What is a Boston Terrier?

The Boston Terrier originated in Boston, Massachusetts, in the late 19th century, through breeding English Bulldogs and white English Terriers. They have a terrier-like build, a short muzzle, erect ears, dark eyes, and a short tail. Their coat is a distinctive "tuxedo" pattern of black, brindle, or black and white. Boston Terriers are known to be gentle, affectionate, lively, and playful, making them ideal for any age. They are quick learners but can be stubborn. They need only simple grooming and enjoy games and walks. Because they are brachycephalic, Boston Terriers are prone to breathing issues and don't do well in extreme temperatures.

What does a Boston Terrier look like?

The Boston Terrier originated in Boston, Massachusetts, in the late 19th century from a cross between an English Bulldog and a white English terrier. They have a terrier-like build, short muzzle, erect ears, dark eyes, and a short tail. Their coat is short, fine, and comes in a "tuxedo" pattern of black, brindle, or black and white, with white markings around the face, chest, neck, and legs. Boston Terriers are small dogs standing 10–12 inches (25–30 cm) at the withers and weighing 12–25 pounds (5–11 kg). They are known to be gentle and affectionate, but can be brash, lively, and self-assured.

Where did the Boston Terrier breed come from?

The Boston Terrier originated in Boston, Massachusetts, in the latter half of the 19th century. This breed is one of the few to have originated in the United States. Boston Terriers were bred from the English Bulldog and a white English terrier. They have a terrier-like build, a short muzzle, erect ears, and a short tail. Their coat is short, fine, and described as a "tuxedo" coat of black, white, or brindle, with white markings on the face, chest, neck, and legs. Boston Terriers are known to be gentle and affectionate.

What is the typical personality of a Boston Terrier?

The Boston Terrier is known to be brash, self-assured, lively, and playful, but also loving and demonstrative, happy to relax as a lap dog. This breed is ideal for any age, providing affection, entertainment, and companionship. Though they can be stubborn, Boston Terriers are quick learners, easily encouraged and corrected with treats and games. They get along with other pets but may be combative towards unfamiliar dogs, even larger ones, and tend to be aloof with strangers. They make excellent watchdogs but are too small to be effective protection dogs.

How do you take care of a Boston Terrier?

To care for a Boston Terrier , provide a good walk and games like fetch to meet their exercise needs. Boston Terriers can participate in dog sports like agility and disc catching. Weekly brushing is enough to maintain their coat, as they don't shed excessively. Because they are brachycephalic, Boston Terriers are prone to breathing issues and are not suited for hot weather. Their small size and short coat also make them less ideal for cold climates. This breed is also prone to eye issues and dislocated knees. Most require a caesarean section during birth. Boston Terriers are lively, playful, loving, and demonstrative, making them ideal companions for any age. They are quick learners but can be stubborn, so use treats and games for encouragement. While they get along with other pets, they can be combative toward unfamiliar dogs and aloof with strangers. They make good watchdogs but are not effective protection dogs due to their small size.

What health issues are common in Boston Terriers?

Boston Terriers, a brachycephalic breed, commonly experience health issues related to their throat and breathing passages, which can cause them to sneeze and snort. They are also prone to eye problems such as cataracts and glaucoma , and corneal abrasions due to their prominent eyes. Other potential health problems include patellar luxation (dislocated knee). Additionally, most Boston Terriers require a caesarean section during whelping.

Boston Terrier

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Boston Terrier with a black and white coat stands alert on grass, with colorful autumn leaves in the background.

Brindle and white Boston terrier with upright ears and a silver chain collar, sitting outdoors against a blurred green background.

Quick Facts

Related Topics:: terrier; non-sporting dog

On the Web:: World Animal Rescue Network - Boston Terrier (Oct. 25, 2026)

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Boston Terrier

breed of dog

Also known as: American Gentleman

Written by

Caroline Coile

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Oct. 25, 2026 •History

Top Questions

What is a Boston Terrier?
The Boston Terrier originated in Boston, Massachusetts, in the late 19th century, through breeding English Bulldogs and white English Terriers. They have a terrier-like build, a short muzzle, erect ears, dark eyes, and a short tail. Their coat is a distinctive "tuxedo" pattern of black, brindle, or black and white.

Boston Terriers are known to be gentle, affectionate, lively, and playful, making them ideal for any age. They are quick learners but can be stubborn. They need only simple grooming and enjoy games and walks. Because they are brachycephalic, Boston Terriers are prone to breathing issues and don't do well in extreme temperatures.
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1. Boston Terrier
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What does a Boston Terrier look like?
The Boston Terrier originated in Boston, Massachusetts, in the late 19th century from a cross between an English Bulldog and a white English terrier. They have a terrier-like build, short muzzle, erect ears, dark eyes, and a short tail. Their coat is short, fine, and comes in a "tuxedo" pattern of black, brindle, or black and white, with white markings around the face, chest, neck, and legs.

Boston Terriers are small dogs standing 10–12 inches (25–30 cm) at the withers and weighing 12–25 pounds (5–11 kg). They are known to be gentle and affectionate, but can be brash, lively, and self-assured.
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1. Definition of Boston terrier
2. Boston Terrier: Temperament
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Where did the Boston Terrier breed come from?
The Boston Terrier originated in Boston, Massachusetts, in the latter half of the 19th century. This breed is one of the few to have originated in the United States. Boston Terriers were bred from the English Bulldog and a white English terrier. They have a terrier-like build, a short muzzle, erect ears, and a short tail. Their coat is short, fine, and described as a "tuxedo" coat of black, white, or brindle, with white markings on the face, chest, neck, and legs. Boston Terriers are known to be gentle and affectionate.
2 Britannica Sources
1. dog: Terriers
2. Boston Terrier
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What is the typical personality of a Boston Terrier?
The Boston Terrier is known to be brash, self-assured, lively, and playful, but also loving and demonstrative, happy to relax as a lap dog. This breed is ideal for any age, providing affection, entertainment, and companionship.

