The Boston Spaniel is a medium-sized sturdy dog that is half Boston Terrier and half Cocker Spaniel.
This cute and adorable designer dog offers the best of both parent breeds. Due to crossbreeding, any undesirable characteristics of both parent dogs are eliminated.
Being gentle with children, the Boston Spaniel makes a great family pet. This designer breed makes a great companion dog who wants to take part in all family activities.
However, that doesn’t mean that the Boston Spaniel is the right dog for all families. While not always a barker, its Cocker Spaniel genes makes this mixed breed susceptible to vocalization when left alone for a long period of time.
So, who is the right owner for a Boston Spaniel dog?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at this crossbreed, including its pictures, general appearance, temperament, training and where to find healthy Boston Spaniel puppies for sale. So keep reading!
Table of Contents
Few Facts About the Boston Spaniel
| Weight: | 10 to 28 pounds |
| Height: | 13 – 17 inches long |
| Good Guard dog: | Yes, for small homes and apartments |
| Lifespan: | 10 to 13 years |
| Apartment living: | Yes, perfect for almost any living environment |
| Tolerate being alone: | No, they do best in large families and busy households |
| Coat: | A medium-length coat that is usually smooth but dense |
| Coat color: | Brown and black, as well as combinations of black and white, and brown and white |
| Level of shedding: | Low to moderate shedding, daily brushing is required |
| Temperament: | Intelligent, playful, protective, stubborn, friendly, outgoing, loyal, affectionate, emotionally needy |
| Suitable for new owners: | Yes |
| Exercise needs: | Medium energy dogs, At least 45 minutes of exercise a day is required |
| Cat friendly: | No, has moderate-to-high prey drive |
| Dog friendly: | May have issues with other dogs if not socialized properly |
| Kids friendly: | Yes |
| Price: | $500 to $1200 |
The History and Origin of the Boston Spaniel
The Boston Spaniel has got very cute parents. This designer dog is a cross between two very popular breeds, the Boston Terrier and the Cocker Spaniel. It’s also sometimes known as the Boston Terrier Cocker Spaniel Mix.
The Boston Spaniel originated from the USA. The first Boston Spaniels emerged in the 1990’s and had traits of both parent breeds.
Boston Spaniel Parents: The Boston Terrier and the Cocker Spaniel
A Boston resident named Robert C. Hopper was the proud owner of a white English Terrier. He also acquired a Bulldog and the two produced a litter of puppies. These were then bred with French Bulldogs to produce the Boston Terrier in the 1870’s.
The first Boston Terriers were slightly larger than the current ones, usually weighing up to 44 pounds. The Boston Terrier was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1893.
Today, the Boston Terrier is listed as America’s 23rd most popular dog breed.
Dogs that resembled the present-day Cocker Spaniels were brought to England from Spain in the 12th century. Through selective breeding methods in the 14 century, those dogs produced the Land Spaniel and the Water Spaniel.
Land Spaniels were later named Cocking or Cocker Spaniels simply because they were commonly used to flush out the woodcock bird during hunting missions.
The Cocker Spaniel was first registered with the AKC in 1878. The American Spaniel Club was founded in 1881 and is regarded as the oldest dog breed club in the USA.
The Cocker Spaniel is considered to be the smallest member of the sporting group and is currently the 29th most popular dog breed in the United States.
Together, the Boston Terrier and the Cocker Spaniel will give birth to a dog that has all the best traits of both parent breeds. That’s why the Boston Spaniel is such an adorable designer dog.
Always craving their owner’s love and attention, the Boston Spaniel has a huge following across the world.
The General Appearance of a Boston Spaniel
Since the Boston Spaniel is a crossbreed, it is difficult to predict its exact physical traits. Each puppy will be quite unique, with some leaning more towards the Boston Terrier parent, and others taking after the Cocker Spaniel parent.
Of course, some puppies will be the perfect combination of both parents.
Generally, the Boston Terrier X Cocker Spaniel Mix will have large, droopy ears. Their dark alert eyes are usually rounded and their nose will be black or brown. They have a straight tail and the face and muzzle often take after their Boston Terrier side.
The Boston Spaniel has a medium-length coat that is usually smooth.
Common coat colors for this crossbreed are brown and black, as well as combinations of black and white, and brown and white.
Boston Spaniel Size, Height and Weight
So, how big is a full-grown Boston Spaniel?
Once your mixed breed dog fully matures, he will attain a small or medium size, making him perfect for almost any living environment.
So whether you live in a private home or an apartment, you should expect your Boston Spaniel to adapt quite easily.
Both a full-grown male and female Boston Spaniel will reach the same weight and height. Therefore, a Boston Spaniel stands around 13 to 17 inches tall and weighs about 10 to 28 pounds.
