Are you looking forward to adopting a Boston Terrier? The famous American gentleman! Well, be ready for so much fun because this breed is a bundle of energy.
The Boston Terrier is a purebred dog that was originally bred as a fighting dog. Dog fighting practices for this breed have ceased with time and this amazing dog has now grown to become affectionate, playful, and very loyal to its family. In addition, because of his beautifully marked coat, this American breed has been nicknamed “The American Gentleman”.
Whatever the name you choose for your Boston Terrier, one thing is for sure, this dog is so much fun, and you’ll never go wrong if you adopt one. Let’s take an in-depth look at the Boston Terrier dog breed to help you decide whether it’s a good idea to make one part of your family.
How Big Do Boston Terriers Get?
The Boston Terrier is a small to medium dog breed. Males can grow from 11 to 16 inches, while females can reach 10 to 15 inches. At the maximum, they may weigh between 14 to 25 lbs for males and 13 to 23 lbs for females.
Physical Appearance
The Boston Terrier has a small, square body with a short muzzle. The American Kennel Club describes it as “alert and spirited”, which is true considering that this dog breed remains active even when they get older.
Boston Terriers have a well-proportioned frame where the ratio of height to length is 3:2. Their tails are customarily docked to two-thirds of their length while the ears remain pointy at all times.
They have deep black eyes that seem to give them a suspicious look but don’t be fooled; they’re one of the most cheerful breeds ever.
Coat Colors And Patterns
The Boston Terriers have a short coat that is easy to groom. The color of their coats is black, brindle or seal. Their coats also have strikes of other colors such as white, blue, or tan.
If you want a Boston Terrier with a coat of different colors, you can go for fawn-colored dogs because they have black markings on their face and legs. They also have white markings that cover most parts of the body except the head, tail, and tips of the feet.
How Long Do Boston Terriers Live?
The Boston Terriers have a lifespan of about 11 to 13 years. This is really short, considering that most dogs can live up to 15 or more years.
But on the bright side, these dogs are extremely healthy and stay active even as they get older. There are many things you can do to make your canine buddy live longer. These include proper diet, exercise, training, and giving them quality time with the family.
Common Health Issues
There are chances that your furry friend may die before living its life to the fullest. This is because they’re prone to various illnesses, just like other dogs. Some common health issues of the Boston Terrier are listed below.
- Cancer: Cancer is the leading cause of death among Boston Terrier dogs. This is due to the breed’s predisposition for malignant neoplasms.
- Hip Dysplasia: Boston Terriers are also known to suffer hip dysplasia, a common ailment among dogs whose bones didn’t fuse together properly when they were still pups.
- Heart Murmurs: The Boston Terriers are also likely to suffer from heart murmurs, abnormal sounds heard in the heart when blood is circulating through it.
- Reverse Sneezing: This condition occurs when the soft palate in the throat blocks your dog’s airways. When this happens, your buddy will make loud snoring or gurgling sounds. As these are considered harmless, no special attention is required for this condition.
- Cataracts: Like many other breeds, the Boston Terriers may also develop endothelial corneal dystrophy, the fancy name for cataracts, and have vision loss in the end.
- Allergies: This dog breed can also suffer from allergies such as skin allergies and food sensitivities.
- Eyes Problems: Some Boston Terriers may also experience loss of eyesight or other vision problems like progressive retinal atrophy (PRA).
How To Take Care Of Your Boston Terrier?
To care for your Boston Terrier, you will need to ensure that your home is clean and welcoming for them to receive proper care and attention. You also need to ensure that you provide a high-quality diet and good exercise to keep them healthy.
Keeping a Boston Terrier dog as a pet comes with these great responsibilities. Here are some tips to help you out in caring for your furry friend.
Exercise Routine
These dogs are very energetic and playful. Please make a schedule with your dog, such as playing for half an hour after waking up from sleeping, etc. This will help reduce anxiety and restlessness in your canine friend.
You should ensure they get at least 30 minutes 0f walk every day, or a high-intensity game like fetch once every three days. Also, you need to ensure that they get enough time to run and play in a fenced area. Your buddy will appreciate a mentally stimulating game.
High-Quality Diet
Your pup needs a high-quality protein-filled diet to ensure they have enough energy for all their activities. Make sure you have a balanced diet of proteins, carbs, and healthy fats every day to keep them strong and fit. This can include lean muscle meat, eggs, and fish.
Also, don’t forget to feed him with high-quality dog food that’s rich in nutrients like Omega 3 fatty acids from fish oil. These will help improve his skin and coat as well as reduce the chance of heart disease.