Though they can be stubborn, Boston Terriers are quick learners, easily encouraged and corrected with treats and games. They get along with other pets but may be combative towards unfamiliar dogs, even larger ones, and tend to be aloof with strangers. They make excellent watchdogs but are too small to be effective protection dogs.
1 Britannica Source
1. Boston Terrier: Temperament
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How do you take care of a Boston Terrier?
To care for a Boston Terrier, provide a good walk and games like fetch to meet their exercise needs. Boston Terriers can participate in dog sports like agility and disc catching.

Weekly brushing is enough to maintain their coat, as they don't shed excessively.

Because they are brachycephalic, Boston Terriers are prone to breathing issues and are not suited for hot weather. Their small size and short coat also make them less ideal for cold climates. This breed is also prone to eye issues and dislocated knees. Most require a caesarean section during birth.

Boston Terriers are lively, playful, loving, and demonstrative, making them ideal companions for any age. They are quick learners but can be stubborn, so use treats and games for encouragement. While they get along with other pets, they can be combative toward unfamiliar dogs and aloof with strangers. They make good watchdogs but are not effective protection dogs due to their small size.
1 Britannica Source
1. Boston Terrier: Care and upkeep
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What health issues are common in Boston Terriers?
Boston Terriers, a brachycephalic breed, commonly experience health issues related to their throat and breathing passages, which can cause them to sneeze and snort. They are also prone to eye problems such as cataracts and glaucoma, and corneal abrasions due to their prominent eyes. Other potential health problems include patellar luxation (dislocated knee). Additionally, most Boston Terriers require a caesarean section during whelping.
1 Britannica Source
1. Boston Terrier: Care and upkeep
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Boston Terrier, breed of dog developed in the latter half of the 19th century in Boston, Massachusetts. Bred from the English Bulldog and a white English terrier, the Boston Terrier is one of the few breeds to have originated in the United States. It has a terrier-like build with dark eyes, a short muzzle, prominent erect ears, a short tail, and a short, fine, “tuxedo” coat of black, white, or brindle, with white on the face, chest, neck, and legs. The breed is characteristically gentle and affectionate.

Breed data

Other names: Boston, American Gentleman
Area of origin: Boston, Massachusetts
Breed group: Nonsporting
Height at withers: 10–12 inches (25–30 cm)
Weight: 12–25 pounds (5–11 kg)
Life span: 11-13 years
Did you know?: Sergeant Stubby was the most decorated dog to serve in World War I. Sometimes called a Boston Terrier mix, he was a stray dog whose heroic service saved lives and led to the capture of a German spy. He was the unofficial mascot for the 102nd Infantry, 26th “Yankee” Division, and is the first dog to be promoted to the rank of sergeant in the U.S. Army. After the war, he became a celebrity and was the subject of the animated feature film Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero (2018). His taxidermic remains are on display at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History.

Care and upkeep

Boston Terriers enjoy the outdoors. A good walk around the block, however, coupled with vigorous games of fetch and keep-away in the yard will fulfill their exercise needs. They are not great swimmers but can manage in the water. The breed can compete successfully and enthusiastically in a variety of dog sports such as agility, obedience, and nose work, as well as dock diving, lure coursing, and disc catching.

The coat requires only simple brushing once a week to remove dead hair. Shedding is not excessive.

Sea otter (Enhydra lutris), also called great sea otter, rare, completely marine otter of the northern Pacific, usually found in kelp beds. Floats on back. Looks like sea otter laughing. saltwater otters

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As a brachycephalic (short-nosed) breed, Bostons have problems of the throat and breathing passages that limit the amount of air reaching the lungs. As a result, the dogs tend to sneeze and snort. In addition, panting is less effective, making it difficult to cool down. Thus, Bostons are not well suited for hot-weather exercise. At the same time, their small body size and short coat mean cold-weather climates are not ideal.

Boston Terriers are prone to eye issues, including cataracts and glaucoma. The prominence of the breed’s eyes also make corneal abrasions more common. Other potential health problems include patellar luxation (dislocated knee). Most require a caesarean section during whelping.

Temperament

War heroSergeant Stubby, a Boston Terrier mix who became a hero for his service during World War I.

The Boston Terrier is brash, self-assured, lively, and playful, full of life and mischief. It is also equally loving, demonstrative, and content to relax in a comfortable lap. The breed is an ideal dog for people of any age, providing entertainment, affection, and companionship. It can be stubborn but is nonetheless a quick learner and easily corrected and encouraged with treats and games. Bostons get along well with other household pets but can be combative and overly assertive toward unfamiliar dogs, even ones much larger. The breed tends to be aloof toward strangers.

Although an excellent watchdog—it may bark excessively when excited—the Boston’s small size makes it an ineffective protection dog, despite the breed’s tenacity.

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These are well established and widely accepted generalizations about the breed. Individual dogs may differ in behavior and temperament.

Caroline Coile The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Boston Terrier

Care and upkeep

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Temperament