Frequently Asked Questions

Q.    Are Boston Terriers good family pets?...good house dogs?

A.    Boston Terriers were bred to be companion dogs and they are just that. They quickly become a part of the family and are most happy when they are in the company of family members. They do well around children, adults and even other pets. The Boston Terrier is an excellent house dog, being a nice medium size dog that can be comfortable to have around.

Q.    Do Boston Terriers shed?

A.    Yes, a Boston Terrier will shed but since it is a short hair dog, it usually is not a problem in most homes. Your standard schedule of vacuuming and cleaning your home will keep the small amount of hair well under control.

Q.    How long does a Boston Terrier live?

A.    A well kept and healthy Boston can live well into their teens. The average life span is around 10 to 12 years.

Q.    I'm looking for a new Boston Terrier for a pet. How can I tell a good Boston from a bad one?

A.    Some people will tell you that there is no such thing as a bad Boston Terrier but in reality there are good ones and there are bad ones. The first thing you need to do is to read and study the Official Boston Terrier Standard. The next thing you need to understand is that more bad Boston Terriers are bred by people who have no regard for the well being of the breed than any other reason.

Puppy mills can turn out Bostons faster than the shelters can rescue them. A Boston, when bred without due consideration as to the Official Standard, often has faults that are so severe that the quality of life for that puppy will not be as good as one that was produced by a knowledgeable and caring breeder. Choose your breeder and your new Boston carefully and you will be rewarded with a wonderful companion for many years. Remember, getting a new Boston Terrier is one of the few times in your life that you can choose a family member !

Q.    Do rescue Boston Terriers make good pets?

A.    Its a sad fact of life that we as PCBTC members and Boston lovers have to deal with the needs of rescued Boston Terriers. But the truth is that most of these little Bostons are just as loving as any. The only difference is that many have started off life under less than happy circumstances.

Many are well loved pets that the owners can no longer properly care for due to health or other reasons and need new homes. The PCBTC works to make sure that each and every Boston that is in need of a new home gets a chance to be adopted by a loving family. You can find more information about the Pacific Coast Boston Terrier Rescue by checking out our RESCUE page.

Q.    I have a young Boston Terrier that I would like to breed. How can I find another Boston Terrier to breed to?

A.    The very first thing you need to ask yourself is .."Why do I want to breed my Boston Terrier?" If you are breeding just because you want puppies, please stop and consider the fact that there are too many Boston Terriers found in shelters now. Too many people breed their dogs (Bostons) to the first one that they find that is close to them. A breeding of convenience is the worst thing you can do as a breeder. You must first research the background of your Boston and know its pedigree for at least three generations and of the other Boston you plan on using. You must know the strengths of each generation and also their weaknesses. You must decide if that pedigree will help you improve the breed. You must never breed any two dogs that have the same faults or weaknesses. This only sets the breed back in development. You must try to find another dog that will help correct any weakness in your dog or line.

Now...once you have done your homework and you are sure you want to breed your Boston, find a reputable breeder and ask questions and then listen to the many other things that you must be aware of before, during and after the breeding. If you are still wanting to breed, then make sure that when you do, you realize that you are helping create another litter of Bostons and YOU alone will be responsible for those puppies until they pass away...even if you have sold them as pets.

Breeding Boston Terriers should not be taken lightly and done only after long and careful consideration as to the outcome. If you have made it this far in your desire to breed your Boston, step back and think about it one more time....are you sure?

O.K.....now you must find that special other Boston to be the other parent of your new litter. That search is up to you...but don't take the easy way out and breed to the Boston in the block down the street !

Q.    Are white Boston Terriers rare? I found one on the internet and they say it is a rare Boston and want a lot of money for it. Is it worth that much more?

A.    PLEASE !  PLEASE !  First read the Official Standard for the Boston Terrier. There is no mention of a white Boston Terrier anywhere. A white Boston Terrier is not a legitimate color for the breed (neither is red or blue as some puppy mills are advertising). A white Boston Terrier should NEVER be sold as rare.. They are generally a weaker dog that is more susceptible to all kinds of health problems. If a breeder should ever offer you a white Boston Terrier as rare, just walk away. Let me say it again...WHITE BOSTON TERRIERS ARE NOT RARE ! They are unfortunate mistakes of nature.

There is another type of Boston that you will come across as a pet. These are often referred to as mis-marked Bostons. This is usually just a simple misalignment of the dark hair with the white hair. But since the Official Standard is very specific about some markings, a mis-marked Boston cannot be shown and should not be used as a stud dog. These mis-marked Bostons are usually placed in loving homes by the breeder since they still have all of the other wonderful attributes of a Boston Terrier. But be aware that these mis-marked Bostons are pet quality only and you should pay only pet price. These Bostons should also be neutered as soon as possible.

Q.    Can Boston Terriers do agility?

A.    If you want to see something that is not only exciting but fun for the whole family, then find an agility match that has Bostons in it. There you will see just how athletic a Boston Terrier can really be. They can jump with the best of breeds. They can weave, run, sit & stay, go up and down planks, go through tunnels and anything else that is asked of them. But best of all, they can steal your heart as you watch them compete with all the heart of a true champion.