Is Boston Terrier a Chihuahua because they both have rounded eyes, perky ears, and small stature? I’m going to discover the similarities between a Boston Terrier and a Chihuahua, as well as differences that make them special.
Quick Navigation
Is Boston Terrier a Chihuahua?
A Boston Terrier is not a Chihuahua. While they share some facial features and personality traits, Boston Terriers and Chihuahuas are not the same due to their differences in parent genes, health issues, and living needs.
Similarities Between the Boston Terrier and Chihuahua
You may get confused between the two breeds at first glance. However, a Boston Terrier is not a Chihuahua, even if they both have these characteristics and aspects.
- Temperament: These intelligent dogs are curious, causing them to please the people around them through their alertness and responsiveness. They are also affectionate and sweet, resulting in them enjoying the attention. However, they also tend to get jealous quickly and don’t like being alone.
- Barking: Chihuahuas and Boston Terriers are above average barkers, particularly when provoked or threatened.
- Friendliness with Other Pets: Both the Boston Terrier and Chihuahua are great with other pets, especially dogs and cats. Be careful about Chihuahuas playing with larger dogs, as a larger, hyper dog may hurt your Chihuahua.
- Owner Experience: Both breeds are suitable for new or inexperienced owners.
- Sensitivity Level: Chihuahuas and Terriers don’t like noisy households and frequent guest visits.
- Hypoallergenic: No dog is 100% hypoallergenic, yet these two breeds are among the less hypoallergenic ones, which means they shed very little or not at all. Unlike common hypoallergenic breeds, they don’t release allergy-causing agents from their fur to the air.
- Grooming Needs: Since they have short coats, Boston Terriers and Chihuahuas rarely need to have their fur trimmed, shaved, or cut.
- Energy Level: Chihuahuas and Boston Terriers have high energy levels, making them ideal for people with active lifestyles. Combining this energy level with their cleverness and vigilance, it will be fairly easy for you to train them.
- Adaptability: Boston Terriers and Chihuahuas adapt exceptionally well to lifestyle changes and most living environments.
Comparisons Between the Boston Terrier and a Chihuahua
Learning things about the size, food intake, and exercise needs are among the simple ways to differentiate a Boston Terrier from a Chihuahua.
The coat’s texture, length, and colors are among the major distinctions between the two breeds.
Coat Traits
| Boston Terrier | Chihuahua |
| Only features a single, straight, and short coat. Purebreds have black and white fur as if they are wearing a tuxedo. | May either have a single or double coat, straight or silky coat texture, and short or long coat length. Depending on the parent genes, fur colors may be fawn, red, brown, cream, black, and white. |
A Boston Terrier is considered a small dog. Meanwhile, a Chihuahua is a toy breed that’s also the smallest dog breed in the world.
Size (Height and Weight)
| Boston Terrier | Chihuahua |
| The average weight is around 10 to 25 pounds and stands between 16 to 17 inches. | Weighs anywhere from two to six pounds and may stand around five to 10 inches. |
Age and size are among the crucial factors for me to develop your pet’s meal plans. Note that these two breeds have different recommended daily food intake.
Food Consumption
| Boston Terrier | Chihuahua |
| 0.5 to 1.5 cups of dry food, divided into two meals. | 1/4 to 1/2 cups of dry food, split into three meals. |
Even if they both have high energy levels, their bodies result in them having different exercise strength and running speeds.
Exercise Strength
| Boston Terrier | Chihuahua |
| Medium fitness strength with a 15 mph maximum running speed. | Low fitness strength with an 18 mph maximum running speed. |
Even if Boston Terriers and Chihuahuas are generally healthy and feisty dogs, they are still susceptible to diseases. Cancer happens less frequently in small breeds, except for 30% of Boston Terriers who die from the disease. Meanwhile, Chihuahuas have a 7.5 percentage of death from cancer.
Common Health Problems
| Boston Terrier | Chihuahua |
| Heart issues, allergies, brain tumors, cataracts, cherry eye, deafness, reverse sneezing | Collapsed trachea, hydrocephalus, hypoglycemia, open fontanel, pulmonic stenosis, shivering |
Like many breeds, how long they live on earth may depend on genetics. The diet and activities I prepare can also impact your pet’s lifespan. Nevertheless, both breeds typically live a long life.
Lifespan
| Boston Terrier | Chihuahua |
| 12 to 15 years | 15 to 20 years |
Chibo: The Boston Terrier and Chihuahua Mix
The only time I can say that a Boston Terrier is a Chihuahua is when I’m talking about the Chibo, which is the offspring of the two breeds. Also known as Bochi or Bohuahua, this small, designer dog is a bold and agile creature.
Chibo usually comes with a combined temperament, being friendly, outgoing, active, and loyal. Since it takes some genes from a Boston Terrier, a Chibo has a larger size than a typical Chihuahua, weighing around 10 to 15 pounds and standing at seven to 17 inches.
Moreover, a Chibo has a muscular body with a squared head and muzzle, along with bat-like ears similar to a Chihuahua. Like a Terrier, a Chibo tends to have a short, straight coat, as well as a corkscrew tail.
Much like its parents, Chibo has low maintenance grooming needs. However, the hybrid doesn’t fare well in extreme cold and heat. Because of its genes, Chibo can normally live up to 15 years.
Related Questions
Before I wrap up this article, let’s answer two more common questions related to these breeds.
Do Boston Terriers and Chihuahuas Originated from the Same Country?
The Boston Terrier came about in Boston, America, in the late 18th century. On the other hand, the Chihuahua became notable in the Mexican state of Chihuahua, hence the name.
Are Boston Terriers and Chihuahuas Aggressive?
Chihuahuas and Boston Terriers, in general, are not aggressive breeds. If they show aggression, it’s usually due to anxiety, territorial behavior, or dominance over other dogs.
Does a Boston Terrier Tend to Wander More Than a Chihuahua?
Boston Terriers have wanderlust tendencies, giving them a strong desire to roam and explore. On the contrary, Chihuahuas are more reserved in this aspect, which means they escape less than Terriers.
Conclusion
A Boston Terrier is not a Chihuahua simply because it has different parentage and care requirements. Even with these polarities, both breeds offer loving and charming personalities that would make them a great addition to your family.
