It can be really exciting to bring home your new Boston Terrier puppy – I know it was for us. The only downside was how fast she grew up, almost speeding through those months as a puppy. When you first get your dog, you may wonder when is a Boston Terrier full grown.
Boston Terriers are full-grown between the ages of 10 and 12 months. They grow at a much faster rate than larger of breeds of dogs, which can take up to two and a half years to finish their development. Genetics, nutrition, and physical activity can impact the growth rate of your Boston Terrier.
You should continue reading if you are interested in learning more about the growth of Boston Terriers. I will cover when they stop growing, factors affecting growth, how to tell how large they will grow, and what to do if they are smaller than normal.
When Does a Boston Terrier Stop Growing?
As a small breed of dog, the Boston Terrier grows quickly. Your dog will reach his maximum size by the age of 10 to 12 months old. To put this in perspective, some larger breeds can take over two years to stop growing. Because they are taller and larger, they require this extra time to grow the bigger bones that create their frames.
It’s important to note that regardless of what growth stage your dog is in, at one year old he is considered an adult. So, even those larger breed dogs that haven’t reached their full potential yet are considered adults at the same time as your Boston Terrier.
How To Tell if Your Boston Terrier Is Still Growing
When your Boston Terrier puppy is developing, he will have knobs on his ribs. These knobs indicate that the growth plates are still active and the bones are still developing. Your veterinarian will be familiar with what these knobs feel like and how to tell if your dog’s bones are still developing.
Does Paw Size Really Indicate How Big Your Boston Terrier Will Get?
Larger breed dogs will have bigger feet at a younger age in anticipation of their final size. They need bigger feet to support their larger body sizes. Smaller dogs, in the same fashion, will have smaller feet.
The size of your dog’s feet can tell you if the growth spurt he is going through is over, but it cannot tell you exactly how big your dog will be. All you will get is a general idea of whether you have a small breed or a large breed. You need to know your dog’s current weight and age to determine his final size.
Factors That Affect Boston Terrier Growth
Three main factors can affect your Boston Terrier’s growth. These include the following:
- Genetics
- Nutrition
- Physical activity
When you buy your puppy, you should get all the information possible from the parents. Having this information will allow you to have the knowledge you need regarding potential genetic dispositions to conditions or diseases that could impact growth.
Nutrition is also critical in the care of your Boston Terrier. Feeding him the wrong food can result in poor growth and health problems. Cheaper foods on the market are full of fillers and less nutritionally beneficial to your dog. You should seek out the best whole foods to offer your Boston Terrier to ensure he gets the best support for his growth.
Physical activity is also essential; however, you have to modify how much activity your young Boston Terrier gets. While it is required for healthy development and growth, too much can be damaging to your dog’s developing bones.
Boston Terrier Weight Development by Age
At different ages, your Boston Terrier will reach certain weight achievements. These are very similar between males and females.
- 3 months: 4.4 to 10.4 pounds
- 6 months: 7.9 to 18.7 pounds
- 12 months: 9.9 to 24 pounds
Once they are done growing, Boston Terriers have an average weight of 10 to 20 pounds for females and 15 to 25 pounds for males. Males stand at 17 inches while females are typically 16 inches. No Boston Terrier should be more than 25 pounds, as this is cause for concern for their health. Partner with your veterinarian for the best option to maintain your dog’s ideal weight.
How To Estimate Your Boston Terrier’s Full-Grown Size
You can easily estimate how large your Boston Terrier will be when he is fully grown once he reaches 16 weeks old. The easy calculation is to take the weight you get at the vet’s office and multiply it by two. If you have a male dog, add one to the total. This number is a rough estimate of the expected final weight of your Boston Terrier.
Additionally, at this age, you can visually gauge how large your dog will be. From 14 to 16 weeks is when your Boston Terrier will generally reach half his adult size. You can also tell how much more growth is in store by the amount of loose skin your puppy has. Boston Terriers do not have loose skin as adults, meaning the more loose skin your puppy has, the more growing he has to do.
What if Your Boston Terrier Is Smaller Than Expected?
Typically, the smallest Boston Terrier weighs no less than 15 pounds. Anything less than this would mean you have a miniature Boston Terrier, which could lead to medical problems as your dog continues growing. If there are signs that your puppy is not surpassing 10 pounds, you will need to partner with your veterinarian to stay on top of any potential issues to ensure your dog stays at peak health.
Final Thoughts
If you have a Boston Terrier puppy, you may be wondering when he will stop growing. It’s important to know how large your dog will be when fully grown to ensure that you are capable of maintaining his well-being and overall health.
Boston Terriers stop growing between the ages of 10 and 12 months. They achieve their maximum size much more quickly than larger breed dogs which can take more than two times as long to finish growing. Several factors, including nutrition, physical activity, and genetics can impact the growth rate.
You can estimate the final weight of your Boston Terrier when he reaches 16 weeks of age, but it’s not by the age-old concept of paw size. While general paw size can determine if you have a small or large breed dog, it cannot determine the exact size your dog will grow to be.