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Boston Pit (Pit Bull & Boston Terrier Mix): Info, Pictures & More

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

boston pitbull terrier mix

Height: 17-20 inches
Weight: 30-60 pounds
Lifespan: 9-12 years
Colors: White, Black, Brindle, Fawn, Black and White, Tricolored, Multicolored
Suitable for: Families with older children, Dog owners looking for a medium-sized mixed-breed
Temperament: Bright, cheerful, playful, energetic, quirky, social

The Boston Pit Bull is a mix of the Boston Terrier and Pit Bull, and they make remarkable pets for the right family. Although the parents have several differences, Pit Bulls and Boston Terriers are energetic pups that love their owners. Boston Pit Bulls are relatively simple to train due to the high intelligence and fondness for humans of their parents. Below, we’ll thoroughly examine the Boston Pit Bull to help you decide if they’re the ideal pet for your family.

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Boston Pit Bull Puppies

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability
 

Before you welcome a Boston Terrier Pit Bull mix, take your time to find an ethical breeder or dog shelter that prioritize the dogs’ health. Try visiting a few places, and always ask to see the puppy’s health records to know you’re bringing home a healthy dog.

This mixed breed tends to be energetic and social. Early socialization and training are essential so your dog gets along with other dogs and behaves around people. Be careful of having your dog close to small animals since they may try to chase them. Boston Terrier Pit Bull mixes need regular training sessions, and it’s best to start training as soon as you bring them home.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Boston Terrier Pit Bull Mix

1. Their Size Can Vary Drastically

Boston Pit mixes can drastically vary in size, depending on the Pit parent’s height and weight. Because Boston Terriers are small dogs and Pit Bulls are medium to large dogs, your Boston Pit mix can weigh anywhere from 30 to 60 pounds. It also depends on the generation, though most Boston Pit Bull Terrier mixes are mostly first-generation and come from two purebred parents.

2. Boston Pit Mixes Usually Don’t Resemble Either Breed

Boston Pit Bull Terrier Mixes usually don’t resemble either breed, which may seem odd. This is due to how different both Terriers are from each other, even though they’re both in the Terrier family. While some Boston Pit Mixes may look somewhat close to Pit Bulls, they rarely resemble the facial structure or size of the Boston Terrier.

3. Boston Pit Bull Mixes are Rare

Although adorable, Boston Pit Bull mixes are less common than other hybrids and designer dog breeds. This is most likely due to the health conditions that Boston Terriers are predisposed to. They’re not impossible to find, but they’re not nearly as popular and in demand as other Pit Bull or Boston Terrier hybrids.

The parent breeds of the Boston Pit
Image by: Left – Caroline Ziemkiewicz, Unsplash | Right – Erik Mclean, Pexels

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Temperament & Intelligence of the Boston Pit Bull 🧠

Since Boston Pit Bull mixes are not common and they’re often first-generation hybrids, there’s no real way to know what kind of temperament your Boston Pit mix puppy will have. While Boston Terriers are social dogs by nature, Pit Bulls can range in acceptance and calmness of social situations.

American Pit Bull Terriers are energetic dogs that are eager to please their owners and spend as much time with them as possible. They’re athletic dogs that require moderate exercise, often described as fiercely loyal and endlessly affectionate to their families. Although Pit Bulls have a bad reputation for aggression and violence, inbreeding, predisposed genetics, and backyard breeding have caused most of these issues.

A well-bred Pit Bull can be an excellent family dog that’s great with children, so it is important not to assume your Boston Pit Bull mix will be a vicious dog. However, when looking at this mix, it is crucial to know who the Pit Bull parent is to prevent bad temperaments due to improper breeding.

Boston Terriers are known for being easy-going companions that can adapt to most environments. They’re great family pets that love to play with children, but they also make great apartment dogs for quiet homes. Boston Terriers are not known as athletic dogs, so they rarely need more than a few short walks a day. These qualities are different than the Pit Bull, but that doesn’t mean your Boston Pit Mix will inherit those traits.

While Boston Terriers and Pit Bulls are almost total opposites in physical and temperamental features, they share a common trait: both breeds excel in obedience. Both of these terrier breeds are highly intelligent dogs, so they’re relatively easy to train. Pit Bulls can pose a difficulty due to stubbornness and Boston Terriers can share that same independent streak, but with plenty of patience and consistent training, they’ll learn to follow your commands. It is safe to say your Boston Pit Bull Terrier mix will be a smart dog that will enjoy training.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Boston Pit Bull mixes have the potential to be good family pets but are best with families that have older, calmer children. They can be great family dogs, but the health issues from the Boston Terrier and the slight unpredictability of the temperament from the Pit Bull can make them less ideal for owners with young children. However, this mix does have the potential to fit well in a household that can handle the energy of a Pit Bull in a smaller body.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

