Breeds / Small
Boston Terrier puppies
Amusing, bright and friendly, the Boston Terrier is a gentle, people oriented companion that is easily trained and always ready to play.
The facts
- Size class Small
- Country of origin United States
- Adult weight 5.4 to 11.3 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 12 to 25 lb
- Adult height 25 to 30 cm
- Energy level High
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Short smooth
- Shedding Low
- Typical lifespan 11 to 13 years
- Good with children Reliably good
- Good with other dogs Usually good
About the Boston Terrier
The Boston Terrier was put together in and around Boston in the late nineteenth century from bulldog and terrier stock, then bred down in size until the breed became a companion rather than a fighting dog. They are compact and square, with a short smooth coat, a flat face, upright ears and large round eyes set wide apart. The character is comic and chatty: keen on people, quick to make friends, and generally sociable with other dogs and with children when supervised and socialised early.
Exercise needs vary from dog to dog, but a Boston put out in the garden alone will just ask to come back in, so the real work is walks and games with a person. Grooming is a weekly brush with a soft bristle brush or a rubber mitt. Being flat faced they struggle in heat and humidity and also feel the cold, so outdoor time has to be watched at both ends. The eyes are what owners forget: they sit proud of the skull and are easily scratched.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Boston Terrier puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A small breed puppy at eight weeks is light enough to carry everywhere, which is exactly how you get them socialised before the vaccination course finishes. They will still need four meals a day. This is a high energy breed. At eight weeks that shows up as intensity rather than stamina, and they will need a job to do long before they need long walks. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- A brachycephalic breed, so care must be taken that they do not become overheated in warm weather
- Sensitive to cold, needing a coat in cold weather and limited time outside
- Prominent eyes that are easily hurt and should be checked daily, with any cloudiness or squinting seen by a vet the same day
Your Boston Terrier puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Small for a Boston Terrier.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 5.4 to 11.3 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 24 inch (24 x 18 x 20 in, 61 x 46 x 51 cm) for an adult of up to 11.3 kg; chew toys made for small breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other small breeds
More on the Boston Terrier
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from Boston Terrier breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/boston-terrier/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: Svenska Mässan from Sweden, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.