Breed Temperament & Characteristics

Boston Terriers have strong, friendly personalities. Bostons can range in temperaments from those that are eager to please their master to those that are more stubborn. Both can be easily trained given a patient and assertive owner.

While originally bred for fighting, they were later down bred for companionship. The modern Boston Terrier is bred to be gentle, alert, expressive, and well-mannered. It must be noted however, that they are not considered terriers by most International Kennel Clubs, but are part of the non-sporting or Utility Group.

Some Bostons enjoy having another one for companionship. Both females and males generally bark only when necessary. Having been bred as a companion dog, they enjoy being around people, and, if properly socialized, get along well with children, the elderly, other canines, and non-canine pets. Some Boston Terriers are very cuddly, while others are more independent.

Bostons do not drool like some other Bull breeds and are very intelligent and very dapper and classy, and are considered a real eye-catcher when out and about.

They are generally very happy little dogs but they do require a great deal of human contact and hate being left on their own. They can be very persistant when they want your attention often poking and proding you or even sitting on the object that they think is preventing you from giving them the attention that they want. They love to play, especially with toys that they can shake and throw around and this makes them ideal companions for older children.

Many Bostons tend to be enthusiastic and excitable, though affectionate and good humoured too, so they are better off with an owner who has a sense of humour and doesn't mind being bounced on and licked a lot. Their boisterous nature needs a firm hand and they can quickly become unruley and board if not properly trained and stimulated.

The Boston Terrier is happy go lucky sort of breed that is very loyal and loving to their owners and it's these characteristic that has endeared them to pet owners and breeders alike the world over.