The words Dog Breed Info with the letter D inside of a black paw print

The Purebred Boston Terrier

Information and Pictures

PJ the Boston Terrier looking to the side wearing a purple collar and silver tags

PJ the Boston Terrier at 3 years old

Other Names
  • Boston Bull
  • Boston Bull Terrier
Pronunciation

baw-stuh n ter-ee-er speaker

Description

Boston Terriers, also called Boston Bulls, are compact and well-muscled dogs. The body is short with a square appearance. The square-looking head is flat on the top and in proportion to the rest of the body. The deep, wide, short muzzle is in proportion with the head. The nose is black. The stop is well defined. The bite is either even or slightly undershot, giving the muzzle the square look. The large, round, dark eyes are wide-set. The erect ears are small and either cropped or left natural. The limbs are straight and muscular. The legs are set somewhat wide apart and the chest is broad. The neck is slightly arched. The low-set, tapered tail is short and either straight or screw-shaped and is never docked. The short, fine textured coat comes in seal, brindle and white, black and white and some are born brown and white.

Temperament

The Boston Terrier is gentle, alert, very intelligent, well-mannered and enthusiastic. Without the proper amount of mental and physical exercise it can become rambunctious and a bit high strung. They are very sensitive to the tone of one's voice. Boston's like to learn and therefore are not difficult to train. Their intelligence ensures they pick things up quickly. If the humans around the dog do not display the leadership that all dogs need, they will become willful as they begin to believe they are running the show and need to tell YOU what to do. Do not allow the Boston Terrier to develop Small Dog Syndrome, human induced behaviors where the dog believes he is pack leader to humans. This can cause a varying degree of behavior issues. Bostons need a gentle, but firm, confident, consistent pack leader who knows how to display authority over the dog. It is canine instinct to have a strong leader and this little guy is no exception to the rule. Either the human will be that leader, or the dog will. Some owners have reported that their dogs are good watchdogs, barking only when necessary, while other owners have reported their female Boston Terriers do not bark at the door at all. Most reliable with children, especially good with elderly people and very friendly with strangers, the Boston Terrier is playful, very affectionate and likes to be part of the family. Very popular in the United States, due above all to its excellent character, they generally get along well with non-canine pets. Without proper leadership from humans communicating to the dog what is acceptable behavior and what is not, they can become dominant and may fight with other dogs. These little dogs may be difficult to housebreak.

Height, Weight

Height: 15 - 17 inches (38.1 – 43 cm)

Weight: 10 - 25 pounds (4.5 - 11.3 kg)

Health Problems

Prone to eye problems, such as juvenile cataracts, late-onset cataracts, entropion, distichiasis, glaucoma, corneal dystrophy, corneal ulcers, cherry eye, dry eyes (Keratitis Sicca). The Boston Terrier’s prominent eyes are prone to injury. Also, deafness, patellar luxation, heart and skin tumors, including mast cell tumors. These short-faced dogs may have breathing difficulties when stressed by exertion in hot or cold weather and can overheat if they are pushed too hard. They may also snore or drool. Whelping is often difficult as the pelvis is narrow; the large-headed pups are often delivered by cesarean section.

Living Conditions

Boston Terriers are good for apartment as well as country living. They are relatively inactive indoors and do okay without a yard. This breed is sensitive to weather extremes.

Exercise

A long daily walk and sessions of free play in a fenced-in yard are all the Boston Terrier needs to stay in shape. They are fairly lightweight and can easily be carried.

Life Expectancy

About 15 or more years

Litter Size

Average 3 - 4 puppies; because of this breed’s large head, caesarean births are very common

Grooming

The smooth, shorthaired coat is easy to groom. Comb and brush with a firm bristle brush and bathe only when necessary. Wipe the face with a damp cloth every day and clean the prominent eyes carefully. Check both the ears and eyes for grass seeds. Ticks may also lurk in the ears. The nails should be clipped from time to time. This breed is an average shedder and does not have a strong doggie odor.

