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Nutricanine Canada - Raw dog food
Breed Boston Terrier
  • Breed Group
    Non-Sporting Group
  • Temperament
    Friendly, Bright, Amusing
  • Personality
    • Height15-17 in
    • Weight12-25 lbs
    • Lifespan11-13 lbs
    • EnergySociable
    • GroomingMinimal
    • SheddingMinimal

Boston Terrier

Boston Terrier Facts and Best Dog Food - NutriCanine

As the name suggests, the Boston Terrier was developed in Boston, Massachusetts, in the latter half of the 19th century. Boston Terriers are a cross between the English Bulldog and the now-extinct white English Terrier. Once bred for pit-fighting and vermin hunting, Boston Terriers have evolved into a friendly all-around family pet. The Boston Terrier was recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club in 1893.

Create the perfect meal plan for your Boston Terrier

Boston Terrier Appearance 

Boston Terriers are a small-medium sized dog with a well-balanced, compact build. They have a square-shaped head, erect ears, small tails and a short muzzle. Boston Terriers come in three weight classes: lightweight, under 15 pounds; middleweight, 15 to 20 pounds; heavyweight, 20 to 25 pounds. Boston Terriers typically stand 15-17 inches tall at the shoulder.


Boston Terrier Temperament 

As a result of their gentle disposition and tuxedo-like coat, Boston Terriers have been nicknamed the “American gentlemen.” Boston Terriers are intelligent, lively and affectionate. They’re known to be a little stubborn at times; however, this can be addressed with consistent training. If you’re looking for a good-natured companion, the Boston Terrier is a great choice. Boston Terriers enjoy being around people and get along well with children and other pets.

Learn how diet effects your dog’s behaviour


Grooming Your Boston Terrier

Boston Terriers are not high maintenance when it comes to grooming. They have a smooth, short coat that sheds minimally year-round. The traditional colors for Boston Terriers include black, seal, or brindle with white markings. If you want to keep shedding to a minimum and your Boston’s coat looking its best it’s recommended that you brush them once a week using a soft-bristle brush. Bostons also need regular nail trimming, ear cleaning and dental care.

Give your dog a shinier coat with fresh food


Training & Exercise for Boston Terriers

Boston Terriers are intelligent dogs, which makes them easy to train. It’s recommended that you start by teaching your Boston basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, come and leash training. As Bostons can be quite sensitive, it’s recommended that you use gentle corrections and positive reinforcement. 

Boston Terriers are high-energy dogs that need up to an hour of exercise daily. They enjoy walks around the neighborhood or interactive games like fetch and tug of war. As a breed prone to separation anxiety, Boston Terriers don’t like being left alone for long periods of time.


Health Considerations for Boston Terriers 

Allergies

Boston terriers can develop a variety of allergies, including contact, inhalant and food allergies. Some common symptoms of allergies in Bostons are excessive scratching, licking the paws, rubbing the face, sneezing and diarrhea. Bostons who consume dog food full of artificial flavours, byproducts and other harmful ingredients are more likely to encounter health issues. Therefore, it’s important to feed your Boston Terrier a healthy, well-balanced diet, so they can develop a strong immune system. Being able to recognize the signs of allergies in your Boston and treat them accordingly will ensure they enjoy a healthy and comfortable life.

Brachycephalic Syndrome 

Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BAOS) is a combination of upper airway abnormalities that cause partial obstruction to a dog’s breathing. As a result of the Bostons’ short nose and flattened face, they are more prone to this particular condition. Boston Terriers that are affected may experience a range of symptoms such as loud breathing, difficulty handling exercise, heat intolerance and difficulty eating. 

Cataracts

A cataract is developed when the lens of the eye clouds, preventing light from reaching the retina. Signs to watch for in your Boston Terrier include changes in eye colour, cloudy pupils in one or both eyes, confusion and clumsiness. This condition can be treated with surgery, but if left untreated, can lead to blindness.

Cherry Eye

Some dog breeds are predisposed to developing cherry eye, including the Boston Terrier. Cherry eye occurs when your Boston’s third eyelid tear gland prolapses. This causes the eyelid to become irritated, swollen and red like a cherry. Symptoms to be aware of in your Boston include dry eye, scratching/pawing at the eye or an swollen, oval mass protruding from the corner of the eye. Once diagnosed your vet may recommend anti-inflammatory drops to help reduce the swelling. Treatment may also involve the surgical replacement of the third eyelid gland. 

