Boston Terrier

non-sporting Group

The Boston Terrier is ranked as the 8th most popular small breed, and 24th overall

non-sporting Group

Boston Terrier

With a smart, tuxedo-like appearance and large endearing eyes, it’s easy to see why the All-American Boston Terrier is such a popular breed.

The Boston Terrier has ranked within the top 25 most popular dog breeds since 2013, and as recently as 2022 was deemed the 24th most popular dog breed overall, according to the AKC.

They are an affectionate and friendly breed, ready to play whenever you are, and good with young children and other dogs.

A fully grown Boston Terrier has an average height of 15–17 inches, and will weigh somewhere between 12–25 pounds.

The average life expectancy of a Boston Terrier is around 11–13 years.

Boston Terrier

Boston Terrier Average Statistics

Average size and life expectancy of a Boston Terrier.

Height

15–17 inches

Weight

12–25 pounds

Life Expectancy

11–13 years

A Consistently Popular Small Dog Breed

The Boston Terrier has been a popular breed for many years, consistently ranking within the top 25 most popular dog breeds, and within the top 10 small dogs since 2013.

In 2020 this breed was the 7th most popular small dog, as defined by the AKC (American Kennel Club). Only the French Bulldog, Miniature Poodle, Dachshund, Yorkshire Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and Shih Tzu rank higher.

Boston Terrier Characteristics

Just like humans, dogs have unique personalities. But did you know that there are common personality and character trends unique to each breed?

This means that it’s worth taking the time to understand the differences in personality, character, and needs of each breed before choosing the right dog for your family, for you, and your lifestyle.

Below is a table we created to show the personality and character traits commonly associated with Boston Terrier‘s in an easy-to-read table. Each row contains a character trait, a score ranging from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest), and a description.

TraitScoreDescription
Affectionate5How affectionate a breed is with family members or close friends. Some breeds are reserved around strangers, while others treat everyone as a close friend.
Playful5How eager a breed is to play, even as an adult. Some breeds will want to play tug-of-war or fetch until they are old, while others will be content to lounge on the couch with you.
Energy4A breed’s need for exercise and mental stimulation. High-energy breeds are always ready for their next challenge. They’ll spend the day running, jumping, and playing. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes who enjoy a good nap.
Trainability4How easy it will be to train and how eager your dog will be to learn. Some breeds only want to please their owners, while others prefer to do their own thing, whenever they want!
Grooming Requirements2How often a breed’s coat needs to be brushed, trimmed, or otherwise maintained. When looking at the grooming effort required, consider your time, patience, and budget. Nail trimming is required on all breeds.
Shedding2How much fur and hair the breed will leave behind. High-shedding breeds require more frequent brushing, are more likely to cause allergies, and require more frequent vacuuming and lint-rolling.
Drooling1A breed’s drool-proneness. If you’re a neat freak, dogs that slobber on your arm or wet your clothes may not be the best choice.
Watchdog3How often the breed will bark or howl. Some breeds will bark at every passer-by or cat in the window. Some barkless breeds can still communicate using other sounds.
Good with Children5The breed’s tolerance to children’s behavior and overall family-friendly nature. Always supervise dogs around young children or children of any age unfamiliar with dogs.
Good with Dogs4How sociable a breed is with other dogs. Interactions and introductions with other dogs should always be supervised, but some breeds are naturally more likely to get along, both in public and at home.
Good with Strangers5How friendly a breed is towards strangers. Some breeds are reserved or cautious around strangers, whether at home or in public. In contrast, others will be excited to meet a new human!

Keeping your Boston Terrier happy & healthy

Did you know that each dog breed has different needs to keep them both physically and mentally healthy?

That means things like exercise requirements, grooming needs, mental stimulation, frequent training, and bonding time will need to be taken into consideration before you decide whether a Boston Terrier is right for you.

So let’s start with listing out the needs of the Boston Terrier, and describe the minimum expectations that will be required to keep your dog happy and healthy, helping you to decide if they’re the right breed for you.

Exercise Requirements for Boston Terrier‘s

Boston Terrier‘s should be exercised twice daily, 20 to 30 minutes at a time as they need plenty of active play time. We also highly recommend that you have a decent-sized yard or visit a local dog park, allowing them to run around and stretch their legs.

Are Boston Terrier‘s a playful breed?

Yes, Boston Terrier‘s are a playful breed. In fact, Boston Terrier‘s are rated as one of the most playful small dog breeds, making them a perfect fit for young, fun, and playful families. They’ll just love running around playing in the house or yard, and love to play games such as rope pull, chase, and make games for themselves out of any soft toy.

Are Boston Terrier‘s easy to train?

Boston Terrier‘s are known to be quite a challenge when it comes to training, but with some persistence, consistency, and patience, you can be sure to reap the benefits from taking the time to train him.

Just remember that as with any element of training, but especially potty training your dog, positive reinforcement and consistency from you is one of the most important aspects of training.

Random Facts about Boston Terriers

For a bit of fun, here are some facts about Boston Terriers:

  • The popularity of this Boston Terrier is clear to see, with a consistent positioning within the top 25 dog breeds.
  • In 2022, the Boston Terrier was ranked the 24th most popular breed overall.
  • The Boston Terrier originates from Boston, in the U.S, so is an all-American dog for you patriots out there!
  • Boston Terriers are actually well-known to be fussy eaters, but on the plus side, they are a highly-trainable breed.

Medical Conditions

Some breeds are prone to medical conditions, so severe, others mild. But either way, it’s important for you to be aware of such issues as a responsible dog owner, so you know what potential symptoms to look out for, and what steps to take if you spot any in your dog.

FAQs about Boston Terrier‘s

People also regularly ask the following questions about Boston Terrier

What is the average height of a Boston Terrier?

The height of a fully grown Boston Terrier will be somewhere around 15 to 17 inches. Don’t worry if your Boston Terrier is slightly over or under those figures, as this is just a breed average.

What is the average weight for a Boston Terrier?

Ideally, your Boston Terrier should weigh somewhere between 12 and 25 pounds. This is an average for the breed overall, so if your pup comes in slightly over, or slightly under this weight, don’t worry too much.

How to tell if my Boston Terrier is overweight?

In surveys conducted by Pet Obesity Prevention since 2012, more than 55% of dogs are now classified as overweight or obese. This number has been steadily increasing from 52.5% in 2012, with the most recent numbers in 2018 being 55.8%.

That’s an increase of 3.3% in just six years, showing that dog obesity is a problem that is only getting worse over time.

We’ve created an easy-to-use dog calorie calculator to give a pretty good idea of how many calories your dog needs to maintain energy requirements (or MER).

Keep your dog happy and healthy, and be sure to regularly check the weight of your dog to ensure a long and healthy life.

What is the life expectancy of a Boston Terrier?

The average life expectancy for a Boston Terrier is 11 to 13 years, although don’t be surprised if your dog lives longer!

It’s not uncommon to fall outside of this age range, mainly due to health and medical conditions. So keep your dog happy and healthy, ensure your dog’s weight is kept within the ideal range, with plenty of exercise and playtime to keep his mind and body healthy, helping to extend his life!

References, and Further Information