Mitpet
A Boston Terrier

Photo: Andreas Schlaugat · CC BY 3.0

Boston Terrier breed icon

Dog · Breed

Boston Terrier

Domestic Dog · from United States, Boston, Massachusetts, late 19th century (1870s-1890s) · recognised by FCI

Also known as Boston Bull, Boston Bull Terrier, American Gentleman, Boxwood.

11 characteristics recorded, average source confidence 70%.

Overview

The Boston Terrier is a small-sized dog breed developed in United States, Boston, Massachusetts, late 19th century (1870s-1890s). Recorded lifespan runs 12–14 years. Sources put typical daily exercise at around 45 minutes. The coat is recorded as short smooth.

Breed averages describe tendencies across a population. They are a starting point for a conversation with a breeder or rescue, not a prediction about any particular animal — an individual’s upbringing, health and handling matter more than its breed.

Physical profile

Typical lifespan
12–14 years
Adult size class
Small
Male weight
5–11 kg
Female weight
5–11 kg
Male height
23–38 cm
Female height
23–38 cm
Coat
Short smooth
Typical daily exercise
45 minutes

Traits and tendencies

Each value is normalised to a 0–100 scale with the confidence we have in it. A low confidence means the underlying source is thin, not that the trait is low.

Energy and activity


Activity level50/100confidence 70%

Higher means more active.

Exercise need38/100confidence 70%

Higher means more daily exercise.

Living with people


Child compatibility100/100confidence 70%

Higher means generally better fit with children.

Stranger friendliness75/100confidence 70%

Higher means more open to strangers.

Living with other animals


Dog compatibility75/100confidence 70%

Higher means generally better fit with dogs.

Training and independence


Trainability75/100confidence 70%

Higher means easier to train.

Care and upkeep


Grooming need0/100confidence 70%

Higher means more grooming.

Shedding25/100confidence 70%

Higher means more shedding.

Drooling0/100confidence 70%

Higher means more drooling.

Home and environment


Apartment fit100/100confidence 70%

Higher means more adaptable to compact housing.

Vocality25/100confidence 70%

Higher means more vocal.

Words breeders and registries use

  • Affectionate
  • Alert
  • Comical
  • Friendly
  • Highly intelligent
  • Lively

These are descriptors recorded by breeders and registries. They are not a behavioural assessment of any individual animal.

Allergies

The source provider does not record this breed with a hypoallergenic flag.

No breed is medically allergy safe. This records only what the source provider reports.

Available now

No Boston Terrier is currently listed for adoption. Adoption listings expire and need reconfirming, so this reflects live availability rather than an archive.

Still deciding?

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