Why a Mix Might be the Better Choice for Families with Kids
Boston Terriers are a popular breed for many reasons. These small but fun-loving dogs are full of energy and antics! However, Boston Terriers might not always be the best choice for families with small children, especially those without prior Boston Terrier experience.
From our experience, Boston Terriers are highly intelligent, energetic, and often stubborn. They're generally friendly but can be fearful of the sights, sounds and experiences that come with small children. Infants, crawlers and toddlers put the child at face level with our little doggie friends, which can create issues. We've heard numerous stories about a dog being prodded, poked, cornered, or having its ears or stubby tail pulled. Loud screaming, toy noises and attempts to be ridden like a horse can also cause serious injury to the pet or the child. We've noticed that Boston Terriers, while usually jolly, may have less patience for children learning to live with a dog. It's for this reason that we typically don't adopt to families with children under 6 years of age. This is for the safety of the dog and the family.
This is why we recommend a Boston Terrier Mix to families with young children. Oftentimes with a mix, you get the same high intelligence but a sturdier, stronger, more settled and more patient dog without most of the physical vulnerability of a purebred Boston Terrier. We do consider adopting mixes to families with children younger than 6 years old depending on the dog.
With adding any new dog to a family, children of all ages must be taught how to interact with their new furry family member. There are resources here on our website to help!
For young families with or expecting small children, a Boston Terrier mix is often a better choice. We usually have several mixes available. You can view them on our website here.