Do Boston Terriers Snore and Why?

Your little Boston Terrier brings you great joy, that is, until they curl up to go to sleep. Then, you can’t believe the noises that come out of them! It sounds like grunting sometimes and snoring other times. Do Boston Terriers snore? Why are they so loud about it?

Boston Terriers are indeed known for their loud snoring. The reason they snore so audibly is because of their shorter face. Their abridged muzzle can interrupt breathing, which then leads to snoring, grunting, wheezing, and other noises.

What exactly do wheezing and grunting sound like? Should you be concerned that your Boston Terrier snores so loudly? Keep reading, as we’ll answer those questions and more in this article. You won’t want to miss it.

Why Do Boston Terriers Snore?

You may not have thought about snore volume as a factor when adopting a dog, but now you wish you had. If anything, you would have assumed that because the Boston Terrier is a smaller dog that their snores would be equally tiny. Instead, they’re anything but. What causes the Boston Terrier to snore so noisily?

It’s their face shape. The same refined features that made you fall in love with your Boston Terrier are what’s causing them to snore so loud. With a shorter muzzle, the Terrier can’t breathe as clearly as other breeds with a longer muzzle. Thus, when they slip off to dreamland, it’s only a matter of time before you’ll hear those loud, characteristic snores.

Terriers aren’t the only small dog to snore like a dickens. If you own or are thinking of adopting a French Bulldog (or Frenchie), a Shih-Tzu, a Bulldog, or a Pug, you can expect snoring that rivals the Boston Terrier’s. These dogs are all brachycephalic, which just refers to their snout size.

By the way, if you’re wondering why your Terrier is always so gassy, that has to do with the shape of their face as well. Without quite as much muzzle as other breeds, when your Boston Terrier chows down, they end up swallowing a lot of air with their food. The air is then released out of their rear end. Fun stuff!

What Other Sort of Noises Do Boston Terriers Make?

Snoring isn’t all you’ll hear from your Boston Terrier. Sure, there’s the trademark whining and barking of all dogs, but the Terrier has an assortment of other unique noises they’ll emit as well. These are also due to their smaller muzzle.

Grunting

The grunt is a guttural sound that’s lower in volume than a snore. We people can grunt, and so can our Boston Terriers. Although it may sound like a noise of discomfort, it often isn’t. Instead, your Terrier may grunt to tell you they’re happy.

That said, if you hear a lot of frequent grunting, you might want to give your pup the once-over or consider a vet appointment. They could be sick, injured, or uncomfortable.

Wheezing

Unlike grunting, which is a nice noise in disguise, wheezing is not. Any dog can wheeze, but it’s more common in smaller-snouted breeds like your Boston Terrier. An obstruction in the dog’s airway causes them to make a sound that’s almost like whistling. This is wheezing. Airway obstructions can occur in the large bronchi or trachea.

If your Terrier wheezes for seconds at a time, then it’s not considered a medical emergency. Prolonged wheezing does necessitate immediate attention from a vet, though.

Snuffling

Another noise from your Boston Terrier to keep an ear out for is snuffling. This almost sounds like your dog is sniffing at something, but heavily and intensely. If your Terrier begins sneezing after snuffling, then it could be due to irritants in the air. These can include pollen, carpet powders, perfumes, and dust.

The best course of action is to move your Terrier to an environment where the air is a bit cleaner and clearer. If the snuffling and sneezing persists, get in touch with your vet right away.

Snorting

A little snort here and there from your Boston Terrier is nothing to worry about. You should be aware of the pharyngeal gag reflex, which is also referred to as reverse sneezing. This can lead to snorting as well, but often very forcefully. Your dog begins inhaling and exhaling as fast as they can, almost like they’re breathing in a sneeze instead of letting it out.

Reverse sneezing is a situation that again warrants a vet’s immediate attention. Not all snorting is a reverse sneeze, though, so use your discretion.

Is Loud Snoring Normal for Boston Terriers?

Given that some of the other noises your Boston Terrier makes could be indicative of a health issue, that has you worried about just how loudly they snore. Should you contact your vet to get your dog looked over?

While regular checkups are always a good thing, there’s often no need to take an extra trip to the vet just because your Terrier snores. Again, it’s all due to the breathing obstructions caused by their face shape.

There are some instances in which snoring could be a symptom of a larger, underlying problem. If the snoring has suddenly gotten stronger or louder, it could be due to an obstruction in the nose (besides the Boston Terrier’s natural obstructions), an infection, a reaction to a medication, or allergies.

If your vet rules out the above, then you know your Terrier is healthy, even if they continue snoring.

Can You Reduce the Snore Volume of Your Boston Terrier? How?

