Boston Terrier vs. French Bulldog: Which Is Better?

Boston Terrier

Boston Terriers an intelligent and lively breed with a life expectancy of around 12-14 years. In 1893 it was admitted to membership in the American Kennel Club, thus making it the first US breed to be recognized. Other than their adorable faces and charming personalities, there are many reasons why you should consider taking one on.

Boston Terrier Pros

This breed is incredibly fun and easy to look after.

• Minimal grooming requirements – They rarely malt and need minimal grooming, meaning the house is kept relatively hair-free.
• Great running companion – They are very playful and always energetic. This energetic breed can be a great running companion.
• Relatively quiet breeds – They are not prone to barking, bucking the trend of small dogs.

Boston Terrier Cons

However, as with all types of dogs, there are some negatives to taking on a Boston Terrier.

• Small Size – Due to their small size, they are prone to many health problems. They may not present themselves straight away, but lots of these problems will inevitably develop over time.
• They are difficult to train in later life – conditioning is easy during the puppy stage, but they become much more stubborn when in adulthood.
• Very greedy – one of the diseases which Boston Terriers are susceptible to is obesity, and without the proper exercise, they can soon become overweight.

French Bulldog

French Bulldogs are highly sociable, loving, playful, laidback dogs. Coming in all different shapes and colours, these domestic pets are of a stocky build and are trained to be wonderful companion dogs. The breed is popular as a pet: in 2019, they were the second-most popular registered dog in the United Kingdom, and the fourth-most popular AKC-registered dog breed in the United States.

French Bulldog Pros

There are a ton of reasons why a bulldog would be the best breed for you!

• They are loving – French Bulldogs were bred to be companions, so they're very affectionate towards their owners.
• They do not need much exercise – French Bulldogs do not eat as much as Boston Terriers, and so don't need as much physical activity.
• They don't tend to bark – French Bulldogs rarely bark so if you are looking for a quieter dog, this may be a better choice for you. while Boston Terriers do tend to bark a little more than French Bulldogs.

French Bulldog Cons

However, the French Bulldog also has its pitfalls. The breed is very similar to Boston Terriers, and so lots of the problems are the same.

• Health Issues – Inclined to lots of health complications.
• Very Stubborn – although these dogs love their owners, they can also be extremely stubborn and quite often refuse to do things.
• Expensive – due to their popularity, French Bulldogs are in very high demand so they will go for a remarkably high price, often around $2000 - $4000, while Boston Terrier's price usually ranges from $800-$1,500.

Related: The 5 Bulldog Types That Are Popular Today

How to Choose

What is the Difference?

Boston Terriers and French Bulldogs both have lots of similarities, but they also have many differences, which can help to tell them apart.

Firstly, terriers are much more energetic than bulldogs, and so need to exercise regularly. In terms of appearance, they have longer legs and a sharper point on their ears. In comparison, French bulldogs are slightly shorter and have a more muscular build, with squarer heads. Their other difference is in weight, with bulldogs being about 13kg and terriers being 10kg.

Which is Better With Families?

Overall, the French Bulldog is a better family dog.

Both breeds are great with kids, and either would be great for a family, but the Bulldogs have been bred to make loving companions, and so it is in their nature to love all parts of the family: parents, children, and other pets.

Boston Terriers are also good with children but may have problems with other pets in the household, due to their stubbornness and lack of trainability. The fact that they need lots of exercises also means that they would not be well-suited to a busy family who is not home very often.

Final Verdict

Deciding which breed is better probably depends on your lifestyle, however overall, the best dog is the Boston Terrier.

Although the bulldogs are better with families, the terriers have lots of positives over bulldogs, including their price, with customers paying almost a quarter of the bulldog price and their energy. Being playful means that these dogs have more to offer each day, and it also forces the family to exercise.

However, this is not to say that French Bulldogs are not worth getting, because they are also great family dogs.