How Long Do Boston Terriers Live?
Boston Terriers live 11-13 years on average. Here is the AKC breed profile, the health areas to stay ahead of, and how to give a Boston Terrier more good years.
Breed profile
Breed profile and trait ratings: American Kennel Club. Trait scores are AKC ratings from 1 to 5.
At 12-25 pounds, the Boston Terrier is a medium breed. Medium breeds fall in the middle of the canine lifespan range, which its 11-13 years average reflects.
Does a Boston Terrier fit your life?
This is a cheerful, people-loving little extrovert that does well with kids, strangers, and other dogs alike. It trains easily and keeps its coat care simple, making it a low-fuss choice for a lot of households. The tradeoff is its attachment: this is a dog that wants to be included in everything and doesn't love being left alone.
A great match if you
- You'll get a dog that adores your kids and wants in on every family moment.
- You can bring it to the dog park or have friends over without a second thought.
- You'll find training relatively straightforward with positive reinforcement.
- You're up for daily playtime, this dog stays a clown well into adulthood.
- You can skip frequent grooming appointments and stick to basic upkeep.
Think twice if
- This dog doesn't do well left alone for long stretches, it wants to be near people.
- Small size doesn't mean small needs, it still wants real daily activity, not just a short stroll.
- It prefers a steady routine, frequent moves or chaos aren't its favorite.
Health areas for the Boston Terrier
Based on the breed profile, the health areas most worth staying ahead of for a Boston Terrier are Joint and mobility and Eye and vision (owners often watch for patellar luxation, cataracts, glaucoma).
Sensory
Congenital deafness is genetic. VitaDog cannot address it but provides daily nutritional foundation for all the other health systems of a deaf dog.
Where VitaDog fits, as one lever. Our daily all-in-one gives direct support for joint and mobility, plus gut, skin and immune support in one scoop.
Actives: Glucosamine HCl 600mg · MSM · Turmeric + Black Pepper Extract (piperine 5mg) · Anchovy Fish Oil (EPA + DHA) and more. See what is in it
Boston Terrier facts, quick answers
How long do Boston Terriers live?
Boston Terriers live 11-13 years on average, and plenty go beyond that. The two biggest levers on where a given dog lands are keeping it at a lean, healthy weight and staying ahead of the health issues the breed is prone to.
How big do Boston Terriers get?
A full-grown Boston Terrier stands 10-12 inches and weighs 12-25 pounds, which puts it firmly in the medium-breed range.
What kind of dog is a Boston Terrier?
The Boston Terrier is a non-sporting breed, and one of the country's more popular breeds, ranked 23 of 208. It is a medium dog that typically lives around 11-13 years.
Are Boston Terriers high-energy dogs?
Boston Terriers are an energetic breed that stays happiest with a solid daily walk plus some play or training.
Are Boston Terriers easy to train?
Boston Terriers are very trainable and love having their brain worked, picking up commands quickly with positive, consistent training.
Do Boston Terriers shed a lot?
Not really. They shed very little, though low-shedding coats often trade that for more regular grooming or clipping.
Do Boston Terriers bark a lot?
They are on the quiet side and are not prone to nuisance barking.
Are Boston Terriers good with kids?
Boston Terriers are great with children, gentle and patient, which is a big reason families love the breed; supervise young kids around any dog.
Do Boston Terriers get along with other dogs?
Boston Terriers are generally sociable with other dogs and usually enjoy the company.
Are Boston Terriers friendly with strangers?
Boston Terriers are friendly with strangers and tend to greet new people like old friends.
Are Boston Terriers good for first-time owners?
Boston Terriers are rewarding but not the easiest first dog; they do best with an owner ready to commit to their exercise, training and grooming.
Personalized for your dog





