If you’re thinking of bringing a Boston Terrier home, one of the first things you’ll most likely be wondering is how much will this adorable little dog set you back.
The average price of Boston Terrier puppies ranges from $800 – $3500 depending on their bloodline, if it is bred by a registered breeder or if it is up for adoption.
In this guide, we’ve given you the information you need about Boston Terrier prices, as well as some handy tips about the other costs involved and finding the right breeder.
The cost of Boston Terrier puppies varies widely depending on several factors that we will explore later on, but the average price for a puppy will be between $800 and $3,500.
The cost of a Boston Terrier averages $3,000 – $5,000 when purchasing from a registered breeder, with the scale varying based on things like pedigree and breeder reputation. Adopting a Boston Terrier from an adoption shelter comes at a lower cost, usually between $300 and $1,000.
These are the best options to choose when buying a Boston Terrier, and while you may find listings at lower prices, these are likely from unregistered breeders. We strongly discourage buying from unregistered breeders as they often neglect proper healthy testing for brachycephalic breeds like Boston Terriers, which could potentially lead to severe health issues down the line.
The price of a Boston Terrier from a registered breeder in Australia averages $3,000 to $5,000, although it can exceed this range. We’ll look at these in more detail a little later, but things like breeder reputation, pedigree, and health testing all come into play. For instance, puppies from champion bloodlines or show-quality parents tend to sit at the higher end of the pricing scale because they adhere to breed standards and have superior genetics.
At an average cost of $300 – $1,000, adopting a Boston Terrier from a shelter is a much more affordable option. There is still a sliding scale at play here, though, and the cost may depend on the dog’s age, their health condition, and whether they have been desexed, vaccinated, or microchipped. In most cases, rescue shelters include basic veterinary care in the adoption fee, which covers vaccinations, desexing, and flea treatments, making adoption a cost-effective choice.
However, it’s important to note that some adopted Boston Terriers may need additional training or ongoing medical care, especially if they have been surrendered due to health complications or behavioural issues. The shelter should make you aware of any issues, but it’ll be up to you to cover the costs of ongoing medical care or training.
As you can see, there’s a real difference in initial cost between buying from a registered breeder and adopting a Boston Terrier. But what affects the pricing for each? Here’s what you need to know:
Boston Terriers from well-respected breeders often cost more because of their meticulous breeding practices and health screenings, which check for issues like Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), patellar luxation, and cataracts. If the parents have no issues with these or any hereditary diseases, there’s a good chance the puppies won’t either, pushing the price up towards the $5,000 mark. With adopted Boston Terriers, on the other hand, there’s no real way of knowing the dog’s lineage.
Like many breeds, Boston Terriers come in a variety of coat colours, but those with the classic black and white “tuxedo” markings are the most common. These sit are the lower end of the price spectrum, while less common colours like blue, lilac, or fawn tend to cost more because they’re rarer.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Boston Terrier puppies aged 8-12 weeks are the most in demand and, therefore, come at a higher price. Older Boston Terriers aged 6 months and over or retired breeding dogs are usually sold at a reduced rate. This is also true in shelters, as older dogs may require more ongoing health care, which means the initial cost is often cheaper.
It’s not just the purchase cost of your Boston Terrier you need to think about. There are also other upfront and ongoing costs you’ll have to cover to make sure they have a comfortable and healthy life, including:
Dog crate: $80 – $300 for well ventilated, secure, sturdy crate designed for a small-sized breed.
Dog bed: $40 – $150 for a plush bed that isn’t only comfortable but has extra support, like memory foam for joint support.
Dog harness/lead: $25 – $60 for a lead and an adjustable, breathable harness, which is safer than a standard collar for their sensitive airways.
Feeding bowl: $15 – $50 for a shallow, non-tip bowl that suits their short muzzle.
Dog toothbrush: $10 – $30 for an enzymatic toothpaste and a small, soft-bristled brush.
Dog car harness: $40 – $80 for a crash-tested harness that will keep them secure during car journeys.
Puppy treats: $15 – $40 per month for dental chews to help prevent plaque build up small treats that can be used as training rewards.
Puppy training pads: $20 – $40 per pack for small training pads that can be used during house training.
Dog shampoo & conditioner: $15 – $30 for a gentle, hypoallergenic shampoo that will deep clean while protecting their sensitive skin.
Dog nail clippers, brushes & combs: $20 – $80 for a grooming kit to manage shedding and keep nails trimmed.
Boston Terriers are small but energetic dogs, which means they need a well-balanced diet to maintain a healthy weight and avoid issues like obesity or digestive sensitivity. An adult Boston Terrier needs around 150g – 300g of food per day, depending on the type of food the have (see below), which means the average monthly cost can average between $45 and $240.
It’s really important to note that these food costs will vary quite a bit depending on the quality of the food, the brand, and if your dog has any specific dietary requirements. If you’re in doubt about the best option for your Boston Terrier, speak to your veterinary.
Preventative year-round vet care, including checking for issues like breathing difficulties, eye problems, and allergies, is the best way to make sure your Boston Terrier is happy and healthy. Naturally, these add to the cost of ownership, and here’s what you can expect to pay for certain services:
Annual vet check ups: $80 – $200 per visit for a general health assessment, checking for issues like Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome, and some wellness advice.
Vaccinations: $100 – $250 per year for core vaccines and optional boosters.
Worming and parasite protection: $150 – $350 per year to prevent fleas, ticks, and a variety of worms.
