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Boston Terrier Price

Did you know that the average Boston Terrier costs around $1,200?

They can cost anywhere from as little as $600 to $3,000 and above!

The price of your puppy isn’t the whole story though…

While you may think this price tag is reasonable, it doesn’t factor in stuff such as: food, vet bills, toys, etc.

Other puppy expenses

When getting a puppy, make sure you factor the following into your budget:

  • Toys
  • Bed/crate
  • Food & treats
  • Adoption fees
  • Leash, collar, and harness
  • Vet bills — immunizations, microchipping, and spaying/neutering

Boston Terrier Price Factors

There is no single set price for a Boston Terrier, but price will vary depending on these factors:

  • The color & pattern of the dog
  • Do you buy your dog or adopt/rescue one?
  • The reputation of the breeder / bloodline of the dog

Table of Contents

Boston Terrier Price Chart

The average cost of a Boston Terrier is ~$1200, however, this can vary depending on location, color, patterns, the breeder, and the dog’s pedigree/bloodline.

ColorPrice
Black & White$1,200
Black Brindle & White$1,200
Brindle & White$1,250
Seal & White$1,400
Seal Brindle & White$1,400

Price varies based on color

Some Boston Terriers cost more than others just because of their color.

Did you know that the AKC only recognizes 5 Boston Terrier colors?

Official AKC Boston Terrier Colors

Boston Terriers are recognized as having the following 5 colors according to the AKC’s Boston Terrier Breed Standard

  • Black & White
  • Black Brindle & White
  • Seal Brindle & White
  • Brindle & White
  • Seal & White

The problem with some “rare” colors

While there are 5 AKC-official Boston Terrier colors, there are many other colors that you can find Boston Terriers in…

These “rare” colors include…

  • Blue
  • Platinum
  • Lilac
  • Fawn
  • Chocolate (brown)
  • Cream
  • Lavender
  • Fawn & White

Not all colors are created equally — there’s more than meets the eye!

There are a few things to know about these rare colors…
  • They are not recognized by the AKC
  • Some colors are associated with some health issues
  • They might be an indication that the dog is not a purebred Boston Terrier

Boston Terrier Puppy Expenses

When it comes to getting a Boston Terrier, the cost of your puppy is just the start of the long list of expenses…

Other costs to consider when getting a Boston Terrier are…

  • Bed
  • Toys
  • Food
  • Grooming
  • Immunizations
  • The cost of the puppy
  • Essentials such as a collar, leash, harness, etc. (check out our New Puppy Checklist!)
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Boston Terrier Lifetime Cost of Ownership

With an average lifespan of 11-13 years, you should expect to spend anywhere from $1,000 to $1,400 per year as a Boston Terrier owner.

This comes out to around $11,000 to $18,200 for the whole lifespan of your Boston Terrier.

This figure is an average and you would likely pay much more than this if an unexpected health issue were to arise — pet insurance is highly recommended for Boston Terriers.

3 Reasons why Boston Terriers are Expensive

Boston Terriers aren’t expensive for no reason! 

Boston Terries are so expensive due to their…

  1. Health problems
  2. Breeding difficulties
  3. Popularity

Reason #1: Health Problems

The first reason why Boston Terriers have a reputation for being expensive is their long list of health issues.

As a flat-faced breed, they are prone to all kinds of breathing issues such as stenotic nares (pinched nostrils), everted laryngeal saccules (narrowed airway), and elongated soft palate.

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Don’t let the Boston Terrier’s health problems deter you from the breed… Compared to the Frenchie, they are a much healthier breed!

Some expensive Boston Terrier Health Issues
  • Allergies — dogs can suffer from allergies just like us humans!
  • Heart problems — valve disease & heart failure are most common in Boston
  • Eye issues — cataracts, glaucoma, cherry eye, and dry eye
  • Skin problems — atopic dermatitis is common in Boston Terriers
  • Cushing’s disease — caused by too much cortisol over a long period of time
  • Epilepsy — can be due to genetics or develop randomly during their life

Reason #2: It’s hard to breed them

Breeding Boston Terriers is much harder than you’d think!

Not only does it cost the breeder thousands of dollars, but the puppies also require constant attention and care to grow into healthy adults.

There’s one thing for sure: breeding Boston Terriers is a full-time job.

Reason #3: They’re popular

As the 23rd most popular dog breed according to the AKC, you bet that these dogs are in high demand.

4 Reasons Why Boston Terriers are so Popular

While you could just take my word that Boston Terriers are one of the best dog breeds on this planet — seriously, they are:

  1. Super friendly & sociable— not timid at all; love meeting new people
  2. Playful & athletic— Boston Terriers are much more athletic than Frenchies or other Bulldogs
  3. Low maintenance— don’t shed a ton or require a ton of grooming
  4. Healthier than Frenchies— Frenchies are notorious for their long list of health issues… while Boston Terriers are still a flat-faced breed prone to the same breathing problems, they are generally considered healthier

Where to get a Boston Terrier

When it comes to getting a Boston Terrier (or any dog), you generally have two options: get a puppy from a breeder or rescue/adopt a dog.

Breeder vs. Rescue

According to RescueDogs101.com, the average cost to adopt a dog is $300… which is 4x cheaper than the average Boston Terrier puppy ($1200).

Getting your Boston Terrier from a Breeder

  • Expect to pay more than you would adopting/rescuing
  • Genetic testing can be performed to rule out certain health issues
  • You will have more info about the dog’s history (health issues that run in their bloodline)

Adopting/Rescuing a Boston Terrier

  • All rescue dogs are unique
  • The dog has most likely been vaccinated & fixed
  • Rescue dogs might have past trauma that you are unaware of
  • There may be unknowns as far as the dog’s parents’ medical history

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most expensive Boston Terrier color?

The most expensive AKC Boston Terrier color is Seal & White or Seal Brindle & White

As far as other “unofficial” colors go, the most expensive color is Blue.

Can I get a cheap Boston Terrier?

While it’s possible to get a cheap Boston Terrier, this isn’t always the best move.
Stay away from backyard breeders

You’re better off trying to find a Boston Terrier for adoption/rescue near you, rather than find a cheap puppy from some backyard breeder.

How much does a Boston Terrier cost yearly?

On a yearly basis, you can expect to spend anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 (even higher if unexpected vet bills come up!).

Are Boston Terriers worth it?

If you’re asking me — yes, they’re worth it.

But others might advise against Boston Terriers for their health issues and higher-than-average cost of ownership.

But to Boston Terrier Owners, this is just part of owning a Boston Terrier and if you ask them, it’s always worth it.

How much are Purebred Boston Terriers?

A purebred Boston Terrier is likely to set you back anywhere from $1,200 to $2,500+… 

Price varies depending on…

  • Your location
  • Color/pattern of the dog
  • The breeder & their reputation
  • The bloodline/pedigree (are the dog’s parents award-winning show dogs?)

Be wary…

Does the price of a puppy seem “too good to be true” or way higher than average?

Some breeders may either be trying to get rid of a puppy they know has a lot of health issues or are marking up the price for a “rare” color/pattern. 

About rare colors

These “rare” colors are typically bred by mixing a Boston Terrier with another breed that has the gene for a color such as Blue or Fawn…

Boston Terriers with these rare colors are most likely not purebred Boston Terriers.

These are not “AKC official” Boston Terrier colors, therefore, you would be unable to register your Boston Terrier with the AKC & compete in any conformation shows.