Have you ever had a chance to meet a Boston Terrier Pitbull Mix? If not, now is the perfect time to do so! These canines are loyal, affectionate, athletic, and make fantastic family dogs!
This medium-sized breed dates back to the 1800s when the first dog was designed by crossing the English Terrier and the Bulldog.
On the other hand, we have the superior Pitbull, which makes a natural watchdog. This breed is athletic, strong, and can reach up to 70 pounds in weight.
The Boston Pit is a family dog mostly raised and bred inside a house. However, this athletic canine seeks socialization and outdoor activities, too.
What Is A Boston Terrier Pitbull Mix?
Photo from: @paco_thebostonmix
The Boston Terrier Pitbull Mix is a breed that has been crossbred between the Boston Terrier and the Pitbull.
American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, or Staffordshire Bull Terrier are other names for Pitbulls.
This medium-sized breed has triangular ears, short coats, short legs, and an athletic body. The breed is moderately active, and requires at least thirty minutes of training outdoors. The training implies moderate walks or running.
The Boston Pit is a strong canine with a watchdog nature, mainly because the Pitbull parent comes from a watchdog family.
The breed inherited both Pitbull and Boston Terrier colors, and it has a highly-shedding coat, even though the coat is short and smooth. This mix requires early obedience training, as well as early socialization.
These canines are mostly raised to be family dogs, which means they get along with children. However, the breed is not recommended around small children as the breed has an unpredictable nature at times.
Meet The Boston Terrier Pitbull Mix’s Parents
Photo from: @mrsg9212
Both Boston Terrier Pitbull Mix parents have a unique nature, even though both come from a Terrier family of dogs. The Boston Terrier growth chart resembles the growth chart of French Bulldogs as these canines share many traits.
They mostly come in black and white coloring, have long ears, and are small to medium-sized dogs.
On the other hand, Pitbulls are medium to large dogs, with athletic physiques and a strong body. This is a dominant dog breed that requires long hours of socialization.
The Pitbull breed can be unpredictable at times, considering its aggressive history.
These parent breeds share the terrier traits, and their lifespan revolves around 8 to 15 years. However, Boston Terriers tend to live a little bit longer.
Now, let’s meet each of these canines separately!
Boston Terrier
The Boston Terrier is a pure breed that dates back to the 1800s. It was first crossbred between the English Terrier and the Bulldog in the United Kingdom. The first-mentioned breed is now extinct.
However, the official name, ‘‘Boston Terrier’’, dates back to the end of the 19th century. It was invented by Robert C. Hooper, from Massachusetts.
The American Kennel Club recognized this breed at the end of the 19th century, meaning this puppy has a long reputation and tradition among breeders.
The puppy is 15 to 17 inches tall, and weighs around 12 to 25 pounds, putting it into the category of small to medium-sized dogs.
The most common colors of the Boston Terrier’s coat are black and white (or tuxedo coat), brindle and white, and seal and white.
This breed favors crossbreeding since canines have a charming look and beautiful nature. There are various Boston Terrier mixes that you can check online!
Boston Terrier puppies are social, outgoing, and make great family members. The breed is quite intelligent, and takes part in various dog shows and conformation contests.
Pitbull
The Pitbull is a breed that has a violent history as this dog was initially used for bull baiting and dog fights. That’s why the breed belongs to the club of the most aggressive dog breeds in the world.
However, their aggressiveness was highly reduced over time as breeders put a lot of effort into making this dog a family pet.
The breed shares a lot of behavioral and physical traits with the American Bully. These canines have smooth, short coats, and an athletic body.
Pitbulls are categorized among the strongest dogs in the world, and that’s why their daily training routine is a must. Pitbull canines need exercise in order to maintain their muscular physique.
Even though the breed was involved in blood sports in the past, Pitbull dogs are loyal, affectionate, and love being around humans.
They require a lot of training, mainly obedience and socialization training. Early obedience is what makes these puppies reliable and well-behaved in the latter stages of life.
The most common coat coloring in Pitbulls are black, blue, white, brown, brown brindle, and red. There are some rarer variants of Pitbulls, such as the merle Pitbull.
Canines are 18 to 19 inches tall, and weigh around 55 to 70 pounds.
A Little Walk Through History
The Pitbull Boston Terrier Mix is a hybrid dog that comes from two unique parents. Even though both Pitbull and Boston Terrier parents come from a terrier family, they are completely different.
The Pitbull breed is a medium to large breed that shares many traits with American Bullies and Great Danes rather than with the Boston Terrier. These canines are watchdogs, known for their protective nature.
Pit mixes happen to be the same, especially if bred with other dominant dog breeds.
