The Boston Terrier is a brachycephalic breed. “Brachy” literally translates into “shortened” while “cephalic” means head. In other words, the Boston Terrier is a breed with shortened skull bones, hence resulting in a face that appears pushed in.
This dog is commonly known as the “American Gentleman,” largely because it originated from America, in addition to the fact that it usually has a tuxedo-like coat pattern.
How fast can they run? Well, on a good day, they can push themselves to 25 miles per hour. But this will hinge on their health status, age, fitness level, energy levels, environmental conditions, parent genes, and a myriad of other factors.
Boston Terrier History
We don’t know when exactly the Boston Terrier was bred, but experts speculate that it could be in the late 1800s. Robert C. Hopper—who resided in Boston at the time—bought a Bulldog from Edward Burnett so that he could pair her genes with those of his dog, an English Terrier.
The puppies were then interbred with a French Bulldog, consequently creating a new breed that we now know as the Boston Terrier.
Why Was the Boston Terrier Initially Bred?
Dog fighting was a common practice back in the day, as it was a form of entertainment. That became one of the main reasons why the demand for the Boston Terrier skyrocketed during those days.
The other reason was the need to create a dog that was efficient at hunting vermin and exterminating the critters that wreaked havoc in New England’s garment factories. The original Boston Terrier was the perfect candidate for this type of job.
If you’re wondering why this doesn’t sound like the Boston Terrier that you know, it’s because it isn’t. The modern breed has been developed to the point that it’s comparatively smaller, calmer, and has a milder temperament.
Distinguishing Physical Features of the Boston Terrier
First off, this dog has a very broad head. Their muzzles are relatively short, but always proportional to the size of the head. Compared to other breeds, the eyes are usually wide and large. You’ll also note that the ears are small and erect, and the color of the nose is black.
They don’t shed much, owing to the fact that their coats are smooth and short. What we like most about this breed is the expression of liveliness and determination written all over their faces.
Is the Boston Terrier an Athletic Breed?
Contrary to popular belief, it is. People are quick to assume that they don’t have much athletic ability, probably due to the fact that they are a brachycephalic breed.
Although this dog doesn’t have the physical capacity to complete a marathon, it’s still pretty athletic. We’ve seen them register remarkable scores in various performance-based activities, including flyball, water sports, agility drills, and tracking.
If you really want to see how fast a Boston Terrier can run, unleash them in an open area or field.
Is the Boston Terrier’s Athleticism an Inherited Trait?
When you go through the ancestry of the Boston Terrier, you’ll learn that they inherited their athletic genes from the White English Terrier.
You don’t hear about this particular dog often because the White Terrier is a breed that went extinct shortly after 1895. Even though they were bred to be performance dogs, they were significantly plagued by deafness and health problems.
How Fast Is the Boston Terrier?
When stacked up against other species, the Boston Terrier is nowhere near the fastest animal on the planet. They are certainly faster than their ancestors, the English Bulldog, but on a running scale, they will always be ranked as average.
| Animal | Running Speed (mph) |
| Cheetah | 75 |
| Greyhound | 45 |
| Racehorse | 44 |
| Grey Wolf | 38 |
| Domestic Cat | 30 |
| Boston Terrier | 25 |
How Much Exercise Does a Boston Terrier Need?
Making sure that an athletic breed always stays in top shape is not easy. You’ll have to dedicate a lot of your time and other resources to ensure they get the required dose of physical and mental stimulation. The Boston Terrier will certainly demand regular daily exercise.
You’ll need to provide a 60-minute walk every day (or more), but that time should be divided into two sessions—30 minutes in the morning, and the other 30 in the evening.
On top of the walks, you also have to incorporate a high-intensity activity into their program. This will depend on your preference, as it should be something that both parties enjoy. Running is always an option, but you first have to check in with your vet. If your Terrier has brachycephalic syndrome or some other underlying medical condition, you must opt for something different.
The pups won’t be too demanding on the physical stimulation front, seeing as their bones are still developing. A rule of thumb is that they get a 5-minute walk for every month of age. Therefore, if your pups are only 2 months old, they’ll have a 10-minute walk. They also need some age-appropriate toys to curb boredom and get their daily dose of mental stimulation.
Do Boston Terriers Ever Experience Zoomies?
We often say that a dog is experiencing a case of the zoomies if they have so much pent-up energy that it ends up overflowing. And you’ll be able to tell because they’ll keep running around uncontrollably, just to expel whatever they can. Of course, the number one cause for this phenomenon is a lack of sufficient physical stimulation, but it can also be triggered by boredom.
Since the Boston Terrier is an athletic breed, it’s susceptible to zoomies occasionally.
Conclusion
For a dog its size, the Boston Terrier is pretty fast. They can comfortably clock speeds of 25 miles per hour, depending on their level of training, age, health, and several other factors. It’s important to note that this is a brachycephalic breed. They are prone to breathing problems, thus making them unsuitable for long-distance running.
Featured Image Credit: Zero Degrees Photography, Shutterstock
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