Boston Terrier

Breed Group: Non-sporting

"I’m a sweet pooch that just wants to be pals!"

Breed Profile

Boston Terriers are the epitome of a family-friendly companion. They’re sweet, playful pups that can adapt to any lifestyle and get along with everyone they meet. These dogs don’t need much maintenance—just a whole lot of love and affection.

Behavior

Boston Terriers are a very playful, affectionate, and loving breed that makes the perfect family pet. They’re smart and learn quickly, but they need a firm and consistent pack leader to take charge from a young age. Boston Terriers can become quite stubborn when allowed to believe they wear the pants in the household. They aren’t usually used as guard dogs, but they won’t hesitate to bark when they feel it's necessary.

Coat

The Boston Terrier's coat is short and fine. It usually comes in black, brindle, seal, or a combination of the three. They have white fur on the chest, muzzle, neck, legs, and blaze area. Boston Terriers don’t shed much or pick up odors, so their grooming needs are minimal.

Lifestyle

Boston Terriers are energetic, friendly, and gentle dogs that are wonderful around adults and children of all ages. They don’t have a strong prey drive, so they get along well with other pets and small animals too. However, they need to be socialized as puppies to avoid aggression toward other dogs. The Boston Terrier’s size and disposition make them a good fit for apartments, homes, and just about any setting imaginable.

Activity

The Boston Terrier has moderate exercise needs. All they need is a good, long walk or playtime in a fenced yard each day to stay happy and in shape. These pups also do well at sports, like flyball, agility, and rally. Boston Terriers are smart and will learn new activities quickly, but they need a strong leader to show them who’s boss.

Characteristics

Space Needs
Activity Needs
Intelligence
Playfulness
Grooming Needs
Trainability
Watchdog Ability
Affection
Barking
Cat-friendliness
Dog-friendliness
Child-friendliness