Are Boston Terriers Good Family Dogs?
With their small size, friendly personalities, and cute smooshed faces, Boston Terriers often top the list of best dogs for families. But are Boston Terriers really the right breed for your family? Here's a comprehensive look at how these lively companions behave in a household and what you need to consider before bringing one home.
Boston Terrier History and Temperament
Originally bred as fighting dogs in 19th century Boston, Boston Terriers today have evolved into affectionate, playful companions who thrive in family settings. Here are some key personality traits:
- Friendly - Boston Terriers are very people-oriented and loving towards children and adults alike. They crave human interaction.
- Intelligent - While stubborn at times, Boston Terriers are very smart and eager to please their owners. They enjoy training.
- Fun-loving - With their exuberant, silly personalities, Boston Terriers keep kids entertained for hours with their antics and energy.
- Adaptable - Boston Terriers do well in any home - big or small, urban or rural. They just need quality time with their family.
A well-bred, properly socialized Boston should have an upbeat, gentle temperament perfect for families. They thrive when included in family activities.
Interacting with Kids
Boston Terriers tend to make wonderful family dogs due to their affectionate, patient nature with children. Here are some benefits of Boston Terriers for kids:
- Gentle with roughhousing - Boston Terriers tolerate poking, prodding, dress up, and general rough play remarkably well.
- Eager playmates - Boston Terriers love playing games like fetch, tag, or racing around the yard with kids for hours.
- Cuddle buddies - While playful, Boston Terriers are also happy to cuddle up with kids for a cozy nap or movie time.
- Good listeners - Kids can read to, talk to, and confess secrets to a Boston Terrier for hours. They are happy just to be included.
- Teacher's pet - Interacting with a Boston Terrier helps teach kids about respect, caring for others, and responsibility.
With proper supervision and training, Boston Terriers make devoted, gentle companions for kids of any age.
Living Requirements
While quite adaptable overall, Boston Terriers do have some key requirements to make sure they thrive within your family:
- Indoor dogs - Boston Terriers should live primarily inside the home with access to soft, warm beds and couches.
- Companionship - Boston Terriers should not be left alone for long periods. They need quality time with their family each day.
- Climate control - Sensitive to temperature extremes, Boston Terriers do best in climate-controlled environments.
- Yard access - A small, securely fenced yard provides space for play, exercise, and potty breaks.
- Stimulation - Boston Terriers appreciate brisk daily walks, interactive toys, and food puzzles to engage their active minds.
While they can adapt to apartment living, Boston Terriers are happiest when part of an involved family in a comfortable home where they receive plenty of love and attention.
Exercise Needs
Boston Terriers have moderate exercise needs. Here are some tips for meeting their activity requirements:
- Daily walks - A 30-45 minute brisk walk or play session each day satisfies a Boston Terrier's exercise needs. Avoid overexertion.
- Yard play - Safe, fenced yards provide great off-leash play opportunities for fetching balls, chasing squirrels, and burning energy.
- Indoor games - Indoor hide-and-seek, chasing games of tag, or food puzzle toys provide entertainment on bad weather days.
- Mental stimulation - In addition to physical activity, provide mental stimulation with training sessions, food puzzles, new toys, etc.
While energetic in short bursts, Boston Terriers are just as happy lounging on the couch with you. Monitor activity in heat or cold weather.
Trainability
Eager to please and inherently bright, Boston Terriers take well to training as long as you use positive reinforcement techniques. Here are some training tips:
- Food motivation - Use tasty treats to incentive training and reward good behavior. Boston Terriers are very food-driven.
- Keep it fun - Short, upbeat training sessions work best to hold a Boston Terrier's interest and avoid frustration on both sides.
- Positive reinforcement - Praise, treats, belly rubs, etc. for good behavior. Never yell, punish, or use force, which can cause shutdown.
- Socialization - Well-socialized Bostons know how to interact politely with kids, strangers, and other animals. Expose them to many environments, people, and animals early on.
- Obedience class - Well-run group classes provide wonderful socialization and training opportunities. Look for positive reinforcement methods.
While stubborn at times, daily training sessions and participation in obedience classes starting at a young age produces a well-behaved Boston Terrier suited for family life.
Common Health Issues
While generally healthy, Boston Terriers are prone to certain health conditions, including:
- Brachycephalic syndrome - Flat face leads to airway obstruction, noisy breathing, overheating, and more.
- Allergies - Commonly suffer from skin, food, and environmental allergies causing itching and skin infections.
- Joint issues - Knees, hips, and spine prone to luxating patellas, arthritis, IVDD, etc. due to skeletal structure.
- Eye problems - Prone to corneal ulcers, cataracts, cherry eye, and more due to bulging eyes.
Reputable breeding reduces the chances of inherited disorders. Routine vet care, proper diet, exercise, and avoidance of obesity also promote good health. Be prepared for higher-than-average vet bills.
Grooming Needs
The Boston Terrier's slick, fine coat requires minimal grooming. Here are their needs:
- Weekly brushing - Brush coat weekly with a rubber grooming glove or soft bristle brush to remove loose hair and distribute oils.
- Rare bathing - Only bathe when truly dirty. Over-bathing strips natural oils.
- Nail trims - Trim nails as needed, usually every 2-3 weeks. Avoid trimming into quick.
- Teeth brushing - Daily tooth brushing prevents painful periodontal disease common in the breed.
- Ear cleaning - Check and clean foldable ears weekly to prevent infections.
Their non-shedding coats mean less vacuuming and lint-rolling for you! Take care not to over bathe their sensitive skin.
Pros and Cons of Boston Terriers for Families
Here's a quick overview of the key pros and cons to consider before adding a Boston Terrier to your family:
Pros:
- Great with kids
- Playful, silly personalities
- Eager to please
- Easy to train
- Compact size
- Minimal grooming
- Generally healthy
Cons:
- Prone to health issues
- Gassy - they fart a lot!
- Can be stubborn
- Heat sensitive
- Noisy breathing
- Potential allergies
- Require companionship
For an affectionate, playful little companion that thrives in family settings, the Boston Terrier is tough to beat - just be prepared for their gassiness!
Finding a Healthy Boston Terrier Puppy
If you decide the Boston Terrier is the right breed for your family, make sure you find a responsible breeder producing healthy pups. Here are tips:
- Seek reputable breeders - Ask Boston Terrier clubs for breeder referrals. Avoid pet stores or backyard breeders.
- Meet parent dogs - Visit breeder to meet at least the mother dog and assess health, temperament, and conditions.
- Review health clearances - Reputable breeders do OFA patella, cardiac, and eye exams on parent dogs. Ask to see proof.
- Assess conditions - Breeder facility should be clean, spacious, and stimulating. Pups should seem lively, clean, and well cared for.
- Get references - Talk to other families who bought pups from the breeder. Ask about their experience and the dog's health.
- Sign a contract - Good breeders have a purchase contract requiring spay/neuter and return if you can't keep the dog.
Taking time to find a quality breeder reduces the risks of behavior and health issues. The rewards of a well-bred Boston Terrier are well worth it!
The Verdict
Boston Terriers can make absolutely wonderful family companions when properly trained, socialized, and cared for. Their affectionate, gentle nature makes them fantastic with kids while their compact size and minimal grooming needs are quite manageable. Just be prepared for their potential health issues, their gassy tendencies, and their needs for companionship. Boston Terriers thrive when included as active members of a loving household. If you're ready to provide the time, care, and attention this special breed deserves, you'll gain a devoted, fun-loving little friend for life!