Boston Terrier

Personality

Bostons are lively, affectionate and people-oriented, with a clownish streak that keeps households entertained. Most greet everyone with a wiggling whole-body hello and take their role as family comedian seriously.

They tend to be good with children and generally friendly with other dogs, although some can be pushy or bossy with dogs of their own size. Barking is usually modest, though they will alert you to visitors. Their sensitive nature means they react to tone of voice, and they can sulk or become anxious when scolded harshly.

Because they were bred to be companions, they want to be near you, often on your lap or under the covers. Left alone for long, a Boston can become bored, noisy or destructive. Early socialization helps prevent shyness, and some individuals can be excitable until they mature, usually around two years old.

History

Despite the name, the Boston Terrier is an American original, developed in and around Boston, Massachusetts, in the nineteenth century. The breed is said to have started around 1870, when Robert C. Hooper of Boston bought a dog named Judge, and the AKC credits Judge as the ancestor of nearly all modern Boston Terriers. The breed descends from larger fighting dogs known as Old Boston Bulldogs, which were heavier and rougher than the polished companion we know today.

Breeders gradually selected for a smaller, friendlier, more refined dog, with the distinctive screw tail and tuxedo markings. The Boston Terrier Club was formed in 1891, and the American Kennel Club accepted the breed in 1893 in the Non-Sporting Group.

It was bred to be a companion dog, valued for its size and manners, and is sometimes called the American Gentleman for its good manners and tuxedo-style coat. Boston Terriers remain a common sight in apartments and urban neighborhoods across the United States.

Appearance, coat & colors

A Boston Terrier is a square, sturdy little dog with a short head, a broad flat muzzle, and large, round, dark eyes set wide apart. The ears are small and erect, either natural or cropped, and the tail is naturally short, either straight or screwed, and never docked; the AKC standard disqualifies a docked tail.

The AKC standard classes the breed by weight, with three classes: under 15 lb, 15 to under 20 lb, and 20 to 25 lb (up to 11 kg). The standard gives no height figure, but adults are commonly described as standing about 15–17 in (38–43 cm). The short, smooth coat comes in brindle, seal or black, always with white markings. Seal looks black with a red cast in bright light.

The body is compact and well balanced, with legs that balance the length of the body to give a square look, and the gait is smooth. Boston Terriers are a brachycephalic, or short-faced, breed, and the shorter the nose, the greater the risk of breathing trouble.

Training

Bostons are intelligent and eager to please, and most respond quickly to reward-based training. Keep sessions short and fun, with small treats and plenty of praise, and end on a success. They can be stubborn if bored, and harsh corrections often make a sensitive dog shut down.

Housetraining is typically achievable but takes consistency, and small dogs often need frequent trips outside. A crate can help; see our crate training guide. Teach polite greetings early, since an excited Boston may jump up on everyone.

Socialize widely in the first months to build confidence around dogs, people and noises. Use a harness rather than a collar for walks, because VCA advises that short-faced dogs wear a harness that does not pull on the neck. Many Bostons enjoy tricks, agility and rally, which give them a job and strengthen the bond with their person.

Exercise

Expect moderate needs: a couple of walks daily plus some play indoors or in a safe yard usually meet an adult's needs. Around 30 to 60 minutes total is a reasonable range, adjusted for age and health. Our guide on how much exercise a dog needs explains how to tailor this.

The short muzzle limits cooling, so avoid exercise in heat and humidity. Walk early or late, carry water, and stop if you hear loud, raspy breathing or your dog slows down. Cold weather is also a challenge, since the thin coat provides little insulation, so a coat is useful in winter.

Bostons love fetch, tug and chasing toys. Puzzle toys give good mental exercise on rainy or very hot days. Keep play calm after meals and avoid strenuous activity in the heat of the day.

Grooming

Grooming is simple. A quick weekly brush with a soft bristle brush or rubber mitt removes loose hair and distributes skin oils. Shedding is light but year-round. Bathe only when your dog is dirty, as frequent baths can dry the skin.

Wipe the facial folds, if present, with a damp cloth and dry them well to prevent irritation. Clean the eyes gently of any discharge, and check them for redness or squinting, since the large eyes are prone to injury. Inspect and clean the ears when needed, because ear infections are a common problem.

