Boston Terrier Progression: Growth Chart, Milestones, and Training Tips

The Boston Terrier is an adorable, charming dog developed in Boston – as you would expect. These compact, friendly dogs make great companion animals, which is their primary purpose. They’re very playful, intelligent, and adaptable.

With their distinctive coat and expressive eyes, Boston Terriers capture the hearts of dog enthusiasts worldwide.

These dogs are small, so they grow rather slowly. They’re also done growing earlier than most since they don’t have as many pounds to pack on. Below, we’ve put together a growth and weight chart by age, as well as other common questions people ask about Boston Terrier’s growth.

Boston Terrier Growth and Weight Chart by Age

When Will My Boston Terrier Stop Growing?

Boston terriers grow very rapidly when they are puppies. However, this rapid growth slows down as they reach their first birthday. In fact, many Boston terriers will reach their full height and length by 10 months of age, especially those on the smaller side.

However, they may continue to gain fat and muscle until they reach 1 to 2 years old. Dogs typically grow to their full size first and then pack on extra muscle.

If your Boston Terrier is on the smaller side by 6 months of age, it will probably stay that way. If your dog is still growing after 10 months, it’s likely that they’re just bigger and need more time.

Regular veterinary check-ups are important to ensure your dog is growing properly. Your vet can let you know if your dog is on track or not.

How Big Will My Boston Terrier Be When It’s Fully Grown?

On average, a fully grown Boston Terrier stands about 15 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between 12 to 25 pounds. There is no significant weight difference between males and females.

These dogs are very compact and weigh more than you might guess from their height alone.

Of course, all dogs are individuals and will vary. Some dogs will weigh much more, while others may weigh less. All Boston Terriers should preferably fall within this weight bracket, though.

Determining exactly how much your dog will weigh when fully grown is challenging. You can look at the size of their parents, which can often give you some idea of how big the puppy will get. Most breeders will give you a size range. They may breed “little” or “big” Boston Terriers, for instance.

However, diet and other lifestyle factors also matter. Therefore, it’s impossible to predict how much a dog may weigh with 100% accuracy.

When Should My Boston Terrier Be Spayed or Neutered?

Preferably, your dog should be spayed or neutered before they hit puberty. This helps prevent accidental pregnancies and reduces the hormone fluctuations that dog experiences (which can cause cancer, other diseases, and mood swings).

If you’re planning on spaying or neutering your dog, it’s best to do so whenever they reach the minimum weight required by your vet. This weight can vary. However, most Boston Terriers can be spayed or neutered by 5 months old.

At the latest, you should spay or neither your dog before 6 to 9 months of age, which is when many reach sexual maturity. Often, you need to spay or neuter these smaller dogs before you might expect you need to.

When Should My Boston Terrier Be House Broken?

Boston terriers are smaller dogs, meaning they have smaller bladders. For this reason, it may take them a bit longer to be housebroken. However, you should start teaching them the basics when you bring them home around 8 weeks.

Consistency is key. If you let your puppy get used to using the bathroom inside the house, housebreaking them can be a challenge. Starting early is vital. Many breeders will even start the potty training process before their puppies are sent to their forever homes.

That said, Boston Terriers are not particularly hard to housebreak. They tend to learn pretty quickly, and their bladders aren’t so small that they have trouble making it outside in time.

When Should My Boston Terrier Stop Eating Puppy Food?

You can transition your Boston Terrier to adult food around 12 months of age. You should continue feeding it until your dog is fully grown, which often happens by the end of 12 months.

However, some dogs may benefit from eating puppy food for longer, especially if they are still growing. When in doubt, speak to your vet. They can provide information on switching your puppy to adult food.

When Will My Boston Terrier Start Losing Teeth?

Like all puppies, Boston Terriers start losing their baby teeth around 3 months of age. This process continues until they are about 9 months old (around the same time they reach full size).

To manage any discomfort during teething, provide appropriate chew toys and consider freezing wet washcloths for them to gnaw on. Don’t freak out if you find teeth in chew toys and other items, either.