Your furry friend will also appreciate a diet packed with multivitamins. If you have no idea how to make a high-quality diet for your furry friend, Pet Plate will be a great guide. They offer a curated collection of the best dog food you can buy for your Boston Terrier and other canines.
Use Dental Water Additives
Dental water additives are great for your buddy’s dental health. Ensure that you give them water additives that are free of xylitol. It’s a natural sweetener that can be toxic to your pet.
Is A Boston Terrier A Dangerous Dog? Temperaments Of Boston Terriers
While a Boston Terrier may look intimidating to some people but they aren’t aggressive at all. In fact, they will just bark to keep intruders away from your home.
They are very intelligent and gentle dogs that love to play with kids. There’s not a single aggression incident has been recorded against this breed. However, it’s better if you teach them to behave well around children to avoid accidental injuries.
Do Boston Terriers Like To Cuddle?
Yes, these furry buddies also love to cuddle. But they are not the type of dogs who will jump into your lap or stay beside you for hours on end. They just prefer short-time cuddles because that’s how they show their affection to their master.
These dogs are very quiet and rarely bark. It’s the type of dog that only barks when necessary, like indicating its presence if there is a stranger in your home.
Can Boston Terriers Be Left Alone?
Even though Boston Terriers prefer companions, you can leave them alone in a safe place for at most 8 hours. These canine buddies don’t suffer from separation anxiety which makes them perfect for apartment living.
They will be quite happy staying alone at home, provided you leave them with toys to play when you’re out for work. Do consider hiring a professional sitter if you are looking to be away for a longer time.
Are Male Or Female Boston Terriers Better?
Many people believe that male Boston Terriers are calm, affectionate, and playful while female Boston Terriers are more energetic and smarter.
If you like a pooch who loves cuddling, then go for a male Boston Terrier. But if you prefer a highly active pooch, it is better to pick a female one.
However, you should be aware that both males and females can inherit any temperament from their parents. It is better to carefully consider your dog’s personality when choosing the gender to avoid future behavioral problems.
Is A Boston Terrier High Maintenance? Grooming Tips For Boston Terriers
Boston Terriers are not considered to be of high maintenance. They only require minimum brushing because their coats are short and don’t get that dirty easily. All you need to do to care for your furry friend is to brush them once a week.
If you have a particularly active pooch, then you can brush them after every few days to keep their coats clean and shiny. Use the Furminator Undercoat tool for proper brushing.
Do Boston Terriers Shed A Lot?
Boston Terriers are not heavy shedders. They have single coats with short and thin fur that prevents them from shedding a lot.
Despite not shedding much, this dog breed is not regarded to be hypoallergenic. Boston Terriers suffer from allergies themselves which cause them to scratch themselves and spread dander. The dead skin can cause allergies to their owners.
How Often Should A Boston Terrier Be Bathed?
You need to bathe your buddy as often as once a week. Only use dog shampoos that are pH balanced like Pro Pet Works All Natural 5 In 1 Oatmeal Shampoo.
You can schedule their grooming sessions weekly or bi-weekly, depending on their activities. Bathing them too often will strip off the natural oils of their coats which can make them itchier.
Why Do Boston Terriers Stink?
When wet, Boston Terriers can sometimes smell like fish. If you notice that your fur baby smells bad, the problem may just be in their diet.
Make sure that your pooch’s diet has high-quality ingredients and add some fresh vegetables, such as broccoli or carrots, to go along. This will increase the nutrients in their bodies and make them smell better after they dry off from a bath.
Related Questions
How Much Does A Boston Terrier Dog Cost? The price range of Boston Terriers is from $400 to $2,500, depending on their qualities and the breeder’s location. If you want a dog with good characteristics, expect to pay a little more for a purebred puppy. Consider adopting a Boston Terrier puppy or adult dog from a local animal shelter or rescue center to save money.
Do Boston Terriers Like To Swim? Boston Terriers don’t like to go swimming. However, they can learn how to swim if trained properly. They may enjoy it in the beginning but will get tired quite easily because of their size. You can train them at an earlier stage in their life, so they can grow to get used to water.
Do Boston Terriers Need A Companion Dog? Boston Terriers do need playmates because they are naturally very active. Without enough physical and mental stimulation, they can develop behavioral problems, such as running around the house and knocking into things, or becoming anxious. That’s why it’s recommended to get two same-sex dogs from the same parents if you have to leave them alone during the day.