Okay, so there’s nothing wrong with your Boston Terrier for snoring loudly, but man, it sure is driving you crazy! You wish your dog had a volume switch that you could turn all the way down. A mute button would also be nice.

In reality, your pup has neither. Does this mean you’re forced to listen to their especially noisy snoring every time they take a nap? After all, sometimes their snoring impacts your own ability to sleep, and other family members have had similar complaints as well. Is there anything you can do to quieten your dog down a bit?

As a matter fact, there is. These lifestyle changes aren’t guaranteed to reduce snoring, but they’re worth a shot.

Don’t Exercise Your Terrier in Hot Weather

Have you ever stepped outside for a jog on a humid day? It feels like you’re moving through soup. Within minutes, you’re drenched in sweat and can barely breathe.

The same can be true of your Boston Terrier. They already don’t breathe perfectly in the first place due to their breed. Any situation that would worsen breathing should be avoided, as it will only lead to more snoring later.

Maintain Indoor Air Quality

Your Boston Terrier doesn’t need to have allergies to react to irritants in the air by snuffling, sneezing, and snoring. The best way to keep the air in your home clean is to invest in a HEPA filter and a humidifier. Vacuum often, don’t light candles, and keep air fresheners out as well.

Wash Your Dog’s Bed Frequently

Where does your Terrier sleep the most often? If it’s in their own bed, then you want to toss the bed into the washer at least weekly. If it’s your bed, then make sure you’re changing your sheets just as regularly. This will keep allergens and other potential irritants from settling on the bedding and deepening your Boston Terrier’s snoring.

Teach Your Dog to Sleep in a More Optimal Position

There are certain positions your Boston Terrier can sleep in that may reduce snoring volume. One of these is curling up on their side. Their airways are the most open, which means quieter snoring and perhaps even less of it. It may take some time to train them to sleep this way, but it’s worth it. A round-shaped bed may help.

Have Them Use a Pillow

Another way to open up those airways? Try a doggy pillow! Your Terrier will feel like they’re sleeping in the lap of luxury while you’ll enjoy a quieter household day and night.

Conclusion

Boston Terriers have a smaller snout that’s conducive to loud snoring. This can be jarring if you’re trying to get a good night’s sleep, but there are ways to reduce the noise. By switching beds, adding a pillow, and keeping the home clean, your Terrier may snore less.

While snoring is often not a health issue, it can be at times. It’s always a good idea to see a vet if your Boston Terrier is snoring very loudly. Good luck!

Author Nicole Malczan

Do Boston Terriers Shed?

One of the factors that was important to you when choosing a dog was how much they shed. You don’t want to chase your canine friend around each day with a vacuum cleaner, sucking up tufts of fur. If you’re thinking of getting a Boston Terrier, you may be curious about their propensity for shedding. Do they shed a lot and why does it happen?

Boston Terriers shed to clear out dead hair so they can grow more. They’re like many other dog breeds in this regard. As for how much they shed, the Terrier loses very little fur. They’re even considered hypoallergenic.

To you, it’s great news that the Boston Terrier doesn’t shed much. Still, you have some more questions, like whether you can reduce shedding even further and, if so, how. In this article, we’ll explain more about why Boston Terriers shed and if there’s anything you can do to stop it.

Why Do Boston Terriers Shed?

There isn’t some big, mysterious reason as to why Boston Terriers shed. They’re trying to get rid of dead hair or fur to make room for more.

Every dog does the same, although how much fur they lose varies by breed. As we explained in the intro, Terriers aren’t big shedders. The reason for this has to do with the texture and composition of their coat.

Dogs can have either a single coat or two coats. The canines with two coats or a double coat have an undercoat and a top coat. The undercoat boasts a thicker texture designed to provide the dog with insulation. It also makes your dog look super fluffy. The top coat consists of guard hairs. When you pet your dog, you feel its top coat.

Some dog breeds have adapted over time with an undercoat, such as the Samoyed. This coat kept them warm in the frigid Siberian tundra, but it also leads to terrible shedding. In fact, the Samoyed is known as one of the worst shedders out there.

Getting back to Boston Terriers, this breed doesn’t have an undercoat, only the top coat. Guard hairs grow back at a much slower rate than the undercoat, taking maybe a year to reclaim their former length. For that reason, they shouldn’t come out quite as easily, leading to less shedding.

Due to their low shedding quotient, Boston Terriers are considered hypoallergenic. This means the dog is less likely to trigger allergic symptoms in their human owners.

How Much Does a Boston Terrier Shed?

You’re never going to find clump of dog hair on your couch or living room floor with a Boston Terrier. (At least, you shouldn’t. If you do, please call a vet.) Still, at certain times of the year, they can admittedly shed worse than others.

