Are Boston Terriers a good family dog

Is a Boston Terrier a good family dog

Yes, the Boston Terrier is an ideal family dog. They are gentle and affectionate, the perfect size, and are good with children. Boston Terriers are also good with other pets in the household, especially dogs.

Boston Terriers love company and attention, so they are best suited for families that can spend time with them. However, they are fine to be left home alone. For more details on leaving a Boston Terrier home alone see here.

Boston Terrier is very loyal to their family and love to be involved in family activities. Although they are family-oriented they are not aloof or suspicious of strangers. This makes them a good family dog if you have lots of different people coming to the home.

Why you should get a dog for the family

Getting a family dog is probably the single best thing that you can do for your kids. A child playing with a dog is not only a heart-melting scene. It is also very beneficial when it comes to your children’s upbringing.

You will experience pure bliss by merely watching your kids taking care of their canine pals. They will also learn how to be responsible and compassionate human beings. We all well know that children learn by impersonating. Seeing you interact with the dog will surely inspire them to adopt the best manners while growing up.

Your children will have the opportunity to learn how to treat animals and acquire social-emotional skills that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Before you pick out the perfect canine friend for your household, take some time for thorough research. Adopting a dog is a life-long project for all the members of the family. You also want to make sure that your family pet gets along with other dogs, as well as people. The Boston Terrier certainly is good with other animals and people.

Boston Terrier Temperament and personality

All dogs are individuals, even of the same breed. This is true for Boston Terriers. Some can be full-on and hyperactive, while other Boston Terriers can be quite laid back. These are some of the common personality traits and the temperament of Boston Terriers –

• Energetic and require daily exercise
• Intelligent
• Emotionally intelligent with the ability to relate to the emotions of their owner.
• Extremely friendly and loving
• Can be stubborn
• Confident and not wary of other people.

Are Boston Terriers good with kids

Boston Terriers are generally excellent with children. They are friendly and affectionate, the perfect size for children, and are not aggressive.

They can be a little hyper so should be supervised and calmed down if they are getting a little over the top. For more on calming a hyper Boston Terrier see here.

Teaching your kids how to treat a Boston Terrier

Most kids naturally love dogs and gravitate towards them. They love to cuddle them and play with them and get in their faces.

Involve your children in the training of your Boston Terrier. This will teach them how to read the dog’s body language and will strengthen the bond between the children and their dog.

Your Boston Terrier is likely going to be happy to see your children and will quickly get used to them coming up and touching them. It is important to teach your children that not all dogs will be the same as your dog.

No matter how your dog interacts with your kids, you want to make sure your kids understand that not all dogs are the same. You should teach your children to ask permission before touching a dog they don’t know, not to annoy them while they are eating and to be aware of body language such as growling.

These important lessons will teach your children to respect dogs and keep themselves safe. Teaching children to respect dogs and your dog to respect children is key to safe interactions between them.

Are Boston Terriers a good watchdog

Boston Terriers can make excellent watchdogs. Although they are affectionate and friendly, they are also protective of their family. Boston Terriers are also a breed that doesn’t bark a lot. That means when they do bark it is usually for a good reason.

Boston Terriers have excellent hearing and are very aware of their environment. If something is not right they will warn you.

Boston Terriers are not known for being aggressive so it is unlikely they would bite someone. They are not a guard dog or protection dog. Those breed of dog will actually defend you against an attacker or intruder

Potential Boston Terrier behavior problems

It is important to ensure that you train a Boston Terrier, as with any dog breed, to prevent any behavior issues forming

They are also active and energetic and not providing sufficient exercise and keeping them occupied will have the same result. Some of these behavior issues that are common with untrained and under-exercised Boston Terriers include;

Escaping and running away

Boston Terriers love human company and if they are getting the attention it is unlikely they would want to escape. If they are bored they may want to go find their own fun. It is essential that your property is Boston Terrier escape-proof.

Barking

Boston Terriers usually don’t bark much. They are known as quite a quiet dog. However, that doesn’t mean they don’t bark at all. Dogs bark for many reasons including being overexcited, warning somebody is there, anxiety, boredom, and attention-seeking behavior.

Digging

Many Boston Terriers, but not all, like to dig. This can be a problem if they are digging up your yard or even your carpet and furniture. Digging is an instinctive behavior for dogs. You can’t train an instinct out of a dog but you can redirect it in a more constructive way.

Destructive behavior

Destructive behavior usually involves chewing and destroying your property. This can include furniture, clothing, and items around the house.

In puppies, a certain amount of destructive chewing is expected as they are exploring the world and around 5 to 6 months will also be teething. The most common reason for destructive chewing is boredom. 

Toilet training

Boston Terriers can be a little difficult to potty train. They are considered one of the top ten more difficult to train dog breeds. It is important to make the extra effort to potty train them as young as possible as most Boston Terriers are inside dogs.

Potential Boston Terrier health problems

The Boston Terrier is a relatively long-lived breed with a life expectancy of 13 to 15 years. However, there are some common genetic health issues that can affect them. Being aware of common health issues of any dog breed you may be considering can be beneficial, Recognizing symptoms early ensures you can take action if required.

Boston Terriers are a short-faced breed and as a result, they do tend to suffer from breathing issues. These types of breeds are known as brachycephalic.

The most common issue to affect this breed is Brachycephalic Syndrome. Dogs with the condition have trouble breathing due to an excess of soft tissue having formed in their airways. The three most common disorders include stenotic nares, everted laryngeal saccules, and elongated soft palate.

Other potential health issues for Boston Terriers include;

Patellar Luxation – This is a genetic knee issue meaning the knee joint is loose. The symptoms to watch out for include lameness, stretching a hind leg back in an attempt to pop the patella back into the correct position. It can also lead to cruciate ligament damage.

Hemivertebrae – This is a genetic disorder that affects many brachycephalic breeds that also have screw-tails. This can be quite serious due to the effect the deformity could have on their spine.

Ear infections – Boston Terriers can be prone to ear infections. If left untreated this can lead to Sensorineural Deafness. If action is taken early, most ear infection is easily treated.

Eye Issues – Due to Boston Terriers have such prominent eyes, they are more predisposed to suffering from certain eye problems and injuries. These can include Cataracts, Corneal Ulcers, Glaucoma, Dry eye, and Cherry eye.

Caring for a Boston Terrier

When selecting any breed of dog for your family it is important to be sure that you are able to care for and provide to their needs. Things you need to take into consideration are;

• Financial costs – take into consideration the cost of food, vet visits or pet insurance, boarding costs if going away, etc.
• Time needs – do you have the time to spend with your Boston Terrier. They like to spend as much time with the family as possible. If they are going to spend a lot of time home alone, behavior problems may develop.
• Exercise needs – Boston Terriers need at least an hour of exercise a day but more is preferred. They are also very smart and need enrichment and mental challenges to prevent boredom. For a guide to Boston Terrier exercise needs see here.
• Grooming needs – although Boston Terriers don’t need a lot of grooming they will require regular brushing and bathing. They tend to shed coat and may leave hair around the house.

For more on caring for a Boston Terrier see here.

Summary – Are Boston Terriers a good family dog

The Boston Terrier is a great family dog. Every dog is an individual even of the same. Some Boston terriers can be full-on while others are more laid back.

Boston Terriers are friendly and affectionate, loyal and love to be involved in family activities. They are not known to be aggressive, yet make a good watchdog that will alert you when needed.

They are excellent with children and if you have other pets in the home will get along well.

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