The Boston Terrier is among those unique dog breeds that instantly capture your attention and make you interested in adopting one. But, is the hype all worth it? Are these dogs actually as rewarding and enjoyable to own as you might suspect?
Let’s take a walk through 7 of the most compelling reasons to adopt a Boston Terrier!
1. Boston Terriers Have Friendly Personalities
Even when you first meet a Boston Terrier, you’ll probably feel like lifelong friends. That’s because this breed easily makes friends with everyone! This is one of the most sociable dog breeds out there and you can easily see it. Whether it’s playing catch in the yard, cuddling on the couch, or going for a brisk walk, you’ll always find a companion in reliable Bostons.
This friendliness also comes with a certain upbeat positivity. You won’t find many Bostons who sulk or get depressed easily. They are optimistic dogs who tend to look on the bright side of life!
2. Boston Terriers are Intelligent and Easily Trainable
Make no mistake: Boston Terriers aren’t just good friends; they are also mentally sharp and alert. Now, Bostons don’t usually reach the top of lists of the smartest dog breeds, like Border Collies or Golden Retrievers. Despite this, they are still very smart and one of the most trainable breeds available. In some cases, these guys even give Labradors a run for their money!
Their trainability can also be owed to their social nature, since the breed’s people-pleasing temperament gives them extra incentive to learn new commands. In fact, Bostons usually excel at dog sports and events on account of their high intelligence, obedient temperament, and physical energy levels.
3. Boston Terriers Have a Playful Nature
One ever-joyful aspect of owning a Boston Terrier is the breed’s usually playful, fun-loving mood. Most Bostons are always up for a game of fetch or frisbee, enjoy playing with children, love to explore the outdoors, and can even find playmates in cats. It’s, indeed, a hard task to find a game or sport that one of these pups isn’t willing to try.
Though, I’d emphasize that this rambunctious disposition can easily lead to outright mischief if your Boston Terrier gets bored. So, make sure to provide the dog with plenty of stimulation and things to do! Sports, exercise (which I’ll get back to in just a minute!), and other pet companions are all great ways to do this.
4. High Energy Levels
As I’ve touched on already, most Bostons have a fairly high baseline of energy stores. For some owners, this could be a con. But, for those who lead exercise-driven lifestyles and would like to involve their dog in their day-to-day routine, a physically active breed like this is what you’re looking for!
A healthy and relatively young Boston Terrier can easily keep up with even a strenuous exercise regimen. Brisk jogs, long hikes, and extended ball games are all on the table. And, of course, walks through the park are always appreciated by Bostons. Just make sure that you give the pup plenty of water and rest if you plan on making them your new exercise partner.
5. Fast, Easy Grooming
Grooming is, without a doubt, one of the less pleasant parts of owning a dog. That said, some breeds certainly make it easier than others. Compared to, say, grooming a Pomeranian, your typical Boston Terrier is a piece of cake to brush and groom.
Bostons generally have short, smooth coats. While this can make these dogs a not-so-great fit for colder climates, it helps with grooming (not to mention shedding.) In most cases, you can give them a quick brush with a soft brush roughly once a week or even every two weeks. It probably won’t take you longer than 10 minutes or so!
6. Good Fit for Smaller Homes
Some breeds, through no fault of their own, can’t comfortably exist in a small home or apartment. Large dog breeds like Great Danes or Newfoundlands are simply too big to be very happy in a cozier space. And, even if the dog can come to enjoy the cramped area, their owner most probably won’t!
The Boston, thankfully, does not have this problem. As a smaller breed, most Boston Terriers are less than 16 inches tall and rarely weigh much more than 25 pounds. This compact size allows them to adapt comfortably to tiny homes or single-bedroom apartments. Who says you need a huge house to accommodate a canine roommate?
7. The Ultimate Family Dog
Many of the traits I’ve already described combine to make Boston Terriers one of the best family dogs. Not only is the breed friendly and affectionate with new owners, but, as a rule, they also get along very well with kids. Add in their small size, limited shedding, and easy training, and you have a recipe for a one-of-a-kind family friend!
However, mainly because of their energetic and sometimes pushy nature, they still should be supervised, especially when interacting with younger children. They rarely get outright aggressive, but accidents can still happen while playing. Likewise, their high activity requirements and need for frequent stimulation might make them a poor fit for busier or less active owners.