Trim nails every few weeks and keep up with dental care; small breeds easily develop tartar, and our tooth-brushing guide shows how to start. Because the coat is thin, it offers little protection, so check the skin for scratches or irritation after outdoor play.

Feeding

Boston Terriers do well on a complete and balanced diet suited to their life stage and size. A small-breed formula with an appropriate kibble size is a reasonable choice, and your vet can advise on specifics. Use the dog food calculator for a rough starting amount, then adjust to keep a visible waist.

Weight control matters for a small, short-faced dog, because extra pounds make it harder to breathe and exercise. Measure meals rather than free-feeding, and count treats in the daily total, keeping them to about 10% of daily calories. Our guide on spotting an overweight dog explains the checks.

Puppies need a puppy formula and several small meals daily, moving to two meals as adults. Because low blood sugar is a concern in Boston puppies, avoid long gaps between meals, and call your vet if a puppy seems weak, shaky or wobbly. If your dog has itchy skin or digestive upset, talk to your vet before changing diets. Always provide fresh water.

Health

Bostons are generally sturdy but have several breed-linked concerns, and PetMD gives an average life span of 11 to 13 years. Brachycephalic airway syndrome can cause noisy breathing, snoring and heat intolerance, and these dogs overheat more easily because panting cools them less well. The big, prominent eyes are prone to injury, corneal ulcers, cataracts, glaucoma and dry eye. Patellar luxation, where the kneecap slips out of place, also occurs, as do ear infections and low blood sugar in puppies.

The Boston Terrier Club of America recommends patella evaluation, an eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist and BAER hearing testing for breeding dogs, so ask breeders for those results. Hearing loss can be hereditary.

Keep your dog lean and cool, and have the eyes checked quickly if you see redness, squinting or cloudiness. Contact your vet or an emergency clinic right away if your dog struggles to breathe, has blue or gray gums, collapses or has a painful eye.

Health conditions to know about

• Brachycephalic airway syndrome — A short muzzle narrows the airway, causing noisy breathing and low heat tolerance.
• Eye problems — Corneal ulcers, cataracts, glaucoma and dry eye are listed for the breed, and the large eyes are prone to injury.
• Patellar luxation — Kneecaps that slip out of place cause skipping or limping.
• Hearing loss — The parent club recommends BAER hearing testing, since deafness can be hereditary.
• Hypoglycemia — Low blood sugar is mainly a concern in puppies.
• Ear infections — Regular ear cleaning helps prevent recurring infections.

Health tests to ask a breeder about

• Patella evaluation
• Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist
• BAER hearing test

Read more: allergies, luxating patella.

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 25, 2026. Editorial policy

Living with a Boston Terrier

Bostons are one of the best apartment dogs. They are small, usually quiet and adaptable, and they need only moderate exercise. A fenced yard is a bonus rather than a requirement.

The main housing concern is temperature. Keep them in air conditioning during hot weather and never leave a Boston in a parked car. In winter, provide a coat and a warm bed, since the short coat and low body fat leave them chilly.

They do best when someone is home for much of the day. A bored Boston may bark, chew or develop separation anxiety, so consider a midday walker or daycare if you work away. They usually get along with cats and other pets if raised with them, and tend to be gentle with children. Supervise play with toddlers because of their small size, and block stairs for puppies, as the large eyes and flat face make them prone to injury.

Puppies, breeders & rescue

Puppy prices for Boston Terriers vary widely by region and breeder, and a low price is not a bargain if it comes with health problems. Compare breeders on their health records and how they raise the puppies, not just on price.

Look for a breeder who health-tests the parents, which should include patella and eye evaluations and BAER hearing testing, and who lets you meet the dam and see the home. Avoid sellers who offer puppies without health records or who keep litters in poor conditions. The Boston Terrier Club of America is the national parent club and a sensible place to begin your search.

Rescue groups and shelters often have Bostons and Boston mixes, including adults whose personalities are already known. Whichever route you take, budget for vaccinations, eye exams, dental care and possibly pet insurance. Use our puppy weight calculator to follow growth.