Boston Terrier: A Puppy You’ll Forever Love

July 31, 2023

The Boston Terrier is a small purebred dog breed that originated as a mix between a Bulldog and a White English Terrier in the late 1800s. As the name implies, this dog breed became popular in Boston where the first Boston Terrier was born. 

In this article, you’ll learn everything there is to know about why Boston Terriers make great forever love puppies for individuals and families. 

APPEARANCE

As a small size dog, the Boston Terrier has a sturdy, stocky, compact body with a square head and pointed, alert ears. This dog breed comes in the colors black, brindle, and seal, with white markings. They have a smooth, short coat of fur, and their faces are flat. The most prominent feature of the Boston Terrier’s appearance are its large, curious eyes. This breed stands between 9 and 15 inches from paw to shoulder, and can weigh between 6 – 25 lbs. True to its name, the Boston Terrier became a popular pet in Boston in the early 1900s thanks to its compact size which made this dog appropriate for small apartments and dwellings. Today, people from all walks of life love their Boston Terriers, and this breed remains a top choice for people who live in apartments and cities. 

PERSONALITY TRAITS

The American Kennel Club calls Boston Terriers “friendly, bright, and amusing,” while other purebred dog organizations praise this pint-sized breed for being “playful, fun, and cheerful.” Boston Terriers have a good amount of energy, yet thanks to their small size, they can bounce around inside the home, playfully burning off extra energy, without causing disruption. Maybe this personality trait is why so many of their owners refer to them as “quirky.” This breed is intelligent, and the only downside is that their intelligence can sometimes cause mild willfulness, i.e. disobedience. Boston Terriers definitely know what their preferences are, and if you insist on your Boston Terrier doing something that they don’t want to do, you’ll probably get a little push back. This can be overcome with thorough dog training. But then again, most people who own Boston Terriers find this personality quirk cute. 

TRAINABILITY

As we mentioned in the last section, Boston Terriers can be willful, which is why properly training your Boston Terrier as a puppy is the best way to troubleshoot this personality trait. Because Boston Terriers are intelligent, they’re fast learners and typically enjoy being trained. Your Boston Terrier will enjoy a professional puppy training class like the one offered at Petland Miami, for example. This kind of puppy training is a great bonding experience between puppies and their owners, and your Terrier will love meeting the other puppies and owners who are also training their dogs.  

EXERCISE

Boston Terriers have a flat face, small body, and a lot of energy. But how does this translate into calculating their exercise needs? A long history of pet ownership anecdotes can answer that question. Boston Terriers need short bursts of exercise, such as a brisk walk around the block or a 10 minute game of fetch in the backyard. This exercise should total 30 – 60 minutes per day. Boston Terriers will not do well on long excursions like hiking trips or long jogs. The best match for this lovable breed are owners who want to increase their own daily exercise in the form of a good walk before they go to work and when they get home. Or one hour-long trip to the dog park will satisfy your Boston Terrier’s daily exercise requirements. 

GROOMING 

Even though Boston Terriers have short hair, their grooming requirements are more than you might think. This is due to their moderate shedding. We recommend that you brush your Boston Terrier once a week. This will keep his shedding under control, ensuring that most of the hair goes into the brush and not all over your home. This dog breed should be bathed once every 4 – 6 weeks, which isn’t too bad in the world of dog grooming. Its ears should be cleaned and nails should be clipped once a month. And unless you don’t mind strong doggy breath, you should probably brush your Boston Terrier’s teeth every two weeks. All of this should be considered maintenance, after which your Boston Terrier should see a professional groomer every 6 months. The good news when it comes to your Boston Terrier is that he will never need a haircut!

Has this article inspired you to take home your very own Boston Terrier? Petland Miami can help. We’re one of the most trusted names in the pet retail industry thanks to our ethical breeding standards and responsible pet practices. Meet our Boston Terriers at any of our Florida locations.