Origin

Bred down in size from pit-fighting dogs of the bull and terrier types, the Boston Terrier originally weighed up to 44 pounds (20 kg) (Olde Boston Bulldogge). It is difficult to believe that these stylish, little dogs were once tough pit-fighters. In fact, their weight classifications were once divided as lightweight, middle and heavyweight. Originating in the city of Boston, Massachusetts, the Boston Terrier is one of the few breeds developed in the USA. The original Boston Terriers were a cross between the English Bulldog and the now extinct English White Terrier. Around 1865, the coachmen employed by the wealthy people of Boston began to interbreed some of the dogs owned by their employers. One of these crosses, between an English White Terrier and an English Bulldog, resulted in a dog named Hooper's Judge. Judge weighed over 30 pounds (13.5 kg). He was bred down in size with a smaller female and one of those male pups was bred to yet a smaller female. Their offspring interbred with one or more French Bulldogs, providing the foundation for the Boston Terrier. By 1889 the breed had become sufficiently popular in Boston that fanciers formed the American Bull Terrier Club, but this proposed name was not well liked by Bull Terrier lovers. Nor did they like the breed’s nickname, "roundheads." Shortly after, the breed was named the Boston Terrier after its birthplace. The breed was recognized by the AKC in 1893. It was first shown in Boston in 1870. In the early years the color and markings were not very important but by the 1900s the breed’s distinctive markings and color were written into the standard. Terrier only in name, the Boston Terrier has mellowed from the pit fighting dogs of the past.

Group

Mastiff, AKC Non-Sporting

Recognition
  • ACA = American Canine Association Inc.
  • ACR = American Canine Registry
  • AKC = American Kennel Club
  • ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club
  • APRI = American Pet Registry, Inc.
  • CKC = Canadian Kennel Club
  • CKC = Continental Kennel Club
  • DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
  • FCI = Fédération Cynologique Internationale
  • KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain
  • NAPR = North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
  • NKC = National Kennel Club
  • NZKC = New Zealand Kennel Club
  • UKC = United Kennel Club
Ben the Boston Terrier puppy wearing a red collar sitting on a tan couch looking at the camera holder

Ben the Boston Terrier puppy at 9 weeks old

Kali the Boston Terrier laying on a blue blanket which is on the floor and looking out a window at the sunlight shining through it

Kali the Boston Terrier at 5 years old—"I had decided not to ever own a dog again when Kali came along. Her previous owner had to move out of state suddenly and Kali needed a home. I decided I'd only keep her until I could find her a new home. That was two years ago. She found a new home right there with me. She is not a typical Boston Terrier. She is quiet and loves to sleep. She will play for a while but then she gets tired and goes to her bed. She knows a few tricks. Her favorite is climbing onto my bar height table to steal food. It's not a trick I'm fond of."

A thick-bodied dog with his back end black and his front legs and head colored white, large bat ears with pigmant spots inside his ear and big eyes and a black nose standing

This is Thunder the purebred Boston Terrier at 2 years old. He's a very smart puppy dog. When he needs to go potty he brings me his leash. He knows what you mean when you say go get your baby or your ball.

PJ the Boston Terrier standing on tan carpet looking down the hallway

PJ at 10 weeks

Close Up head shot - Sheeba the Boston Terrier looking at the camera holder

"Sheeba is the joy of my life! She is very active, loves joining for walks (especially at the beach where she can run and play in the sand), loves playing with her toys, but most of all she loves to cuddle. I make sure to keep her active, nutritious and very loved."

"I love watching Cesar Millan's show as it helps me understand certain behavours to look for and how to correct them to make sure Sheeba and me are both happy! Learning the right communications with your dog is a way to have the best friendship."

Oliver and Clementine the Boston Terriers sitting and laying on a living room rug

"These are my Boston Terrier puppies, siblings Oliver and Clementine (sister on left, brother right back) at 10 weeks old. They are in our house on the living room rug. Since Boston Terriers are such great family dogs, we have hopes to use them as therapy dogs. Our 3-year-old Lab with excellent manners has used her authority and gentle manner to do most of the training for the puppies—they really model her good behavior. They have not learned to jump on the furniture and to come when called—they go where our Lab goes. We try to maintain balanced, calm household energy because we've noticed how unbalanced, anxious energy affects ours and others dogs. We are enthusiastic believers in Cesar Millan's techniques, and we do our best to keep a happy home with limits for our dogs! Thanks dogbreedinfo.com for sharing so many photos and characteristics of all purebreds and mixed breeds!"

Daisy the Boston Terrier standing on a rug and a hardwood floor looking up at the camera holder

Daisy the brown and white Boston Terrier

Close Up - Oscar the Boston Terrier looking up

Oscar the Boston Terrier at 2 years old—his owner says, "He is a very, very active Boston. He loves his toys and playing with Belle, his French Bulldog playmate."

Close Up - Zigzag the Boston Terrier sitting in the lap of a person

Zigzag the Boston Terrier at 2 years old—her owner says, "She is such a smart dog. She knows about 30 different tricks, like dancing and riding a skateboard."

Close Up - Buddy the Boston Terrier sitting on a couch in front of a TV dish remote and next to a custom pillow

Buddy the Boston Terrier at 1 year old

See more examples of the Boston Terrier