Boston Terrier Puppies for Sale

Boston Terriers have a naturally short tail, set low and either straight or screwed. A docked tail is outside the AKC breed standard.

The Boston Terrier is one breed with no miniature or teacup size. The AKC standard only divides show entries into weight classes of under 15 lb, 15 to under 20 lb, and 20 lb up to the top weight.

There is very little difference, since both sexes share the same weight classes and females are only slightly more refined in build.

A Boston has small, erect ears, natural or cropped, set near the corners of a flat, square skull.

The standard calls for large, round, dark eyes, so blue eyes or any trace of blue are outside the AKC breed standard.

The Boston is leggier and lighter, with small upright ears and a tuxedo coat, while the French Bulldog is stockier and lower to the ground, with large bat ears. Next to a Pug, the Boston has a bigger frame, and the Pug sheds more.

Most Bostons bark only a moderate amount, although some bark a lot. Boredom and long hours alone make barking more likely.

Most Bostons are open and friendly with strangers, although some are more reserved at first.

Most behavior problems come from boredom or loneliness, since a Boston that is under-exercised or left alone for long periods may bark, chew or pick up other unwanted habits. Daily exercise, training games and company help prevent them.

Bostons are known for being very good with children. Early manners training curbs jumping up and play nipping. About a third of Pawrade Boston Terrier buyers have children at home.

Most Bostons get along with other dogs, although some challenge an unfamiliar dog at first. More than two in five Pawrade Boston Terrier buyers already have another dog at home.

Bostons are usually good with other pets. Some breeders on Pawrade introduce their litters to cats before the puppies go home.

Bostons make good apartment and city dogs as long as they get daily exercise.

A Boston needs a daily walk plus active play, such as a short jog or ball-chasing, up to about an hour a day in all. Several short play sessions work better than one long walk.

A Boston enjoys a brisk walk and active play, but it is not built for long outings in the heat. On warm days, keep outings to the mornings and evenings and bring water.

Bostons handle neither well, because the short face makes them prone to overheating and the short single coat gives little warmth. In heat, walk in the mornings and evenings and provide shade and cool water; in cold weather, use a sweater and keep outings short.

A Boston can travel in summer with care, because it is prone to breathing trouble and overheating in heat and humidity. Plan trips for the cooler hours and keep the dog shaded, with water and air conditioning.

Bostons do poorly when left alone for long periods, and the frustration can lead to unwanted behavior. Short play breaks through the day help, along with plenty of company when you are home.

Hard running and big jumps should wait until your vet agrees growth is done, because a puppy's growth plates stay soft while it grows. Small dogs like a Boston finish growing sooner than large breeds.

Boston Terriers shed lightly, and no dog is truly hypoallergenic. The short coat has no undercoat, but the short hairs still shed, so weekly brushing helps.

The coat needs only a weekly brush, an occasional bath and regular nail trims. The daily job is an eye check for redness, discharge or cloudiness.

Most Bostons are bright and quick to learn, though some are stubborn. Treats, praise and gentle corrections work, and harsh methods backfire with this sensitive breed.

A Boston Terrier puppy can usually hold its bladder for about an hour for each month of age, so a 3-month-old can wait about 3 hours. Take a young puppy out first thing in the morning, last thing at night and after naps.

Adolescence often starts between 6 and 8 months, and many dogs test boundaries and seem to forget their training for a while. Consistent house rules, patience and plenty of exercise and play see you through it. Many Bostons are sensitive, so stay gentle and follow any correction with warmth and praise.

Fetch, disc games and puzzle-type play suit the breed at home. Bostons also compete in AKC agility, obedience, rally and flyball.

Bostons earn AKC Canine Good Citizen and therapy dog titles, and many do very well in therapy work.

Boston Terrier breeders on Pawrade report a typical litter of 5 puppies, usually between 2 and 7.

Set up a crate in a room where the family spends time, or in your bedroom at night. Plan a cool, shady spot for summer and a sweater for cold days, and pick a harness rather than a collar. Book a first vet visit that checks the breathing, eyes, knees and heart.

Start the day your puppy comes home, because the first 3 months are the most important time for socialization. Puppy classes can start as early as 7–8 weeks, as long as your puppy stays away from sick dogs.

Most puppies finish teething by about 6 months, once the adult teeth are in. Baby teeth start falling out at about 12 weeks, and chewing is strongest while the teeth change. Keep a few safe chew toys out and rotate them to keep them interesting.

The puppy vaccine series usually finishes at about 16 weeks, as your vet advises. Puppy classes and gentle socializing can start before then, as long as your puppy stays away from sick dogs. Your puppy's vaccination and deworming records are separate documents that travel with your puppy. Bring them, with the Veterinary Health Report, to your first visit so your vet starts from the same record.

Spaying or neutering is a decision to talk through with your vet, because the right timing depends on things like your dog's sex and expected adult size.

Most Boston Terrier litters on Pawrade meet other dogs, children and everyday household sounds before the puppies go home. Breeders report socializing 91% of litters with small dogs and 82% with children. They also report getting litters used to music or TV (69%), the vacuum cleaner (67%) and pots and pans (63%). These figures come from what breeders reported for 317 litters. Keep introducing new people, places and sounds once your puppy is home, because the first 3 months are the most important time for socialization.

The Veterinary Health Report is the record of your Boston Terrier puppy's exam before it goes home. The breeder's licensed vet gives the puppy itself a full hands-on exam to PetPay's standards and writes down what they find. It gives you and your own vet a clear starting point for your puppy's care.

The breeder's licensed veterinarian examines every puppy before it goes home, to PetPay's exam standards. The results are recorded in the puppy's Veterinary Health Report, and a copy travels with your puppy for your records.

The breeder's vet examines the whole puppy and pays close attention to a few things that matter in Boston Terriers. The vet checks the eyes, feels the kneecaps, checks the hearing, looks at the nostrils and listens to the breathing.

If the vet finds something that could put your puppy at risk during travel, your puppy stays with the breeder until it's resolved. Problems that can be treated before travel are treated by the breeder's licensed vet first. Anything else the vet notes is shared with you.

Puppies grow and change quickly, and their immune systems are still developing, so no single exam can find everything. In Boston Terriers, a breathing grade has to wait until the dog is 12 months old, and the later form of cataract appears only in adults. The report is a strong early look at your puppy, and your own vet builds on it at every checkup.

Every puppy comes with a health guarantee administered by PetPay, independent of the seller. The terms are on the health guarantee page.

Boston Terrier buyers rate their Pawrade experience 4.7 out of 5 on average, from 301 reviews, and about 84% of those reviews give 5 stars.