Breed guide
Boston Terrier
The 'American Gentleman.' Compact, friendly, tuxedo-coated. Breathing and eye issues are the breed's crosses to bear.
AKC Rank
#23
Size
small (12-25 lbs)
Life Expectancy
11-13 yrs
Activity
moderate
Feeding a Boston Terrier
Brachycephalic toy-to-small breed. ~400-700 kcal/day. Food sensitivity is common.
Key nutrients
- •limited ingredients
- •omega-3
- •eye health nutrients
Portion notes: Slow feeder bowl. 2 small meals daily.
Fresh food picks for Boston Terriers
Our recommended fresh-food subscriptions for small dogs.
The Farmer's Dog
Fresh, human-grade food portioned for your dog
- •Human-grade fresh food
- •Portioned per dog
- •Vet-developed recipes
- •50% off first box
Ollie
Fresh food with both cooked and baked recipes
- •Fresh and baked recipes
- •Turkey, beef, lamb, chicken proteins
- •Custom portions
- •60% off first box
Nom Nom
Restaurant-quality fresh food with microbiome testing
- •Pre-portioned pouches
- •Vet-formulated
- •Microbiome testing available
- •50% off first order
Spot & Tango
Fresh or UnKibble — whole-food nutrition, your choice
- •Fresh or UnKibble options
- •Human-grade ingredients
- •Shelf-stable storage option
- •50% off first order
First-year cost
What a Boston Terrier actually costs year one
Breed-specific estimate based on size, health concerns, and grooming needs. Excludes purchase/adoption fees (highly variable).
First-year total
$2,260-$5,000
Ongoing years run $1,620-$3,590 (no gear + training one-times).
Food (year one)
Fresh food subscription
$900-$1,500
Gear (one-time)
Crate, bed, harness, bowls, toys
$240-$360
Vet care
Wellness + breed-specific
$720-$1,550
Grooming
low grooming needs
$0-$120
Training
Puppy class + supplies
$150-$500
Supplements
Breed-matched, optional
$0-$420
Other first-year
Vaccines, neuter, DNA test
$250-$550
Pet insurance (estimate)
Not included above — shown for planning. Breed-risk adjusted.
$624-$1,092/yr
Estimates based on US market averages for small dogs. Your costs will vary with lifestyle and region.
Supplements for Boston Terriers
Matched to this breed's common health concerns. All NASC-sealed.
Zesty Paws Allergy & Immune
Seasonal allergy + immune support chews
- •NASC Quality Seal
- •Seasonal allergy support
- •Salmon oil for skin
- •Chewable, dogs love them
Supplements support — they don't treat or cure disease. Talk to your vet for anything clinical.
Health concerns to watch
BOAS — watch for breathing issues in heat and during activity.
Food sensitivities and skin allergies are common.
Eye problems are frequent — watch for cloudiness, redness, discharge.
Is your Boston Terrier scratching?
Boston Terriers are prone to skin and allergy issues. Take our 2-minute itch triage quiz.
Gear for Boston Terriers
Breed-size-appropriate picks. Links go to Amazon.
Crate
for Boston Terriers
Harness
for Boston Terriers
Bed
for Boston Terriers
Collar
for Boston Terriers
Leash
for Boston Terriers
Slow feeder bowl
for Boston Terriers
Chew toy
for Boston Terriers
As an Amazon Associate, Barkly earns from qualifying purchases.
Training for Boston Terriers
Matched to Boston Terrier temperament (friendly, bright, amusing).
BAXTER & Bella
Online puppy training program, lifetime access
- •Lifetime membership
- •Self-paced video lessons
- •Puppy + adult content
- •Behavior troubleshooting
GoodPup
1-on-1 virtual dog training with certified trainers
- •1-on-1 live video sessions
- •Certified trainers
- •Custom per-dog plan
- •Weekly structure
Dogo
App-based training with daily structure
- •App-based daily plans
- •AI-guided feedback
- •Affordable monthly cost
- •Trick training library
GPS trackers for Boston Terriers
Size-appropriate picks for tracking, activity monitoring, and escape alerts.
Fi
Smart collar with GPS + activity tracking
- •Real-time GPS
- •Activity + sleep tracking
- •Escape alerts
- •3-month battery
Tractive
Affordable GPS tracker with unlimited range
- •Attaches to any collar
- •Worldwide GPS coverage
- •Activity monitoring
- •Budget-friendly
Curious about their DNA?
Confirm breed mix, check for genetic health risks, and get actionable insights.
Embark
The most comprehensive dog DNA test
- •350+ breeds identified
- •250+ health conditions screened
- •Cornell-partnered science
- •Relatives finder
Wisdom Panel
Breed identification + health screening
- •350+ breeds
- •Genetic health insights
- •Budget-friendly option
- •Fast results
Common symptoms in Boston Terriers
What to watch for, what causes it, and when to worry.
Itching & Scratching →
Chronic scratching, licking, or biting at skin — often a signal of allergies, parasites, o…
Excessive Panting →
Panting beyond what makes sense for temperature or exercise — can signal heat stress, pain…
Eye Discharge & Tearing →
Watery eyes, crusty discharge, or colored goop — common in flat-faced and toy breeds. Usua…
Boston Terrier questions, answered
How long do Boston Terriers live?▾
How big do Boston Terriers get?▾
How much exercise does a Boston Terrier need?▾
What health problems do Boston Terriers commonly have?▾
Are Boston Terriers hard to groom?▾
What should I feed a Boston Terrier?▾
Are Boston Terriers good for first-time owners?▾
Ask Barkly about your Boston Terrier
Get personalized answers about food, health, and care.