A lot can be said about the Boston Terrier, and especially if you’re looking to get a dog it’s very reasonable to ask the question:
Are Boston Terriers good pets? Indeed Boston Terriers are loyal companion dogs. They have a lively, adaptable, friendly and loving temperament.
Here are 8 reasons why Boston Terriers make a great pet, for families, first-time owners, or when living in an apartment or otherwise!
Are Boston Terriers Good Pets?
Pets are great companions. They are able to make you smile even on your worst days and offer huge emotional support. 🙂
Dogs, in particular, offer many benefits to their owners, including an increase in oxytocin (the love hormone) and a decrease in cortisol (the stress hormone).
The Boston Terrier is a great choice for anyone looking for a companion dog. They have a lively and loving nature. But, they don’t like being on their own for long.
Bostons are active family members that love to get attention and please their owners. Basically, they will seek you out for snuggles even if you are busy! 😉
Why Boston Terriers Make Good Pets
There are many reasons why Boston Terriers make good pets, but here’s my take on it:
#1 – Bred As Companions Dogs
The Boston Terrier, also known as the American Gentleman, belongs to the non-sporting breed group.
They are not bred for a specific job, so reputable breeders encourage good nature temperament and healthy dogs. As a result, you get a great companion dog that loves to be around humans.
However, Bostons are also bred to compete and to help humans as therapy dogs, for example.
Read also: What Were Boston Terriers Originally Bred For? – A bit of history and also to discover what BTs are known for nowadays!
#2 – Big Cuddlers
Boston Terriers are affectionate. They love to cuddle, kiss and snuggle!
Although they have high energy levels, (they require at least 1hr of daily exercise), and they are happy to hang out on your lap (in the sofa or bed). 🙂
Read also: Are Boston Terriers Affectionate? Do They Like to Cuddle?
#3 – Good Choice for First-Time Owners
Boston Terriers are a great choice for first-time dog owners due to their easy-going temperament. As they are a smart, friendly and loving breed by nature, this makes them easy to train.
Read also: Boston Terriers Personality – What’s It Like to Own One?
#4 – Adaptable and Versatile
Boston Terriers are versatile dogs that can be just as happy living in an apartment in the city as they are living in a house in the countryside. Their small size helps too!
As long as they get enough mental stimulation and physical exercise daily to prevent boredom, they can adapt to their living environment.
But, they don’t do well with extreme temperatures.
Read also: Can I Have a Dog in an Apartment? to see what to take into account – Boston Terriers make the cut!
#5 – Good with Kids
A Boston Terrier can be great with children if properly socialized.
Basically, your pooch should meet kids of different ages, genders, ethnicities… (the more variety the better) to ensure a friendly and patient attitude towards them.
Although they are small in stature, Boston Terriers can be quite boisterous at times!
So, even if they are good with kids, it is always advisable to supervise the interaction between kids and dogs. A Boston can easily knock down a toddler by accident. So, always keep an eye on them and promote a calm interaction.
Due to their playfulness, some believe that they are better suited to families where children are slightly older. Personally, I think that you can manage their boisterous behaviour with good socialization and supervision.
#6 – Good with Seniors
Boston Terriers can be hyper, but they also have a very gentle and caring nature that allows them to get along with everyone.
A well-known fact about Boston Terriers is their affinity towards seniors.
They make a great companion and a social connector that keep their owners active both physically and socially! Also, their gentle nature makes them the good dog for taking on long walks!
#7 – Friendly with Others
Bostons can be good guard dogs, they have the instincts. They are loyal to their family, but not to the point that they are wary of strangers.
The Boston Terrier is generally friendly with other people and pets if socialized appropriately. Your dog’s tolerance towards the unknown increases with exposure to various situations!
They can be friendly with other dogs. Some can be quite noisy toward other dogs, although barking is not a sign of aggression here.
Even though Boston Terriers have lost most of their fighting traits, some males will still challenge other dogs if they feel that they are invading their territory.
If you already have a cat, make sure you make the introductions from day one. If they have grown up with a family cat, they generally get on well with them. But if you are planning to add a cat to the household, socialize your Boston Terrier first to facilitate a friendly interaction.
However, Boston Terriers can have a high prey drive toward smaller animals, especially rodents, and other small pets.
Read also: Are Boston Terriers Aggressive? The Ladder of Aggression.
#8 – Easy to Train
Even if sometimes they can be stubborn, Bostons do very well with positive reinforcement training.
However, they are sensitive to punishment, harsh tones and negative reinforcement. So, yes, they are fairly easy to train with the right approach.
They are smart and willing to please you. You just need consistency and repetition.
Many owners have found that their Boston’s will do as asked as long as a treat is waving above their heads! They can be food motivated, but a particular toy can also be a great motivator.
Plus, praises and cuddles are great to encourage positive actions and behaviour.
