A lot of dog owners prefer compact-bodied dogs over the toy breeds or the large ones, and small dog breeds don’t come any better than the French Bulldog and Boston Terrier. They are simply a delight to have around and are great companion dogs. We will be looking closely at these two breeds in order to know which one is a better breed to have over the other. French Bulldog Vs Boston Terrier, which would you go for and why?
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Is The Boston Terrier A Bulldog?
The history of the Boston Terrier began sometime in the late 1860s when some breeders decided to cross a Bulldog with a Terrier to create a dog named Judge. That particular dog was sold to an American owner who brought him over to Boston, USA. So, Judge is considered to be the patriarch of the modern-day dog we call the Boston Terrier, and it’s safe to say that the Boston as it’s called for short is actually part Bulldog.
The French Bulldog, on the other hand, emerged as a result of crossbreeding Toy Bulldogs from England and local ratters in Paris, France. The origin can be traced as far back as the 1800s. The duo of French Bulldog vs Boston Terrier is one of the non-sporting dog breeds we have in the world today.
Five Facts To Know About The Two Compact Dog Breeds
If you are still undecided about the French Bulldog vs Boston Terrier duo, here are five interesting facts to know about both dog breeds:
Shedding: Which Breed Sheds More – French Bulldog vs Boston Terrier?
Truth is, both dog breeds are not ones with very thick fur that actually sheds a lot. They both have relatively short fur, but the coat of the Boston Terrier will shed just marginally more than that of the French Bulldog.
It is worth noting that both dogs need to be brushed regularly and bathing should be done occasionally, in order to keep their coat silky and smooth. Brushing the coat helps in getting rid of dead hair and distributing natural skin oil for a healthier coat.
Temperament: Which Is A Better Family Dog – French Bulldog vs Boston Terrier?
Both dog breeds can be very excellent family dogs if they are well trained as puppies. Also, if they are well socialized early in life, they are both people-oriented dogs and also get along very well with other animals – especially dogs. They both enjoy being around their families and do actually make excellent guard dogs as well.
In all, both the Boston Terrier and French Bulldog are mild-tempered pups with a friendly demeanor. So, it is left for the individual dog owner to make his choice on which they would prefer to have as their family dog.
Health: Between The French Bulldog Vs BostonTerrier, Who Is Healthier?
This is rather trickish to answer directly, as both breeds almost share the same health challenges. Both the Boston Terrier and French Bulldog can experience difficulty in breathing if they are exposed to excessive heat or high humidity, and are prone to having eye challenges – such as cataracts, cherry eye, or glaucoma.
Additionally, the French Bulldog may experience autoimmune skin disorders and skin allergies, while the Boston Terrier may experience patellar luxation and deafness. So, they have common health challenges, as well as individual health challenges that don’t stand any breed out as the healthier of the two breeds. Most of the health issues they have are a result of their shortened muzzles and prominent eyes.
Exercise: The Amount Of Exercise Required By Both Breeds
The French Bulldog requires either an outdoor play session or short walks with its owner on a daily basis; while the exercise requirement of the Boston Terrier depends on the individual dog in question – while some need to run and jump about more, others are content with a short walk around the neighborhood about twice a day.
A word of caution though, don’t let either dog breed exert itself too much as they have breathing difficulty issues. This is mainly because of the nature of the muzzle which is naturally short. Both dogs would also enjoy participating in canine sports, and they will excel in it as well.
Training: Is It Easier To Train The Boston Terrier Or The French Bulldog?
Again, none of the two breeds can be declared the easiest to train as they both have their peculiarities. The French Bulldog can be quite stubborn in nature and this comes into play during training, but if you are patient and ready to work with your dog, it would cooperate with you and it would pay off eventually. The Boston Terrier on its part can be a sensitive dog, if and when they err, correct them gently, and when they get instructions right, lavish them with praise.
Both breeds will appreciate and respond better to training if it is reward-based, thus, giving them treats for good behavior helps. Most importantly, early socialization and obedience training is highly recommended for both breeds as puppies, in order to have well-mannered adult dogs.
Read Also:Â Doberman Vs Rottweiler: Which Breed Is More Dangerous?
Other Differences And Similarities Between The Breeds
Both the French Bulldog and Boston Terrier are compact dogs and have a few similarities and differences that exist between both breeds to set them apart.
Similarities
- Both breeds are flat-faced dog breeds, which leaves them prone to breathing difficulties.
- They both have “bat ears”, as their ears are upright and erect, resembling that of a bat.
- They share some color markings together, as they can both come in black and white or brindle and white color markings.
Differences
- The French Bulldog has a wider range of color markings than the Boston Terrier.
- The Boston Terrier has a longer life expectancy than the French Bulldog; the former lives between 13 to 15 years, while the latter lives between 11 to 13 years.
- For their size in terms of weight and height, the Frenchie weighs more, while the Boston is taller.