Boston Terriers

Initially bred in Boston, MA, Boston Terriers are a small dog breed. They have been around since the 1800s and have become popular due to their intelligence, trainability, and great disposition. This breed is pretty easy to care for because they do not shed much hair or need frequent baths. This article will tell you everything you need to know about Boston Terrier dogs, including their history, health concerns, grooming tips, characteristics of this breed of dog, as well as how to take care of them!

History Of The Breed

The Boston terrier has been around since the 1800s. Boston Terriers were bred in Boston, MA, to help control the rat population due to how small they are and their love of chasing rats! 

They are natural hunters and will hunt anything that moves. The Boston Terrier has also been called the “American Gentlemen” because of their small but big heart!

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What breeds created the Boston Terrier?

The Boston Terrier is not a terrier, but they are often incorrectly referred to as one. Boston Terriers were initially created by mixing a few dog breeds, including the English Bulldog and White English Terrier. The breed is considered a non-sporting dog breed.

Are Boston Terriers a bully breed?

No, they are not a bully breed. The breed is known for its small size and love of chasing rodents!

American Kennel Club

The American Kennel Club first accepted Boston Terriers as a breed in 1893, and we can find the dogs throughout the world today.

Boston Terrier Club

The Boston Terrier Club was created in Boston, MA, the oldest national breed club today. This dog breed has been popular for many years because of its small size but big personality!

Appearance

The Boston Terrier dog breed is a small-sized dog with an athletic build. 

Boston terriers have short coats that are easy to groom but do not require frequent baths or brushings because they shed very little hair. They have a short, shiny white coat with black or brown markings on the head and ears. You can also find dogs in silver colors with brindle patches!

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Boston Terrier Colors

Boston Terriers come in many colors, including Boston brown, seal, and brindle. They can also be found with a white coat with black or mahogany markings on the head and ears!

Which color is most common?

The Boston Brown is the most common Boston Terrier color today. Most dogs found today are Boston Brown.

Size and Weight

Boston terriers can weigh anywhere from 13 to 25 pounds, and their height ranges between 12-15 inches tall at the shoulder!

Health

Boston Terriers are a fun and high-energy breed that is easy to care for. They require very little grooming and can even do okay living in small apartments. However, this breed is also prone to several health problems.

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Canine Hip Dysplasia: They are at high risk for developing canine hip dysplasia. A veterinarian should screen breeding dogs before being bred to ensure they do not have this disease!

Luxating Patella: These dogs can develop luxating patellas or kneecap dislocation when the knee cap slips out of place when the dog is walking. They should not be allowed to jump down from furniture or high spots and develop arthritis because of this condition!

Eye Problems: This breed is prone to developing eye problems such as cataracts, eyelash abnormalities, Cherry Eye, ectropion (when the lower eyelid rolls out), entropion (when the eyelid turns inward), and ectropion (when the lower lid rolls out). They can also suffer from dry eyes or glaucoma!

Teeth: This breed has a unique underbite, but they do not require any special care. However, you should supervise them when playing with other dogs to ensure they do not accidentally hurt your dog’s teeth!

Apart from these few health issues, many Boston terriers are healthy, happy dogs.

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How to keep your Boston Terrier healthy

These dogs require very little grooming and do not need frequent baths or brushings. They should be kept on a leash when outside to ensure that they won’t get lost! They also enjoy playing around indoors, so owners can keep their dogs happy by allowing them to play with other pets inside the house every day!

Boston terriers should be fed high-quality dog food that the breed clubs have approved to ensure that they are receiving proper nutrition! These dogs can enjoy living in an apartment but should not jump off furniture or other high places. Owners should train their dogs not accidentally injure themselves when jumping down from high places! 

Boston Terriers are susceptible to heat, so owners should avoid leaving them inside hot cars! They can easily sunburn because of their white coat. Owners should also avoid exposing their dogs to extreme temperatures by keeping them indoors with air conditioning during the summer months. However, these dogs can tolerate colder temperatures. They enjoy playing around in the snow, so owners should ensure their dogs are dry after being outside for an extended period!

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Keep your Boston Terrier away from the swimming pool! They can drown if they fall into a swimming pool, and owners should not allow their dogs to swim in the ocean. Many dogs can experience life-threatening breathing difficulties when in the water or if they get too hot.

Boston Terrier Temperament and Personality

These dogs are known for being loyal companions to their owners. They enjoy playing with other pets and love spending time with children! They are playful, but they do not require large yards or extensive exercise because they are small. They have a lot of energy, so they need to be taken out for walks several times a day! This breed is also brilliant and loves learning new tricks, so owners should teach their dogs basic obedience training early.

Boston terriers are friendly and playful, but they also require an owner who will take them out on walks several times every day! These dogs enjoy playing with other pets indoors because of their high energy levels, but owners should train their Boston terrier puppy early.

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Openness to strangers

This breed is very friendly with strangers, but these dogs will bark when people come to the door. As with all dogs, they should be socialized early to get used to meeting new people!

