A Complete Price Guide for the Boston Terrier
Buying a dog is a commitment. It’s something that should be thought of considerably. Dogs are excellent companions, but they do require work as well as financial obligations. Even a small breed such as a Boston terrier’s upkeep could be a lot to handle for many. Be that as it may, Boston terriers are excellent pets and are definitely worth the trouble. If you’ve been thinking about getting a Boston terrier, here’s a price guide to help you navigate how much it’s going to cost you. Think of it as a long-term investment that will give you plenty of love and happy memories in return.
Background
The Boston terrier dog breed has a well-documented history. These American dogs came from a town in Massachusetts called Southborough. In fact, the history of the dogs can be traced back to one place—the Burnett House. The owner of the house, Edward Burnett, is credited for breeding the earliest progeny of the breed. Boston terriers are basically the result of a cross between an all-white bulldog and a mix of an English bulldog and an extinct breed known as the white English terrier. Boston terriers have been around since the 1860s, and they haven’t exactly had the most pleasant history. It may have taken a while for the breed to catch on, but they are some of the most beloved dog breeds today. They became the most popular dogs in America in the 1920s, and today, many dog lovers prefer Boston terriers for pets. They may not be the top on the list, but more than 17,000 Boston terriers have been registered through the AKC (American Kennel Club) since 1999.
Where to buy a Boston terrier
Boston terrier is a fairly popular breed, so you shouldn’t have too much difficulty finding a breeder. However, it is imperative that you find a reputable breeder in your area to guarantee that you are buying a well-bred dog. Backyard breeders and puppy mills are too widespread not to be concerned, and it’s important that you check the legitimacy of a breeder before conducting business with them. Some of the most popular breeders nationally have the reputation for only selling healthy and well-cared for puppies. This doesn’t mean that you can’t go and adopt a Boston terrier from the local shelter. Adopting a dog will have its drawbacks, but there are too many puppies ending up in shelters not to consider it as an option. There are many advantages to adoption, one of which is the cost. A Boston terrier purchased directly from a breeder can run you anywhere from $600 up to $4,000 or more depending on who’s selling. On the other hand, an adopted Boston terrier could cost anywhere from as little as $25 up to about $300. That’s a significance difference on price, and your budget should dictate where you should purchase. Every place that sells animals—a pet store, a breeder, a shelter, or animal rescue—will have different pricing strategies. If you are purchasing from a place far from your home, you’ll have to factor in the costs of travel as well. Depending on where you live, you might have to make travel arrangements in order to pick up your puppy. Don’t hesitate to do research and compare prices before you commit to a puppy. We know that it’s hard to say no to a puppy once you’ve found the dog you want to take home but remember that buying the dog isn’t the last expense you’ll have to make.
Costs of care
Caring for a Boston terrier is part of the joy of having its companionship. However, it’s not as simple as it sounds. Dogs have needs much like humans do, but they rely on us to make sure they have all those needs covered. From healthcare to food and entertainment, Boston terriers will need to be budgeted into your monthly schedule. You can find comfort in the fact that they are smaller dogs, so some of the costs will be smaller as well. The costs of caring for a Boston terrier is broken down in the categories below.
Healthcare
Healthcare is going to be one of the most important expenses you’ll spend on your Boston terrier. One of the first expenses you should encounter is that of a license and a microchip. Licensing and animal regulations depend on your area of residence, so check on those before you proceed. Licensing typically cost around $35 per year. Microchips are optional, but they’re highly recommended in order to keep your pet safe. Microchipping can be done at your local veterinarian clinic, and they typically cost anywhere from $30 to $60 plus the veterinarian fee—generally about $15. If you are buying your Boston terrier at a rescue or shelter, it’ll likely be microchipped already. Boston terriers are notorious for their health issues. Much like many short-snouted dogs, Boston terriers are highly predisposed to Brachycephalic Syndrome and respiratory problems. Some other common problems for this breed include eye problems such as entropion and cataracts, ear problems, allergies, and more. It’s important to take your Boston terrier to the vet for regular visits in order to maintain good health. Pet insurance is an option, and there are a variety to choose from. If you prefer to pay out-of-pocket, be prepared to pay for some of the fees. A regular office visit for a vet will be about $50, but off-hours or emergency visits will cost more. Vaccinations, medications, diagnostic tests, and procedures all cost money, but these aren’t things that you’ll need to do on a regular basis unless your Boston terrier is unwell.
