The Boston Terrier

Boston Terriers love to play.
Image: Dusan Petkovic/Shutterstock.com

The petite super friendly American Terrier

Quick Overview

Name:                                                  The Boston Terrier, Boston Bull Terrier, or the American Gentleman.

Size:                                                       Up to 38 cm tall

Weight:                                                Up to 11 kg

Grooming:                                          Very little

Training:                                               Loves to learn tricks

Exercise:                                              2 walks per day

Temperament:                                 Super friendly

Origins:                                                 America

Lifespan:                                              up to 15 years

Breed Type:                                        Utility Dog

A Little Bit of Boston Terrier History

This dog actually took its parentage from England, but that was common when Europeans started emigrating there. They had to take dogs with them and adaptively breed them until they were perfect for their new environment.

The Boston Terrier is a result of crossing a bulldog and a white English Terrier. They were trying to create a rather unethical breed which would be lightning-fast and ferocious, capable of fighting in dog pits. This horrendous practice has now been made illegal, but back then, it was a common form of entertainment.

A man named William O’Brien was in Liverpool and bought a cross of these two dogs named ‘Judge’. He then brought him across the sea when he emigrated. He sold the dog to one Robert Hooper, who went on to breed the dog with a small white female of similar genetics. A few years later, it was discovered that they were far too friendly and clever in nature to be kept as fighting dogs. They gradually become favoured American companion dogs instead… and thank goodness.

These sweet-natured good dogs were reared in Boston through decades of selective breeding to become what they are now. In Massachusetts, you will even find that the Boston Terrier is the state dog, which is sort of like a lucky mascot but involves less work. An American club was formed, followed by the enrolment of the breed standard in 1893 in the AKC breed registry. Later they would also end up in the UK kennel club registry, and in the United KC, too. That’s an awful lot of validation for a dog that doesn’t grow more than 38 cm tall.

Fun Facts About Your Boston Terrier Puppy!

We like to get the fun things out of every breed to cheer new puppy owners along the way. We did the exact same thing for your Boston Terrier pup. Here are the Five Minutes Spare favourite interesting aspects regarding your potential puppy best friend:

• First and foremost, if you have bought this dog as a UK resident in solidarity with strong connections to America, you are not alone. The Boston Terrier UK club was forming in 1935 by Lady Essex and you can still join it to this day. See here if that appeals to you.
• When they were first registered in any kennel club of the world, it was the AKC. It was listed as ‘this American Gentleman’ rather than the Boston Terrier, hence why some still use this title today.
• The Boston Terrier is the official mascot of Boston University for about a hundred years now.
• They have been known to live as long as 18 years!
• They have ‘roundhead’ features which lead their ears to stick out adorably. It has been a much sought after feature throughout the years.

So now you know exactly how special that Boston Terrier puppy of yours is! Hold them tight, walk them often, and cater to their every tiny whim. Did you know you can get a puppucino from Starbucks in the UK? No relation, we’re just saying. Good dogs deserve good treats.

Are they Difficult to Train?

They are pretty bright dogs, but teaching them chess is probably a bit of a stretch.
Image: Annette Shaff/Shytterstock.com

No, this is a breed eager to make you smile. They are known to be incredibly intelligent, too, which means they will often try to be funny. They are tail chasers and cuddlers. They can be trained to complete in both dog agility or show-dog competitions, although remember that they are small and don’t work them too hard.

How Often Do I Brush a Boston Terrier?

You don’t need to brush them, but they get itchy when they cast, and you don’t get the dead hair away. It’s a good bonding opportunity, too. As ever, we would always advise that you trim their nails as often as is needed and that you keep their teeth brushed at least once a week. Use doggo toothpaste, it’s a real thing.

Do they need lots of Exercise?

No! Two brisk walks a day is what the AKC recommends and we agree. They are reasonably small medium dogs, so we would say 2 hours is probably a little too much for them. One big walk and a rigorous play will also do the trick.

Are they Healthy?

As with most of the longer-lived breeds, the Boston Terrier has a bit of a history with health issues. Mainly, patellar luxation is noted among their numbers as they grow up. This isn’t always something you can spot in them at puppyhood. You should always get their eyes and ears checked and watch their skin for signs of allergy. It is a flat-nosed breed, so be aware of breathing issues and try not to do the breeder thing where they opt for the flattest faced dog. Other than this, they can live up to 18 years of age, so if you get a healthy one you are good for almost two decades.

Where Can I Buy a Boston Terrier For Myself?

You can buy a Boston Terrier of your very own through any registered breeder with your local kennel club. The reason we suggest you do this is that puppy farmers are everywhere, and a registered breeder will have all sorts of useful information that you might need. They will be able to tell you about their genetic history and their ancestors, for example. A puppy farmer won’t even let you meet your dog’s parents. Be wary or buy a shelter dog and help out.

Not Your Favourite Breed?

If you are dedicated to choosing a new puppy but are taking time over the choice, then you are officially a responsible future dog owner. If you want to browse more breeds to help you make this life-changing choice, head over to our dog directory. We recommend the Border Collie if you need a working dog, or the Black and Tan Coonhound, if your heart is set on a USA breed.