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View 8 More +The Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix is a small dog with a big personality. This mix has several nicknames, including Bochi, Chibo, and Bohuahua. They rarely stand taller than 15 inches or weigh more than 10 pounds and are often quite small.
Breed Overview
Height
9–15 inches
Weight
4–10 pounds
Lifespan
11–16 years
Colors
Black, brown, tan, and silver
Suitable for
Apartments, families
Temperament
Playful, intelligent
This dog’s appearance will be heavily dependent on which parent they take after more, but you can expect them to have a stout and muscular build with a large head. They will also have a small tail or no tail at all, and they will have a short, shiny coat that’s available in several colors, including black, brown, tan, and silver.
Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix Characteristics
Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix Puppies
Both the Boston Terrier and Chihuahua are popular pets in America, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find a Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix. These dogs have a healthy lifespan and are highly social. They get along with other dogs and are ideal for individuals living in apartments and for families.
This mixed breed dog comes in a wide variety of color coats, and they have few health issues. Keep your Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix healthy with a balanced diet and enough mental and physical stimulation.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix 🧠
The Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix is an active breed. They’re eager to play with family members and love to learn new tricks. They’re not a suspicious dog and enjoy meeting new people, so they’re not the best choice as a watchdog. They like to follow their owners around and form a strong bond with family members whom they spend time around.
With patience and plenty of positive reinforcement, your Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix can learn a new trick quickly. They enjoy being the center of attention and will look forward to your training sessions.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
The Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix makes a great family pet that doesn’t bark a lot like many other small breeds, including the Chihuahua parent. Their small size is well suited for small apartments and large homes, and they have plenty of energy for playing with children. They love attention and will often be right under your feet or in your lap when you sit down. They enjoy meeting new people, so they’re a great choice if you like to entertain guests.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽
The Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix gets along well with other pets and will be quick to play games and pal around. The downside is that their small size makes them vulnerable to other pets that might be aggressive. Even a cat can present a real danger to this breed, so you need to be careful when introducing them to other animals.
Things to Know When Owning a Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
Your Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix will need the same high-quality diet that most other breeds need. Crunchy kibble can help clean the teeth by scraping away the tarter, while wet food helps add moisture to their diet and can relieve constipation. We recommend looking for brands with chicken, turkey, beef, or salmon listed as a first ingredient. Brands that contain omega-3 fats can help the dog have a shinier, healthier coat and reduce inflammation.
Exercise 🐕
Your Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix requires plenty of exercise, but the good news is that they will get most of it running around your home night and day. They also like to jump and can get quite high. You will only need to set aside 15–30 minutes per day to throw a ball or play a few games. Frisbee is a great game because it incorporates jumping, which burns lots of calories and will help your dog settle down at night.
Training 🎾
The Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix loves to learn new tricks to get attention. Set aside 5–10 minutes each day for training, and be consistent to get your dog into a routine. Motion to your dog what you want them to do, and when they comply, give them a treat and praise. Your Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix will catch on quickly and start learning tricks in a few tries. This breed can get stubborn from time to time, though, so you may have to try again the next day. Try not to let the dog see your disappointment, or they might not be willing to carry on with the training sessions.
Grooming ✂️
The Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix is a moderate shedder, but the short coat is easy to maintain. We recommend weekly brushing to help remove hair before it winds up on your furniture, clothes, and floor. This breed doesn’t smell, so they will rarely need a bath unless they get into something, but you will need to trim the nails when you hear them clicking on the floor. We also recommend manually brushing the teeth as frequently as the dog will allow, using a dog-safe toothpaste to help reduce the progression of dental decay.
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Health and Conditions 🏥
- Luxating patella
- Cataracts
Dental Problems
Dental problems are not only issues for the Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix. They are a problem for all dog breeds in America. Periodontal disease, a disease affecting the gums, affects up to 90% of dogs by 2 years old. As the disease progresses, it will damage the teeth, gums, and supporting structures in the mouth. Regular brushing with a dog-safe toothpaste can help slow the progression of the disease, and frequent checkups can inform you of any problems early so you can treat them.
Luxating patella
Both the Boston Terrier and the Chihuahua can suffer from a luxating patella, so it is a danger to your dog too. This condition causes the kneecap to temporarily pop out of place due to a malformation of the patella ligament. Over time, the ligament will wear down more, enabling the kneecap to fall out of place more frequently. It can affect one or both knees, and there are several degrees of progression. Signs include difficulty bearing weight, and your dog may swing out their leg to put the knee back in place.
Cataracts
Dogs with this condition will experience increasingly cloudy lenses, covering the pupil in one or both eyes. If left untreated, it can make it hard for your dog to see clearly and can lead to glaucoma, an even more serious condition that can lead to permanent blindness. We recommend taking your pet to the vet if you notice one or both eyes getting clouding.
Male vs. Female
The female Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix is a little more playful than the male but is more cautious of strangers. The male is friendlier to new people and enjoys learning new tricks but isn’t quite as fun-loving as the female. Otherwise, both sexes are similar in temperament, size, and weight.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix
1. The Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix only barks when necessary and is not a yapper.
This is good news for people who do not want a dog that is excessively vocal. Since the Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix only barks when necessary, they have the potential to make a good watchdog!
2. The Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix is one of the longest-living breeds, with most of the dogs living 15 years or more.
Are you looking for a long-term canine companion? The Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix can be by your side for more than a decade and a half. Of course, this is provided that they have a happy and healthy environment to thrive in!
3. The Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix coat does not protect them well from extreme weather.
Neither parent breed is known for their thick and wooly coat, so it should come as no surprise that the Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix will need extra protection in very cold weather conditions.
Closing Thoughts
The Boston Terrier and Chihuahua mix is a fantastic family pet that is well suited to small city apartments, especially since they’re not a heavy barker. They don’t require much maintenance and get along with children and other pets. Their long lifespan is a huge bonus, and they have few health problems.
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Featured Image Credit: Alyssa Culpepper, Shutterstock