When Should I Start Training My Boston Terrier?

You should start training your puppy as early as possible. Most puppies come to their forever homes at 8 weeks old, which is plenty old enough to start training. Training is how you teach your dog how to behave. You don’t want any time to go by when you’re just letting your dog do what they please.

Boston Terriers are intelligent and eager to please, making them receptive to positive reinforcement training methods. They are not hard dogs to train in the least. However, they do benefit from group puppy classes, as these can provide socialization.

What Commands Should I Teach My Boston Terrier First?

You should always start with an “attention” command. This command gets your puppy’s attention. While getting your puppy’s attention is vital, this command also lets you train your dog’s attention span, which is very important in real-life situations.

Next, you’ll want to teach the basics, like “sit,” “stay,” and “come.” These commands create a foundation for teaching advanced commands and are necessary for many other tricks.

You should also start teaching your puppy how to walk on a leash. Your Boston terrier needs to know how to walk on a leash well, and this behavior can be learned very early.

When Will My Boston Terrier Calm Down?

Boston terriers usually calm down around the same time they reach their full size, which is around a year old. However, some other dogs may stay a little wild until 18 months. Every dog is unique and has their own individual personality. Experiences can influence their behaviors, too.

Consistent training and regular exercise are also useful. If a dog hasn’t been exercised properly, you can expect them to be overly excited and energetic. If you haven’t trained your dog to behave properly in a house, they likely aren’t going to.

Common Health Issues Your Boston Terrier Might Experience

Boston Terriers are not the healthiest dogs out there. Practically all Boston terriers have brachycephalic syndrome, which is caused by their flattened face. They cannot breathe properly, which can cause all sorts of problems. For instance, surgery is often more challenging, and they are more prone to heat-related illnesses.

These dogs are also prone to eye issues, as their eyes stick out further than other dogs. They’re more prone to eye injuries, especially in homes with cats.

It’s important to prioritize the health of your puppy when adopting – not just the appearance. While dogs with flat faces are cute, the flatter the face, the less healthy the dog is.

Pictures of Boston Terriers as Puppies

Pictures of Boston Terriers at 6 Months

Young Boston terriers look almost exactly the same as adults.

Pictures of Boston Terriers Fully Grown

Other Dog Breeds Similar to Boston Terriers

If you’re interested in a Boston terrier, you may also want to consider these similar breeds:

• French Bulldog: Known for their affectionate nature and bat-like ears, French Bulldogs share the Boston Terrier’s charm and adaptability.
• Pug: With their wrinkled faces and playful personalities, Pugs are another small breed that makes an excellent companion.
• English Bulldog: While larger than Boston Terriers, English Bulldogs share their friendly demeanor and distinctive appearance.

Bonus: Why Do Boston Terriers Shake So Much?

Have you ever noticed your Boston terrier (or someone else’s) shaking…even uncontrollably? It’s not just an isolated incident. Shaking is common to the Boston terrier breed. Ever wondered why they shake? There can be many reasons why Boston terries shake. Here are a few for your consideration:

1. Excitement – Boston terries, along with other terrier breeds, tend to shake when they get excited. This is due to the fact that they have a lot of energy, so anticipation over getting to outside for a walk or taking a ride in the car can send them into a shaking fit.
2. Anxiety or Stress – Unfortunately, not all shaking in a Boston terrier is inspired by positive feelings. Your terrier shaking can also be an indicator that the pooch is suffering from stress or anxiety. Are there fireworks exploding outside? Thunder? These factors could cause shaking in your Boston terrier.
3. Aging – Even elderly humans can shake due to old age, as cognitive function diminishes. This can also be the case for pet dogs.
4. Your Dog is Cold – A simple explanation for your Boston terrier shaking could be cold temperatures. See if dressing him/her in a sweater minimizes the reaction.
5. Illness – Your terrier’s shaking could be caused by nausea, illness, or some other negative factor. If other symptoms accompany the shaking like vomiting or lethargy, take your dog to the vet.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © bubutu/Shutterstock.com