The Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix is one of the longest living breeds of dog. This mixed dog breed can live for more than 15 years. Due to their long life, the Boston terrier Chihuahua mix makes a perfect loving and lively companion not just only for you but to the whole family.
But what do you call a Boston terrier Chihuahua Mix?
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What Do You Call A Chihuahua And A Boston Terrier Mix?
The Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix has several shortened names. These names include:
- Bohuahua
- Boston Huahua
- Bo-chi
- Chibo
- Boston Chi Parti
- Chi-bo

The Boston Huahua belongs to the newer generation because its history is a bit unknown and is still a work in progress. Boston Huahua is one of the most popular small dog mixes and is recognized by popular canine organizations such as the Dog Registry of America (DRA), American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), and International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).
In the next section, I will do an in-depth discussion regarding the Boston Huahua and the things you need to know if you plan to have one. Keep on reading if you want to learn more about this dog.
What Are the Boston Huahuas’ Parents?
One of the best ways to understand the personality traits to expect from the Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix is to understand its parents. Although most breeders produce Boston Chihuahuas using the two Boston Chihuahua parents, the initial puppy was a crossbreed of Boston Terrier and Chihuahua. Some of the physical and personality traits of these parents include:
Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is probably the smallest breed. However, it’s an intelligent lap dog that is affectionate and loyal to its family. Although Chihuahuas are friendly to their family members, they can be aggressive towards strangers and require socialization. Although the origin of these dogs is not clear, it’s believed they descended from Techichi, a South or Central American dog.
Adult Chihuahuas have a standing height of around 5 inches and weigh around 2 to 6 pounds. This makes Chihuahuas one of the smallest dog breeds in the world. As a result, A Boston Huahua that has a dominant gene from the Chihuahuas tend to be smaller than their counterparts.
The small size of the Chihuahua dog makes it prone to health issues such as collapsing trachea, hypoglycemia, hydrocephalus, and patellar luxation. As a result, a Boston Huahua is prone to these health conditions, especially if the dominant genes are from the Chihuahua dog.
Boston Terrier
Like the Chihuahuas, Boston Terriers are affectionate and loyal dogs. These dogs were initially bred in the 1800s as a mix of the English white terriers and bulldogs and became so popular and nicknamed the American gentleman. Since they were bred as fighting dogs for blood sports, they have strong protective and territorial instincts that make them good watchdogs.
Boston terriers are generally medium-sized dogs with a standing height of about 16 to 17 inches and weigh around 15 to 25 pounds. This makes the resulting Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix have an average size and weight, larger than the Chihuahuas and smaller than the Boston terriers.
That means the size of the Boston terrier and Chihuahua mix can vary widely depending on the dominant genes. Keeping in mind that a Boston terrier parent has a squashed face and flat nose that makes them prone to snoring, the resulting Bochi dog is also prone to this condition.
What a Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix Looks Like
In most cases, the appearance, health conditions, and personality traits of a Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix depend on whether the dominant genes are from the Chihuahua or Boston terrier. Keeping in mind that both parent breeds are intelligent and affectionate, you can expect the following physical characteristics and personality traits in the Bochi dog.
Physical Appearance
Although the Bo-chi breed is a crossbreed between two dogs, the Boston terrier chihuahua mix has more of the Boston Terrier’s physical appearance than the Chihuahua dog for the most part. The structure of its body has a muscular build and stout. The average weight comes between 10 and 13 pounds. A very short tail or none at all characterizes this mixed dog breed.
The terrier and the Chihuahua mix’s eyes are very expressive and very round. In most cases, these dogs will have a short tail or lack it completely. Just like both parent breeds, the coat of this breed is very soft and shiny, which only requires low maintenance. The chart below summarizes Boston terrier chihuahua mix overall features.
Weight | 9 – 17 inches |
Height | 10 – 13 pounds |
Lifespan | 11 – 16 years |
Color | Brown, Black, Silver, and Tan |
Keep in mind that the hybrid vigor and physical appearance attributes might vary with the gene variations in the breed, health condition, diet, level of exercises and the general environment. For instance, dogs that feed on a healthy diet and engage in regular exercises might outlive their counterparts.