On the other hand, Boston Terriers are naturally an intelligent dog breed that doesn’t demand as much training as the aforementioned ones do.
These puppies share common values with French and English Bulldogs, and they make excellent family dogs.
Boston Terriers are purebred dogs that make dog owners happy at all times as this breed is known for their playful and sassy nature. The characteristic of these canines is being one of the easiest dogs to potty train.
The Boston Terrier Pitbull mix temperament positively correlates with the one of Boston Terriers as these canines were initially designed to be indoor pets, getting along with family members and other unknown people.
They, however, need a certain amount of socialization, especially during puppyhood. These short-haired canines are not hypoallergenic, but their grooming process is not demanding at all.
The Boston Terrier Pitbull Mix Appearance
Photo from: @azulatherescue
This designer dog appears as the proportional representation of both the Pitbull and the Boston Terrier. They have a medium-sized body and triangular ears.
Their body is somewhat smaller than in Pitbulls, but they preserved the muscular body physique.
The breed is moderately active and agile, and they require thirty to forty minutes of exercise a day. Even though the Boston Pit can come across as scary at first, the breed is very social and adaptable.
They don’t have a tendency to attack or bark. However, untrained dogs that had little or zero socialization can become aggressive or unpredictable.
That is why this breed is not recommended for families that have small children. These canines have a tendency of playing rough, even though they are known for their high level of tolerance.
Boston Terrier Pitbull Mix puppies have short legs and a thick body that makes them suitable for weight pulling, and other demanding activities. The breed is used as a watchdog, but also, in some rare cases, as a working dog.
Nowadays, these mixed breed dogs are known as family dogs that have a high-level of tolerance for strangers.
These puppies come in a plethora of coat colors, which is a trait of Pitbulls. Pitbull colors have more than 30 variations, which is quite fascinating.
How Big Do They Get?
This Boston Terrier Pitbull mix dog is 17 to 18 inches tall, and its weight goes up to 60 pounds. We can see that its weight has a pretty wide ratio, which depends on the genetic representation of the parent breeds in this mix.
Usually, Boston Pits that have more Pitbull genes are bigger and have a thicker body. On the other hand, those canines with more than 60% of Boston Terrier genes appear as small to medium-sized canines that weigh around 20 to 30 pounds.
Nutrition is essential. The Pitbull raw diet is not quite recommended for these canines, even though they might have occasional raw meals. Healthy, balanced food is the key for maintaining the ideal weight of Boston Pits.
These canines have a tendency of gaining weight, especially due to the fact that Boston Pits are not as active as their ancestors – Boston Terriers. These canines love being couch potatoes, which makes them prone to obesity.
Obesity is something you don’t want in your Boston Terrier Pitbull mix as this condition can lead to diabetes and potential heart problems.
This is not the healthiest dog breed, nor are its parent breeds, so keeping them within the recommended growth standards is highly recommended.
The Most Common Coat Colors
There are many variants of Boston Terrier Pitbull Mix dogs when it comes to coat color. However, the most common are black, white, black and white, blue, brown, gray, fawn brindle, and blue fawn.
Black and white Boston Pits are usually canines that collect the physical traits of Boston Terriers. This coat type is also known as a tuxedo coat, which makes the puppy look like a small gentleman. This may be the most popular coat type of all.
However, there are no standard colors that may represent the breed standard. Each puppy is unique, and its coat depends on the parent breeds’ genetics.
However, each puppy has a short-haired coat that is smooth and easy to maintain. Grooming is not demanding in the case of Boston Pit puppies. However, they still shed, just like any other dog breed, so weekly brushing is highly recommended.
If your puppy goes out on a daily basis, then bathing is recommended on a weekly basis, too. There are excellent dog shampoos and other supplements that you may want to try out.
The best smelling dog shampoos for all coat types are recommended in this case if you want to keep your pet clean, with a lovely fragrance.
The Boston Terrier Pitbull Mix Temperament
Photo from: @rocc_dog
Generally, Boston Terrier Pitbull Mix puppies are sociable, friendly, and open to new things. The adaptability level of these canines is high as they love discovering new things.
However, if you are a Boston Pit owner, and you keep asking yourself: ‘‘Why is my dog acting weird all of a sudden?’’, the problem may be found in insufficient socialization training.
These canines come from a Pitbull dog breed that has a violent history. They need early obedience training and a lot of positive reinforcement in order to be as social as possible.
These canines don’t get along with other dogs or other house pets that much, but if they are socialized early, they can be excellent friends with everyone.
Pitbull Boston Terrier Mixes love children as their behavior is childish, too. They enjoy playing with them, but supervision is required at all times.
