Owning a Boston Terrier - FAQs

I've had so many questions about owning a Boston Terrier that I decided to create a FAQs page so people can find answers quickly and easily. If you have a question not listed, you can post it on our Boston Terrier Board.

Frequently Asked Questions About Owning a Boston Terrier:

Question: My Boston makes this snorting noise and sounds like he can't breathe. Is something wrong with him?

Answer: Because of their "squished" faces, Bostons tend to snore and make other noises, sometimes called a "reverse sneeze". Details on the cause of this condition and more information are available on our potential health problems page.

Question: I heard that Bostons fart a lot - is this true?

Answer: Boston Terriers DO to tend to be gassy. That said, like people, they're all different. Sophie isn't gassy at all, while Shadow sends us running from the room at times! You can minimize gas with a good quality food and/or gas reduction supplements.

For more information on diet for your Boston, check out this information about dog food ingredients. If you just can't stand the thought of dog farts, a BT may not be for you.

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Question: My new Boston puppy is chewing up everything in sight. What can I do?

Answer: Boston Terriers love to chew! Crate training your puppy while you are away can help. This way he can't chew on furniture or anything else within reach while you're away. When you're at home, if he gets something he shouldn't have, take it away and give him a toy to chew on.

Bitter Apple Spray may also help to keep him from chewing any items he continually goes after. Shoes, socks, and the kids' toys are all fair game in our house, so our BTs help the kids keep their stuff picked up!

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Question: Why don't my Boston Terrier's ears stand up?

Answer: Normally, Bostons will have upright ears by about 4 months of age. If the ears are very large or heavy, they may not come up on their own (Sophie's never did - the photo above shows her at 9 months). If this is a concern (for show or aesthetics), taping or cropping are options. We also recently had a suggestion from a visitor to massage the ears daily in an upward motion.

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Question: What is the life span of a Boston Terrier?

Answer: Average life expectancy is 10 to 14 years.

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Above, are some of my most frequently asked questions about owning a Boston Terrier. Visit our Boston Terrier Forum to see more commonly asked questions and answers. You can even ask your own question.

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