Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
A-Z-Animals
Boston Terrier Progression: Growth Chart, Milestones, and Training Tips
By Kristin Hitchcock,
14 hours ago
The Boston Terrier is an adorable, charming dog developed in Boston – as you would expect. These compact, friendly dogs make great companion animals, which is their primary purpose. They’re very playful, intelligent, and adaptable.
With their distinctive coat and expressive eyes, Boston Terriers capture the hearts of dog enthusiasts worldwide.
These dogs are small, so they grow rather slowly. They’re also done growing earlier than most since they don’t have as many pounds to pack on. Below, we’ve put together a growth and weight chart by age, as well as other common questions people ask about Boston Terrier’s growth.
Boston Terrier Growth and Weight Chart by Age
Age
Male Weight
Female Weight
Birth
4 – 7 oz
4 – 7 oz
1 Month
1 – 2 lbs
1 – 2 lbs
2 Months
3 – 6 lbs
3 – 6 lbs
3 Months
6 – 10 lbs
6 – 10 lbs
4 Months
8 – 13 lbs
8 – 13 lbs
5 Months
10 – 16 lbs
10 – 16 lbs
6 Months
12 – 19 lbs
12 – 19 lbs
7 Months
13 – 21 lbs
13 – 21 lbs
8 Months
14 – 23 lbs
14 – 23 lbs
9 Months
15 – 25 lbs
15 – 25 lbs
10 Months
16 – 26 lbs
16 – 26 lbs
11 Months
16 – 27 lbs
16 – 27 lbs
12 Months
17 – 28 lbs
17 – 28 lbs
2 Years
18 – 28 lbs
18 – 28 lbs
When Will My Boston Terrier Stop Growing?
Boston terriers reach their full size relatively quickly.
Boston terriers grow very rapidly when they are puppies. However, this rapid growth slows down as they reach their first birthday. In fact, many Boston terriers will reach their full height and length by 10 months of age, especially those on the smaller side.
However, they may continue to gain fat and muscle until they reach 1 to 2 years old. Dogs typically grow to their full size first and then pack on extra muscle.
If your Boston Terrier is on the smaller side by 6 months of age, it will probably stay that way. If your dog is still growing after 10 months, it’s likely that they’re just bigger and need more time.
Regular veterinary check-ups are important to ensure your dog is growing properly. Your vet can let you know if your dog is on track or not.
How Big Will My Boston Terrier Be When It’s Fully Grown?
On average, a fully grown Boston Terrier stands about 15 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between 12 to 25 pounds. There is no significant weight difference between males and females.
These dogs are very compact and weigh more than you might guess from their height alone.
Of course, all dogs are individuals and will vary. Some dogs will weigh much more, while others may weigh less. All Boston Terriers should preferably fall within this weight bracket, though.
Determining exactly how much your dog will weigh when fully grown is challenging. You can look at the size of their parents, which can often give you some idea of how big the puppy will get. Most breeders will give you a size range. They may breed “little” or “big” Boston Terriers, for instance.
However, diet and other lifestyle factors also matter. Therefore, it’s impossible to predict how much a dog may weigh with 100% accuracy.
When Should My Boston Terrier Be Spayed or Neutered?
Preferably, your dog should be spayed or neutered before they hit puberty. This helps prevent accidental pregnancies and reduces the hormone fluctuations that dog experiences (which can cause cancer, other diseases, and mood swings).
If you’re planning on spaying or neutering your dog, it’s best to do so whenever they reach the minimum weight required by your vet. This weight can vary. However, most Boston Terriers can be spayed or neutered by 5 months old.
At the latest, you should spay or neither your dog before 6 to 9 months of age, which is when many reach sexual maturity. Often, you need to spay or neuter these smaller dogs before you might expect you need to.
When Should My Boston Terrier Be House Broken?
Boston terriers are smaller dogs, meaning they have smaller bladders. For this reason, it may take them a bit longer to be housebroken. However, you should start teaching them the basics when you bring them home around 8 weeks.
Consistency is key. If you let your puppy get used to using the bathroom inside the house, housebreaking them can be a challenge. Starting early is vital. Many breeders will even start the potty training process before their puppies are sent to their forever homes.
That said, Boston Terriers are not particularly hard to housebreak. They tend to learn pretty quickly, and their bladders aren’t so small that they have trouble making it outside in time.
When Should My Boston Terrier Stop Eating Puppy Food?
You can transition your Boston Terrier to adult food around 12 months of age. You should continue feeding it until your dog is fully grown, which often happens by the end of 12 months.
However, some dogs may benefit from eating puppy food for longer, especially if they are still growing. When in doubt, speak to your vet. They can provide information on switching your puppy to adult food.
When Will My Boston Terrier Start Losing Teeth?
Like all puppies, Boston Terriers start losing their baby teeth around 3 months of age. This process continues until they are about 9 months old (around the same time they reach full size).
To manage any discomfort during teething, provide appropriate chew toys and consider freezing wet washcloths for them to gnaw on. Don’t freak out if you find teeth in chew toys and other items, either.
When Should I Start Training My Boston Terrier?
You should start training your puppy as early as possible. Most puppies come to their forever homes at 8 weeks old, which is plenty old enough to start training. Training is how you teach your dog how to behave. You don’t want any time to go by when you’re just letting your dog do what they please.
Boston Terriers are intelligent and eager to please, making them receptive to positive reinforcement training methods. They are not hard dogs to train in the least. However, they do benefit from group puppy classes, as these can provide socialization.
What Commands Should I Teach My Boston Terrier First?
You should always start with an “attention” command. This command gets your puppy’s attention. While getting your puppy’s attention is vital, this command also lets you train your dog’s attention span, which is very important in real-life situations.
Next, you’ll want to teach the basics, like “sit,” “stay,” and “come.” These commands create a foundation for teaching advanced commands and are necessary for many other tricks.
You should also start teaching your puppy how to walk on a leash. Your Boston terrier needs to know how to walk on a leash well, and this behavior can be learned very early.
When Will My Boston Terrier Calm Down?
Boston terriers usually calm down around the same time they reach their full size, which is around a year old. However, some other dogs may stay a little wild until 18 months. Every dog is unique and has their own individual personality. Experiences can influence their behaviors, too.
Consistent training and regular exercise are also useful. If a dog hasn’t been exercised properly, you can expect them to be overly excited and energetic. If you haven’t trained your dog to behave properly in a house, they likely aren’t going to.
Common Health Issues Your Boston Terrier Might Experience
Boston Terriers are not the healthiest dogs out there. Practically all Boston terriers have brachycephalic syndrome , which is caused by their flattened face. They cannot breathe properly, which can cause all sorts of problems. For instance, surgery is often more challenging, and they are more prone to heat-related illnesses.
These dogs are also prone to eye issues, as their eyes stick out further than other dogs. They’re more prone to eye injuries, especially in homes with cats.
It’s important to prioritize the health of your puppy when adopting – not just the appearance. While dogs with flat faces are cute, the flatter the face, the less healthy the dog is.
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.
Most Popular
Comments / 0