The first of these times is during the spring. This is popular shedding season for dogs. The weather has turned warmer and so your pup is transitioning from their winter coat to their spring one. Then, in the autumn, expect a little worse shedding from your Boston Terrier.

Another factor that can play a role in how much your Boston Terrier sheds is the dog themselves. Some Terrier owners report their dog sheds moderately while others note their canine companion never sheds.

Since the fur of a Boston Terrier is short and not very fluffy or thick, it’s not such an eyesore if any lingers around your house. It’s also easy enough to clean up.

Is There Any Way to Minimize Shedding?

If your Boston Terrier is in the former camp where they shed more than desired, you don’t have to live with a mess all the time. Instead, you might want to try one or more of these methods, as they can lessen shedding in Terriers.

Keep Them Unstressed

Stress isn’t good for man or dog. While your Boston Terrier doesn’t have to deal with the daily rigors of human life, certain events can stress them out and make them more prone to shedding. These include bringing new animals into the home, losing another pet, having a baby, or moving into a new home.

The above life events are unavoidable, but keeping your Boston Terrier healthy (with playing and exercising) and happy (lots of one-on-one time and snuggles) can minimize their stress. That should control their shedding as well.

Bathe Regularly

To encourage the dead hair cells to come out on their own, make sure you plunk your Boston Terrier in the tub or sink about monthly for a bath. Make sure you’re using a shampoo and conditioner that’s formulated for dogs.

Brush Often

While it’s true you might not have a dog that sheds heavily, every breed can benefit from a good brushing. It’s recommended you get into the habit of combing out your Boston Terrier twice weekly. If your dog is one of those who likes getting a good brushing, then feel free to do it every other day or so.

Like bathing, your dog brush can shake out the lose fur on your Boston Terrier. Not only that, but with how closely you study your pup’s coat, if they happen to get infested with ticks or fleas, you’ll spot it right away.

Check Their Diet

You might not have expected diet to play a role in how often your Boston Terrier sheds, but it absolutely does. If your dog doesn’t get enough omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids as well as fat fibers, and protein, their coat won’t be in its best shape. A dog coat in poor condition might be more likely to shed.

Keep Them Hydrated

Besides feeding them a healthier diet, you also want to make sure your Boston Terrier has access to water all day long. This should always be clean and fresh. By staying hydrated, your pup will not only maintain the health of their coat, but their skin as well.

Consider a Vaccination

If none of the above works for their shedding, you might want to bring your Boston Terrier to your vet. Not only should your dog receive regular vet care and check-ups, but it’s possible the veterinarian can do something more. For instance, they could vaccinate your dog against diseases that could lead to excessive shedding.

Tips for Grooming Your Boston Terrier

Do you plan on brushing your Boston Terrier for the first time? You might not be sure where to start with their grooming. Luckily, Terriers are a far lower-maintenance breed compared to dogs that shed a lot. You won’t have to spend hours brushing your Boston Terrier, which is great for both dog and human.

Here are some grooming tips to make this process as simple as possible:

• Use the right brush for the job. A brush with natural bristles is one such option, as is one with firmer bristles. You do not want to pick any ol’ hairbrush you have lying around in your bedroom.

• Go ultra easy when brushing. Since Boston Terriers don’t have a very thick top coat, they’re susceptible to skin tearing if you brush too roughly. They’re not like to have knots in their fur, so there’s no need to overdo it.

• Try a hound glove, a type of rubber glove with bumps all over the palm. This can smooth your Boston Terrier’s fur while gently forcing out some dead hair. You can use the hound glove on its own or follow it up after a brushing session.

Conclusion

Boston Terriers shed to get rid of dead hair. As a single-coated breed, Terriers don’t shed nearly as much as canines with double coats. Further making your life easier is that the Boston Terrier has short, neat fur that’s not a headache to clean up.

While it’s normal to expect more shedding than usual in the spring or autumn, otherwise, the shedding should be very manageable. If yours isn’t, it could be your Boston Terrier is stressed, dehydrated, or not eating the right diet.

With regular grooming and bathing, you can keep your Boston Terrier’s shedding under control. Best of luck!

Author Nicole Malczan

Are Boston Terriers Good with Kids?

In our last post, we established that the sweet Boston Terrier gets along well with dogs. What if you don’t own other pets but have kids instead? You worry that the children might agitate the dog and cause it to behave aggressively. Is this a trait of the Boston Terrier? Are they a kid-friendly dog?

Boston Terriers are indeed good with children, as they are a non-aggressive breed. Their high energy, which borders on hyperactivity, should tire out even the most rambunctious of children when you have doggy/kid playtime.

