What Are Miniature Boston Terriers & Are They Great For You?
Boston Terriers by nature are very cute and affectionate, so condensing this cuteness overload in a tinier body just makes them all the more appealing! Miniature Boston Terriers are also known as a "teacup" breed and there's a lot of breeders who have dabbled in breeding these little furballs. However, teacup Boston Terriers are not all sunshine and daisies, there might be a lot of problems ensuing from their breeding as well. So we've compiled a fact sheet on this matter for your sake!
What Are Miniature Boston Terriers & Are They Great For You?
Boston Terriers in general weigh about 20-25 pounds and not more than that, they also can grow up 15-17 inches when it comes to their standard height. Teacup Boston Terriers however can weigh 12 pounds with 10 inches of height. Generally speaking, teacups are great because of a couple of perks entailing their size.
Having a teacup breed at home will lessen dog food expenses, you also don't have to worry about having a storage space just for their food. Alongside this, they are great to have in any kind of living condition. If you live in a small apartment, they can easily fit well and have ample space for playtime! Not only that, but you can also create a cuter and space-saving dog-proof area just for them. If you also want to bring them with you to the beach or on a road trip, they can be easily transported due to their small size.
As you can see, there's a lot of perks with having a teacup Boston Terrier. However, when it comes to breeding them, there might be some anomalies. If you like to have a cuter version of a Boston Terrier, the best way is by getting a mixed breed with a smaller parent. The other way that is quite questionable is by introducing the dwarfism gene on them.
Introducing The Dwarfism Gene
This will usually result in creating stunted growth for them and their bones won't grow to their regular size. Dwarfism in dogs however can create a lot of health complications and inflict pain on them. There are actually three types of dwarfism.
This type of dwarfism can range from mild stunted growth to serious defects like bowed bones and other deformations that will constantly cause pain for the Boston Terrier. Not to mention that Boston Terriers by nature can acquire patellar luxation. which is a bone condition that can make chances of bone dislocation possible due to their weight. Another result from this type is that their jaws and bone structure in the head will be underdeveloped as well and can create more respiratory problems for them especially in their flat-face condition.
This type on the other hand is caused when the pituitary gland does not secrete enough hormones causing disproportionate growth. Sometimes dogs with this condition won't be able to grow their teeth and their coats won't also be able to grow naturally. While this condition isn't likely for Boston Terrier breeds in general this should be taken into account. Pituitary Dwarfism often occurs on German Shepherds and are treatable as well.
The worst-case scenario with Boston Terriers having dwarfism in their genes is that they will suffer all their life and can even lead to an early death. So as much as possible, check on your breeder on the process of how they bred the teacup and make sure to not practice this as well!
Boston Terrier Mixed Breeds
There are in fact, a lot of Boston Terrier mixes, and the cutest one by far is the Bugg, which is a cross between Pug and Boston Terrier.
The Bugg or Pugin (you could call them which ever way you want, they’re still cute) is a designer dog and they have inherited one of the best temperament from their parents. Boston Terriers and Pugs by nature are quite similar when it comes to play and their attachment to their owners.
This is why Buggs are also intelligent, spunky, and extremely friendly. If you have kids at home, Buggs won’t be aggressive over them and can even tolerate long hours of play with them. Though they will sometimes be a little stubborn and not in the mood to play, they won’t usually lash out to your children’s constant nagging on them!
Another cute breed is the Frenchton, which is a cross between the French Bulldog and Boston Terrier.
Frenchtons are also easily attached to their owners and are great companions for different living conditions. Because of their small size, they can easily adapt to small apartment units and also enjoy playing with your little kids! Be warned though, they can have separation anxiety whenever you leave them to go to work. They are extremely loyal and quite high maintenance when it comes to their need for constant affection!
Frenchtons love physical affection and need some cuddle time with you! They just love to be loved but they can also be highly sensitive as well. Whenever you scold your little Frenchton, make sure to not shout at them for they will definitely take it to heart and can be quite depressed the whole day. These little furballs are emotional and very expressive, you’ll definitely see a lot of reaction from them.
There are other Boston Terrier mixed breeds as well that are miniature in size. Some of them are the Bo-Chi, which is a cross between Chihuahua and Boston Terriers. Another one is the Bo-Jack, which is a cross between the Jack Russel and Boston Terrier. They might not be quite miniature but they're a great breed in general and can lessen the chances that they will have a flat-face again which is usually one of the sources of its respiratory problems.
Boston Terriers are already cute by nature and to risk their health just to have them in a cuter size is just questionable. This breed is by far one of the most loyal and cheerful among terriers and they will always shower you with their love. They can often feel lonely without you and they are simply one of the best companion dogs you'll have.