Training
As mentioned earlier, the Boston terrier chihuahua mix is an intelligent dog which makes him a trainable one. You can expect the eagerness of this Bochi dog breed to learn new tricks. If you know what correct techniques to use, you’ll observe that Boston Huahua is a fast learner.
However, it has the stubborn streak of its Chihuahuas at some point. It’s up to you to determine how you will be actively involved in the socializing and training of your dog at its young age. For the best training results, avoid punishing the dog when it does wrong. Instead, use positive reinforcement training methods.
For instance, you can reward the dog with treats and verbal praises when it obeys a command and deny it when it stubbornly refuses. Unlike its parent, the Boston terrier chihuahua mix doesn’t have a yappy bark. It only barks on rare occasions like when it spots a stranger or an intruder in your home.

The nature of Boston terrier chihuahua mix around other animals is friendly. It would usually play with them in no time. Due to its small size, it’s not suitable with other pets that get aggressive in the presence of others, even with cats.
Food and Diet
Dog food with the main ingredients of turkey, chicken, salmon, or beef is good for its diet. These ingredients have high protein content that helps burn calories and fat to prevents your dog from getting obese. It also prevents your dog from craving food every minute as it makes him feel satisfied for a long time.
To maintain a healthy and shiny appearance of the Boston Huahua’s coat, choose food that is rich in omega-3 fats. Fish oil is one great source of omega-3 to support your dog’s diet.
Aside from promoting a silky coat, it also helps maintain a healthy heart, prevents flaky and itchy skin and relieves joint pains and allergies.
It’s also important to choose foods that promote dental health for your dog. Recent studies show that 90 percent of dogs develop some form of serious health issue brought by dental problems like tartar accumulation.
To reduce the risk of this problem, give your Boston terrier chihuahua mix a crunchy kibble to help scrape the tartar and avoid it from accumulating in the teeth.
Lifespan and Health Issues
Just like the Boston Terrier parent, a Boston terrier chihuahua mix can live for over 15 years which makes them one among other breeds with the longest lifespan. The average life length of this crossbreed is between 11 to 16 years.
As long as you keep him up-to-date in routine checkups and vaccinations when he is still a puppy, you’ll have little to no concern regarding his health.
Take note also that although a Boston terrier chihuahua mix can live long, it’s still prone to different types of diseases especially if the Chihuahua or Boston Terrier parent has genetic health issues. Some common health concerns found in this mixed breed include:
- Patellar Luxation: A condition characterized by a dislocated knee cap that rides outside the femoral groove. This condition is common to designer dogs and other small breeds of dogs like Boston Terriers and Chihuahuas and diagnosed in 7% of puppies. Depending on the extent of the condition, you can treat it through conservative methods such as trying to control the dog’s weight and not subjecting it to lon walks or jogging, to anti-inflammatory drugs and surgery
- Cataract Eye Disease: Cataract is an eye problem where the lens of the eyes becomes cloudy due to changes in proteins or water imbalance in the eye. Over time, this cloudiness builds up and completely obscures the light from reaching the retina, resulting in blindness. At this stage, the dog’s eyes might look like they have a white disk behind the iris. The problem can be treated by removing the disks through a surgical procedure and replacing them with acrylic or plastic ones
- Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome: Parent breeds of Boston terrier chihuahua mix which are the Apple Head both the boston terrier and Chihuahuas are susceptible to this condition due to their short snouts. Brachycephalic syndrome is an abnormality in the airway that causes partial obstruction to the dog’s breathing. In most cases, this problem causes the dog to pant excessively especially after exercises or even get heat strokes during summer
- Corneal Ulcers: The shape of the eyes and face make this dog prone to drying out and injuries. In most cases, this results in corneal ulcers. A dog that suffers from corneal ulcers might try to rub their faces on the floor and have excess ocular discharge or squint. You can treat this condition using antibiotics and pain relievers to reduce the rubbing.
- Allergic Skin Disease: These dogs tend to suffer from allergic skin diseases. You can tell your pup is suffering from this disease if it scoots its bum, rubs its face, or licks its feet trying to alleviate the itch. Usually, there is no medication for this condition, and you will need to manage it for the rest of the dog’s life.