With early socialization, Boston Pit Bulls can make great companions to other dogs. The only concern is with cats and smaller animals, which can be too much for a Pit Bull mix to handle. As long as introductions are done safely and correctly, your Boston Pit Mix should adapt well. In fact, this hybrid may benefit from having another dog in the house, especially if they’re raised together.

boston terrier pitbull terrier
Image by: Studio hoto, Shutterstock

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Things to Know When Owning a Boston Terrier Pit Bull Mix:

 Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Diet and food can be tricky with this hybrid since both the Boston Terrier and the Pit Bull have food allergies and digestive issues, but dry kibble is usually a good place to start. Another problem is that you may not know how big or energetic your Boston Pit mix will be, so it’ll be tough to know what and how much to feed. Although dry kibble is probably the best bet, we recommend consulting a veterinarian that has worked with one or both breeds to determine the best food for your new mixed breed puppy.

Exercise 🐕

Like we mentioned earlier, the amount of exercise your Boston Pit mix needs will vary due to genetics and their energy level. Unless your mix is on the smaller scale and relatively calm, your Boston Pit Mix will probably have energy levels closer to a Pit Bull. Daily walks are a minimum for exercise, but some mixes will need additional exercises and mental stimulation to keep them content.

Since Pit Bulls are athletic, your mix will probably inherit some of the Pit Bull athleticism. Agility is a great sport for your dog to learn, and it will help you establish a strong bond with your dog. Obedience competitions and other dog sports are other great ways to keep your dog healthy and happy.

Training 🦮

Consistency is the most important part of training any dog, but this is especially true with Pit Bull mixes. Pit Bulls are intelligent and will refuse to listen if training isn’t consistent, so you may want to consider a professional dog trainer to assist you. Pits are eager to learn, though, and thrive off of positive reinforcement and food-reward training. Except for some initial stubbornness and the occasional testing of who’s “the boss” of the family, most Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes are quite easy to train.

boston pitbull terrier mix puppy
Image by: Crystal Alba, Shutterstock

Boston Terriers are also known for being easy to train and they’re one of the few smaller dog breeds that are easy to housebreak. They can perform a long list of tricks and excel in obedience, but they’re sensitive and need a gentle hand when training. Similar to the Pit Bull, Boston Terriers do best with consistent training with food-based rewards.

Boston Pit Bull Terrier mixes can be fun dogs to train and work with, but early socialization needs to be implemented from day one. Even with the reputation of the Pit Bull slowly turning into a more positive one, it’s essential that you introduce your Boston Pit mix puppy to other people, dogs, and animals to prevent unwanted behavioral problems in the future.

Grooming ✂️

Boston Terriers and American Pit Bulls both have relatively short coats but tend to be moderate shedders, so expect minimal grooming requirements and frequent shedding before the winter. A curry comb or shorthair dog brush and the occasional bath should help reduce the shedding, as well as supplements like salmon oil to help reduce excess fur loss.

Health and Conditions ❤️

While Pit Bulls tend to have relatively healthy lives, Boston Terriers are notorious for having serious health issues. The best way to prepare is to look at both parents of the puppy you are interested in to see if there are any major genetic conditions. While you won’t know for sure what your Boston Pit mix will inherit, looking into the parents’ health history will help. Also, looking at both breeds, in general, may give some clues as to what your puppy’s future may hold:

Common Health Issues with Boston Terriers
  • Brachycephalic Syndrome
  • Hemivertebrae
  • Severe Breathing Problems
  • Collapsing Trachea
  • Multiple Eye Issues (Cataracts, Glaucoma, Cherry Eye, etc.)
  • Cancer
  • Sensitive Skin
  • Digestive Issues
Common Health Issues with the American Pit Bull Terrier
  • Skin Issues (Itchy skin, allergic reactions, skin cancer)
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Digestive Issues
  • Food-based allergies
  • Thyroid Disease
  • Gastric Dilation/Gastric Dilation-Volvulus
  • Ichthyosis

Pit Bulls are, of course, prone to illnesses and conditions, but Boston Terriers are more likely to develop health problems. This is crucial to keep in mind when looking for a family dog since a short lifespan can be traumatic for younger children. Still, most Boston Pit mixes seem to have a decent lifespan of around 9-12 years and may not inherit the more common problems that Boston Terriers suffer from.

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Male vs. Female

Because this mix varies so much in size and temperament, the choice of male or female Boston Pit is a personal choice. Male Boston Pits might mark their territories, so that may pose a problem if you haven’t had a male dog before. Males and female Boston Pit Mixes are usually similar in behavior and temperament.

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Final Thoughts

The Boston Terrier-Pit Bull Terrier mix is a unique hybrid that has the potential to be a great family pet or house companion. Because of the stark differences between the Boston Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier, it is hard to tell what kind of puppy you may end up with. With some understanding of both breeds, you can at least expect your new Boston Pit Bull to be a bright, affectionate dog that will have the most unique look on the block.

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Featured Image Credit: Crystal Alba, Shutterstock

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