Boston Terrier overview
Life expectancy: 13-15 years
Size: 15-17-inches (male); 14-16 inches (female)
Coat: Short, smooth, fine
Temperament: Friendly, outgoing, affectionate
Exercise needs: About an hour daily
Origin/native country: USA
Originating in Boston, Massachusetts in the 19th Century and bred for dog fighting and bull baiting, you may think Boston Terriers are an aggressive breed. But, as you will discover, they are nothing of the sort – quite the opposite in fact, which is what makes them one of the more popular dog breeds in the US.
For this adaptable, people-loving terrier breed is as friendly as they come and it’s no accident that they’re called the American Gentleman due to their impeccable manners. It also helps that they’re rather stylish, too – their black and white markings make them look distinguished (quite like a tuxedo cat!).
But should you welcome a Boston Terrier into your home? In this breed guide, we’re going to examine this potential pet’s various doggy traits, both good and bad with the help of expert vet Dr Hannah Godfrey, in order to help you decide. Let’s take a look.
Do Boston Terriers need a lot of exercise?
Boston Terriers are ideal for time-pressed owners and anyone who doesn’t relish going out for lengthy walks.
“While Boston Terriers aren’t known for being a high-energy breed, they do need regular walks and playtime or else they’ll get bored,” says Dr Hannah Godfrey.
Around an hour’s exercise will suffice and some of that time can be spent playing games. This will ensure they’re kept mentally stimulated and less prone to destruction but you should always take care not to over-do things, particularly given Boston Terriers are a brachycephalic dog breed.
“It’s really important not to exercise them when it’s too warm and to avoid overexertion because of the risk of breathing problems,” Dr Godfrey says. “I’ve also seen a couple of overweight Boston Terriers in my practice, and this doesn’t help their breathing at all, so feeding them a healthy diet and making sure they get regular exercise is important.”
Are Boston Terriers easy to train?
Boston Terriers are considered to be of average intelligence so training can be a challenge to some extent.
“Boston Terriers are perhaps not as eager to please and motivated as breeds like Border Collies or spaniels,” affirms Dr Godfrey. “But they are trainable.”
This breed will understand what you’re trying to tell them but may not always act upon your commands so you’ll simply need to persevere, rein in any frustration, be consistent and encourage this breed with positive reinforcement.
“I’ve seen some very well behaved Boston Terriers, so perseverance with positive reinforcement definitely works,” Dr Godfrey adds, especially as they’re a particularly sensitive breed.
Do Boston Terriers make good family pets?
Since Boston Terriers are known to be affectionate, easy-going and one of the friendliest dog breeds, they’re wonderful to have around the home.
“I don’t see many Boston Terriers in practice and I’m not sure why – because they make fantastic family dogs,” Dr Godfrey says. “They’re loving, playful and great with children.”
So long as they are well socialized from a young age, you’ll find they fit right in with even the most hectic of households – providing children are taught to be gentle.
They enjoy the attention kids tend to give them and they thrive off human contact. But their highly social nature and tendency to form strong bonds with their owners does mean they are prone to separation anxiety. They won’t fit in as well in homes that are left empty for extended periods.
Do Boston Terriers need a lot of grooming?
Boston Terriers have a short, fine coat and this helps to make them one of the easiest dogs to take care of. While they will shed all year round, it’s minimal and can easily be kept in check using one of the best dog brushes each week.
Other than that, you just need to regularly clean their ears to prevent ear infections and check any skin folds for bacteria and dirt as they are a wrinkly breed.
What are a Boston Terrier’s most common health problems?
In common with other breeds that have a short snout, Boston Terriers are prone to upper-airway obstruction.
“Being brachycephalic can affect their breathing, especially if it’s warm or they exert themselves too much,” Dr Godfrey says.
This issue has led to calls for the reproduction of Boston Terriers and other brachycephalic breeds to be banned. PDSA, the UK vet charity for pets in need, for instance, says it “strongly recommends owners consider a healthier breed, crossbreed or mongrel” and vets in the Netherlands urge people to stop the illegal breeding of flat-faced dog breeds.
“However, I don’t see breathing problems in this breed as severely as other breeds like pugs or French Bulldogs,” Dr Godfrey says. That’s not to say, there aren’t other issues to consider though.
“Boston Terriers are prone to eye problems, because their eyes bulge quite a lot,” Dr Godfrey says. “I’ve treated a few corneal ulcers in this breed, and it’s important to spot the signs early or even provide extra lubrication to the eyes to protect them.
Should I get a Boston Terrier?
There’s no doubt that Boston Terriers are lovely, lively dogs with a great temperament and, if you’re looking for a breed which will be loyal, great with children, low maintenance, social and playful, you’ll be putting this one high on your list.
Just be aware that they can be a challenge to train and that many experts will suggest steering clear of flat-faced dogs although, as Dr Godfrey says, the problem appears less acute in Boston Terriers.
Want to learn more about native dog breeds? Here’s a round up of our favorite American dog breeds
Dr Hannah Godfrey
Dr Hannah Godfrey is a small animal vet who graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011 and began work straight away at a busy mixed practice. Initially, she treated all species, but focussed on small animals from 2014. She has a passion for soft tissue surgery, ultrasound, and canine and feline dentistry, having completed additional training in these areas.
Edited by Georgia Guerin.
This feature was last updated on March 3, 2025.
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