It’s important to monitor your Boston's vision to detect various eye conditions early on, especially in the first years of their life. It’s recommended that you have your Boston’s eyes checked by your vet on a regular basis.  

Deafness

Boston Terriers are prone to heritable deafness in one or both ears. Responsible breeders should have Boston puppies BAER tested to evaluate their hearing. If you notice that your Boston is not responding or reacting to sounds, this could be a sign that they’re deaf. Although there’s no treatment for deafness, if provided the proper care, your Boston can go on to live a long and happy life. 

Patellar Luxation

Patellar luxation is a condition common in small dogs, including the Boston Terrier. A luxating patella is a knee cap that moves out of its normal position. When this occurs your Boston may have difficulty bearing weight on their leg. This condition can cause your Boston to have cartilage damage, pain, inflammation and, in some cases, ligament tears. Some symptoms to look for in your Boston Terrier include limping, lameness or sudden lifting of the hindlimb. Treatment will depend on the severity of the condition; however, surgery may be needed to hold the patella in its appropriate location. 

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What Makes a Boston Terrier Unique?  

Boston Terriers are nicknamed the “American Gentlemen”

The Boston Terrier is one of the few all-American breeds. As a result of their gentle disposition and tuxedo-like coat, Boston Terriers have been nicknamed the “American gentlemen.”

Boston Terriers are popular in the U.S.

The Boston Terrier remains one of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S. In 1922, Boston University declared Rhett the Boston Terrier its official mascot. In 1979, the Boston Terrier was also designated the official state dog of Massachusetts.

Boston Terriers were bred to be fighters

Boston Terriers were originally bred for the terrible practice of dog-fighting. However, the modern Boston Terrier is more a lover than a fighter. Boston Terriers are gentle, affectionate and make great companions.

Create a custom Boston Terrier Meal Plan


Why NutriCanine Is Great For Boston Terriers

  • Best Dog Food for a Boston Terrier Puppy (1-4 years)

    The best dog food for your Boston Terrier puppy will be high quality and nutritionally complete to ensure they grow into a healthy adult. Boston Terriers will typically reach their full adult size between 10 and 14 months old. When choosing the best dog food for your Boston, it can help to understand the special needs of this particular breed. For example, Boston Terriers are prone to developing certain health conditions such as patellar luxation and allergies. Choosing a dog food that contains well-sourced protein, nutrients, and a proper amount of fat will help in the development of healthy bones and joints. It’s also important to consider dog food that is free from any fillers and artificial ingredients, which can help reduce the risk of feeding allergies. The best dog food for your Boston Terrier puppy will support healthy growth and consider the breed’s health concerns.

    As your Boston puppy is still in the process of development, another factor to consider is the consistency of their dog food. Your Boston will have an easier time digesting soft dog food as opposed to hard dry kibble. NutriCanine’s nutrient-dense and easily digestible meals are developed by a dog food formulation specialist for an incredible flavour and texture that your Boston puppy will love. Our dog food recipes offer complete and balanced nutrition for your pup, with human-edible animal proteins and our unique blend of highly digestible fruits and vegetables. All our dog food recipes are freshly prepared with no hormones, no antibiotics, and no artificial preservatives, colours or flavours.

  • Best Dog Food for an Adult Boston Terrier (5-7 years)

    As an active breed, Boston Terriers need high-quality, protein-rich dog food to fit this stage of their life. NutriCanine’s raw dog food recipes are a great solution as they contain rich animal proteins and natural ingredients, which will help support your Boston Terrier’s compact build. NutriCanine’s raw dog food recipes provide your Boston with a variety of flavour options including chicken, salmon, turkey, beef and lamb. These raw dog food recipes are formulated to be complete and balanced and are specially designed to meet your Boston Terrier’s nutritional needs.

