Boston Terrier

Temperament

The Boston Terrier is cheerful, curious and deeply attached to its family. It likes to be part of whatever its people are doing, and in the evening it is just as happy curled up beside them on the couch. Compared with the French Bulldog it is usually livelier and more playful: it enjoys fetch, tug games and learning tricks. It quickly works out what is expected and does best with treats and praise, while harsh methods put it off cooperating. It can greet guests with real enthusiasm and usually gets along with other dogs and cats, although males may jostle with other males. It rarely barks, but it does snort and snore. Long hours alone are hard on it, so it thrives in homes where someone is around a lot. It gets along well with children, as long as play doesn't happen in the heat and nobody presses on its eyes.

Energy

calmvery energetic

Affection

independentvelcro pet

With children

not idealgreat

With other pets

difficultgreat

Trainability

stubborneager to learn

For first-time owners

for experienced ownersyes

With strangers

waryoutgoing

Playfulness

dignifiedeternal puppy

Shedding

minimalheavy

Grooming

easydemanding

Being left alone

strugglescopes well

Apartment living

needs a house and yardgreat in a flat

Barking

quietvocal

With other dogs

difficultgreat

Protectiveness

lowhigh

Drooling

hardly anya lot

Cold tolerance

feels the coldexcellent

Heat tolerance

strugglescopes well

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Boston Terrier for?

The Boston Terrier suits people looking for a small, cheerful apartment dog that loves play and learning but doesn't need long training sessions. It works well for first-time owners, families with children and seniors, as long as someone is home a lot. Don't choose it as a running partner in hot weather or for long mountain hikes, and before buying, be ready for possible vet costs for the eyes and airways.

Size and looks

Care and exercise

A Boston needs about an hour of exercise a day, ideally split into two or three walks and short ball games. In summer, go out early in the morning and in the evening, avoid hot pavement and never leave the dog in a car; if it struggles for breath or wheezes loudly, stop. Choose a harness rather than a collar so nothing presses on the neck. The short, smooth coat sheds moderately and only needs a weekly brush with a rubber mitt. Check the eyes every day: redness, watering or squinting need a prompt vet visit, because the cornea is easily injured. The short coat gives little warmth in winter, so a coat helps in freezing weather. Bostons enjoy learning, so short training sessions, sniffing and search games tire them out without straining their breathing. Measure food carefully, since extra weight makes breathing worse.

Health and breed-related conditions

The Boston Terrier is a brachycephalic breed, so the biggest risk is BOAS, which makes breathing and cooling down harder. The large, prominent eyes are prone to corneal injuries, and the breed has a hereditary juvenile cataract; the HSF4 mutation behind it can be found with a DNA test, which both parents should have. Some puppies are born deaf, so good breeders check litters with a BAER test. The short, screwed tail can come from vertebral malformations, which in the chest section of the spine may cause weakness or paralysis. Patellar luxation is also common. The UK's Royal Kennel Club places the Boston in Breed Watch category 2, and in a survey by Evans and Adams more than 80% of litters were born by cesarean section. Ask the breeder for the parents' eye, hearing and breathing results.

• brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS)A short muzzle, narrow nostrils and an overlong soft palate make breathing harder, especially in heat and during exercise.
• corneal injuries and ulcersThe large, prominent eyes are easily scratched, and an untreated ulcer can threaten sight.
• juvenile hereditary cataract (HSF4)Cataracts appear before one year of age and can lead to blindness by 2–3 years; a DNA test is available for breeding dogs.
• deafnessCongenital deafness in one or both ears is more common in dogs with a lot of white; puppies' hearing is checked with a BAER test.
• patellar luxationThe kneecap slips out of its groove in the thighbone, which shows as skipping on one hind leg and lameness.
• vertebral malformations (hemivertebrae)Misshapen vertebrae create the short, screwed tail, and in the chest section of the spine they can press on the spinal cord.
• difficult birthsPuppies' large heads and the females' narrow pelvis mean that more than 80% of litters are born by cesarean section.

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

The breed was developed in Boston in the second half of the 19th century. Its founding dog was Judge, bought around 1870 by Robert C. Hooper: a cross between an English Bulldog and a white English Terrier. His descendants were bred down with smaller dogs until a lighter, elegant companion dog emerged. They were first called round-headed bull terriers, and the Boston Terrier Club of America was founded in 1891. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1893, making it one of the first breeds developed in the United States. Its black-and-white coat, reminiscent of formal evening wear, earned it the nickname "American Gentleman", and in 1979 it became the official state dog of Massachusetts.

Fun facts

• The Boston Terrier has been the official state dog of Massachusetts since 1979.
• Its black-and-white coat, which looks like a tuxedo, earned it the nickname "American Gentleman".
• The FCI standard divides Bostons into three weight classes: under 6.8 kg, 6.8–9 kg and 9–11.35 kg.
• Under the FCI standard, a docked tail, blue eyes or a coat without white markings disqualify a dog at shows.

Frequently asked questions

This breed also appears in

• Small dog breeds
• Best dogs for apartments
• Dogs that don’t shed (much)
• Dogs for first-time owners

Sources

1. 1FCI standard nr 140 – Boston Terrierfci.be
2. 2American Kennel Club – Boston Terrierakc.org
3. 3Royal Kennel Club – Boston Terrier breed informationroyalkennelclub.com
4. 4PetMD – Boston Terrierpetmd.com
5. 5UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Juvenile Hereditary Cataracts (HSF4)vgl.ucdavis.edu
6. 6Evans i Adams 2010, Proportion of litters of purebred dogs born by caesarean section (JSAP)pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.