The Boston Terrier’s Temperament and Personality


With his dapper looks and playful attitude, it’s no wonder that the Boston Terrier is a family favorite and popular breed. The Boston Terrier breed originated in the late 1800s when white English Terriers and English Bulldogs were crossbred to produce a sturdy, compact breed of dog for fighting purposes.

However, the end result was a handsome, cheerful, non-aggressive companion dog who quickly stole the hearts of his American owners. Today, the Boston Terrier is one of the top twenty most popular dog breeds in the country because of his sweet nature and loving personality.

The Boston Terrier’s Temperament and Personality. Boston Terrier Society.
Bella dressing up for Halloween.

Is a Boston Terrier the right dog for you? If you are looking for a small, lively, friendly dog with an excellent disposition and the flexibility to fit with any family, the Boston Terrier might be a good fit.

What is the Boston Terrier’s temperament?

A Boston Terriers temperament is one of love and affection. A Boston is very loyal and loves companionship. In addition to being intelligent, a Boston can, at times, be stubborn.  

As a small breed, the Boston Terrier is a versatile dog who, while mostly designed to live indoors, is also an energetic and spirited canine who enjoys the outdoors in small doses. This low maintenance dog is not only loyal and affectionate, but he is also a dog with a high degree of intelligence, making the Boston Terrier a standout breed in the world of canines. What can you expect from a Boston Terrier’s temperament? Here are three areas where this breed’s character shines brightly:

A Gentle Indoor Nature

In fine terrier breed tradition, the Boston Terrier typically displays excellent manners indoors. Well-tempered and gentle, Boston’s are designed to be a constant companion within the home. As such, the Boston Terrier will quickly become your shadow as you move about your home as this breed bonds strongly with their owners. 

A joyful, comedic dog, the Boston Terrier will keep you laughing when you need some entertainment. In addition, a Boston will happily be a cuddle bug with you on the couch or in your bed.

Although the Boston Terrier is not a dog to obnoxiously demand your attention at all times, he can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for long periods without his family.

Overall, the Boston Terrier is capable of adapting to various housing situations and is just as suitable a pet for a rural home as he is for an apartment. 

A Spirited Outdoor Disposition

Although Boston Terriers do not require hours of exercise, they do enjoy a romp in the backyard for a short while. In many cases, this breed prefers to play fetch rather than walking or jogging with their owner. Fetch, frisbee or flyball are favorite options for the Boston Terrier. With early training, a Boston Terrier will learn how to walk on a leash and enjoy short walks in the cooler parts of the day. 

Boston Terriers should never be left alone outdoors. Nor left outside in extreme hot or cold temperatures. Primarily an indoor dog, the Boston Terrier nonetheless is a dog who loves to play outside with his owner and can be trained in obedience and agility.

What is the Boston Terrier’s personality?

Dignified and charming, it doesn’t take much for the Boston Terrier to win over everyone he meets. This dog loves to entertain an audience with silly, clownish antics and is generally fond of the people he encounters. He is eager to please and utterly devoted to his family. 

A Sensitive Nature

The Boston Terrier is a sensitive dog, and his owner must be careful with his tone of voice around this breed. Boston’s will quickly shut down and become fearful if yelled at or spoken to harshly. Using motivational, positive training strategies, and a low-key tone of voice is key to socializing a Boston Terrier and keeping his sensitive spirit intact. 

This sensitive nature combined with the breed’s intelligence is sometimes interrupted by a small stubborn streak; however, with positive training delivered with consistency and persistence, any stubbornness in your Boston Terrier can be quickly handled. Because this breed is so smart, they can soon become bored with training. You will need to keep them on their toes with new, fun training challenges and rewarding treats.

The Boston Terrier’s sensitivity and devotion is a unique aspect of this breed’s personality. This unique aspect is also a part of the dog’s ability to get along so well with his family. The Boston Terrier is a wonderful dog for families with children of any age. Boston’s love to play alongside the kids in the house and backyard.

This sociable breed tends to get along with other animals in the household as well. Including cats and particularly other dogs, especially if they have been socialized at a young age. 

A True Gentleman and Family Dog

The Boston Terrier is the ultimate family dog: a true American gentleman, companion, and devoted friend. Whether you are a single person or have a large family Boston’s make a great pet. Even if you live on a farm or in a big city apartment, the Boston Terrier is a dog breed with the adaptability to live happily in any scenario. Boston Terriers are a loving, gentle, sweet-natured dog who will strive to be the greatest friend you have ever had. If you want a loyal, devoted companion dog, look no further than the Boston Terrier.

References:

Donnie Gardner

Donnie Gardner is the owner of the Boston Terrier Society. He has been raising Bella the Boston since 2010. He resides in Kansas with his wife, daughter, and Bella. His favorite activities are hanging out with family, traveling, running (but has bad knees), and reading non-fiction books.

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