When we first got our Boston Terrier, she was so tiny that I was afraid we would lose her. It amazed me that a puppy could be that small. One of the first questions I had to find the answer to was how big does a Boston Terrier get?
Boston Terriers are a small breed dog. They grow to an average of 16 inches for females and 17 inches for males. Their full-grown weights are 15 to 25 pounds for males and 10 to 20 pounds for females. Boston Terriers should not weigh more than 25 pounds.
You should continue reading if you are interested in learning about the size of fully grown Boston Terriers in weight and height. I will also discuss how their size is beneficial to their owners. Finally, I will cover why and how to maintain a healthy weight.
How Tall Does a Boston Terrier Grow?
The general size for a Boston Terrier is 16 to 18 inches tall. The males typically are 17 inches tall, while the females are 16 inches tall. This height is measured from the floor to the top of their shoulders, not their heads.
How Much Does a Full-Grown Boston Terrier Weigh?
Boston Terriers should not weigh more than 25 pounds when fully grown. Males weigh 15 to 25 pounds, while females weigh 10 to 20 pounds. You must maintain their weight based on their body size to remain healthy.
What Are the Different Sizes of Boston Terriers?
Despite having average sizes for Boston Terriers, there are different size brackets for this breed. There are those dogs that weigh under 15 pounds, those that weigh between 15 and under 20 pounds, and those that weigh between 20 and 25 pounds.
What Size Breed Is the Boston Terrier Considered To Be?
The American Kennel Club considers the Boston Terrier a compact little dog. Based on the breed’s characteristic weight and height, it falls into the small dog category and is well-known for being an excellent companion animal.
Why a Boston Terrier’s Size Is Beneficial
Because Boston Terriers do not get very big, they make the perfect companion. They can easily live in an apartment with no problem with the space available. Additionally, they can adapt to pretty much anywhere you want to live, provided you don’t let them get too cold or too warm.
Seniors looking for a companion will find reassurance in the compact size of the Boston Terrier. They’re not so tiny that they will easily get lost and not so big that they will be overwhelming. In addition to their size, Boston Terriers can offer a gentle personality that is supportive to those around them.
If you live alone and are looking for a lap dog, this breed is the one. The Boston Terrier is a perfect fit for cuddling in your lap and loves to do it.
The breed’s size also makes these dogs very capable of agility games. You’ll have no end of fun playing catch with balls and frisbees. The combination of agility with their mighty intelligence makes them extremely capable of exceeding at agility runs and obstacle courses.
Why You Need To Maintain a Healthy Weight for Your Boston Terrier
If your Boston Terrier becomes overweight, he could develop various health problems. These problems include the following:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Cancer
- Arthritis
Obesity can cause pain and limited mobility, making it harder for your Boston Terrier to get around and play. You may also notice more complications with his brachycephaly as he has difficulty breathing from the excess weight.
Ultimately, obesity can even lead to a decrease in his life expectancy. Your veterinarian can tell you the ideal weight for your dog’s size, but it’s up to you as his owner to ensure he maintains it.
Some signs to look for when monitoring for obesity are an inability to feel the ribs and no longer being able to see the waist. You may also find your dog has a larger belly and is reluctant to do the things he used to do or tires more quickly.
How To Maintain a Healthy Weight for Your Boston Terrier
You can take several steps to prevent your Boston Terrier from becoming overweight or correct an obesity problem.
First, ensure you have a solid exercise plan in place. You need to walk your Boston Terrier daily. He may also need extra playtime in the yard. If your dog is already overweight, introduce additional activity slowly and on cooler days to avoid the possibility of heat stroke.
Second, portion out the food. It’s best to feed an adult Boston Terrier twice a day. Free feeding is not a good idea because your dog can overeat and quickly become overweight. Ensure you measure the food when you serve it. You may find that you’ve been providing too much food all along when you start measuring it.
Third, avoid high-calorie treats. Anything more than 5 to 10 calories per treat is too high. While they may be tiny, they add up quickly. For one little treat, some commercially prepared treats are as high as 50 calories. Now imagine if you gave your dog several of those. Consider offering some fruits and vegetables that are low in calories as an option. As strange as it may sound, dogs do enjoy eating them.
Most importantly, don’t offer your dog any table scraps. There are many reasons you shouldn’t do this, but the food we eat can cause significant weight gain in Boston Terriers. The daily calorie intake for your Boston Terrier is only a maximum of 500 calories, but one slice of cheese can have 100 calories, so you can easily see the problem with feeding table scraps. This practice is a leading cause of pet obesity in this country.
Final Thoughts
Boston Terriers are fantastic, compact little dogs that make great companions. They are the perfect size for many situations, offering many people the ideal option for dog ownership. Because of their small stature, they make excellent cuddlers and lap dogs.
Boston Terriers are at most 25 pounds fully grown. They stand 16 to 18 inches at the shoulder. The breed is considered small by the American Kennel Club. Because of their size, they make excellent companions that can live in nearly any situation.
You must maintain a healthy weight for your Boston Terrier as he is susceptible to becoming overweight. Following a healthy diet and exercise routine will ensure that he lives a long, healthy, and happy life, keeping you company for years to come.