Whether you have babies, very young children, or older ones, this is the article for you. In it, we’ll tell you what to expect from a Boston Terrier at all these kid life stages. We’ll even include tips and advice for acclimating dog and child as well as when it’s time (if ever) to leave them alone together.

Are Boston Terriers Good with Kids?

The Boston Terrier is great with children for a handful of reasons. This breed never gets too large, with an average height of nine to 15 inches. Bigger dogs can scare younger kids, but that shouldn’t be the case with the Boston Terrier. They’re also an adorable dog with their distinct and loveable face. The kids should want to be BFFs with the new dog almost instantly.

Also winning the Boston Terrier some brownie points is the fact that they’re known for their enthusiasm and friendliness. They have lots of energy but can be controlled with training. They also quite enjoy getting pets and belly rubs, so once the kids fall in love, the dog should eat up all the attention and affection.

Depending on the age of your children, they may have different experiences with a Boston Terrier. Let’s talk more about these now.

Babies

The nice tendencies of a Boston Terrier mean you don’t have to stress if the dog gets too near your baby. They’ll probably be more curious than anything. We never recommend letting the baby and Boston Terrier spend any significant one-on-one time together yet, though. The baby is just too young. Plus, there’s always the risk of magnetization.

What is magnetization? The blog Dogs and Babies wrote a great introductory post on the topic. It boils down to this: when you let your baby spend too much time doting on the dog, they can develop an unhealthy obsession with dogs. Not just your Boston Terrier, but any and every dog they see. This puts your child at risk of getting bitten or attacked by a strange dog.

Young Kids

As your children grow up from infancy to toddlerhood into childhood, it’s okay to allow for more interaction between them and the Boston Terrier. The risk of magnetization does decrease as your child gets older, but it’s still possible for unhealthy attachments to form even when your kid is out of diapers and walking on their own two legs. Be careful.

Boston Terriers have the energy to match children of this age, who never seem to get tired. In fact, with how much the dog will want to run and play around, you may find it’s easy to put your kids down for a nap, which is quite a nice change.

Sometimes, Boston Terriers can have almost too much energy. In their rambunctiousness, it’s possible for them to knock some smaller kids over. This could cause an injury. Although the Boston Terrier isn’t a big dog, they’ve got strong, sturdy bodies that can cause some damage. Always supervise the kids and the dog during playtime.

Older Kids

Once your kids are 10 and up, they’ll easily and happily live with a Boston Terrier. At this age, now the tables have turned. It’s the kids who can accidentally hurt the dog and not so much vice-versa. Make sure you have trained your children on how to handle a dog. While Boston Terriers aren’t aggressive, they could become so if they feel threatened or are attacked. That’s true of pretty much every dog.

Let your kids run around in the backyard with the dog, provided your yard is fenced. They can even take the Boston Terrier for walks around the neighborhood. You should come with, so if your dog takes off, they won’t drag your poor child down the street with them!

Should You Leave Your Boston Terrier Alone with Your Children?

Now that you know that children of various age groups should be a-okay with the Boston Terrier, you may wonder, is it alright to leave the dog alone with your kids? Well, that depends, but generally, we’d say no, at least not right away.

That’s doubly, even triply true for newborns and infants. They can’t even stand upright or walk yet, let alone defend themselves from an excitable dog. We’re not saying your Boston Terrier would hurt the baby on purpose, but even an accidental injury could be horrifying as a new parent.

Thus, it’s always better to keep an eye on every interaction between your baby and the Boston Terrier. Remember, these interactions should be few and far between and mostly indirect to prevent magnetization.

As you child grows into a toddler, they’re now upright but still unsteady on their feet. Your Boston Terrier can easily bowl them over as the dog makes a quick lap around the house, so be there to oversee the play sessions.

If your child is older, then they should be just fine with your Boston Terrier even if you’re at work or otherwise not home.

How to Acclimate Your Boston Terrier and Your Kids

While the harmonious, loving relationship between a Boston Terrier and a child is one both parties can enjoy for years, getting to that point takes time and work. If your children have never owned a dog before, acclimating them to the Boston Terrier is the best course. This will give your dog a chance to familiarize themselves to the kids as well.

Here’s how to do it.

Be There Each Time

It will take time and repeated sessions for acclimation to fully occur. Either you or your spouse/partner should be there for each session, ideally both of you. This way, should something go wrong on either the side of your children or your Boston Terrier, you’re ready to do something about it.

Leash up Your Dog

Boston Terriers are, as we’ve said, small and mighty. They can move very quickly, sometimes faster than even you expect. To prevent sudden lunges and other movements, put your dog on a leash the first few times they’re acclimating to the kids.

