Boston Terrier: temperament, price, health, and breeders

The Boston Terrier was created in the United States, in the city of Boston in Massachusetts, during the second half of the 19th century. It descends notably from crosses between the English Bulldog and the English White Terrier. The Boston Terrier Club of America was founded in 1891, then the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1893. The first specimens arrived in France in 1927. Very popular across the Atlantic, it became the official dog of Massachusetts in 1979 and remains closely associated with the city of Boston.

Small, compact and well-proportioned molossoid dog, the Boston Terrier has a short body inscribed in a square, a brief back and a well let-down chest. Its square head, with a steep forehead and a pronounced stop, has large round dark eyes as well as small erect ears. Its coat is short, shiny, smooth and fine. The coat can be brindle, black or seal-colored, always variegated with characteristic white markings around the muzzle, between the eyes and on the chest. Its short, fine, low-set tail can be straight or corkscrew.

Active, cheerful and very affectionate, the Boston Terrier becomes strongly attached to its owner and readily seeks the closeness of its family. It is intelligent, playful and kind with children. Properly socialized, it generally gets along well with its fellow dogs and other animals. Vigilant without being excessively barky, it can signal a presence while remaining above all a cheerful companion dog.

The Boston Terrier enjoys indoor life and adapts to different living environments, provided it stays close to its humans. Daily outings and regular play allow it to channel its energy without requiring intensive sporting activity. It does not tolerate long periods of solitude well and can become very clingy. Its short muzzle also means avoiding sustained effort in high heat.

Attentive and eager to please, the Boston Terrier learns fairly quickly when training starts early. Short, playful and consistent sessions, based on positive reinforcement, suit him particularly well. Firmness must remain calm and gentle. Early socialization with people, dogs and varied environments promotes his balance and makes living together easier.

The purchase price varies depending on the bloodline, the pedigree, the reputation of the breeding kennel, the health tests of the breeding dogs and the puppy’s destination. You must also plan for the costs of equipment, veterinary preventive care, food and insurance.

The Boston Terrier is generally robust, but its brachycephalic morphology and prominent eyes require regular monitoring. It must be protected from extreme temperatures, kept at a stable weight and followed by a veterinarian, notably for the eyes, breathing, skin and joints.

A complete, balanced and digestible diet helps maintain muscle mass and a healthy weight. Portions must match actual energy expenditure, because this small dog can gain weight if intake exceeds its activity.

The Boston Terrier is also called the Boston Terrier. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale classifies it in group 9 under number 140 and has definitively recognized the breed since 1955. Official dog of Massachusetts since 1979, it is also represented by Rhett, the mascot of Boston University. A litter generally includes 4 to 6 puppies.