Boston terriers are adorable, friendly dogs, but they’re not for everyone. I put together the following guide so that you could decide whether or not this is the dog for you!

So, is the Boston terrier right? Boston terriers are friendly, energetic, well-mannered dogs. They do well with families and multi-dog households, where they are able to play and get their exercise requirements.

Some of the main benefits of the Boston terrier include their friendliness, manners, and adaptability. Nicknames ‘the American Gentleman’, this kind-hearted dog gets along well with families, strangers, and other dogs alike. They have a gentle disposition and rarely become territorial. However, they can be frustratingly stubborn sometimes, and their flatulence/snoring make them somewhat difficult to live with. Additionally, like most terriers, you need to exercise them properly, or they can turn destructive.

Is the Boston Terrier Right?

Your personal preferences and lifestyle will determine whether or not the Boston terrier is the right dog for you. If you’re uncertain, I would recommend speaking to a breeder so that you can get some first-hand advice as to whether or not a Boston terrier will be a fit for your life.

In general, if you want a dog who:

• Is energetic and who loves to play with you
• Won’t be hostile or territorial
• Is smart enough to be gentle with children and elderly people
• Has low grooming requirements and doesn’t shed a lot
• Doesn’t bark a lot
• Adapts well to living indoors and in apartments,

The Boston terrier might be the dog for you!

However, if you don’t want a dog who:

• Can cause allergic reactions
• Struggles with extreme temperatures (both hot and cold)
• Will sometimes be stubborn and is known to wander off
• Is too small to truly play rough,

The Boston terrier might not be the right breed for your lifestyle.

About the Boston Terrier

The Boston terriers were originally bred to be fighting dogs, but it wasn’t long before their good looks and mild manners transformed them into a popular household companion. With dark colouring and a white chest, these dogs constantly look like they’re wearing a tuxedo, which accentuates their good manners and gentlemanly personality.

The dogs are sturdily built, with a wide chest and a round head that makes them look more Pitbull that traditional terrier. They have a short, smooth coat and small ears that stand straight up. Most people that Boston terriers are cute in a goofy sort of way.

In terms of size, Boston terriers vary from 12 to 17 inches high and can vary in size from 15 to 25 pounds, putting them on the smaller size of the medium dog spectrum. They’re not fragile, though, thanks to their stocky build, and they’re always happy to play.

Boston terriers are a generally healthy breed, although they do have a history of eye problems. Additionally, like many small dogs, they have been known to experience Patellar Luxation, which is a knee ailment.

Personality-wise, Boston terriers are friendly, easy-going fellows. They’re intelligent and curious, so they take well to training, although they can be stubborn every now and then. They’re very playful, and they need a lot of energy to keep them satisfied.

Pros of the Breed

So, without further ado, let’s talk about some of the benefits that come with owning a Boston terrier. Knowing what these are is essential so that you can decide whether or not you want to own one.

Personality

For many people, the personality of the dog is a major factor in buying them. As I said above, Boston terriers are affable dogs who get along well with just about everyone that they meet. If you want a lapdog, they’re happy to curl up and hang out with you; if you live a more active lifestyle, the Boston terrier is happy to tag along when you go for a walk.

Cheerfulness

No matter what the situation is, the Boston terrier maintains a cheerful outlook on life. These little guys are renowned optimists, and you can always find them with a bounce in your step.

Lots of Boston terrier owners find their day brighten by their dog, who’s always happy to see them and will go through life with a chipper attitude. They love being involved, they’re playful, and they rarely become jealous or hostile.

One thing to note is that Boston terriers can be sensitive to your tone of voice, so you need to be careful not to yell or snap at them. This is one of the only things that will ruin their mood.

Manners

These dogs didn’t earn the nickname ‘the American Gentleman’ through good looks alone. Boston terriers are exceptionally mild-mannered dogs. Unlike many of the terrier line, they treat strangers with friendliness, and they rarely become territorial. They also won’t get jealous when attention is diverted away from them. This agreeableness makes the Boston terrier fun and easy to live with, especially for first time owners. 