Usually, Boston Pits don’t have the gentlest touch in the world as the breed itself is raw and strong, but they won’t hurt anyone unless they feel threatened.
Their watchdog nature makes them scary, especially to unknown people. Consistent training is needed if you want your puppy to behave properly.
They need strong leadership as these canines are known as dominant leaders of the pack. If you lack authority, there is a high possibility that your dog will show stubbornness.
Are These Canines Aggressive?
Boston Terrier Pitbull Mix dogs do not display violent behavior in most cases. However, the American Pit Bull Terrier (the dog parent) is known as one of the most aggressive dogs in the world.
This is exclusively due to its violent history of being a fighting dog and a bull baiting dog.
Despite all of that, these bully dog breeds can be great family pets once they are socialized.
Just like Pitbulls, Boston Pits can show aggression at times. There are several cases in which these canines show aggression. The first case is when they feel endangered by other predators. This is a watchdog by default, and it is totally natural for this breed to be on alert.
The other reason for aggression is bad breeding. Unreliable breeders, or those breeders who lack knowledge and experience, can implement poor breeding methods in this designer dog.
Puppies that don’t have sufficient socialization training are more likely to be aggressive rather than those puppies that are socialized from an early age.
Lastly, one of the reasons for aggression might be found in a lack of daily exercise. Even though this breed doesn’t demand long hours of training, the dog still needs at least thirty to forty minutes of exercise a day. This includes running or walking.
They need exercise in order to burn calories and energy. Boston Terrier Pitbull puppies that don’t exercise regularly may become self-destructive.
Trainability
Photo from: @paco_thebostonmix
Considering the intelligent nature of Boston Terrier dog parents, this is a pretty intelligent dog breed, too.
The intelligence of a dog is crucial in the trainability process. Intelligent canines are easier to train, but on the contrary, they can be more stubborn and disobedient. There is one more thing needed for good trainability, and that is a timely approach!
Boston Pits are easy to train, but they require early training in order to be social, obedient, and well-behaved.
Reputable breeders implement early potty training and early obedience training, which is a bonus to having this breed as a pet.
Puppies that are early trained tend to have a calm, gentle behavior in the future, and their adaptability level is higher, too.
Socialization training is a key, too. The use of positive reinforcement can add to the overall development of their social skills. Dog training collars, treats, leashes, and other supplements can be helpful in regard to obedience training.
Boston Terriers are quite popular in various dog shows and dog contests, such as agility contests.
Their offspring, the Boston Pits, share these traits as these puppies love engaging in various games, task-oriented activities, and games for mental stimulation.
Is A Boston Terrier Pitbull Mix A Family Dog?
Every Boston Terrier Pitbull puppy is naturally a family dog. The idea behind the Pitbull and Boston Terrier breeding was to design a dog that would get along with families and make a good indoor-living dog.
Breeders seemed to succeed, if we take into consideration the fact that these canines are indeed family dogs that do well in closed spaces.
Boston Pits enjoy living indoors as their activity level is moderate, and they don’t require as much movement as other dog breeds.
For instance, Australian Shepherds and Siberian Huskies need to have at least two to three hours of outdoor activities during the day as these breeds are known to be working dogs that demand activity.
That is not the case with Boston Terrier mixes as these canines are much calmer, and they enjoy a smooth, family life without many disturbances.
However, how often you walk your dog can determine the future behavior of these canines. They require human touch, a lot of positive reinforcement, and a moderate walk during the day.
With these things implemented, there is no doubt that a Boston Pit puppy will make an excellent family dog.
Bear in mind that overfeeding your puppy can cause obesity, which impacts the canine’s health.
Even though the Boston Pit is a family dog that doesn’t require so many outdoor activities, they still need a well-prepared feeding chart and a well-organized daily routine.
Boston Terrier Pitbull Mix: Common Health Issues
Photo from: @azulatherescue
This designer dog doesn’t qualify among the healthiest dog breeds in the world. Both Pitbulls and Boston Terriers face several health issues that are not major, but require regular veterinarian exams.
Just like their dog parents, Boston Pitbulls deal with hip dysplasia, eye diseases (such as cataracts, glaucoma, cherry eye, and corneal ulcers), and brachycephalic syndrome.
Aside from these common health problems, these canines’ weight has to be monitored on a daily basis as the breed is susceptible to gaining weight.
Obesity can cause diabetes and heart problems, especially because Boston Pits are not as active as some other dog breeds.
In contrast to other large breeds, their eight to twelve-years lifespan is slightly shorter.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia in dogs is not a fatal condition, but it can cause a painful, low-quality life. The dysplasia is manifested in hip irregularities, and it refers to a loose hip joint.
Canines that suffer from hip dysplasia are characterized by a ‘‘bunny walk.’’
