The Boston Terrier German Shepherd Mix, commonly known as the German Terrier, is a cross between a Boston Terrier and a German Shepherd.
This lively and playful pooch requires a lot of attention and affection from their owners. This is a relatively rare designer dog, but he is becoming popular as more and more dog lovers embrace the best of what both parent breeds have to offer.
The Boston Terrier German Shepherd Mix is a very smart and energetic dog. There is little information available about this crossbreed, but much is known about its parents that can give us an idea of what to expect.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the Boston Terrier German Shepherd Mix, their physical characteristics, personality traits, healthy issues, training, grooming and much more.
Table of Contents
Some Quick Facts About The Boston Terrier German Shepherd Mix
| Breed Type: | Crossbreed/Mixed Breed |
| Size: | Medium-sized dog |
| Other Names: | German Terrier |
| Good Watch Dog: | Yes |
| Good Guard Dog: | Yes |
| Average Weight: | Weighs at least 40 pounds |
| Average Height: | About 20 inches high |
| Lifespan: | 9 to 13 years |
| Apartment Living: | No (Otherwise, Give Them Enough Exercise and Plenty of Time to Play Outdoors) |
| Ideal for: | Active Singles and Families with Older Children |
| Coat: | They mostly have short coats, but they may also be medium or long around the ears |
| Coat colors: | Black and White, Black and Tan, Brown and White, Sable, or a combination of these colors |
| Suitable for first time owners: | No, Best for Experienced Owners |
| Trainability: | Easy to train |
| Hypoallergenic: | No |
| Shedding: | Moderate but heavy during shedding seasons |
| Grooming Needs: | You should brush your dog’s once a week to help keep shed hair under control |
| Energy Levels: | High, Best for Active People |
| Exercise Needs: | At least 60 minutes of exercise every day is required |
| Tolerance to being left alone: | Low |
| Feeding and Diet: | 3 to 4 cups of high quality dog food each day, divided into two or three meals |
| Possible Health Issues: | Allergies, elbow and hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, skin problems, epilepsy, deafness and obesity |
| Temperament: | Lively, Playful, Energetic, Loyal, Very intelligent, Protective, Craves attention, Don’t tolerate being left alone |
| Cat Friendly: | Yes, especially if raised together (early socialization is must) |
| Dog Friendly: | Yes, But Proper Socialization Is Recommended |
| Kid Friendly: | Yes, best suited for homes with older children |
| Barking Tendencies: | Without proper training and socialization, a GSD Boston terrier mix can bark a lot |
| Price: | $500 to $2,000 |
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(@87_jules)The History of the Boston Terrier
The Boston Terrier is one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. This breed has earned the moniker of the ‘American Gentleman’ thanks to its cute tuxedo-like coat coloration.
These dogs are a real pleasure, with a temperament to match their gorgeous looks.
The Boston Terrier is the Boston University mascot, as well as the official state dog of Massachusetts.
What you might not know, however, is that this breed was originally developed for fighting purposes. Then again, the first Boston Terriers were a bit larger and more aggressive than the dog as we know it today.
The modern Boston Terrier, with its compact body and short muzzle, is commonly used as a family pet.
The History of the German Shepherd
Originally from Germany, the German Shepherd was developed and bred in the 19th century by a man named Captain Max von Stephanitz.
Stephanitz wanted to develop the perfect herding dog. He was so successful that the new breed of dog was aptly called the German shepherd.
These dogs have since been used for military and police work.
The GSD is the second most popular dog breed in America. This active and lively dog is also stunning, with beautiful multicolored coat patterns and eye colors.
Their loyal and fun personalities, and remarkably good looks make them a popular breed to cross with other dogs.
Due to their good character and cute looks, German Shepherd Mixes, like the German Terrier, have become very popular with designer dog enthusiasts.
In most cases, the reasoning behind these designer dogs is that people want a distinct mixed breed dog, which can also eradicate some of the negative traits of a purebred dog.
The General appearance of a Boston Terrier German Shepherd Mix
How big does a German Shepherd Boston Terrier Mix get?
One aspect where the Boston Terrier and the German Shepherd are quite different is in their size, height and weight.
A full grown Boston Terrier weighs around 12 to 25 pounds and has an average height of about 15 to 17 inches.
On the other hand, a full grown German Shepherd weighs anywhere between 50 and 90 pounds and has an average height of around 22 to 26 inches tall. Males tend to be heavier and taller females at maturity.
Since there is a huge difference in the height and weight of these two parent breeds, it is important to meet both parent dogs to get a good idea of how big your German Shepherd Boston Terrier puppy will get.
