Boston Terriers are popular for their stout bodies, short tails, and perky ears. You may notice other breeds also have such physical traits, which can cause confusion at times. For this article, I’m going to meet several dogs that look like Boston Terriers, and see what makes them similar and also different.
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21 Dogs That Look Like Boston Terriers
Some breeds resemble Boston Terriers at first glance mainly because of their brachycephalic features that make them have flat faces. Size, height, and tail lengths also make them look the same. These are 21 dogs that share some physical aspects with a Boston Terrier.
Border Terrier
Border Terriers may sometimes look like Boston Terriers because they both have short coats. Still, Boston Terriers tend to have fine coats, while Border Terriers usually have rough fur.
Border Terriers have thicker and more loose skin because this trait protected them from bites during their fox-hunting days. While Border Terriers can have black and white fur, it’s more common for them to have pale yellow, wheat, or grizzle and tan colors.
Boxer
When Boxer dogs are sitting, some people may confuse them with Boston Terriers because of their distinctly squared heads. Likewise, both breeds have stocky, muscular bodies.
Size is the primary difference between these two breeds. Boxers can weigh up to 70 pounds, whereas the largest Boston Terriers may weigh 25 pounds. Additionally, Boxers stand up to 25 inches, while Boston Terriers can only reach up to 17 inches.
Brussels Griffon
If you think Boston Terriers have the most telling face, wait until you see the Brussels Griffon, which commonly has an almost human-like expression. While both breeds have flat faces, the Brussels Griffon has a more prominent chin and a larger set of eyes.
The Brussels Griffon has a smaller body frame compared to Boston Terriers. Instead of a fine coat, it also has rough fur that doesn’t shed much.
Bulldog
Bulldogs have medium-sized bodies with thick, low-slung bodies that make them look like Boston Terriers. They also share the trait of having thick, sturdy limbs to support their muscular bodies.
Both breeds also have massive, short-muzzled heads with faces that have wrinkles or folds. A study of 154 brachycephalic dogs shows that dogs with short muzzles, like these two breeds, have higher risks of Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome, which comprises air movement through the upper airways.
Cairn Terrier
Cairn Terrier is a small, short-legged dog like a Boston Terrier. Unlike a Boston, which has a fine coat, a Cairn Terrier has medium-length, weather-resistant fur.
While they both have ears that stand up most of the time, a Cairn Terrier has a more fox-like appearance because of the shorter ears. It is also smaller in terms of weight and height.
Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are little dogs that typically do not exceed six pounds. They have off-square bodies that may have straight or silky coat texture, unlike Terriers that generally come with straight fur.
The American Kennel Club considers a Boston Terrier as a small, non-sporting breed, while Chihuahuas classify as toy dogs. Even the tallest Chihuahuas at 10 inches won’t reach the height of the smallest Terriers.
Dogue de Bordeaux
The Dogue de Bordeaux is a Mastiff-type dog that has undershot jaws and expressive eyes just like a Boston Terrier. As an ancient French breed, it retains the typical brachycephalic features that were common in fighting dogs.
Despite the size difference, it looks like a Boston Terrier because of the buff body with a sleek outline. They both also have fine coats, although Dogue de Bordeaux typically grows brown fur.
Norwich Terrier
Boston Terriers may grow seven inches taller than Norwich Terriers. While both have compact facial features, the main identifier between the two is that Norwich Terriers have longer tails.
Both breeds have perky ears, although Norwich Terriers have a slightly foxy expression. In addition, they tend to have double coats, unlike Boston Terriers, that have single coats.
French Bulldog
French Bulldogs and Boston Terriers are both small dogs, particularly due to their shared ancestral genes from English Bulldogs. Moreover, both dogs are among the 24 primary breeds that have brachycephalic characteristics. This condition causes them to have shorter noses.
However, Terriers have longer legs that make them taller. Meanwhile, Frenchies have a muscular build with a larger bone structure.
Jack Russell Terrier
Boston Terriers and Jack Russell Terriers are among the breeds with short, smooth coats, causing them to appear related at some point. Likewise, the fur makes both breeds easier to groom.
While Jack Russells almost have the same height as Boston Terriers, they weigh smaller at 13 to 17 pounds, their specific diet might be the cause for such development. Jack Russells also have longer tails compared to Bostons.