Keep the Children Calm

Dogs are cute and new and exciting, so children can get a little overzealous when they see the Boston Terrier. However, the loud noises and movements of the children can scare the dog and trigger them to defend themselves. Show the kids how to calmly approach the dog.

The Dog Should Give “Permission” for Petting

In the beginning phases, each time your child wants to pet the Boston Terrier, have them put their hand out instead. The dog should sniff their hand and elsewhere, giving the kids the okay to pet them. Make sure your children keep their fingers curled up and away from the dog’s body and face.

Show Kids That the Dog’s Toys and Treats Belong to Them

Your children should be instructed not to play with the dog’s toys or try eating their treats. By ripping these things away from the Boston Terrier, the dog could try to snatch their stuff back in a playful or even aggressive manner.

Conclusion

Boston Terriers are generally affable dogs that get along well with children of all ages. With younger kids, you have to keep an eye on both child and dog to avoid accidental injuries from your energetic Boston Terrier. Older kids should be taught how to care for a dog to avoid accidentally hurting them.

No matter the age of your child when you bring the Boston Terrier home, a period of acclimation is recommended. This will let everyone get familiar with each other before living together. Best of luck!

Author Nicole Malczan

Why Do Boston Terriers Fart So Much?

If you’re a Boston Terrier parent, you’ve surely had to deal with the dreaded, deadly farts of your baby! You love them so much, but could do without this inherited trait of theirs. It’s important to understand their bodies in order to help them overcome this “stinking” issue.

Boston Terriers fart (a lot) more than other dogs. They are brachycephalic dogs, characterized by their shorter, broader skull. This affects the way they digest food, causing excess flatulence. The formation of gases in the digestive tract is the result of bacterial fermentation, which usually has a dietary cause. Their shorter nose causes them to swallow more air when they eat. More air in, unfortunately, equals more air out. Excessive farts do not mean that your Boston Terrier is sick. Because they are predestined to fart so much, even healthy Boston Terriers are prone to farting.

Fortunately, there are several things you can do to minimize the frequency of your Boston Terrier’s farts. Obviously, you won’t know the exact reason for the excessive flatulence until you try changing different aspects of your dog’s lifestyle. Several of the reasons for your dog’s excessive farting includes:

Swallowing Air

You’ve probably watched your dog gobble down his/her food. Eating food this quickly can cause them to swallow extra air, which goes through their digestive system and ends up coming out as gas.

Carbohydrates

Food or treats that contain indigestible carbohydrates, especially soluble fermentable fibers, and less digestible meat products, can make it harder for your dog’s body to break down their food and digest. Also, changes to new types of food will cause more gas than usual until your dog’s body gets used to the change.

Food Allergies

Food allergies, irritable bowel syndrome, or leaky gut can cause several symptoms including gas and skin irritation. Many dogs are allergic or have sensitivities to grains, so trying certain foods may help reduce gas. If your dog’s diet contains soybeans or other bean meals, it could lead to excessive gas. Beans in general are not easily digestible and it is best for dogs to avoid soy products.

Eating Human Food

Just like with carbohydrates, human food may be difficult for a dog to digest and will not break down properly in their body, creating gas.

Not Pooping Enough

If your dog does not have enough opportunities to poop, they are forced to hold their bowel movements. This causes more pressure in their GI system that comes out as gas. Try to monitor how often your dog needs to poop, as the frequency may be too low compared to what you think they need.

Disease

Certain medical conditions can cause excessive flatulence in dogs such as GI disorders. In GI disorders, nutrients are not properly absorbed in the intestines.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) causes the GI tract to become filled with inflammatory cells that change the environment of the intestines and disrupt the normal microflora, or, good bacteria. This can cause bacterial overgrowth that stops the ability of the intestines to absorb nutrients. This will lead to symptoms much worse than gassiness such as weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and protein loss.

Parasites such as giardia and parvovirus can also cause excess gas in dogs by inhibiting the intestines to absorb nutrients properly.

Antibiotic use can kill the good bacteria (as well as the bad bacteria), leading to excess gassiness.

Even though Boston Terriers are more prone to flatulence, does not mean we as parents are doomed to deal with their gas. Only a veterinarian can determine whether the cause of gassiness is due to any of these disease-related factors. However, you can eliminate certain foods in their diet and change certain aspects of their daily routine to help determine the cause and decrease gassiness. If none of the options work, it is your choice as the owner to determine whether your dog needs to see their veterinarian. In the meantime, some of the things you can tweak in their normal routine is:

Diet

Depending on your unique dog, landing on the right diet will be trial and error. You will have to figure out which brands and foods your dog tolerates better than others. One diet to start out with is with a bland diet. This will help with intestinal irritation and cause your dog’s bowels to be more regular. The following are foods to start with and see what settles with your dog the best:

• Ground, cooked turkey: Turkey is low in fat, unlike beef, and can help settle the GI tract.
• Canned pumpkin: Canned pumpkin is rich in soluble fiber, which helps to coat the lining of the intestines.
• Sweet potato: Skinless and cooked sweet potato will help seal the intestines.
• Cooked chicken breast: Chicken is low in fat and will not irritate the GI tract.
• Raw food: (found in the frozen section of a pet store) Raw food will ensure they get all of the nutrients their bodies need and this may be the first diet you want to try.

