needed. You might want to carry eye drops to flush debris or dust from their big eyes.
WHAT HEALTH PROBLEMS DO BOSTON TERRIERS HAVE?
Boston Terriers are usually healthy. They can be prone to respiratory issues and eye injuries.