Are Boston Terriers Good With Young Children?

This breed is friendly with young children, but these dogs should only be left alone with small children when supervised. They can become aggressive around other animals if they have not been adequately socialized at an early age!

Playfulness Level

They are known for their high level of playfulness and love for playing with other pets. These dogs can be left alone inside the house because they do not require a large yard, but they should always be on leashes when outside to ensure they don’t get lost! These dogs also enjoy learning new tricks, so owners should teach their dogs basic obedience training early.

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Boston Terrier Training Tips

They are described as being intelligent, alert, and responsive. They require training at an early age to avoid bad habits later on down the road. 

  • They are intelligent dogs. Keep training fun and interesting. This breed may be small, but they know how to play tricks on their owners and sometimes hold grudges. They can be stubborn and temperamental, but these dogs can learn with lots of patience and consistency.
  • Don’t hit your Boston Terrier, as they don’t like it. This dog is a lively breed, and they love to play, snuggle and be around people. But they can also be a little sensitive, so it’s essential to be careful when playing with them. If you pick them up or try to hug them, they might get scared and bite you in self-defense. It’s best not to hit or poke them either – that will make them more upset.
  • Positive reinforcement works well. Praise for good behavior and give them treats. Get your dog to do what you want them to do by using positive reinforcement. When the dog does something good, give them praise and a treat. This will make them want to repeat this behavior to get recognition and treats again.
  • Interaction with the owner is essential. These pups want to be around their owner, and they must get enough attention. They love spending time with their owners and playing games like fetch or catch to get the mental stimulation they need. 
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Obedience Training

Like all dogs, they require training with basic obedience. They are brilliant and love learning new tricks, so the puppy’s parents should train their puppies early! 

Training your dog is easy if you use positive reinforcement techniques. Training a dog can be difficult when not done in the right way. Our breed is intelligent, but they respond best to positive reinforcement techniques that let them know what is expected with treats and praise for good behavior. This breed has a stubborn streak, so training has to be consistent.

If you need help training your Boston terrier dog or puppy – there are several places available online where trainers can help! 

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Dog Sports

Boston terriers are highly active dogs, and they enjoy playing dog sports. They can be challenging to train, so pet owners should get their Boston terrier puppies involved in the sport of agility. Agility is a fun way for Boston terriers to work off energy while being trained simultaneously!

Grooming

Boston terriers should be brushed weekly to remove hair and bathed monthly. Boston terriers have a low shedding rate, so they are suitable for allergy sufferers!

The Boston Terrier has a short coat that is very easy to care for – it only requires occasional brushing with the use of brushes to removes hair, and that’s it! Boston terriers only need bathing every month, and the Boston Terrier nails need trimming once a week.

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Choosing a Breeder

With Boston terriers being a small breed, Boston Terrier puppies should not be purchased from puppy mills or pet stores. A Boston terrier needs to go through training to be socialized at an early age which these places cannot provide! 

When choosing a breeder for your Boston terrier – make sure they have been pre-screened for genetic health problems. 

Ensure that the breeder you choose has a clean and sanitary facility with all of their breeding dogs in good health. 

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Ask to see where your puppy was born and meet its parents so that later on, when they become an adult dog, you’ll know what kind of environment it came from. 

A Boston terrier rescue is also a great choice if you are looking to adopt an adult dog.

What is the ideal environment for a Boston Terrier?

Boston terriers are happiest in homes where they get lots of attention. They do not like to be alone for long periods, so make sure there’s someone home most of the day to keep them company or take them out for walks and playtime often!

Mental Stimulation Needs

Boston terriers are smart which means they need r training and lots of playtime. 

What is the ideal environment for a Boston Terrier?Pin

A Boston terrier dog needs to be mentally stimulated to keep them happy, so make sure you provide plenty of exercises! Play games with your dog like fetch or catch, as well as give her toys to keep them occupied when you’re not around. Boston terrier dogs can also be given puzzles and treat dispensers to challenge their brains!

Your Boston Terrier will love being with people, so they do best in homes where there is a lot of human interaction going on all the time. They will need lots of training, and a Boston terrier should be kept occupied with toys, games, and puzzles so they don’t get into mischief! Boston terrier dogs will need lots of exercise too!

Energy Level

A Boston terrier puppy has a medium energy level and will need lots of exercise.

A Boston terrier is not too high-energy to be suitable for families with children, but the Boston puppy should still play gently with them! A Boston Terrier will love to make new friends, which means the dog park time will be dog heaven! Your Boston terrier will also love playing games with you, chasing after balls and toys.

Now you know a little more about the Boston Terrier, including its history and characteristics. If you’re still considering whether or not to adopt one of these pups, we hope this information has helped make your decision easier. We encourage everyone interested in adopting a pet from their local shelter to do so—especially if it’s a lovable pup like the Boston Terrier! For those looking for other articles on this dog breed, check out our blog posts below that cover everything from grooming tips to health concerns. Happy reading!

More Boston Terrier Articles