Boston Terrier Characteristics
Life expectancy: 13 – 15 years
Adult weight: 10 – 25 lbs.
Adult height: 18 – 22 in.
Origin – United States
‘The American Gentleman,’ Boston terrier is a small compact dog breed with a calm and friendly nature. They get this title because of the black and white tuxedo-like coat. But apart from their looks, their sweet, friendly, and well-mannered nature also justifies the title. They are intelligent and lively and hold a place in America’s top 20 most popular dogs on almost all lists.
They are similar to a mellow version of bull and terrier-type dogs which has its origin back in the 1870s. They are supposedly the very first officially recognized breed of dogs in the U.S., and they also have become the official state dog of Massachusetts since the year 1979. Temperament-wise, they are not very aggressive despite having aggressive ancestors.
What is the price of a Boston Terrier?
These dogs have gained massive popularity for their intelligence and companionship, so finding one to buy shouldn’t be very difficult. When it comes to the cost of owning a Boston Terrier, we will break down the price by categorizing it by initial buying/adoption costs, vaccinations, diets, healthcare, and grooming.
Buying: $800 – $2500
The average price to buy a Boston Terrier dog is about $1,300. The price can even go as high as $4,000 depending on some factors like the breeder, the health of the pup, age, and color to name a few. There are several online marketplaces where you can find these dogs like Puppy Spot, American Kennel Club, Greenfield puppies, Puppy Find, among many others. The price range for Boston Terriers on these sites could be around $900 to $2,500. You may even find some places selling Boston’s for under $800, however, you should research the breeder beforehand.
If you’re looking for a Boston Terrier puppy for under $500, you can opt for adoption. There are many shelters and adoption centers in the U.S. homing these terriers. The average cost at such shelters could be around $100-300. Which usually covers the expenses incurred by the shelter before adoption to care for the puppy. You may even find an adult Boston terrier in these shelters that can cost less to adopt.
Monthly costs for a Boston Terrier
Diets: $50-$70
These dogs are not very demanding when it comes to food as they are of the non-sporting type. That means they do not have very high energy or food requirements. The younger pups should eat around 1 cup divided into 3 small meals a day, and adult Terriers should eat about 1 ¾ cups daily. A good quality, vet-recommended kibble could be around $30-$40 a month. You might want to add little treats and supplements which could add another $20-$30.
Grooming: $30-$50
Boston Terriers have a sleek-fine coat that does not require a lot of grooming, and you can probably maintain their grooming requirements at home. They do shed a little but brushing them weekly with a soft-bristle brush would suffice. Apart from that, regular nail trimming, teeth cleaning, and ear cleaning sessions would be needed. The shampoos and other equipment needed could cost around $50.
Medical Costs: $400-$700
During the first years, it is recommended you take your pet to the vet about 3-4 times annually. Vet fees can range from $100 to $300, and could include things like annual wellness exams and blood tests among other recommended preventive care treatments. Other examinations and tests could cost you another $300-$400.
Like all breeds, Boston Terriers are at risk of developing health conditions during their lifetime. These can include conditions like cataracts, patellar luxation, and deafness just to name a few. The cost of treatment for these conditions could be -
Cataracts - $2500-$3000
Patellar Luxation - $1000-$1500
BAER testing (A reliable test for deafness in dogs) - $300-$350
Entertainment and Environmental cost: $30-$40
Boston Terriers can be very happy and satisfied lounging around in the house for long hours as they are not a working breed type. Entertainment costs may include a few toys and chewies which could cost around $20-$30. When it comes to environmental costs, you could need a urine cleaner, poop bags, and a picker, etc. which may cost about $10 per month.
One-time costs for a Boston Terrier
Initial Costs: $400-$500
A dog bed, toys, crate, carrier, food and water bowls, leash, collar and a harness could be needed if this is going to be the first dog in the house. These initial set-up items could cost around $400-$500.
Vaccinations: $280-$300
There are certain core vaccinations that a Boston Terrier would need. These include distemper, parvovirus, Adenovirus, type 1, Adenovirus, type 2, and rabies. All of these could cost you around $150-$200.
There are certain non-core vaccinations as well that are recommended by most vets for a Boston Terrier. These include parainfluenza, Lyme disease, and leptospirosis. The cost of these vaccines can be around $130-$150.
Microchipping: $50-$70
The average cost of microchipping is around $50, but may vary from state to state. Along with a dog license, it could cost an additional 10-20 bucks. Spot pet insurance highly recommends every pet parent get their pets microchipped as it can help increase the chances of finding a lost pet.
Miscellaneous: $80-$100
There are some miscellaneous expenses that may come over the course of your pets lifetime like dog sitting, dog walking, travel, parks, etc. These expenses could cost you another $100 dollars, so a good tip would be to keep this money aside in case you need it.
Lifetime Boston Terrier Price
After the adoption, which could cost about $300, or buying from a breeder, which could be for around $2000, the annual cost of maintenance (listed above) is around $700-$800. The overall lifetime cost of owning a Boston Terrier could be around $12,000-$15,000. This estimated lifetime cost does not include the potential cost of medical emergencies should one happen to your pet.
How can Spot Pet Insurance help?
Spot accident & illness pet insurance plans offer a wide variety of coverages from microchip implantation to surgeries and prescription food and supplements prescribed to treat your pet’s unexpected accidents and illnesses. (Prescription food and supplements used for general health or weight maintenance are not covered). For an extra cost, Spot plans offer preventive care coverage add-ons to help cover the costs of certain routine vaccinations, annual wellness exams and other preventive care treatments. You can view the add-on preventive care coverage options. Get in touch with us to know more!
Conclusion
Whether you are looking for a female Boston Terrier, a blue one or a miniature one, their charming and fun-loving personality is going to be omnipresent. These dogs are generally low in maintenance both cost and energy-wise. Talking about the cost, it may seem high, but Spot plans can help cover up to 90% of the eligible medical costs for covered conditions. So go ahead and get your Boston Terrier home!
Happy Parenting to you and Lots of Love to your Pup!
