Non-SportingUSA

Boston Terrier

The American Gentleman in a tuxedo.

Weight: 12–25 lbs
Height: 15–17 in
Lifespan: 11–13 yrs

In short

The Boston Terrier is a small Non-Sporting breed developed in Boston, Massachusetts, in the late 1800s as a companion, weighing 12–25 lbs and living 11–13 years. Its short, flat face is the key thing to know: Bostons overheat quickly and can have breathing and eye problems, so heat and hard exercise need care.

Is it right for you?

A great match if you…

live in an apartment or the city
want a cheerful, kid-friendly small dog
don't want a heavy-shedding coat

Think twice if you…

live somewhere hot without air conditioning
want a jogging or hiking partner in summer
can't handle snoring, snorting or gas

The daily plan

Exercise: 45–60 min
Training: 2–3 × 5–10 min
Treat limit: 40–70 kcal

At a glance

TrainabilityWilling learner7.5/10

EnergyActive6.5/10

Calm at homeCalm indoors9.0/10

SheddingLight shedder3.0/10

What sets it apart

01
Short, flat muzzle
The brachycephalic face limits cooling and airflow, so snoring, heat intolerance and noisy breathing need watching.
02
Large, prominent eyes
Bostons' big, round eyes are easily scratched and prone to corneal ulcers, so a squint or cloudy eye needs a vet visit the same day.
03
Tuxedo markings
The black, brindle or seal coat with white markings on the chest and face is the classic look.

Size & coat

Weight	12–25 lbs
Height	15–17 in
Lifespan	11–13 yrs
Coat	Short, smooth, fine single coat

Side profile 15–17 in at the shoulder

Back in stock soon

Personality

Bostons are cheerful, people-focused clowns who adapt to city or suburban life and want to be part of whatever you are doing. They are lively in bursts and happy to nap after. Many are gassy, snore and snort, which comes with the face.

With kids

Usually excellent with kids; sturdy enough for gentle play and rarely snappish.

With other pets

Generally friendly with dogs and cats, though some males are pushy with other males.

With strangers

Friendly and outgoing; most greet visitors happily, and some will bark at the door.

Alone time

Can handle a few hours alone but prefer company. Bored Bostons may bark or chew.

Training

Bostons are smart and eager to please but can be stubborn and are sensitive to harsh tones. Upbeat, playful sessions keep them engaged.

How often

Two or three short sessions a day, 5–10 minutes each.
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)

Between 8–16 weeks, focus on handling of the face, eyes and mouth, plus gentle exposure to other dogs. Get them used to a harness rather than a collar, which puts less pressure on the airway.
Self-control

Teach a calm sit for greetings and a 'leave it' for dropped food. Housetraining can be slow, so keep a strict routine.
What it works for

Most are food-motivated and toy-loving. Use small, high-value pieces kept within 10% of daily calories, and mix in short bursts of tug or fetch.

Exercise

Bostons enjoy lively play and brisk walks broken into several outings. Keep sessions cool and short in warm weather.

Exercise a day 45–60 min

CouchModerateAthlete

Good outlets

Brisk walks split through the day
Short fetch sessions indoors or in shade
Beginner agility or rally

Brain work

Food puzzles
Trick training
Find-the-treat scent games

Best home

Apartment-friendly and well suited to city life, but needs air conditioning in hot climates.

Watch for Flat-faced dogs overheat fast: skip exercise in heat and humidity, use a harness, and stop at the first sign of heavy panting.

Feeding

Adult maintenance for a typical Boston Terrier (12–25 lbs) lands around 400–700 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.

Puppy (to 12 mo)

Daily calories: 500–875 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 16–20%
Treat limit, all treats: 50–90 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 3–4 pieces a day

Adult Maintenance

Daily calories: 400–700 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 14–18%
Treat limit, all treats: 40–70 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 2–4 pieces a day

Active / Working

Daily calories: 550–950 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 18–22%
Treat limit, all treats: 55–95 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 3–5 pieces a day

Senior

Daily calories: 350–600 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 12–16%
Treat limit, all treats: 35–60 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 2–3 pieces a day

Compare every life stage

Life stage	Daily calories	Protein	Fat	Treat limit (all treats)	Saylor's liver, suggested / day
Puppy (to 12 mo)	500–875 kcal	26–30%	16–20%	50–90 kcal	3–4 pieces
Adult Maintenance	400–700 kcal	24–28%	14–18%	40–70 kcal	2–4 pieces
Active / Working	550–950 kcal	26–30%	18–22%	55–95 kcal	3–5 pieces
Senior	350–600 kcal	24–28%	12–16%	35–60 kcal	2–3 pieces

The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.

Health & grooming

Bostons face brachycephalic airway problems, eye injuries and disease, luxating kneecaps and deafness. Keep them lean, which eases breathing, and choose a breeder who screens eyes, knees and hearing.

Watch for	Ask the breeder or vet for	When
Inherited eye disease, including juvenile cataracts	Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER) and HSF4 juvenile cataract DNA test	Yearly eye exam in breeding dogs; DNA test once
Patellar luxation	OFA patella evaluation	Once, in both parents (ask the breeder)
Congenital deafness	BAER hearing test	Once, in puppies and breeding dogs
Brachycephalic airway syndrome	Vet airway exam; ask about breathing at rest and after exercise	At puppy visits and if snoring or noisy breathing worsens

Official health tests for breeding dogs

The OFA's CHIC program asks Boston Terrier breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.

Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
Kneecap (patella) check
Hearing test (BAER)

See the full list on OFA.org

Grooming Low, light shedding year-round

Brush weekly with a rubber mitt. Wipe facial folds and around the eyes every few days, trim nails every 3–4 weeks, and brush teeth several times a week.

History

1870s

Judge

Robert C. Hooper of Boston bought Judge, a bull-and-terrier type dog from England, who became the foundation sire of the breed.
1891–1893

Breed club and recognition

The Boston Terrier Club of America formed in 1891, and the AKC recognized the breed in 1893.
1900s–today

American icon

Bostons became a popular city companion and the official state dog of Massachusetts.

Questions owners ask

Are Boston Terriers easy to train?

Fairly easy. Bostons are eager to please and food-motivated, though they can be stubborn and housetraining takes patience. Keep sessions short, upbeat and consistent.

Are Boston Terriers good with kids and other pets?

Yes. Most Bostons are great with kids and friendly with other dogs and cats. Some males can be pushy with other males.

How much exercise does a Boston Terrier need?

About 45–60 minutes a day, broken into several short walks and play sessions. In heat and humidity, cut back sharply and stay indoors in air conditioning.

Do Boston Terriers shed?

A little. The short coat sheds lightly year-round and needs only a weekly brush, plus regular cleaning around the eyes and face.

What health problems do Boston Terriers have, and how long do they live?

Breathing problems, eye ulcers and disease, luxating kneecaps and deafness are the main concerns. Lifespan is typically 11–13 years.

Is a Boston Terrier good for apartments or first-time owners?

Yes to both. Bostons are a great apartment and first-time-owner breed, as long as you manage heat and keep up with training.

Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats

Back in stock soon

We're restocking. When it's back, a Boston Terrier needs only 2–4 pieces a day, well inside the 40–70 kcal treat limit.

See the product

Where the Boston Terrier ranks

Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.