Depending on which parent breed he takes after most, your Boston Spaniel dog could be considered as a small or a medium sized dog once he is fully grown.
Boston Spaniel Temperament and Personality
Most hybrid dogs inherit their personality traits and characteristics from their parents. The Boston Spaniel is no exception.
The Cocker Spaniel and the Boston Terrier are known for being full of personality, playfulness, and intelligence.
However, it is almost impossible to predict the exact temperament of this hybrid dog. Studying the personality traits of both parent breeds can give us a general idea.
Firstly, the Boston Terrier is an intelligent, loving and friendly dog. He enjoys taking part in family activities, but requires a lot of attention. He tends to be a bit stubborn, so proper training is a must.
The Boston Terrier is typically gentle with children and gets along well with other dogs. Therefore, your Boston Spaniel should be a great family dog. Just be sure to establish yourself as the pack leader early, so he will know his place in the house.
The Cocker Spaniel, on the other hand, is a happy, confident and outgoing dog. They are sweet, loving companions who are also smart and eager to please. This makes them easy to train. A well-socialized Cocker Spaniel will get along well with children and other dogs.
The Cocker Spaniel doesn’t tolerate being left alone for long periods of time and are vulnerable to separation anxiety – which can lead to barking issues or destructive behaviors.
Due to their natural hunting instincts, Cocker Spaniels are fond of chasing small animals. Therefore, you should socialize your Boston Spaniel early with cats and other pets. Also, you should not walk him off leash.
In addition, make sure to teach your younger children how to properly handle and play with your lovable Boston Spaniel puppy.
Pet safety and care should be taught at an early stage. Let your children know that your Boston Spaniel is not just a dog but an integral member of your family as well. The value you place on your Boston Spaniel will determine how your children will see and treat the pup.]
Is the Boston Spaniel a Good Guard Dog?
Both parent breeds are by no means large dogs, but they can be protective of their family and property.
The Boston Terrier, is in particular, one of the best small guard dogs for small homes and apartments.
Therefore, your Boston Spaniel has the potential to be a good watchdog and guard dog. They are wary of strangers and will usually bark to alert their owners of impending danger. They are also sturdy and muscular dogs who do well even in small spaces.
Caring For a Boston Spaniel
Every responsible and caring owner wants their Boston Spaniel to be as healthy as possible.
Fortunately, caring for a Boston Spaniel is not as challenging as it is for some other mixed breed dogs.
Well-bred Boston Spaniels are quite easy to maintain. This makes Boston Spaniels a good choice for both experienced and first time owners. However, your dog’s overall health and wellbeing will entirely depend on you.
A balanced diet, grooming, regular exercise ad periodic visits to the veterinarian are essential to helping you maintain the optimal health and wellness of your pet. Proper training and early socialization are also extremely important if you want to end up with a well-behaved dog.
What you need to do is to learn as much as you can about how to take proper care of your dog, and set up regular routines. These routines will include feeding, exercises, grooming, and visits to the vet.
Just keep in mind that prevention is better than cure. Doing everything possible to prevent any issues and detecting problems at an early stage should be your goal.
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Boston Spaniel Training
It’s wise to recognize the importance of adequately training your Boston Spaniel. Dogs have their own natural traits, and are not born with the knowledge of what owners would like them to do in different situations.
As puppies, they don’t know how you want them to behave and they might not understand the commands you give them until they are properly trained.
You should teach your Boston Terrier Cocker Spaniel Mix how to behave and what’s expected of them in different situations.
Before you can fully trust your dog, you need to train him. And it’s important to start training your Boston Spaniel at a young age. An untrained Boston Spaniel can get destructive and wreck havoc in your house.
So, is the Boston Spaniel easy to train?
The good news is that Boston Spaniels are very intelligent creatures. This makes them quite easy to train, but patience is still important. They can sometimes be stubborn and difficult to train if you’re impatient.
Be sure to use positive reinforcement methods and reward your pup at the right time. Use treats and praises to improve the trust between you and your mix.
Avoid punishing your Boston Spaniel at any time, as this will erode the trust between you and your dog very quickly.
Exercise Needs
So, how much exercise does the Boston Spaniel need?
Boston Spaniels are medium energy dogs that require daily walks along with a good dose of mental stimulation.
Allowing your Boston Spaniel to have some outdoor fun will help expose him to external stimulants.
Regular visits to a nearby park are also recommended. Before taking this dog to a dog park, make sure that he is properly socialized. These dogs can lash out at other canines if they haven’t been taught how to behave around other animals.
Another thing you need to keep in mind regarding the activity requirements of your Boston Spaniel is these dogs are extremely sensitive to harsh weather conditions.
They have low tolerance to heat and low tolerance to cold, as well. This means that they don’t do well in areas that experience extremely hot summers and cold winters.
Therefore, you should not consider acquiring this hybrid dog if you live in an area that experiences extreme weather conditions.