Being one of the smallest designer dogs, Boston terrier chihuahua mix puppies can’t withstand extreme weather change. Ensure you protect the puppies from both heat and cold temperature threats. As part of his overall health during the young age, indulge him in daily exercises such as short walks and interactive games.
Grooming
Boston terrier Chihuahua mixes are low shedders that require minimal grooming. Typically, these dogs have short, thin coats that you can brush around one to two times a week. However, since these dogs have flat faces and might not be able to cool themselves effectively like the other breeds, they are more prone to heatstroke during summer.
Therefore, brush the Boston Huahua around 3 to 5 times during summer to help it lose heat. Bath the dog once a month using the dog shampoos so the coat can retain its natural oil balance. You can also trim the nails once a month after bathing the pup.
Keep in mind that the puppies are born with the Molera skeletal condition, a gap in the skull bone that grows and closes as the puppies grow. It’s therefore advisable to take care when handling the Boston Huahua puppies during grooming.
Exercise Requirements
Boston Huahuas are energetic dogs that require regular exercises to help them burn calories and expend excess energy. However, since the Boston terrier and Chihuahua mix might have a flat face prone to brachycephalic syndrome, it’s not advisable to engage it in intense exercises that can significantly increase its metabolism and breathing rate.
Instead, engage the dog in less intense exercises on a more regular basis. For instance, you can take the dog for long walks rather than sprints or jogs. It’s advisable to pay attention to the dog and take a break whenever you notice difficulty breathing, accelerated breathing, or excessive panting.
If you are unsure of the right amount of your exercises depending on the dog’s age, health condition, and weight, consider giving the dog interactive toys to play with. Usually, the dog will stop and take a break by itself whenever it feels exhausted.
Where to Find a Boston Huahua for Sale
Although you might want to buy or adopt a Boston Huahua after learning its pleasing attributes, you might wonder where you can get one. Fortunately, you get Boston Huahuas for sale through reputable online sites such as recognized dog clubs or forums.
You can also contact your local vet to help you with contacts of the breeders or animal shelters in your region or ask your friends or relatives who might own these dogs. Depending on your budget and preferences, you can source the Boston Huahua from these places:
- Breeders: Boston terrier Chihuahua mix breeders specialize in mating Boston Huahua parents to produce puppies. Usually, they feed, train, and take care of the puppies until they are adopted. Although puppies from breeders tend to be more expensive, there are higher chances of getting well-vaccinated, nourished, and well-trained pups.
- Animal rescue centers: Animal rescue centers are organizations that take and host abandoned, unwanted, stray, or abused pets. In most cases, Boston terrier Chihuahua mix from these centers is taken care of together with other dog breeds and might lack the expected temperament and personality.
Related Questions
How Much Does a Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix Cost?
The cost of the Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix ranges between $500 to $1000. It can go beyond the price range when the parents being crossbred has a show quality. However, Boston terriers and Chihuahua are popular pets in the US so you might find a breeder that can help you have a Boston terrier chihuahua mix at a lower price.
Is Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix Good for Families?
Yes. A Boston terrier chihuahua mix has plenty of energy to play with kids, making it one of the best designer dogs. The size of this dog is compatible with small apartments and even large homes. This designer dog goes along well with other dogs and enjoys meeting people, the reason why this breed of dog is a great choice if you like entertaining guests.
Is a Chi-Bo Recognized by the American Kennel Club?
Chi-bos are not recognized by the American Kennel Club as they are not purebred. However, their parents, that is, the Boston terriers and Chihuahuas, are recognized and registered. The Boston terrier was registered in 1893 under the non-sporting group, while the Chihuahuas were registered in 1904 under the toy group.
Conclusion
A Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix is known by a few names like Boston Huahua, Bochi, and Chibo. It’s a designer dog which means its genetic makeup dictates its temperament and appearance. Just like its parent breeds, the Boston Huahua is intelligent, stubborn, affectionate, fun-loving and active.
As a dog owner, make sure you return the affection and loyalty it gives you.