Originating in the United States, the Boston Terrier is nicknamed the American Gentleman for his adorable looks and delightful personality. It is no surprise why this small dog is one of the most popular dogs. Are Boston Terriers good pets? Read on to find out.
Are Boston Terriers High-Maintenance?
When we talk about the difficulty level of caring for a dog, we often look into his grooming and exercise needs and health. Thus, let’s take a go through these aspects of the Boston Terrier.
Boston Terrier Grooming: Low-Maintenance
The Boston Terrier breed is low-maintenance in grooming. The breed is smooth-coated and has a fine coat with black and white markings that sheds lightly. Keeping it healthy and shiny is quick and easy.
The Boston Terrier only needs to be brushed once a week using a smooth glove or natural bristled comb.
Bathing the Boston Terrier should be done as sparsely as possible to avoid damaging his skin and fur. If possible, bathe him every 6 weeks. Use a dog-safe shampoo on his body but not his face. This area should only be cleaned using a soft washcloth.
Boston Terriers have facial wrinkles that are quick to accumulate dirt and bacteria. Their skin folds are at high risk of having bacteria and yeast infections.
Hence, the Boston Terrier’s wrinkles should be cleaned daily with a moist cotton ball. Be sure to completely dry it immediately to avoid the proliferation of bacteria in the area.
The bulging eyes of the Boston Terriers are sensitive and also prone to infections. Clean their eyes every day using an eye cleansing solution that the vet recommends.
The Boston Terrier’s nails should be clipped once a week. His ears should be cleaned and checked for mites and ticks once a week. He is prone to dental problems, so his teeth need to be brushed daily.
Boston Terrier Exercise: Low-Maintenance
The Boston Terrier is an energetic dog breed, but he does not need plenty of exercise every day. 45–60 minutes of exercise is good enough for him.
The Boston Terrier does not require gruelling activities to tire him out. Short walks around the neighbourhood or an off-lead playtime in your back garden will do just fine.
Include mentally challenging games in the Boston Terrier’s daily exercise routine as well. You need to keep his mind busy, just like his body. Nosework, puzzle toys, and obstacle courses are fun and enjoyable activities that he can try.
Boston Terrier Exercise: High-Maintenance
Boston Terriers live around 13–15 years. But they come with many health problems that can greatly affect their longevity. As a brachycephalic or flat-faced dog, he may often experience breathing difficulties.
Facial and physical deformities are common in Boston Terriers too. The vet may require surgery to correct these malformations. Other prevalent health issues in the breed are:
- Allergies
- Eye Problems
- Epilepsy
- Heart Murmurs
- Hemivertebrae
- Hydrocephalus
- Mange
- Obesity
- Patellar Luxation
- Sensorineural Deafness
The more a breed is susceptible to many diseases, the more you need to spend money on vet bills. So, are Boston Terriers good pets despite being predisposed to several health problems?
Yes, but potential owners need to make sure that they can hand the possible vet care expenses of their pet in the future.
Buy a puppy from a Kennel Club-assured breeder if you want to minimise the likelihood of these diseases developing on your furry companion.
Is a Boston Terrier a Good Family Pet?
Yes, the Boston Terrier is a good choice for a family pet. The American Kennel Club describes him as a lively small companion dog with impeccable manners. This is why he is called the American Gentleman.
Are Boston Terriers Good with Kids?
Yes, Boston Terriers are deeply family-oriented and love their pack, including children. They are good canine companions for children as they are playful and active dogs.
Moreover, Boston Terriers are not overly small dogs who easily suffer from injuries during playtime.
Are Boston Terriers Good Pets for Senior Owners?
The answer is yes. The Boston Terrier’s compact body and low-grooming needs make him easy to take care of.
Although they may be energetic dogs, Boston Terriers are not hyperactive and therefore easy to handle. These are also the reasons why they are ideal apartment pets.
The Boston Terrier longs for human companionship. If he is not given enough love and attention, he may become depressed and bored. This can lead to the formation of behavioural problems.
Boston Terriers are family dogs that are best suited for households who have enough time in their hands to interact with them daily.
Are Boston Terriers Smart?
The Boston Terrier places 100 out of 136 in a study that ranks every dog breed by their intelligence. He can learn a brand-new command after 25–40 repetitions.
The Boston Terrier also has a 50% chance of obeying a known command on the first attempt. This ranking places him as a dog of average intelligence.
However, many Boston Terrier owners will tell you that the breed is highly intelligent.
The Boston Terrier is a swift learner, but he can be stubborn and easily distracted at times. For this reason, he is one of the dog breeds that are difficult to house-train.