    However, if you’ve got a picky eater, a pup with a sensitive stomach, or an immunocompromised family member at home, NutriCanine’s gently cooked dog food is a great option as well. All our dog food recipes are freshly prepared with real, human-edible, locally sourced ingredients. NutriCanine’s dog food is always free of hormones, antibiotics and preservatives. Adult Boston Terriers need a trusted dog food that can fully support their lifestyle.

  • Best Dog Food for a Senior Boston Terrier

    Once Boston Terriers reach seniority, their energy levels begin to slow down considerably. It’s important to feed your Boston dog food that contains high-quality ingredients and is low in calories and fat. NutriCanine’s raw dog food recipes are specially formulated to accommodate your senior dog’s nutritional needs; however, our gently cooked line might be easier for an older dog to transition to if they’re not accustomed to fresh dog food. Our fresh dog food comes in a variety of delicious recipes that your Boston will absolutely love, including high-quality proteins like chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, and chicken and salmon.

    There are numerous health benefits when feeding your Boston a diet of real, fresh dog food. With complete and balanced nutrition from NutriCanine, you’ll start to see health benefits in your senior Boston, including improved digestion, fresher breath, more stable energy levels, reduction of allergies and intolerances, brighter eyes, fresher breath, cleaner and whiter teeth, a stronger immune system, a thicker and glossier coat, less flatulence, and firmer stools, to name a few. Our dog food recipes offer complete and balanced nutrition for your Boston, with human-edible animal proteins and our unique blend of highly digestible fruits and vegetables. All our dog food recipes are freshly prepared with no hormones, no antibiotics, and no artificial preservatives, colours or flavours.

  • Best Dog Food for an Overweight Boston Terrier
    Boston Terriers love to eat. If your Boston is experiencing weight issues there are steps you can take to get them back to an ideal weight. Proper exercise is important and dog food that’s low in calories. There are numerous health benefits when feeding your Boston a diet of real, fresh dog food. With complete and balanced nutrition from NutriCanine, you’ll start to see health benefits in your Boston, including improved digestion, fresher breath, more stable energy levels, reduction of allergies and intolerances, brighter eyes, fresher breath, cleaner and whiter teeth, a stronger immune system, a thicker and glossier coat, less flatulence, and firmer stools, to name a few. NutriCanine dog food recipes also come pre-portioned, making it easy to track and control your Boston’s calorie intake.
  • Best Dog Food for a Boston Terrier with a Sensitive Stomach

    Boston Terriers are known to have sensitive stomachs and the most common reasons are allergies and gas problems. When selecting the right dog food for your Boston, it’s important to consider three factors: the quality, source of the nutrients and the proteins used. To help alleviate your Boston’s stomach sensitivity, it’s important not to compromise on any of these three factors in your search for the right dog food.

    Food allergies arise when your Boston’s body reacts or rejects a particular dog food causing them to have problems with digestion. Food intolerance and dog food allergies are not the same thing. Food intolerance can cause symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, while dog food allergies can result in symptoms like skin problems, itching and lack of appetite. To try and solve the problem your Boston is experiencing, we recommend consulting your veterinarian as soon as possible. If you’re also trying to change your pup’s dog food, we suggest you do so gradually in order to find a suitable diet for your Boston.

    Brachycephalic breeds like the Boston Terrier have an increased amount of flatulence. This is the buildup of gas in the digestive system that can cause abdominal discomfort. NutriCanine’s gently cooked dog food recipes are a great option for dogs with sensitive stomachs. Our gently cooked beef dog food recipe contains antioxidant-rich berries and highly digestible rice, making it the perfect meal for dogs who have immune responses to gluten. All our dog food recipes are freshly prepared with no hormones, no antibiotics, and no artificial preservatives, colours or flavours.


Top 10 Facts About Boston Terriers

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NutriCanine Meals

Raw

NutriCanine raw recipes contain a unique blend of highly digestible fruits and vegetables. Our raw recipes offer complete and balanced nutrition, ideal for all dogs of all ages and sizes. The transition to raw tends to be easier for younger dogs and high energy dogs.

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Gently Cooked

NutriCanine gently cooked recipes are great for all dogs including picky eaters, sensitive stomachs, or senior dogs with brittle teeth. Our recipes are safe enough for humans to eat but specially designed to meet your dog's nutritional needs.

Try NutriCanine gently cooked recipes