Japanese Chin
Similar to Boston Terriers, Japanese Chins feature large heads with wide sets of eyes. They also have short muzzles and chins that appear high on their faces.
While they share some facial features, a closer look at the dogs shows that Boston Terriers have calm yet alert expressions, while Japanese Chins exhibit astonished looks.
Manchester Terrier
Manchester Terriers and Boston Terriers both have long, perky ears that make them appear always alert. Some Bostons can have a full-black coat similar to Manchester’s fur.
However, Manchesters have sleeker bodies and longer legs. Despite the height differences, Manchester Terriers can weigh between 12 to 22 pounds, which is relatively close to the average weight of Boston Terriers.
Mastiff
While there’s a big size difference, a Mastiff may look like a Boston Terrier’s close uncle because of the face. Both breeds also have a calm stance that emanates dignity and grandeur.
Even with its massive body, a Mastiff is a charming, affectionate, and good-natured dog, much like a Boston Terrier. However, it usually has a denser fur in contrast to a Terrier’s fine coat.
Miniature Bull Terrier
Miniature Bull Terriers look like Boston Terriers because they both have weird-looking, almost goofy faces. They also have small, muscular bodies, although Miniature Bull Terriers tend to be heavier.
Similar to Bostons, Miniature Bull Terriers have fine, glossy coats that grow very close to the skin. On the other hand, Miniature Bull Terriers have egg-shaped heads in contrast to the rounded heads of Bostons.
Miniature Pinscher
Hailing from Germany, Miniature Pinschers sort of resemble Chihuahuas and Manchester Terriers in terms of coat color. However, their perky ears and docked tails make them look like Boston Terriers.
Still, Min Pins share the same well-proportioned and compact bodies that Bostons have. Aside from that, both breeds feature smooth, short-haired coats.
Pomeranian
Pomeranians may look like cotton candies brought to life, so why do they bear a resemblance to Boston Terriers? This is because they are small breeds that have flat facial features. While Bostons weigh heavier, both dogs are ideal lap dogs.
If a Pomeranian is a half-breed, it may lose its fluffy coat, and bear more resemblance to Bostons due to shorter snouts and alert, prick ears.
Pug
Pugs and Boston Terriers look alike because of wrinkle patterns on the face. As brachycephalic breeds, they both have narrow or small nostrils, which may restrict the airflow when these dogs breathe through their noses.
Despite similarities in stature, the American Kennel Club classifies the Pug as a toy dog. Besides, Terriers normally have erect ears, whereas Pugs have folded-over ears.
Rat Terrier
Rat Terriers may have a longer snout, yet their black-and-white face mask and perky ears make them resemble Boston Terriers. If you see Rat Terriers with docked tails, this will make them appear even more like Bostons.
To differentiate the two, know that Rat Terriers may weigh anywhere between 12 to 35 pounds, while Bostons may range from 10 to 25 pounds. Aside from that, the tallest Bostons may be around the height of the shortest Rat Terriers.
Scottish Terrier
Like Boston Terriers, Scottish Terriers are compact and sturdy-built dogs with short legs. Both breeds have heads proportionate to their sizes. As with most kinds of Terriers, these two have prominent upright ears.
While they don’t differ much in weight and height, Scottish Terriers grow thick, wiry hair, causing them to have more grooming needs than Boston Terriers.
Silky Terrier
Like Bostons, Silky Terriers feature V-shaped ears that are set high on the head. They also have flat skulls that result in short muzzles.
While both considered as small dogs, Silky Terriers are smaller than Boston Terriers in relation to height and weight. As an offspring of Australian and Yorkshire Terriers, Silky Terriers have fine, luscious locks that may either grow short or long.
Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers sport the same compact and well-proportioned bodies that I commonly see in Boston Terriers. They also have short muzzles and pointy ears, as most Terriers tend to inherit.
Unlike Bostons, it’s common for Yorkshires to get docked tails at a young age. It may not be obvious as Yorkshire Terriers generally have floor-length, silky coats.
Conclusion
There are several dogs that look like Boston Terriers in terms of the face, body, and tail. Still, there are unique features that can help you differentiate them. At the end of the day, what’s essential is that I provide the necessary time, attention, and care for them.