Stay away from:

• Rice: Since rice is a complex carbohydrate, it can be fermented in the GI track and make the issue worse
• Beef: Beef can irritate the GI tract and create more gas in the body.

A bland diet is only recommended for short periods of time. This is not a long term diet your pet should be on.

Probiotics

It is recommended that you speak to your veterinarian or animal chiropractor about an appropriate probiotic for your dog. This will help heal the gut with healthy bacteria. There are many types of pet probiotics out there, and be aware that not all dogs can tolerate milk-based probiotics or those derived from yeast cultures or certain strains.

Enzymes

Many dogs with gas issues also benefit from adding enzymes to their meals. There are different types and strengths as to which enzyme blend is best for your dog, so it is best to ask your veterinarian. Some dogs benefit from adding hydrochloric acid such as betaine HCL.

Exercise

Regular exercise, such as long walks or running around, can ensure that your dog’s bowel movements remain regular. Their bodies can better digest food when they get regular exercise. There are also many other health benefits to cardio when it comes to the digestive system. Consistent exercise in your dog will likely help their bodies function better overall.

Relaxed Setting

Make sure your dog has his or her meals in a relaxed environment. By eliminating stressors associated with eating, this can help decrease the amount of air they are swallowing. Provide a quiet and solitary environment at mealtime to ensure they are not eating competitively or quickly around other dogs or people.

This article is not meant to replace the advice of a veterinarian. If you notice a change in your dog’s farts or bowel movements, you may want to see your veterinarian. These changes could be caused by a gastrointestinal (GI) disorder that only your veterinarian can address. It is worth starting with a bland diet to see if this simple change can decrease the frequency of gas in your dog. Only you as the dog parent can determine whether your dog is sick and needs to see a veterinarian.

Written by Andie Ibarra, DC, CAC, Dallas Animal Chiropractic

Are Boston Terriers Good With Other Dogs?

You still fondly remember the day you first brought your Boston Terrier home. It still warms your heart just thinking about it. Recently, your family has decided it might be fun to add another dog to the family. You’re all for it, but you have some concerns. Are Boston Terriers good with other dogs?

Boston Terriers will often not only get along well with other dogs, but cats as well. It helps if you raise the terrier with the other pet when they’re both young. Do know that in some instances, the Boston Terrier will bark at other dogs, but it’s mostly out of friendliness.

If you want to learn more about the temperament of the loveable Boston Terrier, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will talk more about whether your Terrier will peacefully coexist with another dog as well as cats and even children. Keep reading, as you won’t want to miss it!

Will My Boston Terrier Get Along with Another Dog?

Bringing another dog into you family is always a challenge if you’ve already had your first dog for a while. That dog is likely to feel threatened and even jealous by the new addition. This could be the case with your Boston Terrier, as they quite love attention from their favorite people.

That said, it’s certainly possible for your Boston Terrier to learn to like the other dog. This breed has a rather friendly personality. Sometimes your Terrier will even show that friendliness in a way that may seem strange to you, such as barking at other dogs.

In fact, Boston Terriers aren’t fearful of bigger canines. They’ll bark at them, too. To you, it may seem like your Terrier is trying to alert you to a threat or make themselves look intimidating in front of the other dog. What they’re really doing is saying hello.

If it’s possible for you to introduce the second dog shortly after you get your Boston Terrier, that’s ideal. You might be able to skip some of the speedbumps that come with adjusting two strange dogs to one another (which we’ll talk about later). Even if you can’t raise the dogs together, they should still become pals with time.

Are Boston Terriers Good Around Cats?

What if besides another dog, you have a kitty in the house as well? Should you be concerned with how your Boston Terrier might react?

Not necessarily. Most Boston Terriers are okay with having a feline friend. They don’t tend to bark at the cat like they would another dog, but the two will get along well enough. Like with the case of acclimating another dog, it helps if the cat and the Boston Terrier grow up together, but it’s not mandatory.

The average cat is 18 inches before you accommodate for their tail. A Boston Terrier is about 16 to 17 inches. They also weigh between 20 and 25 pounds at most depending on gender, with males often heavier. Cats are about nine pounds on average.