Apart from a few short walks each day, your dog will also require mental stimulation to promote their wellbeing and good behavior. Boston Spaniels enjoy playing dog games and playing with interactive dog toys, which help to improve their mental fitness levels.
Grooming
The Boston Spaniel’s coat is relatively dense, so it will require regular grooming.
Expect low to moderate shedding with this dog. This means that the Boston Spaniel is not hypoallergenic. If your dog has a medium-length coat, it will require daily brushing.
Use a high-quality shampoo when bathing your Boston Spaniel. Make sure to dry them thoroughly and use the best deodorizing wipes for dogs to keep them well conditioned.
All dogs, no matter the breed or size, also need their ears, eyes and teeth checked regularly.
For your Boston Spaniel, in particular, cleaning their ears is extremely important. This hybrid dog breed has large, drop ears. Debris might build up in their ears, so this is something you should watch out for.
If there’s feathering around your Boston Spaniel’s ears, you should enlist the services of a professional dog groomer. The Cocker Spaniel parent tends to suffer from ear infections, so Boston Spaniels are also probe to the same health issue.
It’s important to brush their teeth at least twice a week. Brushing your dog’s teeth regularly can prevent tartar buildup and tooth decay, and help avoid unnecessary monetary damage to your wallet.
Giving your dog dental chews will also help maintain their dental health.
Finally, clip your Boston Spaniel’s nails whenever they get too long. Overgrown nails will hurt your dog as they walk around.
ALSO READ: A Complete Guide To The Border Collie Cocker Spaniel Mix
Feeding and Diet
You also need to provide your Boston Spaniel with high quality dog food and clean, fresh water daily.
This hybrid dog will require 1½ to 2 cups of high quality do food each day. That’s the recommended amount for most medium-sized breeds, so you should erasure your Boston Terrier Cocker Spaniel Mix consumes this amount daily, divided into two to three meals.
However, you should never free feed your dog. Obesity is a common health problem among dogs. If you give out too much food and too many treats, your Boston Spaniel could come overweight.
Like all other animals, your Boston Spaniel has specific nutritional requirements and buying him premier quality dog food is strongly recommended.
Dogs require a balance of proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. Therefore, you should carry out your research to find the best brand of dog food for your Boston spaniel’s nutritional needs.
It’s also recommended to give your dog probiotics and fish oil supplements to boost their immunity, improve their coat and skin health, and help boost their overall health .
Finally, your Boston Spaniel should have access to fresh drinking water throughout the day and the water should be changed regularly in order to retain its coolness and cleanliness.
Life Expectancy of a Boston Spaniel
The average lifespan of a Boston Spaniel is around 10 to 13 years.
Common Boston Spaniel Health Problems
Even though the Boston Spaniel is known to be a fairly healthy dog, there are still a few health problems that they are prone to.
These include:
• Ear Infections
• Dry Eye
• Hip Dysplasia
• Glaucoma
• Patellar Luxation
• Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
If you’re worried about any of these health problems, it’s strongly recommended to consult a vet.
Since the Boston Spaniel is susceptible to the above health conditions, it is important to buy your puppy from a reputable Boston Spaniel breeder.
When buying a puppy, make sure to request for a health test. Doing your research and using your due diligence when making the final purchasing decision will save you a lot of trouble in the future.
Finding Healthy Boston Spaniel Puppies for Sale
When considering a Boston Spaniel for sale, it is vital to carry out a background check on the parent dog’s healthcare records.
Many health issues are passed on because of unethical breeding methods. As always, make sure you are dealing with reputable breeders.
Avoid buying a Boston Spaniel from pet stores or puppy mills. Also, never buy from any breeder that refuses to produce detailed medical records of the parent dogs.
Boston Spaniel Puppy Price and Adoption
Typically, Boston Spaniel puppies cost around $500 to $1200 USD or even more depending of the litter size, availability and the breeders involved.
Sadly, many people don’t know exactly what they are getting themselves into before acquiring a given breed.
That’s why many designer dogs are found at animal shelters and humane societies around the country.
If you’re considering a Boston Spaniel dog for adoption, check with animal shelters and humane societies near you.
Bear in mind that many of these rescue dogs don’t have complete health histories. Therefore, it’s always best to learn more about the various health problems so you can seek veterinary care as soon as you notice any signs and symptoms.
ALSO READ: All About the Basset Hound Cocker Spaniel Mix (Hush Basset)
Conclusion
Boston Spaniels are friendly, loving and affectionate dogs who make good pets for families with children.
These dogs are extremely intelligent and love to please their owners. This makes training quite easy, but they do require daily walks and quality playtime to keep up with their moderate energy levels.
Hopefully, now you’ve all the facts and information you need to determine whether or not the Boston Spaniel is the right dog for you.