However, it is safe to conclude that your German Terrier will be a medium-sized dog weighing at least 40 pounds and standing about 20 inches high.
black and white, black and tan, brown and white, sable, or a combination of these colors.
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Coat and Coat Color
The German Terrier’s coat is typically a mix of the German Shepherd and Boston Terrier parents’ coats and coat colors.
These mixed breed dogs often have short coats just like the Boston Terrier parent, but they may also be medium or long around the ears, chest and tail like their German Shepherd parents.
Common coat colors include black and white, black and tan, brown and white, sable, or a combination of these colors.
Behavior and Temperament
The best way to predict what kind of behavior to expect from your German Shepherd Boston Terrier Mix is to learn more about the temperament and personality traits of both parent breeds.
The German Shepherd’s popularity says it all about the breed’s personality and temperament. GSDs are intelligent, loving and loyal dogs that get along well with other members of the family.
However, they are wary of strangers. They tend to be aloof and guarded around strange people and animals. It takes time and patience to socialize a GSD to get along with visitors and other household pets.
Although the German Shepherd gets along well with children, their massive size means that you should wait until the kids are a bit older to avoid accidents.
The Boston Terrier, on the other hand, is said to be calm and gentle. These dogs are natural comedians who will amuse you with their antics. They are also very intelligent, which makes training easy.
Although the Boston Terrier is an easygoing dog, he is known for his loud and sharp barking. This makes them great guard dogs.
Considering the personality traits of both parent breeds, it is safe to conclude that your German Shepherd Boston Terrier Mix will be a very loyal and committed dog. This mix craves attention and wants to feel like they are an integral part of your family.
They also don’t tolerate being left alone and may see this as neglect. German Terriers need an active owner who is ready to take their best friend almost everywhere they go.
Therefore, the Boston Terrier German Shepherd cross might not be the best choice for first time owners or apartment living.
Children and Other Pets
Both parent breeds are great with children, so your mixed breed dog should get along well with your children, as well.
However, the Boston Terrier German Shepherd Mix is best suited for homes with older children who know how to play with dogs. Once they are properly socialized, German Terriers make great pets for families with kids.
Always teach your kids how to approach and play with dogs, and always monitor any interactions between small kids and dogs to prevent any issues. No dog, regardless of how friendly he is, should be left alone with a young child.
They are great with cats and other pets, but make sure to supervise their interactions, especially if they have not been raised together. Their natural herding instincts means that they may try to herd small pets like cats, so watch out for this.
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Training
Like the parent breeds, the Boston Terrier mixed with German Shepherd is very intelligent and has the ability to master new tricks. Since they are also eager to please, these dogs can learn easily and quickly.
The Boston Terrier is, in particular, a lively and cheerful dog who loves to do and perform tricks. This dog is also very intelligent and playful and can also benefit from ongoing training and socialization.
All you need to do is to begin housetraining your puppy as soon as possible and use plenty of positive reinforcements.
If you’re overwhelmed, make sure to seek the assistance of a professional dog trainer.
Exercise Needs
Both the Boston Terrier and the German Shepherd are wonderful athletes and passionate participants in physical activities, playtime and canine agility.
These dogs are also known to be very active and playful. They are energetic creatures that enjoy playing with their families.
Like most high-energy dogs, they can become destructive when bored. To prevent boredom, they need plenty of exercises each day.
You should provide your German Shepherd and Boston Terrier Mix with at least one hour of exercise. They will be happiest with long walks or an hour socializing or roaming around the dog park.
They can also be wonderful companions in your regular outdoor adventures. Take your dog with you when going out jogging, running or hiking.
Apart from physical activities, you need to involve their minds in challenging activities. The best interactive dog toys will help keep your German terrier busy and mentally stimulated, especially when you’re away from home.
Playing fetch will also be greatly appreciated by your pooch since he enjoys chasing things around.
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Grooming
Boston Terrier and German Shepherd are also quite different when it comes to grooming. This means that it can be difficult to predict your German Shepherd Boston Terrier Mix dog’s shedding when he is still a young puppy.
However, you can expect your mixed breed dog to shed lightly throughout the year and probably more profusely seasonally. But this dog doesn’t require a lot of brushing or bathing.
The Boston Terrier has a short coat, but unfortunately, he is not hypoallergenic. These dogs will shed, but not as much as the German Shepherds.
The German Shepherd dog has a double-layered coat, which sheds a great deal.
Your Boston Terrier German Shepherd Mix will shed from time to time, as well. That’s why you should brush your dog’s coat each week to help keep shed hair under control.
Your German Terrier will also benefit from occasional baths as necessary. When not bathing your pet, you can use high quality deodorizing wipes for dogs to help with keeping their coat clean and smelling fresh.
