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Breeds  /  Boston Terrier
Breed guide

Boston Terrier

King’s Family Companions raises Boston Terrier puppies in Ronks, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Learn about the breed, explore current availability, and ask about upcoming litters. The Boston Terrier is a small, bright companion, often called the “American Gentleman.” A Boston enjoys being included in everyday family life.

Boston Terrier puppy standing outdoors at King's Family Companions
At a glance

Breed overview

Boston Terriers are lively without being frantic and affectionate without being clingy. They are small enough for an apartment and sturdy enough for a busy family, and their short coat asks almost nothing of you. What they do ask for is company. A Boston left alone all day is an unhappy dog; a Boston included in family life is one of the easiest small breeds to live with. Like all short-faced dogs they need care in hot weather and a lean body. Our Boston Terrier puppies receive daily care and family involvement in Ronks, Pennsylvania.

Breed groupNon-Sporting Group
Size12-25 pounds
Height15-17 inches
Lifespan11-13 years
TemperamentBright, friendly, comical, adaptable
Energy levelModerate
Good with kidsVery good
Good with other petsGood with early socialization
Honest fit check

Is a Boston Terrier right for you?

A great fit if you want…
A small companion that is sturdy rather than delicate
A dog that suits apartments and smaller homes well
A family who wants very little grooming work
Someone home often enough that the dog is not alone all day
Personality

Temperament

The temperament is the biggest reason this breed is so loved.

Cheerful company

A Boston is upbeat by default. They greet the day, the postman and the vacuum cleaner with roughly equal enthusiasm.

Polite with people

The "American Gentleman" name is earned. Bostons are typically friendly with strangers and easy to take places.

Playful in bursts

Ten minutes of wild play, then a nap on your lap. That on-off rhythm is what makes the breed workable in a small home.

Attached to their family

Bostons want to be included rather than left in another room. They do best where somebody is usually home.

Appearance

Distinctive by design

Compact, square, well-muscled little frame
Very short smooth coat that needs almost no grooming
Large upright ears and wide, expressive round eyes
The distinctive "tuxedo" markings across chest and face
Recognized coat colors
Black & White
The classic tuxedo pattern
Seal & White
Looks black until light shows the red cast
Brindle & White
Warm striping over the body with white markings
White markings
The chest blaze and facial markings that define the breed
Grooming & care

Keeping a Boston Terrier healthy

Barely any brushing
A quick weekly going-over with a rubber mitt keeps the coat shining. Shedding is light and there is nothing to trim.
Bathing and face folds
A bath every month or two is plenty. Wipe the shallow facial creases and around the eyes so nothing sits there damp.
Mind those eyes
Big prominent eyes are part of the breed's charm and are also more exposed. Keep them clean and take any redness or squinting seriously.
Nails, ears & teeth
Regular nail trims, a look inside those big open ears, and dental care started early on a small crowded jaw.
Training

Trainability

Quick and willing
Bostons are bright and want to please, which makes house rules and basic commands come along fast. Keep sessions short and upbeat.
Sensitive to tone
This is not a breed that needs a firm hand. Harshness shuts a Boston down; encouragement gets you everything.
Socialize early
A Boston that meets plenty of people, sounds and surfaces young grows into a genuinely easy dog to take anywhere. We begin that before a puppy leaves us.
Health considerations

Why responsible breeding matters

Every breed carries its own strengths and its own things to watch, and the Boston Terrier is a sturdy little dog with a short face — which means heat, breathing and eyes deserve honest attention.

We would rather you ask us hard questions now than wonder later. These are the questions worth asking any Boston Terrier breeder, including us.

What health testing do you do on the parents, and can I see it?
Both of our parent dogs complete health screening before any litter is planned. Testing means little if nobody can look at it, so ask any breeder to show you the paperwork rather than describe it.
How do the parents breathe?
Ask to hear the parent dogs breathe at rest and after a short walk. In any short-faced breed, comfortable breathing is inherited and worth checking with your own ears.
What about the eyes?
Bostons have large, prominent eyes. Ask what eye conditions the line has been screened for, and plan to protect those eyes from rough play and brush.
What happens if something goes wrong?
Every puppy we place comes with a 30-day Peace of Mind Health Guarantee and a 2-year genetic health guarantee based on parent testing, plus a phone number that still works in a year.
Modern lifestyles

A breed that fits the way we live now

Genuinely apartment-friendly

Small, quiet enough and content indoors. Of the three breeds we raise, the Boston adapts to a small home most easily.

Two walks and some play

A couple of daily walks plus indoor games covers a Boston well. They will happily do more with an active family and are just as content with less.

Careful in heat and cold

That short face makes hot weather harder work, and the thin coat offers little in winter. Walk in the cool part of a summer day and use a coat when it is truly cold.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions about Boston Terriers

Yes. Boston Terriers are friendly, playful and sturdy for their size, which makes them a good fit for households with children. We get to know your family during the reservation process so we can match you with a puppy whose temperament fits your home.
Additional resources

Think a Boston Terrier is your match?

See who's available now, or join the waitlist for an upcoming litter.

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