Boston Terrier vs. Bull Terrier: 4 Main Differences Explained

In terms of rankings, the Boston terrier vs. bull terrier debate is dead on arrival, right out of the gate. Whether it’s fair or not, the Boston terrier is the #21 ranked dog in America, according to the AKC (American Kennel Club), while the bull terrier is a distant #61.

For the bull terrier fans out there, don’t be disheartened. Bull terriers remain fantastic dog breeds and popularity is not always an indicator of quality. After all, the “Pet Rock” was very popular in the mid-1970s. Both dogs are instantly recognizable and both have their own, unique attributes.

A side-by-side picture of the two doesn’t do the comparison any justice. They have surprising differences in some areas and equally surprising similarities in others. If you’re on the fence about owning either one, look no further. We have every subtle and dramatic difference between these two canines and what makes each a distinct and lovable dog.

Boston Terrier vs Bull Terrier: A Comparison

Key Differences Between Boston Terriers and Bull Terriers

The most notable and immediate differences are in the shapes of their skulls and their sizes. A typical bull terrier outweighs a Boston terrier by 30 lbs. Bull terriers also have a distinctive, long-triangle skull-to-nose shape that’s overly long. Boston terriers are closer to boxers, with small, square heads and flat noses/faces.

Boston Terriers also have twice the number of potential diseases that significantly affect the breed and are fairly common. Some of the breed-specific diseases not listed in the above table include Megaesophagus and Patellar Luxation. All of the breed-specific diseases that typically affect bull terriers are listed above.

Boston terriers are also far more sociable and friendly. They typically get along just fine with other dogs and pets within the house or ones me during a walk. The bull terrier, on the other hand, is great for first-time owners and elderly owners but they are nowhere near as sociable. They’re more likely to react aggressively to new pets in the house or pets encountered while walking.

1. Appearance

Both of these canines share a lot of characteristics in terms of colors, with the Boston terriers usually lacking brown colors in their coats. Bull terriers and Boston terriers share most of the same coat colors, including brindle. But, outside of brindle, Boston terriers tend to be black and white, while bull terriers are the same, with a splash of brown.

As mentioned above, their appearances in terms of size and skull shape are drastically different. You would never encounter both of these dogs at the same time and have difficulty separating them.

2. Temperament

The meat and bones of the Boston terrier vs bull terrier comparison is temperament. Most dog owners look into temperament before purchasing a new, purebred dog, especially if there are children or other pets in the house.

Both dogs are highly affectionate with their owners. They may not be complete lap dogs but neither will have a problem hopping up on your lap for some love or a brief nap. If you already own a dog or spend a lot of time having guests over or encountering other pets, a bull terrier is not the dog for you. While they aren’t a terror with other people and other dogs, they will often act aggressively.

Bull terriers are kid-friendly, family-friendly, elderly-friendly, and fantastic for a first-time dog owner. However, they typically won’t tolerate other dogs, cats, pets, or closed-in environments where a lot of strangers are moving around. They tend to handle adult and child strangers pretty well on average, but a slow introduction is always a good idea.

Boston terriers are the opposite, immensely friendly and curious of other pets (regardless of the type of pet). Neither dog has the temperament for being a service dog but both are very good at the guard-type job description, alerting their owners to strange noises in the night or something going on that’s outside of the norm.

3. Social Needs

Neither dog is ranked highly in terms of intelligence (#54 for the Boston terrier and #66 for the bull terrier). No, that doesn’t mean they aren’t intelligent. It’s more of a trainability thing and a social engagement thing. You don’t have to engage either of these dog’s brains nearly as much as you would a border collie or a doberman pinscher (both of which are ranked in the top 5 of the most intelligent dog breeds).

Both are easy to train and love the attention but neither will suffer if you don’t play with them and engage their brains constantly. Both bull and Boston terriers are content with random affection throughout the day, walks, and a couple of play periods.

The bull terrier is less friendly, in terms of socializing with others outside of the home, so most of its social needs will take place within its familiar environments and family.

4. Health Factors

As we previously mentioned, the unfortunate winner of the Boston terrier vs bull terrier health comparison is the bull. We use the term ‘unfortunate’ because it would be nice if neither dog had a bunch of health issues.

Boston terriers do tend to have a lot more problems with health issues, especially in their later years, than bull terriers do. Reverse sneezing is generally harmless but often prevalent in Boston terriers, so that’s not a big deal. However, heart murmurs, brain tumors, Megaesophagus (inability to move food up and down the esophagus), and Patellar Luxation ( a knee joint problem) are more serious.

The bull terrier has some comparable diseases that are consistent within their breed but these issues are not as numerous. Hereditary Nephritis (a host of problems, including renal dysfunction, blindness, and deafness) and heart murmurs are the most serious in bull terriers.

Though some of the problems aren’t as serious, and mostly occur as the dog reaches its twilight years, it’s important to keep an eye out for the symptoms and take your pup to the vet if you suspect it of developing any of the listed diseases.

Wrapping Up: Boston Terrier vs. Bull Terrier

Both are fantastic dogs but there is just enough social separation between the two that prospective bull terrier owners should be cautious. This is especially true if you’re looking to purchase a bull terrier and you live a highly sociable, on-the-move lifestyle. Neither of these dogs should be left home alone all the time but they also aren’t highly dependent on social interaction.

Where the bull terrier lacks in sociability with other pets and strangers, the Boston terrier lacks in terms of health. If you own a Boston terrier, there’s a higher chance of dealing with numerous and expensive veterinarian bills down the road.

Both dogs are fantastic within the sphere of the family. They’re lovable, affectionate, and trainable, and don’t require constant, never-ending attention. Neither will eat you out of the house and home but both, like most happy dogs, definitely appreciate a treat every now and then!