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French Bulldog vs. Boston Terrier
Are you trying to decide between a Frenchie or Boston Terrier?
Obviously, the easy thing to do would be to get a Frenchie & call it a day– but is a Frenchie right for you?
Read on and learn about the difference between their personalities, physical appearances, health, history, and price!
Personality Comparison – French Bulldog vs. Boston Terrier
The highlight of both of these breeds is without a doubt their personalities.
Both are super playful & loving– you can’t go wrong with either breed!
French Bulldog Personality Traits
When it comes to Frenchies, the biggest personality trait that stands out to me is their stubbornness!
Boston Terrier Personality Traits
- Loyal
- Friendly
- High energy
- More independent
Size Comparison – French Bulldog vs. Boston Terrier
They’re often mistaken for each other, however, they both have unique traits that can help you differentiate between the two.
| French Bulldog | Boston Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 16-28lbs | 12-25lbs |
| Ears | Rose shaped | Pointy ears |
| Build | Short & stocky | Slender |
| Shedding | Moderate | Mild |
Frenchies and Boston Terriers are two of the cutest “flat-faced” dog breeds out there… and they have a few things in common:
- These breeds are both flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds.
- They both have big ol’ ears that stick up
French Bulldog
- 16-28lbs (7.2kg – 12.7kg) on average
- Stockier than Boston Terriers
- More “rose-shaped” round ears than Boston Terriers
- Drool more than Boston Terriers
- Shed more than Boston Terriers
- Less exercise tolerant than Boston Terriers
Boston Terrier
- 12-25lbs (5.5kg – 11.3kg) on average
- More slender & lighter than Frenchies
- Ears are much pointier than Frenchies
- Drool much less than Frenchies
- Shed a bit less than Frenchies (they still shed!)
- More exercise-tolerant than Frenchies
Health Comparison – French Bulldog vs. Boston Terrier
While Frenchies are notorious for their health issues, Boston Terriers are less prone to health issues– though they still are a brachycephalic breed and experience breathing issues from time to time.
French Bulldog
- More prone to health issues
- Common health issues are: hip dysplasia, cherry eye, allergies, and patellar luxation
Boston Terrier
- Less prone to health issues
- Common health issues are: cataracts, cherry eye, heart murmurs, and deafness
Price Comparison – French Bulldog vs. Boston Terrier
| French Bulldog | Boston Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $3,500+ | $1,500 |
| Vet Bills | Medium–High | Low-Medium |
The cost of these purebred dogs isn’t cheap!
You’re going to be spending at least a thousand dollars to get either of these dogs from a breeder (you can always rescue!).
History Comparison – French Bulldog vs. Boston Terrier
These dogs have an obvious — and not so obvious — history.
| French Bulldog | Boston Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | England | United States |
| Year Recognized | 1898 | 1893 |
French Bulldog
Surely a French Bulldog is French, right?
Did you know that French Bulldogs aren’t even French?! They come from England!
Did you know that Frenchies aren’t from France?
- Recognized as a breed in 1898
- Originated in England
Boston Terrier
- Recognized as a breed in 1893
- Originated in the United States
Should I get a Frenchie or a Boston Terrier?
Reasons to get a French Bulldog over a Boston Terrier
- You want a dog that doesn’t bark much
- You live in an apartment
- You want a highly social dog
If you still aren’t sure whether or not a French Bulldog is for you, check out all their pros and cons!
Reasons to get a Boston Terrier over a French Bulldog
It wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t mention any of the reasons you’d want a Boston Terrier over a Frenchie.
- You want a more active dog
- You want a lighter dog
- You want a dog that sheds less
Frequently Asked Questions
French Bulldog Similar Breeds
These are the breeds that look like French Bulldogs… I don’t know how, but people often mistake these breeds for each other:
- Boston Terrier
- Pug
- Frenchton
- French Terrier
- English Bulldog
Boston Terrier Similar Breeds
- French Bulldog
- Pug
- Frenchton
- French Terrier
- Boxer
- Bull Terrier
Is a Boston Terrier a French Bulldog Alternative?
No, that’s not a fair comparison to make for either breed. They are both unique breeds with their own pros/cons.
Types of Boston Terriers
There are tons of Boston Terrier mixes… here’s a few that you might recognize:
- Frenchton: a French Bulldog & Boston Terrier mix
- Boston Bulldog: a Bulldog & Boston Terrier mix
Bolgen Terrier: a Beagle & Boston Terrier mix
Pomstom: a Pomeranian & Boston Terrier mix
Boston Lab: a Labrador Retriever & Boston Terrier mix
Bojack: a Jack Russell & Boston Terrier mix
Bostchon: a Bichon Frise & Boston Terrier mix
- Boston Spaniel: a Cocker Spaniel & Boston Terrier mix
What are the differences between Frenchies & Boston Terriers?
Frenchies are a bit bigger & bulkier than Boston Terriers. Boston Terriers are more athletic than Frenchies & experience fewer health issues.
