Will a Boston Terrier Be Good With Kids? Vet-Reviewed Breed Temperament & Care Tips
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View 2 More +When selecting a dog to adopt, it’s vital to pick one that will get along with everyone in the household, from the youngest member to the oldest. If you have kids, you want to be sure a dog you get will get along with them. While some breeds are generally known to be more tolerant of children than others, individual temperament and proper socialization play a major role in how well a dog interacts with kids.
If you’ve been looking at adopting a Boston Terrier, you will be happy to know that Boston Terriers generally get along well with kids when properly socialised! In fact, these pups may often get attached to any children in the home, along with everyone else. Here’s a bit more about this breed to help determine if it’s the right one for you and your family.
Why Boston Terriers Are Good With Kids
The Boston Terrier is also known as the “American Gentleman,” a nickname given to them due to their appearance and well-behaved nature. Although these dogs can sometimes be hyperactive, they’re still gentle. Their small size does not always prevent accidental bumps during play, so interactions with young children should always be supervised. While Boston Terriers are generally friendly, any dog may react if handled roughly or inappropriately, making early socialization and teaching children how to interact with dogs especially important.
This breed is friendly and affectionate with family members, so they will usually love everyone regardless of age or size. With proper training, socialisation, and supervision, they can be good companions for families, including those with children. Many Boston Terriers are playful and lively, which can make them enjoyable companions for older children.
Best of all, the Boston Terrier is a loyal and playful breed. While they are not usually excessive barkers, they may bark when excited, bored, seeking attention, or alerting their owners to something unusual, such as someone at the door.
The Key to a Good Dog & Child Relationship
The Boston Terrier can be a good fit for bigger kids, but that doesn’t mean you can skimp on training and socializing them. While they’re often friendly and affectionate, they still need to learn how to behave around people and other animals. Likewise, any children in your home should learn how to respect a dog’s boundaries and interact appropriately with them.
You also never want to leave smaller children alone with a dog without supervision. While the Boston Terrier isn’t known for nipping, it doesn’t mean it can’t happen if a child accidentally roughs up the dog when trying to handle it. There’s also always the risk that a younger child could play a little too hard and hurt the dog, not understanding the dog’s body language.
Caring for a Boston Terrier
Of course, you need to know how to properly care for a Boston Terrier if you bring one into your home, so here’s a quick look at what you’ll need to do for these pups. There are more things to consider, however, such as the amount of daily exercise that a dog needs, so do your research before adopting!
Diet
Like all dogs, your Boston Terrier will need a complete and balanced high-quality dog food to keep healthy. However, like many breeds, they can be prone to becoming obese, so it’s vital you only feed them the recommended portions. The best way to determine the correct portion for your pup is to speak with your vet. They can recommend not only portion sizes but also the best kinds of dog food for your pet.
Grooming ✂️
The Boston Terrier is a short-haired breed, so they’re reasonably low-maintenance when it comes to grooming needs. You’ll only need to brush your pup once a week to get rid of dirt and loose hair and to keep the dog’s coat looking healthy, although some dogs may benefit from more frequent brushing during shedding periods. As for bathing, you only need to bathe them every 1-2 months (unless your dog runs through a mud puddle or something similar). Bathing your pet too much can dry out their skin and make the coat look less healthy, so don’t overdo it! Also, keep your Boston Terrier’s nails trimmed.
Health Concerns
Even the hardiest dog breeds will have a few health issues they are prone to, and the Boston Terrier is no different. Here are a few health concerns you might encounter with one of these pups.
Conclusion
If you’re concerned about whether a Boston Terrier will get along with your children, there’s generally no need for alarm! These dogs are usually good with kids of all ages, when properly socialised and supervised. They are friendly and playful.That doesn’t mean you can forgo socialization and training a Boston Terrier, though. This is still a vital part of a dog’s life that needs to happen to ensure harmony in the household. But your kids should be thrilled with having a Boston Terrier as a playmate and vice versa!
See also: How Much Do Boston Terriers Cost?
Featured Image Credit: bubutu, Shutterstock
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Misty Layne lives out in the woods in small-town Alabama with her two Siamese - Serafina & Jasper. She also has an array of stray cats, raccoons, and opossums who like to call her front porch home. When she’s not writing about animals, you’ll find her writing poetry, stories, and film reviews (the animals are, by far, her favorite writing topic, though!). In her free time, Misty enjoys chilling with her cats, playing piano, watching indie and foreign films, photographing abandoned places, and catching up on her never-ending TBR list.
