When we look at Boston terrier vs French bulldog on the scale of cuteness, it’s pretty impossible to declare a clear winner: Boston terrier versus French bulldog?
They both have adorable oversized bat-like ears, little squished snouts, and are both perfect Instagram divas [also real life divas, as every owner will attest to].
And although they both are very similar, there are some pretty significant differences between the two rates. As a prospective dog owner or just a curious dog-lover, you should know the following.
Boston Vs Frenchie: International Rivalry?
So, where did these breeds come from?
French bulldogs are actually a very ancient breed. They have been recorded to descend from dogs belonging to ancient Greek tribes, the Molossians, all the way back to 330 B.C. Later, they spread throughout the world through traders. Originally, they were much larger, muscular, and stockier, more like the English mastiff, which was the original breed.
Over time, when blood sports were banned in England, these dogs were crossbred with local ratter terriers. Their popularity exploded in France in the 1850s, and they were bred further to give us the smaller, more manageable dogs that we know today. Modern French Bulldogs are no longer allowed to be bred with the English Bulldogs, but only for the sake of retaining their features.
In contrast, Boston Terriers are far more modern. Amazingly, all true modern Boston Terriers alive today trace their lineage back to a single dog, called Hooper’s Judge.
This pooch, Judge, was a terrier and bull mix belonging to Robert C. Hooper of Massachusetts, USA, in around 1875. His descendents form the dogs we typically know today. Although they have since been bred to be smaller, Boston Terriers still have that broad, flat forehead you’d typically associate with bulldogs.
Today’s Boston terriers are small, friendly, and have the honor of being the first non-sporting dog breed recognised in the USA and the state dog of Massachusetts.
French Bulldog Vs Boston Terrier: Physical Appearance
On first look, both breeds have a lot in common. They are small sized dogs, with typical flat faces, square heads, squashed looking noses, erect, bat-like ears (which define the breeds), and stocky frames, practically nonexistent tail stubs, with stubby paws. Their surprised, frog-like expressions are a very defining feature. too.
But the differences couldn’t be more distinctive. While they are similarly sized, French Bulldogs have shorter legs and are more predisposed to being ‘toy’ dogs. They stand 12-13 inches tall at the shoulder, compared to the Boston Terriers’ 15-16 inches.
On an average, a healthy French Bulldog weighs around 18-30 lb, while a Boston Terrier clocks in at 15-25 lb. French Bulldogs are smaller but heavier, because of their broader bones.
Also, Boston terriers have a very typical gentleman-like appearance and that they wear a ‘suit’. Their markings make it look like they’re wearing a tux. Typically, Boston terriers are black, dark brown, or brindle, with white markings, in multiple combinations.
As defined by the American kennel club, no other color is accepted on a true Boston terrier. Cross breeding tends to make them lose their markings. Otherwise the ‘American Gentleman’ can be recognized at a glimpse.
Color is one of the best ways to distinguish between the two ways. French bulldogs have colors varying from white, cream, window, to red, dark brown, and even pieds (piebald patterns).
There’s even a blue variant, which is a dark black mix, and this is significant because they tend to have skin and hair problems. French bulldogs have skin that sits looser, with more wrinkles, and a short haired, silky coat.
Boston Terrier Vs French Bulldog: Habits
When it comes to temperament, both breeds have been bred long enough for gentleness, because of which they have lost original aggressive behaviors of their ancestors.
Boston Terriers are very friendly, respond well to positive reinforcement, and therefore are surprisingly easy to train even for amateur pet owners. They are Comfortable around people, and even prefer spending time with your family, as well as canine and non-canine companions.
Occasionally, they display some territorial behavior, but that’s generally restricted towards strangers. They are not loud and do not require a lot of grooming. Also, since they do not bark excessively, they make a pretty good indoor dog.
French bulldogs are equally, if not more content spending time with their owners. French bulldogs actually tend to lapse into separation anxiety, if left alone for too long. They love being around their owners and their families, and are patient, loving, and extremely loyal.
They are also pretty stubborn and have a sense of humor, which makes it tricky to train them. Not only do they look like clowns, but also like to behave like them sometimes. However it’s easier to train this behavior out of them when they’re trained early. Like Boston terriers, French bulldogs ra