Good with Children

As an extension of those mannerisms, Boston terriers tend to do well with kids. Usually, when dogs aren’t good with children, it’s for one of two reasons:

• The dog becomes jealous: This is the case with many smaller dogs like Yorkshire terriers. When they see attention and love being diverted away from them, they become envious.
• The dog plays too hard: Large, playful dogs, like Standard poodles, can sometimes unintentionally hurt children by playing too rough with them.

With a Boston terrier, you don’t need to concern yourself with either of these things. Their affable personality means they don’t get jealous when attention is diverted away from them, so you don’t need to worry that they’ll be hostile with your kids. Additionally, they’re small enough to not cause harm if they jump or lunge at a baby.

This is a major pro for some people who have children or want to bring children into their life in the future.

Different Sized

The variation is Boston terrier’s sizes can be a major benefit to the breed. Some people like large dogs who they can roughhouse and play with; others prefer small companions for their transferability and ability to cuddle.

Although Boston terriers aren’t massive, they have a sturdy build, and at 25 pounds they’re large enough for most people who prefer medium-sized dogs. If you want a dog who you can throw around or play fight with, they’ll do just fine.

However, if you so choose, you can get one of the smaller versions, which usually come in at 15-17 pounds. These dogs are easier to carry with you, and they love to curl up in your lap and go to sleep.

Size is an important factor when you’re buying a dog, and the Boston terrier’s adaptability means that people have more choice to get whatever size best suits their lifestyle.

Playfulness

Because they were originally bred for fighting, the Boston terrier has a decent amount of energy that they need to burn off. Thankfully, nowadays, they tend to get this energy out in more constructive ways; instead of being aggressive, this dog loves to be chased around, wrestle, or play fetch.

For people who like playing with their dogs, the Boston terrier is a good choice for you. These guys have a good amount of energy, and they’re always down to run around. Additionally, because of their size, they don’t need a lot of space to do so; you can play with your Boston terrier indoors without having to worry about them knocking something off your coffee table.

This playfulness isn’t exclusive to you, either; Boston terriers are just as willing when it comes to strangers and other dogs who they meet. Unless you have a heart of stone, it’ll bring a smile to your face to watch your pet romp around with someone they just met.

Reasonable Exercise Requirements

Now, I love playing with my dog, and I’ve always had medium to large breeds who I can wrestle with. The flip side to this benefit, however, is that these dogs often need a lot of exercise to tire them out, or they become restless.

With Boston terriers, though, that isn’t the case. This dog is happy to run around or accompany you on a walk, but they don’t need more than an hour of activity per day before they’re content to curl up with you. Plus, like I touched on before, it’s decently easy to exercise them indoors, so you don’t have to worry about walking them on days when it could be raining or freezing cold.

This means that, for people who don’t have huge amounts of time to dedicate to walking or going to the dog park, the Boston terrier can lounge around the house without driving your crazy with their boredom.

Easy to Groom

This is another plus for people who have time requirements, or just don’t want to spend a lot of time every day looking after their dog. As far as grooming goes, Boston terriers are some of the easiest dogs out there to take care of.

Their short coat requires very little attention, and they don’t shed a whole lot, so you don’t need to worry about cleaning up after them. If you want, you can brush your dog biweekly with a relatively soft bristle — this will help remove any dead hair and further reduce the amount that they shed.

Other than that, you should be prepared to bathe your Boston terrier about once a month to keep them clean and healthy. You may need to wash them more often if they roll around in mud, but most surface-level dirt can be wiped away with a damp cloth.

The one thing to be aware of its your Boston terrier’s nails. They have very delicate claws, and it’s better to file them down than to cut them. This can be tricky to do, so many people chose to get a professional groomer to help with this.

Friendly

This once again relates to their affable personality and good manners. We’ve touched on how social the Boston terrier is a bit, but it deserves to be mentioned as its own benefit.

There’s nothing more embarrassing than having to monitor your dog in public because you’re constantly worried about them getting into fights. Many dogs, especially those with terrier genes, tend to become hostile and territorial, which can lead to them being aloof or unfriendly to strangers.

With the Boston terrier, you won’t have to worry about that. They get along with everyone, and they’re always happy to meet new people.