Dental cleaning (every 1-2 years): $300 – $600 per session for cleaning under anaesthetic.
Pet insurance: $15 – $50 per month, although this can vary quite a lot depending on your chosen coverage level and any potential hereditary condition inclusions.
Because Boston Terriers have a short, smooth coat, they require less grooming than long-haired breeds. However, their skin can be sensitive, so gentle cleaning and regular wrinkle care are important for their overall health. This should be done every 6-8 weeks, and the costs typically come to:
Hydrobath prices: $25 – $50 per session for a simple bath, blow-dry, and basic ear cleaning.
Full groom prices: $60 – $120 per session for a bath, nail trim, ear cleaning, and light de-shedding treatment.
Face, feet & tail groom prices: $30 – $50 per session for a quick tidy up of the paws and tail area, and a cleaning of facial wrinkles to stop bacteria building up.
Like most terrier breeds, Boston Terriers are intelligent but stubborn, so early socialisation and training is important for good behaviour. The best way of getting on top of this is by sending your Boston Terrier to a training class, and the prices will vary depending on the course.
Basic obedience training prices: $150 – $400 for a 6-week course, which covers fundamental commands.
Puppy training class prices: $100 – $300 for a 4-6 week course, including early socialisation training.
Specialised training prices (i.e. anxiety, aggression): $80 – $150 per session for addressing issues like stubbornness, separation anxiety, or excessive barking.
There’s no doubt Boston Terriers are cute, but before bringing one into your home, you need to understand there are long-term financial commitments involved. You’ll need to create a monthly budget for food and insurance, as well as keep some money aside for regular grooming and unexpected medical expenses. Also, considering Boston Terriers have a lifespan of 11 – 13 years, you’ll need to be comfortable covering these expenses for the long run. If you are, you’ll have a small but loyal friend who will bring you and your family years of happiness!
We wish it could be as simple as a one-price-fits-all Boston Terriers, but there are different factors that influence how much one of these adorable pups is going to cost. Here are some of the main contributors to the price of a Boston Terrier puppy:
If you choose to adopt your Boston Terrier puppy from a rescue shelter rather than finding one that’s for sale, you will be able to save money on the initial costs and will also have the satisfaction of welcoming a puppy in need into your family home.
Many rescue shelters will make sure your puppy is vaccinated, microchipped and registered as part of the price.
The cost of your Boston Terrier puppy may also be affected by its colour. The most common colours are black and brindle, whilst some of the rarest are blue and merle. Other rare colours are liver, brown, cream and red, and while they’re not accepted by the American Kennel Club standards, these coat types often come with a higher price tag due to their exclusivity.
Boston Terriers can be used to perform in the non-sporting categories of dog shows, and so if the mother and father of your puppy come from show breed quality, this may increase the price of your puppy.
One of the most important steps you can take in purchasing a puppy is sourcing a registered Boston Terrier breeder. Going through a reputable breeder can help minimise the risk of diseases by seeing the parents’ history and ensuring your puppy has had its necessary shots.
Here are our tips on how to choose a suitable breeder:
Reputable breeders will always make sure that their Boston Terrier puppies are fully vaccinated before they’re given to their new owners.
They will also usually be given a heartworm injection before being put up for sale.
Establishments that are breeding dogs irresponsibly will give their puppies to owners without them being vaccinated to save money.
Reputable breeders will let you meet the parents of your puppy before you agree to purchase them so that you can assess what traits they’re likely to inherit.
They will also have the parents DNA-tested to make sure that their Boston Terrier puppies will be healthy later in life.
A disreputable breeder will usually put their puppies up for sale when they’re at a very young age and aren’t yet ready to be sold in order to save money on feeding them.
If your puppy has been raised by a responsible breeder, it will not be given to you until they’re at least eight weeks old.
A good breeder will usually only focus on one or two dog breeds and will not breed any other dogs, unlike puppy mills that will often have puppies for sale from many other breeds.
Due to the fact that their Boston Terrier pups will be in high demand, a good, small breeder will often only have one litter available at a time.
However, puppy mills will always have a large supply of puppies ready to be sold, and they will usually be raised in a cramped, small kennel.
Most reputable pet homes will arrange for your Boston Terrier to be microchipped and registered before they are given to you.
They will also arrange for checkups with a vet to make sure that your dog is healthy.
Of course, the initial cost of buying a Boston Terrier is quite expensive, but over the years, the maintenance is what really costs more. But who says you can’t buy love?
Here are the most common maintenance costs that come with owning a Boston Terrier:
Generally, feeding your Boston Terrier will cost around $300 – $600 a year, depending on the type of dog food that you buy.
It’s always a good idea to take out pet insurance to help you with the costs of maintaining your dog’s health. For instance, a routine visit to the vet costs around $150, and flea and tick treatments cost around $30.
Other than the cost of buying the tools you need to groom your Boston, like a rubber curry brush, they aren’t that expensive to maintain. Boston Terriers have a short, fine-textured coat that is easy to clean and only requires a weekly brush and monthly bath to keep in check.
As with all dogs, owning a Boston Terrier isn’t cheap, but this loving and affectionate breed can make the perfect addition to any family. Frankly, we think they’re worth every penny!
Buying a new pooch is a big commitment that can be pretty expensive, so it’s always beneficial to have as much information about the costs involved before you decide which breed to choose.
Boston Terriers are fairly average when it comes to price, and you can keep the costs down even more by considering adoption rather than going through a breeder.
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