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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+11
Dogs
# The Boston Terrier: temperament, price, health, and breeders
United States
A small lively, affectionate and elegant companion, as playful as he is close to his family.
Size SmallLife expectancy 10–14 yearsBudget ≈ €80/monthPuppy €1,200 – €2,200
[Find a breeder 43](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-boston-terrier) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=boston-terrier)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Very good
Daily exercise needs Moderate
Apartment living Good
First-time owners Very good
Other pets Good
Tolerance of being alone Limited
Guarding instinct Good
Strengths and weaknesses
- Very affectionate: He forms a close bond with his family and readily seeks their company.
- Playful and sociable: His cheerful temperament is well suited to family life and shared activities.
- Easy to train: Attentive and motivated by interaction, he learns well with positive methods.
- Simple grooming: His short coat requires little specialized grooming.
- Limited heat tolerance: Its brachycephalic morphology requires strongly moderating exertion when the temperature rises.
- Difficulty with solitude: Its strong attachment can promote discomfort during prolonged absences.
- Vulnerable eyes: Its prominent eyes are more exposed to irritations and injuries.
- Respiratory risk: Some individuals may have noisy breathing or a low tolerance for exertion.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Families with plenty of time: He enjoys daily closeness, games and interactions with his humans.
- Apartment dwellers: He adapts to a limited space if he is offered daily outings.
- Committed first-time owners: His training is accessible with consistency, gentleness and early socialization.
- Households with children: His affectionate and playful nature suits respectful children.
Not recommended for
- People often absent: He does not cope well with long periods of solitude and needs a regular presence.
- Endurance athletes: His short face is not suited to long or intense efforts.
- Households highly exposed to heat: He requires a cool environment and rigorous management of summer outings.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
33 cmBoston Terrier
- Height at the withers
- 25–40 cm
- Weight
- 7–11 kg
- Coat
- Short, smooth and fine
- FCI group
- 9
- Origin
- United States
- Grooming
- Easy to care for
## Photos and videos
See the Boston Terrier in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
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.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
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.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
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.
Affectionate Playful Sociable
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
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.
Training
## Training and socialization
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.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Boston Terrier
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.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/boston-terrier/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
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.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/boston-terrier/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
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.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/boston-terrier/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
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.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Boston Terrier
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Can the Boston Terrier live in an apartment?
Yes, it adapts to apartment living if its needs for outings, play, and social closeness are met every day.
### Is the Boston Terrier suitable for children?
Generally affectionate, playful, and kind, it is well suited to a family with children when interactions are respectful and supervised.
### Can the Boston Terrier tolerate being alone?
It is very attached to its family and does not cope well with prolonged absences. Gradual training to be alone remains essential.
### Does the Boston Terrier shed a lot?
Its shedding is fairly moderate. Regular brushing with a soft glove is generally enough to remove dead hair and preserve the coat's shine.
## Find a Boston Terrier breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Boston Terrier breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
[Boston Terrier breeders in Occitanie9](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-boston-terrier/occitanie) [Boston Terrier breeders in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté6](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-boston-terrier/bourgogne-franche-comte) [Boston Terrier breeders in Normandy6](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-boston-terrier/normandy) [Boston Terrier breeders in Pays de la Loire5](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-boston-terrier/pays-de-la-loire) [Boston Terrier breeders in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes5](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-boston-terrier/auvergne-rhone-alpes) [Boston Terrier breeders in Nouvelle-Aquitaine3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-boston-terrier/nouvelle-aquitaine)
### Boston Terrier breeders by country
[73 breeders of Boston Terrier in Italy](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-boston-terrier/italy) [68 breeders of Boston Terrier in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-boston-terrier/germany) [43 breeders of Boston Terrier in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-boston-terrier) [14 breeders of Boston Terrier in Finland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-boston-terrier/finland) [10 breeders of Boston Terrier in Denmark](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-boston-terrier/denmark) [6 breeders of Boston Terrier in the United Kingdom](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-boston-terrier/united-kingdom) [4 breeders of Boston Terrier in Austria](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-boston-terrier/austria) [3 breeders of Boston Terrier in Hungary](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-boston-terrier/hungary) [2 breeders of Boston Terrier in Croatia](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-boston-terrier/croatia) [2 breeders of Boston Terrier in Romania](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-boston-terrier/romania)
[All breeders of Boston Terrier in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-boston-terrier)
## Ready to welcome a Boston Terrier?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-boston-terrier)
## Discover other breeds
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](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/bichon-frise)
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