The best way to encourage the Boston Terriers to do well is through positive reinforcement. These small dogs are eager to please their owners and very food-motivated. Thus, giving them praises and treats will greatly motivate them.
Correcting these Boston Terrier dogs should be done calmly as they are highly sensitive to their owners’ moods. Using harsh tones as well as physical punishments will greatly dishearten them.
Are Boston Terriers good pets for first-time owners? Yes, they are good family pets for beginners since they are obedient and intelligent dogs. Novices won’t have a hard time handling them during training sessions compared to other dog breeds.
Are Boston Terriers Aggressive?
Let’s trace the Boston Terrier breed’s origins as it will explain a big part of his temperament. His history will also reveal whether he is an aggressive dog or not.
Hailing from the United States, the Boston Terrier is one of the native American breeds. He was developed by crossing an English Bulldog and a White English Terrier.
The creation of the breed was initiated by Robert C. Hooper of Boston, Massachusetts, after purchasing a dog named Judge, who later on became the forefather of the Boston Terrier.
The Boston Terrier was first called as American Bull Terrier. But due to disapproval from devotees of Bulldogs and Bull Terriers, it was changed to his current name.
Boston Terriers were originally bred as fighting dogs. Thus, the personality traits of their ancestors were fierce and vicious. However, throughout the years, the breed was crossed with other dogs, such as the French Bulldog.
After several generations of breeding, the aggressiveness of the Boston Terrier mellowed out.
Today, the modern Boston Terrier temperament is very friendly and with low levels of aggression. Whilst they are very attached to their families, their disposition towards strangers is amiable unless they sense bad intentions from them.
Do Boston Terriers Bite a Lot?
No. Properly trained and socialised Boston Terriers are not prone to biting. If your dog is exhibiting this harmful behaviour, take the necessary steps to stop it, such as training.
Seek help from a professional dog trainer if your Boston Terrier pooch continues to bite. In some cases, biting is caused by serious behaviour issues.
Do Boston Terriers Get Along with Other Pets?
Some Boston Terriers may not get along well with larger dogs and exhibit small dog syndrome. Does your Boston Terrier have this behavioural problem? Teach your dog to be confident in himself to keep him from trying to dominate other canines.
The Boston Terrier breed gets along well with cats, but not so much with other smaller animals, including rodents and bunnies. It would be best to avoid keeping these pets in one home.
Early socialisation is the best process to make the Boston Terrier a pet-friendly dog. Let your dog meet approachable and outgoing pets to teach him that his fellow furry companions are safe and fun to be with.
Keep the Boston Terrier from interacting with strange dogs and cats or other animals. If a fight breaks out between them, it can cause your dog to be more wary or aggressive of other pets.
Do Boston Terriers Bark a Lot?
Most Boston Terriers rarely bark. If they do, their voices are low and less noisy compared to the sharp barks of some dog breeds. In most cases, they will only vocalise to warn their owners of a stranger intruding their home.
However, this may not apply to all Boston Terriers. If you own one who loves to bark, training is the best way to prevent this behavior from becoming a nuisance.
The Boston Terrier breed can be a dependable watchdog provided that he is properly trained and socialised. If not, it can lead to trouble as he might bark at anyone that passes by.
What’s Bad About Boston Terriers?
Thinking about owning a Boston Terrier? The breed is a wonderful family dog to have, but living with him also has its downsides. Here are a few problems you will frequently encounter when caring for a Boston Terrier:
Extremely Smelly Farts
Boston Terriers often experience flatulence and produce farts that can clear out the room. Flat-faced breeds are predisposed to this condition.
Boston Terriers’ facial structure makes them swallow more air whilst eating. Fortunately, switching to a special diet instead of regular dog kibbles can greatly reduce flatulence.
Food Sensitivities
Boston Terriers have a high incidence of stomach problems and indigestion. These digestive problems are believed to be caused by their sensitivity to gluten. It seems that ingredients such as corn and soy are the culprit.
It also explains why these small Boston Terrier dogs are gassy. Due to the Boston Terrier’s food sensitivity, you will need to be careful in choosing what type of dog food you feed your pooch.
Low Exercise Tolerance
The short muzzles of Boston Terriers make it difficult for them to breathe. Demanding exercise routines put them at great risk of collapsing from exhaustion. Thus, it is recommended that you stick with simple exercise activities.
Onset heatstroke whilst exercising is another danger potential Boston Terrier owners should watch out for.
Taking short breaks and staying in a shady area will prevent this problem from occurring. Make sure to bring enough water for your dog during outdoor exercises as well.
