The Boston Terrier Price: Is He Really the Right Dog for You?

If you’re a patriotic person, then you may have set your sights on a Boston Terrier. After all, he is “the first American dog breed,” hailing from his namesake, Boston, Massachusetts.

But as cute as this Oreo-colored pupper is, can you afford to pay the Boston Terrier price tag AND handle the entirety of his lifetime? That is the real question you need to answer.

Of course, being able to afford a dog is about more than just his sticker price.

But before you dive into the costs associated with owning a Boston Terrier, one of the most important things you can do is learn about this breed’s temperament.

After all, do you really want to spend what will undoubtedly amount to thousands of dollars on a dog that isn’t the right dog for you?

Keep reading to learn more about the Boston Terrier to help you decide if you truly want to spend your hard-earned dollars on this breed.

Boston Terrier Temperament and Personality

The Boston Terrier is good with everyone from children to the elderly, so he makes a perfect addition to any home.

He’s also great with other pets, so long as you train him to be okay around them while he’s young.

His versatility alone may be enough to justify the Boston Terrier dog price for you.

However, you should never tease this dog. He becomes jealous and/or possessive very easily.

So, if you have a teaser in your family, you either need to consider a different breed or train the humans in your family first!

You should also be careful with him around other dogs. Some Boston Terriers can become aggressive around other dogs, especially those of the same gender.

You should be able to, and should, train him out of this while he’s still young. Else, the problem can become worse when he’s an adult, and then he’ll never grow out of it.

He is also sensitive to changes in mood, so he may run for cover if you get into an argument with another family member.

He’s also an intelligent dog, so training him is generally a breeze.

A Brief History of the Boston Terrier

Learning about a breed’s history can also influence your decision to buy.

For instance, you might have heard rumors that the Boston Terrier tends to become aggressive in certain situations.

However, while this used to be true, it actually isn’t true anymore.

Over the years, as breeders have continued to breed the Boston Terrier, the aggressive gene has all but disappeared.

The only real evidence of it in today’s Boston Terriers is, as mentioned earlier, that some males will challenge other male dogs if they feel a challenge coming on.

Therefore, if you already have a male dog at home, you may want to introduce them to each other a few times to make sure they get along first.

If you don’t, then you’ll have to remain mindful of this quality while walking your Boston Terrier or taking him to the dog park.

Boston Terrier Size

As far as the Boston Terrier size goes, he ranges from small to mid-size dog.

Some Boston Terriers can be as small as 15 lbs. or less, while others grow to a healthy maximum of 20 to 25 lbs.

Their maximum adult height is around 17 inches tall.

Therefore, if you’re looking for a dog who’s a good match for an apartment, the Boston Terrier should do just fine.

If you’re looking for a dog who fits a different size expectation, though, then it’s good to know this information before you buy.

Exercise

More than size, exercise actually plays a significant role in whether the Boston Terrier you choose is best suited for your home.

There is, unfortunately, no way to tell this across the board. Every Boston Terrier differs in his individual exercise needs.

While one of these dogs may be satisfied with a walk or two a day, some need more vigorous exercise to get out all their excess energy.

You, therefore, may want to spend some time with the Boston Terrier you are eyeing before you ultimately pay to bring him home.

It’s important to determine whether his level of activity matches your own first to ensure whether he’ll be truly happy in your home.

How Much Do Boston Terriers Cost?

Typically, the Boston Terrier price range falls between $600 to $1,200, but you can expect to pay around $800 as a Boston Terrier dog price.

If the Boston Terrier dog price seems like it’s more than your budget can handle, you can always adopt or rescue one.

And, of course, the purebred Boston Terrier price is always on the higher end of that range because you’re supposedly getting a “higher quality” of dog.

Boston Terrier Rescue and Adoption

If you’d rather adopt a Boston Terrier, check out the Boston Terrier Club of America.

These kinds of clubs dedicate themselves to that particular breed in the hopes of helping someone find a reputable breeder or organization from which to adopt.

Adopting a dog is a great idea because it gives a dog a home who might otherwise have never found one.

Just remember that most dogs who are up for adoption are not purebreds, nor puppies.

If you’re okay with bringing home an adult dog, then adoption is the way to go.

Plus, you get to enjoy the added reward of saving a couple of bucks off the Boston Terrier price!

Boston Terrier Cost of Ownership

Healthcare is perhaps one of, if not the most, important thing to consider aside from the price of the dog.

What’s the dog’s health like? Are there any possibilities that things could go south the moment you bring him home?

On top of vet costs, you also may have to worry about training and grooming expenses.

It is therefore important to know whether a breed’s needs are more than you can handle before you pay to bring him home.

We discuss all three below

1. Health Care Expenses

Ah, healthcare. It’s expensive for us, and it’s expensive for our dogs.

Sure, you can invest in pet insurance, but if your pet is healthy, then you only really need to take him to the vet once a year.

So, you can either budget for the unexpected and pay monthly for pet insurance, or you can save up for those annual vet visits and potentially unexpected situations.

The good news is that the Boston Terrier is a fairly healthy breed.

The only things you really have to worry about with this guy include snoring and wheezing.

This breed is also likely to overheat in hot weather.

Some Boston Terriers drool, and some develop tumors of the heart and skin. Their eyes are also prone to injury.

But that’s about it really – nothing you can’t handle if you put away funds for a rainy day.

Of course, any dog can develop cancer or another health condition, or suffer an accident. But, just like with people, you simply try to plan the best you can.

2. Grooming Costs

Grooming is yet another necessity that you can probably handle yourself.

While the Boston Terrier does shed, so long as you brush him every week, you should be able to control it yourself.

There are some things, though, that you may have more difficulty with, like cutting his nails or brushing his teeth. For this, you may want to hire a professional.

Groomers cost between $30 and $90, depending on the service(s) you need.

3. Training Programs

Training is something you should be able to handle yourself with this breed.

The Boston Terrier isn’t terribly difficult to train. However, you can’t resort to scolding or smacking him because he will withdraw.

Essentially, you have to train this dog like you would a child. Offer consolation if he doesn’t get it right on the first attempt, and try, try again.

If however, you simply find training too stressful, or that your dog just isn’t listening to you, you may prefer to hire a professional.

Training rates depend on whether you want to join in on a group lesson or pay for individualized time.

Group rates are between $30 to $50 per class, and personalized training is about $45 to $120 per hour.

Final Thoughts on the Price of a Boston Terrier

The average price of a Boston Terrier is decently affordable, as the average price of a Boston Terrier is between $600 and $1,200.

You should expect to spend closer to $800 if you purchase one from a breeder.

The initial price of the dog depends on your location, the breeder’s location, and the dog’s lineage.

And now that you know a little more about the Boston Terrier breed, you probably feel more confident in your decision of “to buy, or not to buy?”

This is why it is so important to research a dog breed before you ultimately say “yes” to that breed.

Kailyn C.

Kailyn has worked as a professional freelance writer since 2012, and during that time she has written about nearly every dog breed imaginable. Her mother loved Collies, and so Kailyn grew up with three of them throughout her childhood – including a blonde one who was half-blind! Now her home belongs to her first official dog, Macho, a Dogo Argentino rescue.