Read also: Boston Terrier Training Method, Session and Schedule.
# – Bonus: They Are Funny!
You’ve just seen that Boston Terriers are full of goodness. And another plus is that they are hilarious!
They are great comedians with their charismatic personality and their funny expressions. 😉
Don’t let their cuteness fool you, they are also very silly and playful! So get ready for a show with them around!
No wonder why Boston Terriers are so popular! (In 2019, they ranked number 21Â among the most popular breeds registered by the AKC).
Plus, Boston Terrier owners claim that they feel loved by their dogs and never get bored. 😉
Have a look at some sweet and stylish ideas for Boston Terrier lovers:
Boston Terrier Breed Profile
Finally, here is the Boston Terrier breed profile, which includes facts, characteristics and traits specific to this dog.
If you have further questions about how suitable a Boston Terrier is for you… I recommend checking out the Should I Get a Boston Terrier? Is It The Right Breed For Me? blog post.
| Name | Boston Terrier |
| Other Names | Boston Bull, Boston Bull Terrier |
| Nicknames | American gentleman, Boxwood |
| Origin | The U.S. (Boston) |
| Date of Origin | The late 1860s |
| Ancestry | Bulldog and now-extinct white English Terrier (possibly French Bulldog too) |
| Breed Group | Non-sporting |
| Bred For | Companionship mainly – also for competing in Dog Shows and Sports |
| Popularity | Rank 21 of 195 in the Most Popular Dogs Breeds list by the AKC |
| Size | Small |
| Weight | 4.5 to 11 kg (9.92 to 24.25 lbs) depending on their size |
| Height | 15 to 17 inches (38.1 to 43.2cm) |
| Lifespan | Â 11 to 13 years |
| Colour | Brindle, seal (black with a red cast in direct sunlight), or black coat with white markings |
| Coat Type | Short, smooth and fine |
| BEHAVIOUR | |
| Temperament | Friendly, lively and smart |
| Personality | Varies – They can be boisterous, stubborn, hyper, easy-going… depending genetics, upbringing, etc. |
| TRAINING | |
| Trainability | Easy to train and eager to please |
| Intelligence | Smart |
| Mouthiness | Low potential |
| Barking | Low tendency – But they make funny noises |
| Prey Drive | Low |
| Wanderlust | High potential |
| EXERCISE | |
| Exercise Needs | High – Active breed that needs at least 1 hour of daily exercise and playtime |
| Energy levels | High |
| Intensity | High |
| Playfulness levels | High – Very playful |
| GROOMING | |
| Grooming Needs | Low – Easy to Groom |
| Shedding Ammount | Low |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
| Drooling | Low tendency |
| HEALTH | |
| Health of Breed | Average |
| Obesity Risk | Average tendency – No worries as long as they get daily exercise and follow a balanced diet |
| Common Health Issues | Cataracts, Cherry Eye, Patellar Luxation, Heart problems, Congenital Deafness, and Allergies |
| ADAPTABILITY | |
| Tolerance to Heat | Low – They don’t good with extreme temperatures since they are prone to overheating (Branchycephallic breed characteristic) |
| Tolerance to Cold | Low – They don’t good with extreme temperatures (their single coat doesn’t provide enough warmth) |
| Tolerates Being Alone | Low – They can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone frequently |
| Sensitivity Level | High – They are sensitive to punishment, harsh tones and negative reinforcement |
| Good First Dog | Yes – A good choice for first-time owners |
| Good Apartment Dog | Yes – Adaps well to apartment living |
| FRIENDLINESS | |
| Affectionate | Yes – Love to cuddle and snuggle with you |
| Good Family Pet | Yes |
| Kid-Friendly | Yes |
| Dog-Friendly and Other Pets | Yes – Good with other dogs if properly socialized |
| Friendly with Strangers | Yes – With appropriate socialization since they can be average guard dogs too |
| EXPENSES | |
| Average Annual Cost | $1,953.15 to $4,181.99 (or $162.76 to $348.5 per month) |
| Purchase Price from a Breeder | $1000 to $2000 for a purebred Boston Terrier ($4500 for superior lineage ones) |
| Purchase Price for Adoption | $100 to $350 for adopting one from a rescue group |
Nice to read this article. I think it is important for people to consider that BTs have a character: like Frenchies they can be quite stubborn, which may be difficult to handle if you are expecting a labrador. We love ours, though. Naturally! 🙂
Reading this article makes me think of our old Cleopatra. The one thing to add about her is the personality. She was spoilt, fun, sleepy, farty, and she had a hilarious way of telling us when she didn't want to do something. We miss her dearly.
I love BTs!
But a lot of people who get one do not realise that they are more stubborn than most, and may require some dog handling skills. In fact, our breeder told me it happens a lot that people have not done their research in advance. Great to have this blog!