This is especially useful for people who want to have more than one dog. If you own a Boston terrier, you can bring another dog into your life without worrying about how they’re going to react. Additionally, they have very low prey drives, so you don’t have to constantly watch them around cats, birds, and rodents. If you have a multi-pet household, the Boston terrier will make a great addition.

Sensitive and Affectionate

For many people, pets are more than just a presence in the household; they’re a trusted companion, and one who you want to be there for you when you’re down.

In that arena, the Boston terrier excels. Despite their goofy appearance, these dogs are highly attuned to the emotions of their owners, and they can easily sense when you’re down. It’s not uncommon for them to curl up in your lap to try and cheer you up.

Even when you’re not upset, Boston terriers still love to be around you. If you’re someone who likes a lap dog, these guys are perfect: they’re calm, light enough that they won’t make your legs go numb, and they won’t cover you in hair.

Low Barking Risk

You don’t have to worry about your Boston terrier bothering your neighbours (or you, for that matter) because they decide to start barking. Even when they’re feeling playful or bored, these little guys aren’t vocal about it, which can be a great benefit.

Adapts Well to Apartments

Because of their size, energy levels, and easy-going attitude, the Boston terrier adapts well to apartment life. This is part of the reason that the dogs have gained so much popularity in recent years; as urbanization becomes more common and people flock to cities, they’ve started looking for pets who can live with them in high-rise buildings.

In such an environment, the Boston terrier thrives. They’re not massive, so they don’t mind if you only have 3-4 rooms to your name. They also don’t take up a lot of space.

Their lack of shedding, and the fact that they don’t drool much, is another big benefit. Trying to live in a small apartment with dog hair everywhere can become messy very quickly, so the Boston terrier helps you stay neat and tidy.

Adding on to the point above, the Boston terrier’s low barking and general good manners also serve them well for the apartment life. You won’t have to worry about your neighbours complaining that your dog is howling at all hours of the night.

Additionally, Boston terriers are decent at being left alone, which can be a lifesaver if you’re working full time. They don’t love when you’re gone for long stretches of time, but this dog is smart enough to adjust to your schedule and spend the time when you’re away napping. When you do get home, they’re always happy to hang out and play, and their low exercise requirements mean that chasing them around the apartment is sometimes enough to tire them out.

Cons of the Breed

So, obviously there are a lot of upsides to the Boston terrier. They’re friendly, sociable, low-maintenance dogs who adjust well to apartment life.

There are, however, some drawbacks that you should be aware of before you decide to buy this breed. Remember, getting a dog is a lifelong commitment, and you shouldn’t purchase a Boston terrier unless you’re ready to deal with all of the downsides that come with owning one.

Flatulence

Anyone who’s ever spent time with a Boston terrier can attest to the fact that these dogs sometimes struggle with releasing gas. Boston terriers fart a lot, and it can sometimes be difficult to deal with. That’s especially true if you live in an apartment building, where the small space can make any smells stronger.

Boston terriers do this because of their shortened snouts, which cause them to swallow a lot of air when they’re eating. This air then needs to be released. Because of that predisposition, it can be difficult to treat your dog to lower their flatulence, but there are a few things you can do:

• Exercise: Having your dog run around enough will limit their flatulence (as well as having a host of other health benefits). Additionally, the more time they spend outside, the less farting they’ll do indoors.
• Dietary Changes: Lowering the amount of human food that you give your Boston terrier can help soothe their bowels and decrease the amount they fart. For more detail, consider going to your vet to have them give you specific diet recommendations.

Not Hypoallergenic

Although they don’t shed a lot, Boston terriers can still cause allergies in people who are sensitive. If you have problems with dogs, this might disqualify you from owning a Boston terrier, because they’ll constantly be causing your nose to stuff up and your eyes to get itchy.

This issue is worse in apartments, because the space is smaller. This means that there will be a higher concentration of allergens in each room and, therefore, more allergens for you to come in contact with. Your reaction will, therefore, be worsened.

