Boston Bull Terrier Dog Breed: Info, Pictures & Care Guide

The Boston Bull Terrier is a mixed breed dog created by crossing the Boston Terrier and the American Pitbull Terrier. This medium-sized dog has an appearance and temperament similar to both of these breeds and tends to be smart and stubborn.

If you’re looking for a loyal, active, and friendly dog that gets along great with kids, the Boston Bull Terrier may be a good choice for you. These dogs are great with kids and they also make excellent watchdogs.

Breed Overview

The Boston Bull Terrier can be challenging to train because it is a headstrong dog with a stubborn streak. However, with persistence and gentle guidance, this intelligent dog can learn new things and is generally very eager to please.

This is a moderately active dog that’s not ideal for someone who doesn’t like to get out and be active. While Boston Bull Terriers are not considered high-energy dogs, they do need their fair share of exercise. In the guide below, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the Boston Bull Terrier to help you determine if this is the right dog for you.

Boston Bull Terrier Characteristics

Boston Bull Terrier Puppies

Because this is a mixed-breed dog, a Boston Bull Terrier will generally cost considerably less than a purebred. Before buying any puppy including a Boston Bull Terrier pup, be sure the dog has been examined by a veterinarian. A good breeder will only sell puppies that have been given a clean bill of health by a vet. Your new puppy should also be dewormed, vaccinated, and microchipped before bringing it home.

When you welcome a Boston Bull Terrier into your home, be ready to have a loyal and affectionate dog by your side. These adorable dogs have a stubborn side which might make training a challenge. With proper early socialization and lots of positive reinforcement and patience, Boston Bull Terriers make great pets. They create strong bonds with their families, especially with children.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Boston Bull Terrier 🧠

While Boston Terriers and American Pitbulls are nearly total opposites in physical and temperamental characteristics, they do share some common ground. For example, both breeds are very loyal and highly intelligent. Like a Boston Terrier, a Boston Bull Terrier is known to be an easy-going companion that can adapt to almost any environment. And like the American Pitbull, a Boston Bull Terrier makes an excellent watchdog as it tends to be protective of its home and family.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Boston Bull Terriers make great family pets but they’re best suited for families with older children. The ideal situation for a Boston Bull Terrier is for it to live with an active family that offers the dog plenty of physical and mental stimulation.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

With proper early socialization, a Boston Bull Terrier can make a great companion for other dogs. This mixed breed may not be the best choice for someone with cats or other small animals because this dog likes to chase and may view them as prey. Of course, with proper training and a firm hand, a Boston Bull Terrier can learn to live with small animals including cats, birds, guinea pigs, etc.

Things to Know When Owning a Boston Bull Terrier

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The Boston Bull Terrier does not have any specific food or diet requirements. However, since it can be difficult to know how big this mixed breed will be, it can be tough knowing what and how much to feed this dog.  You should choose a good quality dry dog food for your Boston Bull Terrier to ensure it gets all the vitamins and nutrients it needs to live a long and healthy life.

Exercise 🐕

Even though Boston Bull Terriers can range in size, most of these dogs require a moderate amount of activity. These are not overly active dogs but they do need to get outside daily for at least one long walk or hike and a bit of playtime. Boston Bull Terriers enjoy playing fetch and romping around with their owners.

Training 🦮

Training a Boston Bull Terrier can be challenging since these dogs can be stubborn. Training this dog requires a firm but gentle approach. Boston Bull Terriers love being praised and they’re eager to please. This dog responds well to positive reinforcement and does great with food reward training, despite it being a bit on the stubborn side.

Grooming ✂️

If grooming a dog isn’t your thing, you’ll be pleased to learn that a Boston Bull Terrier has minimal grooming requirements. This dog has a relatively short coat and is a light to moderate shedder. A good brushing once a week with a soft-bristled dog brush should suffice in keeping a Boston Bull Terrier’s coat nice and smooth. You can bathe this dog as needed to remove dirt, grime, and excess hair.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Since the Boston Bull Terrier is a cross between a Boston Terrier and American Pitbull, it is necessary to consider the health issues of both of these breeds when discussing the general health of the Boston Bull Terrier.

The Boston Terrier is known for having several health issues while the American Pitbull Terrier generally enjoys a healthy life. Here are some health concerns to be on the lookout for that are common with this mixed breed’s heritage line and particularly the Boston Terrier.

Male vs Female

It can be tough deciding between a male and female Boston Bull Terrier and especially if you plan on getting a puppy.  If size is an issue and you want a Boston Bull Terrier that’s not too big, consider a female as they tend to be smaller than males. A female is generally easier to housetrain too because you can quickly redirect a female puppy when you see it starting to squat. This is not the case with a male puppy that gives you very little warning that it’s about to relieve itself.

Male Boston Bull Terriers can be more territorial than their female counterparts and can be more vocal too.  A male Boston Bull Terrier is known for marking its territory by urinating on objects. Females on the other hand tend to be more even-tempered and low-key. If you can’t decide which sex to get, speak to the breeder to learn what type of personality and character each puppy has.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Boston Bull Terrier

1. The Size of This Dog Can Vary Considerably

Typically, Boston Bull Terriers are the first-generation descendants of the Boston Terrier and the American Pitbulls and their appearance reflects this. However, it is impossible to say for sure how big a Boston Bull Terrier will be. A Boston Bull Terrier puppy can grow up to weigh as little as 15 pounds or as much as 50 pounds, depending on the size of its parents.

2. This Mixed Breed Goes by Different Names

The Boston Bull Terrier mixed dog breed is also sometimes called a Pitbull Boston Terrier or a Boston Pit. This is typical with mixed-breed dogs. This use of different names can be confusing to someone who is thinking of buying a Boston Bull Terrier puppy. That’s why a buyer needs to speak to the breeder to know exactly what breeds the two parents are.

3. This Dog Is Often Mistaken for the Boston Terrier

Because the Boston Bull Terrier and the Boston Terrier have similar-sounding names, many people believe they’re one and the same. The truth is that the Boston Terrier is a purebred dog recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1893 while the Boston Bull Terrier is a mixed breed not recognized by the AKC.

Final Thoughts

Loyal and intelligent, the Boston Bull Terrier is the type of dog that will want to spend most of its time with you. This is a moderately active dog that requires at least one long walk a day and some playtime. This dog can be stubborn which can prove challenging when housebreaking and general training. When you take a firm yet gentle approach to training, a Boston Bull Terrier is fully capable of learning new things.

This dog aims to please its owners and responds well to positive reinforcement. Because small children can be unpredictable, a Boston Bull Terrier is best owned by a family with older children. A Boston Bull Terrier can make a wonderful family pet if it comes from even-tempered parents that are well-socialized. That’s why it’s crucial to know the background information about any Boston Bull Terrier puppy you’re thinking of buying.

• See Also: Male vs Female Boston Terriers: What Are the Differences?

Featured Image Credit to: Crystal Alba, Shutterstock