The condition is hereditary, and it is often related to parent breeds. Most breeders will recognize this problem in the early stage of a dog’s life, which means that reputable breeders will probably not sell you a dog that suffers from this disease.
However, regular vet checks are a must, especially during their young age. Hip dysplasia doesn’t have to be fatal as dogs suffering from it live a long, normal life.
However, some canines feel enormous pain that correlates with their inability to run or jump.
Try not to overwhelm your puppy if it suffers from hip dysplasia. Overwhelming activities can worsen the condition and increase the possibility of other bone injuries.
Cataracts
Cataracts in dogs represent gradual blindness. The light can’t reach the retina in dogs suffering from cataracts, which is the main problem, and it is a long-term issue.
This is a common health issue in Boston Terrier Pitbulls, and a vet examination is a must in this case.
There are some treatments that could decrease the risk of your puppy becoming blind, but the most effective way to prevent cataracts is surgery. The surgical procedure, however, is not cheap.
The average price of cataracts surgery is somewhere between $2500 and $4000.
There are, however, some things you can do to prevent the possibility of your pet getting a cataract. Always take care of your Boston Pit’s feeding chart. Obesity and diabetes increase the possibility of a dog suffering from this severe issue.
Brachycephalic Syndrome
Brachycephalic syndrome in dogs is a common problem for these canines. This is due to the fact that Boston Pits have a flat face that is susceptible to airway abnormalities.
The syndrome can be manifested in snoring, a change in the dog’s tongue color, pale gums, and the dog possibly having difficulty breathing.
This is a syndrome related to all Bulldogs, Pugs, and other dog breeds that share a similar muzzle.
One of the best solutions for dealing with this issue is most definitely surgery. Dogs that undergo the surgical procedure have a better chance to live a long life.
However, brachycephalic syndrome is not always fatal, and it doesn’t require surgery by all means.
Corneal Ulcers, Glaucoma, And Cherry Eye
All of these three health problems are known as eye diseases. In the case of corneal ulcers, the fluid is accumulated in the stroma and it creates a cloud in the eye.
Puppies that suffer from this condition have mostly dealt with some sort of trauma.
Bad dog shampoos are often the cause of this disease, so make sure to consult a vet prior to buying a dog shampoo. This is a very painful issue, but it is not fatal. With proper treatments, your puppy will heal within five days.
Cherry eye represents the inflammation of the ligament that holds the third eyelid gland. This issue is irritable, and it causes pain to your puppy. In most cases, surgery is the only solution.
This issue is related to canines under one year of age.
Lastly, glaucoma represents the increase in eye pressure, which causes severe headaches to your canine. It can be detected during a regular vet visit. This can help you act timely, and help your puppy get the proper treatment.
FAQs
Photo from: @paco_thebostonmix
1. What Are The Differences Between A Boston Terrier And A Pitbull?
Even though both of these breeds belong to the family of terriers, they differ significantly. Pitbulls are much larger dogs that have a violent history. These canines are natural watchdogs, used for bull baiting and dog fights in the past.
Pitbull dogs are harder to train, and they demand long hours of work. These canines have a more athletic physique than Boston Terriers.
On the other hand, Boston Terriers are family dogs by nature, much smaller than their aforementioned counterparts. They weigh no more than 25 pounds, and the breed is quite intelligent.
Boston Terriers are used for agility and conformation shows.
However, there are some traits these two breeds share. They both have a smooth, short coat. Boston Terriers are not hypoallergenic, nor are the Pitbulls.
These pure breeds are both recognized by the American Kennel Club, and have a long history of being family dogs.
2. How Big Will A Boston Terrier Pitbull Mix Get?
The Boston Terrier Pitbull puppy weighs between 20 and 60 pounds. It all depends on the puppy’s genetics. Boston Pits that have more than 60% of Pitbull genes tend to be bigger.
However, this designer dog is usually 17 to 18 inches tall, which puts it into the category of medium-sized dog breeds.
Given the fact that this is a terrier dog breed, Boston Pits are relatively small.
Conclusion
The Boston Terrier Pitbull Mix is a wonderful dog breed, but it is perceived with great amounts of stereotypes. However, most people are wrong as these puppies make excellent life companions.
These canines enjoy being indoors as they are moderately active, and they don’t require high maintenance.
This dog has a short, smooth coat that sheds regularly, so the breed requires weekly brushing and bathing. They are prone to obesity, so the recommendation is to keep an eye on their feeding chart as much as possible.
These canines are loyal, good with children, affectionate, and make excellent family dogs. Still, they need a lot of work and early obedience training.
Read more: Brown Boston Terrier: Interesting Facts & Characteristics