Now, it is possible to limit the allergic reaction that your Boston terrier will cause in you. If you’re really set on one of these dogs, you can consider:

• Grooming regularly, as we discussed, will lower the hair and dander released by your dog, which causes them to be less allergenic.
• Cleaning your house frequently, especially any furniture or other areas frequented by your dog, will further lower your reaction.
• Making your bedroom off-limits to your Boston terrier can make sure you’re able to sleep peacefully.

It’s possible to own a Boston terrier while having allergies, but it makes the situation more complicated.

Snoring

Another issue caused by the shape of their snout is the fact that Boston terriers snore a lot. For such a small dog, they can make a lot of sound when they’re sleeping, and this can cause issues if you’re someone who doesn’t fall asleep easily.

Like the farting issue, there are some things you can do to lower the amount that your Boston terrier snores (like giving them a pillow or not exercising them right before bed), but it’s not an issue that you’ll be able to eliminate easily.

This sounds like not that big of a deal, but trust me when I say that it can very quickly become annoying. Not being able to fall asleep because your Boston terrier keeps snoring will quickly frustrate you, and it’s something you need to consider before you get one of these dogs. It’s not fair to purchase a Boston terrier and bring it home, only to decide a few weeks later that their snoring is too annoying and having to give the dog up.

Sensitive to Temperatures

Boston terriers are most definitely indoor dogs. Because of their short coat and the climate in which they were bred, these dogs don’t do well with cold and will quickly grow uncomfortable. However, their breathing problems mean that they also don’t do well with warm temperatures; if you try to exercise your Boston terrier when it’s hot outside, you might end up carrying them home.

This is okay if you live in an apartment, because your Boston terrier is going to be spending most of their time indoors. However, if you live somewhere that gets extremely cold or extremely hot, you need to be careful about watching that they’re doing okay. It also means that you can’t leave your Boston terrier outside for prolonged periods of time.

Finally, you might have to deal with the fact that your Boston terrier won’t want to go outside in extremely cold temperature. These dogs are already difficult to house break, and when the weather’s bad, they might just decide to go indoors. Because of this, crate-training your Boston terrier is advised.  

Stubbornness

For the most part, Boston terriers are agreeable, intelligent dogs, but they’re still terriers. That means that they have a stubborn streak in them that can kick in at any time, especially if they’re not properly trained.

This can make it frustrating to work with your Boston terrier. If they get excited about something, like playing with another dog, they’ll likely turn deaf to your commands and instead focus on what it is that they want to do. There’s nothing more embarrassing than standing in public yelling at a dog who’s completely ignoring you.

To go along with this, Boston terriers don’t respond well to criticism or yelling, like we discussed before. If you get mad at them for ignoring you, you’re just as likely to cause them to shell up as you are to make any progress in breaking them out of their stubbornness.

Instead, I would advise that you try to stay patient with your Boston terrier and instead use positive reinforcement to train them. Rewarding them for good behaviour while being stern (but not harsh) for bad behaviour will get you a lot farther with these dogs.

Wanderlust

Finally, another frustrating element of the Boston terrier is that they’re innately curious, and they like to explore the world around them. If you turn your back for too long, these guys are liable to disappear on you, which can cause a lot of stress if you don’t know where they’ve gone.

This is a habit that’s almost impossible to break, because it’s so deeply ingrained in them. Almost all terriers have this trait, and trying to get rid of it could actually do long-term damage to your dog’s psyche. Instead, you have to just constantly be alert with your Boston terrier, and make sure to train them so that they know to come at the sound of your voice. Whenever you’re in public, I would advise keeping them on a leash.

Do I want a Boston Terrier?

We’ve now looked at the pros and cons of the Boston terrier, and you should be just about ready to make a decision as to whether or not this dog is for you.

One important thing to note is that every dog is different, and each have their own unique personality. Not everything in this list is going to be applicable to every Boston terrier, but it’s a good place to start. Talking to your breeder before you buy can give you more of an idea as to what the individual personality of the dog you’re getting will be.

If you want a playful, friendly, indoor dog who likes being around you, the Boston terrier is a good choice. However, if you’re highly allergic, or you don’t think you could put up with their snoring/yawning/stubbornness, I would suggest looking at some similar breeds before buying.