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Additionally, your dog’s grooming schedule should include:
- Teeth brushing (at least three times per week or give him plenty of chew toys)
- Ears cleaning (on a regular basis)
- Nail trimming (preferably done by a professional dog groomer)
- Eyes cleaning (done when necessary)
Diet and Feeding Requirements
You should be able to determine how much food your dog needs each day.
For puppies, you should feed them around 3 times per day but adults should be fed twice per day.
Age, size and activity level play a crucial role in determining their feeding requirements. High quality dog food is always welcome for your pooch and you can supplement this with homemade foods.
Make sure to monitor their diet since overfeeding can worsen some health conditions. They tend to gain weight if they overeat, so you should get an automatic dog feeder to help you follow a regular feeding schedule without leaving his food out all the time.
The Boston Terrier German Shepherd cross is also prone to allergies and hip and elbow dysplasia, so you should provide them with supplements such as probiotics with Wild Alaskan Fish Oil.
Additionally, make sure there is fresh water available throughout the day.
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Life Expectancy
The Boston Terrier has an average lifespan of around 11 to 13 years while the GSD has an average lifespan of about 9 to 13 years.
Therefore, you should expect a healthy Boston Terrier German Shepherd Mix to live between 9 and 13 years.
Boston Terrier German Shepherd Mix Health Problems
All dogs are vulnerable to genetic health conditions, but some breeds are more vulnerable to certain conditions than others. Nonetheless, the best thing about adopting a puppy is that it is possible to avoid most of these health issues.
A reputable breeder should provide a health guarantee on their puppies. A good breeder should also disclose any health issues in the breed and the rate at which they occur. Heath guarantees show that the parent dogs have been cleared of a certain health problem.
The Boston Terrier German Shepherd Mix is prone to allergies and elbow and hip dysplasia. In addition, they can suffer from patellar luxation, skin problems, epilepsy, deafness and obesity.
Your Boston Terrier and German Shepherd cross may or may not inherit those health conditions, so it’s recommended to buy your puppy from a good breeder.
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The Price of Boston Terrier German Shepherd Mix Puppies for Sale
A Boston Terrier German Shepherd Mix puppy should cost you around $500 to $2,000.
As always, make sure to do business with a reputable breeder. If the puppies are very cheap, there’s a solid reason. Breeding healthy puppies from similarly healthy parent dogs usually costs a lot of money so you can expect to pay a reasonable price for your pup.
Apart from the cost of buying a puppy, you want to factor in food costs, vet fees and pet products like the MidWest Folding Crate for Intermediate dogs and the Furhaven Orthopedic dog bed from reputable retailers like Amazon.
Finding Reputable Boston Terrier German Shepherd Mix Breeders
As with any other dogs, you should do some research before buying your Boston Terrier mixed with German Shepherd.
Finding a good breeder will take time, but it will be worth the effort in the long run. Getting a healthy German Terrier will save you a great deal of money on vet bills in the long term.
When looking for a breeder, the first thing that you should do is to meet both parent dogs. If the breeder refuses, that is a clear red flag. You need to see both the puppy’s parents to see their temperament and behavior first hand.
The breeder should also be willing to disclose any health conditions affecting the parent dogs. A reputable breeder should also ask you a lot of questions to ensure you can offer this dog the best living conditions.
Boston Terrier German Shepherd Mix for Adoption
It may be challenging to find a trusted rescue for Boston Terrier German Shepherd Mixes since they are a rare mixed breed. Nonetheless, you should try German Shepherd or Boston Terrier breed-specific rescue groups since they often take care of mixed breed dogs, as well.
When trying to adopt a German Terrier dog, it is important to learn as much as possible about the background of the pup. This includes the present and past health conditions, their personality, and why they are kept in a rescue center or animal shelter in the first place.
Once you have made the decision to adopt a pooch, you will be asked several questions regarding your home environment to ensure the pup finds a good home where he will live comfortably for the rest of his life.
Conclusion
The Boston Terrier parent dog is a loving, loyal and comical dog who can be a great companion for the right family. He enjoys spending time with his family and wants to take part in family activities.
The German Shepherd parent dog can be friendly and sociable, while others may be aloof and guarded.
Your Boston Terrier and German Shepherd Mix will be a nice combination of the two excellent personalities.
Regardless of the parent dogs’ individual personalities, some things remain constant. Your Boston Terrier German Shepherd Mix will be highly intelligent, loyal and greatly devoted to his family.
These dogs thrive on human companionship. Look after your German Terrier pup and he will turn out to be one of the best friends you’ll ever have in your life!
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