Grooming/hygiene
When it comes to keeping your Boston terrier well-groomed and clean, the basics are all you’ll ever need to know. They are easier and faster to groom compared to other breeds. On a daily basis, cleaning the face is important. You’ll need to purchase a dog toothbrush and toothpaste to clean your Boston terrier’s mouth at least twice a week. You’ll need a rubber brush to brush your Boston terrier’s coat about once a week and an ear cleaner to clean its ears every couple of weeks. You’ll need to clip the nails once a month or as needed. If your pet gets too dirty, you can give it a bath, but this isn’t something that’s needed regularly. As far as spending on grooming and hygiene, that’s pretty much all of it. You’re never going to need to bring your Boston terrier to the groomers. The Boston terrier coat is so short and will never grow long to the point that it would need cutting. This alone will save you hundreds on grooming expenses. Apart from buying the things you’ll need at home to groom and clean a Boston terrier yourself—toothbrush, toothpaste, brush, ear cleaner, nail clipper, and shampoo/wash—you really won’t need anything else. You can definitely splurge on better quality items here.
Shelter
Shelter is subjective. As the owner of a Boston terrier, you can be as minimalist or as lavish as you wish. Since Boston terriers are small animals, they don’t require much space at all. However, there are other expenses you’ll have to think of depending on your living accommodations. Boston terriers will require some kind of pet bed to lay on. There are literally hundreds of pet bed styles you can choose from, but ultimately your dog will decide which one it likes the best. It could be the plushest bed or it might be a basic flat mat. You can indulge your Boston terrier with a small dog house of its own; although it isn’t a necessity. If you have your own home, you wouldn’t have to worry about additional living expenses. However, if you live in a rented space—a house, a condo, an apartment, and so forth—you’re likely going to need to pay a fee for your dog to live with you. Most apartment complexes charges an application fee for pets, which can range anywhere from $100 to $400 or more. Some places even charge a monthly fee for animals to be on property. You’re going to have to check on this if you do rent your home.
Food
One of the biggest expenses of owning a Boston terrier is food—but only because you’ll have to incur this from the moment you get your pup until it’s lived its lifespan. The average lifespan of a Boston terrier is 11 to 15 years. It’s important that you provide your pet with only the finest food around to ensure good health and a longer lifespan. With proper diet and exercise, your Boston terrier can live a long life, even longer than the average. The average monthly expense on food for a small dog like the Boston terrier isn’t much at all. Some of the best quality dog foods out there will cost you only roughly $2-$3 per pound. A large bag of dog food may give you over 100 pounds of food, but a Boston terrier will only consume about 1 ½ cups of it daily. A large bag that costs about $50-$60 will last you about 3 months. Of course, there are other dog treats to spoil your dog with. Dog treats range in price but generally cost between $5 to $10. Even with this addition, food expenses for your dog still won’t be too much on a monthly basis.
Activities
Dogs require more than just time spent with their owners. That’s surely a necessity, but they do have other needs as well. Boston terriers have high levels of energy and will need lots of time for play. This is especially true if you have leave your dog alone for hours on end while you’re working during the day. Boston terriers could benefit from different kinds of toys. There are toys that entertain dogs, and there are toys that teach as well. There are even puzzle toys for dogs that offer challenging stimulation and rewards for accomplishment. Chew toys are great for teeth and gum health as well. Boston terriers are notorious for chewing things around the house. Giving your pet enough chew toys will help prevent it from chewing through your belongings. It’s more expensive to buy new shoes than to buy new chew toys after all. If these aren’t enough to keep your Boston terrier occupied and happy while you’re gone, you might consider getting another pet—another expense to consider. One another expense that might be necessary is training. Some dogs require more training than others, and Boston terriers could definitely benefit from some professional training. Training helps with behavior issues and day-to-day occupational activities.
Other expenses
It may sound like the price of owning a Boston terrier is just too high; it really isn’t. Once you’ve covered your dog’s primary needs, there really isn’t much left to spend on a regular basis apart from food. Of course there are always extras and other expenses to pay for, but most of these depend on the lifestyle you live as a pet parent. Some examples of extra expenses include travel. If you tend to travel often, you have the option of taking your pet with you—an expense in itself—or leaving your pet with a dog sitter—another expense. If you wish to travel with your pet, you’ll need to get a travel carrier. On the other hand, dog sitters will cost you even more. Professional pet sitters have varying fees. There are some that will charge you $25 per 30 minutes, and there are others that will charge the same amount for an entire day. Dog walking is another expense that sometimes you might have to pay for. If there’s ever a time that you just can’t walk your dog, a dog walker might be necessary. There are also unforeseen expenses that might just come about. Most are health-related; some may just be for minor emergencies. Either way, just know that if you were to get a Boston terrier, be prepared to care for and provide for it as best as you can.