Your cat and Boston Terrier are mostly evenly sized then. This is a good thing, because Boston Terriers should not be kept around other smaller household pets. They will try to chase and make a snack out of the animal. That’s doubly true of rodents, in which Boston Terriers get very predatory.

Should You Get a Boston Terrier If You Have Kids?

Okay, so you feel confident having another dog and even a cat in a household with a Boston Terrier. You still have another question, though. How will the dog behave around your children?

One of the best traits of the Boston Terrier is that it’s not an aggressive dog. That said, it’s very important you take your dog out and have them spend time around other people, even strangers. This shows the Terrier that strangers are not necessarily threats. If you don’t do this, then the Terrier can get territorial and very possessive over its family. Should someone else outside of the family come to visit, your dog might display some aggression. If raised properly, you shouldn’t expect aggression from your Boston Terrier, though.

The body of a Terrier, although small, is well-built. Even though children tend to be bigger than them, with their stature and build, the Boston Terrier doesn’t feel intimidated by kids. This isn’t often the case with small dogs, making the Terrier exceptional.

It’s important that your children know how to treat and care for a dog. Then the Boston Terrier will quite enjoy spending time with the little ones. Even still, you shouldn’t take a relaxed approach to leaving the children with the dog.

It’s always better to keep a watchful eye on your Terrier when they bask in the children’s company. Otherwise, injuries have been known to occur on the part of your Boston Terrier to the kids. These are never deliberate, but they could strain the relationship between dog and child.

Tips for Acclimating a New Dog to Your Boston Terrier

While Boston Terriers have a sweet temperament, you can’t expect them to be adjusted to the new dog from the minute you bring them home. You have to acclimate the new dog into the life of your Terrier carefully and slowly.

Here are some acclimation tips to follow in the early days of owning more than one dog:

• Have the first meeting occur outside. While Boston Terriers aren’t super territorial, if they have a spot that they deem theirs and another dog walks all over it, this could be a bad start to their new friendship.

• Always keep the two dogs leashed up during the first few meetings. You never know how either dog can react, especially if they’re feeling stressed or threatened.

• Bring treats with you and offer them to the dogs for their good behavior. Remember that good behavior in this instance could just mean eyeing down the other dog without jumping up or barking.

• Don’t let the two dogs spend too much time together the first few times they meet. It’s okay if they make contact, and smelling each other is normal as well. The longer they spend together this early though, the more potential for disaster to strike.

• Set up baby gates or dividers in your home. Keep your new dog in one room and your Boston Terrier in another. In the meantime, continue with the small meetings between the dogs.

• Gradually increase the length of these meetings, watching out all along for unwanted or aggressive behavior. These include displays like bared teeth, growling, and body stiffness. As soon as you spot these reactions in one or both dogs, separate them for a while.

• Wait several weeks before you leave your Boston Terrier and the new dog alone together. Stay close by when this happens, such as in another room, so you can see if anything goes wrong. Then you can jump into action immediately.

• If all continues going well, then you can eventually leave the two dogs along together while you’re not at home.

The key to acclimating two dogs is time and patience. Don’t put too much pressure on your Boston Terrier during this period. Yes, they’re nice canines that generally get along with dogs and other animals. That doesn’t mean they’re going to become BFFs with the new dog overnight. Give them both their space at first and the Terrier will come around to your new dog and vice-versa.

Conclusion

Boston Terriers are small, sweet dogs that can adjust to having another dog in the house. Even if you introduce a cat, the Terrier can learn to live with it as well. With its non-aggressive attitude, Boston Terriers are safe around children, although don’t leave then unsupervised. While the Terrier must still go through the acclimation process with the new dog just like any other breed would, eventually, the two pups could enjoy years of happiness and bonding together. Best of luck!

Author Nicole Malczan

Are Boston Terriers Smart?

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Boston Terriers are known for their determination, friendliness, and entertaining personality. But are they smart? Being an owner of a Boston Terrier and treating many Boston Terriers over the past years, I’ve come across many different intelligence levels in various dog breeds. I’ve researched how they compare in intelligence and obedience to other dog breeds.

Boston Terriers are highly intelligent dogs. They are also very stubborn, which can make them more difficult to train than other breeds. A Boston Terrier owner must be patient when training and disciplining. However, they are considered smart.

How smart are Boston Terriers?

According to “The Intelligence of Dogs” book written in 1994 by psychologist and dog trainer, Stanley Coren, Boston Terriers were listed at 100 out of his 136 intelligence list. This would consider them as “average intelligence.” This means that Boston Terriers are able to learn a brand new command with 25 to 40 repetitions. They are also capable of obeying a known command on the first attempt 50% of the time.

Phoenix

Professor Coren claims that 51% of a dog’s intelligence stems from its genes, while 49% is based on environmental factors. Stanley Coren developed criteria for ranking dog intelligence based on instinctive, adaptive, working, and obedience. Together, they evaluate the problem solving capabilities, obedience, memory, social training, and observation. He contacted obedience trial judges from the American and Canadian Kennel Club to help evaluate and rank dog breeds for his list. Read on as to why I disagree with this study.

What is the criteria for rating a dog’s intelligence?

His criteria are based on the following:

• Number of repetitions needed to learn a new command: more intelligent dogs were able to learn new commands with fewer repetitions. • Success rate your dog obeys a known command on the first attempt: for example, whether your dog obeys a command on attempt 1 vs. attempt 20.

While this was an extensive study that closely monitored the behavior of many different breeds, I do have to question whether they took into consideration the difference between “intelligent” and “obedient” or “trainable.” This is why I disagree with this list. Just because a dog is easily trainable does not exactly correlate to intelligence. If a dog is passive or obedient, that does not mean he/she is smarter. For example, cats are highly intelligence, yet they are extremely untrainable. There is obviously a difference between trainability/ obedience vs. intelligence that is not taken into consideration.

If you are curious as to who is in the top three, it is: Border Collies, Poodles, and German Shepherds.

Are Boston Terriers Obedient?

Boston Terriers were originally bred from Bulldogs and Bull Terriers. From the Bulldog, they developed their sweet, charming, and loving personality. From the Bull Terrier, they developed their lively mood, quality to take care of themselves if attacked by another dog, and ability to be great destroyers if not properly trained. Boston Terriers are also known to be very good with kids and other dogs because of their friendly nature. However, due to them being social, playful, and excitable, it is more difficult to train them and keep them focused.

Fortunately, Boston Terriers love to please their owners, so using the correct training techniques and positive reinforcement will surely help them become more obedient.

Boston Terriers are extremely stubborn and do not respond well to negative approaches or punishment. A scolded dog may withdraw and hide, while a dog praised for progress will continue to do that behavior for more treats or affection.

How can I make sure my Boston Terrier is obedient?

The following are ways to help train your Boston Terrier and ensure the correct behaviors:

1. Use treats as a reward. They will do anything for their treats, and once they learn that if they do the behaviors you want and earn treats while doing so, they will keep doing that behavior.
2. Praise and get excited, or cheer for them, when they listen. They love praise and want to please you.
3. Clicker training. They learn quickly when they can connect a noise to a behavior.
4. Be patient and consistent. Because Boston Terriers are not as focused as some of the other breeds, it takes time and consistency on the owner’s behalf.
5. Do not scare or yell at them. This will affect them in a negative way and they will not listen when negative reinforcement is used.
6. Keep their minds mentally stimulated with chew toys and games. This will tire them out and cause them to be less mischievous.
7. Socialize them often. The more people and dogs they meet, the more they will know how to interact and cooperate with the world around them.
8. Exercise them often. Daily walks will keep them satisfied and calmer throughout the day.
9. Spa music for their ears. Based on my experience with this breed, classical or spa music seem to soothe and calm them down.

Advice From A Boston Terrier Mom

When I first got my Boston, Phoenix, I honestly did not think he was smart. He did not listen when I called his name, refused to be potty-trained, and did whatever he wanted to do. I came to realize that he actually is very smart, just stubborn and lives life on his own terms. He eventually started to listen when I called his name, and seemed to learn quicker once he saw my other dogs doing what I told them to do. Once he observed his new siblings, he started to copy their behaviors and became more obedient. I am able to bribe him with treats, as he will listen to almost any command if there is a tasty reward for him.

Boston Terriers love to observe those around them and WILL pick up on the habits and behaviors of other dogs around them, whether good or bad. They are easily adaptable, overly social, and extremely loving. It seems to be difficult for them to focus, making it a longer process to learn. If you have another dog that obeys commands, this will make the process of training your Boston easier.

Boston Terriers require a lot of attention and affection. If you have little extra time in your life and are not able to make your dog your priority, I would not suggest getting this breed. However, if you do have the ability to make them one of your top priorities, they are such fun and loving dogs, you will never be bored a day in your life if you have a Boston Terrier to come home to!

Patience, time, and affection will ensure your Boston Terrier be as smart as can be

While a Boston Terrier size is relatively small, they are considered intelligent. However, their temperament and lack of of focus may cause them to be less obedient than many other dog breeds, making them “seem” less smart. As a Boston Terrier parent, it takes time and patience to get them to cooperate when training. Having another dog that already obeys commands will make this process easier. Boston Terriers require a lot of affection and attention, and will definitely give that back two fold. Overall, they are highly intelligent if given the correct environment, love and training.