Is the Border Terrier or the Boston Terrier better for families with children?

Both the Border Terrier and the Boston Terrier are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.

Which sheds more, the Border Terrier or the Boston Terrier?

The Border Terrier and Boston Terrier shed a similar amount (medium).

Which is easier to train, the Border Terrier or the Boston Terrier?

Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.

Is Border Terrier or Boston Terrier bigger?

Border Terrier and Boston Terrier are a similar size (Small).

Which barks more, Border Terrier or Boston Terrier?

Both bark a similar amount (low).

Which is better for apartment living, Border Terrier or Boston Terrier?

For apartment or apartment living, Boston Terrier has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

Border Terrier vs Boston Terrier: Which Needs Less Grooming?

Border Terrier vs Boston Terrier: full comparison

Trait	Border Terrier	Boston Terrier
Size	Small	Small
Energy level	High	Medium
Trainability	High	High
Friendliness	Very High	Very High
Good with children	Very High	Very High
Grooming needs	Medium	Very Low
Shedding	Medium	Medium
Barking	Low	Low
Protectiveness	Low	Medium
Adaptability	Very High	Very High
Typical lifespan	15 years	13 years
Hypoallergenic	No	No

Key differences at a glance

The Border Terrier has noticeably higher grooming than the Boston Terrier.

Size and living space

The Border Terrier is a small but sturdy breed that suits apartments and smaller homes well and needs little floor space. By comparison, the Boston Terrier is a small but sturdy breed that suits apartments and smaller homes well and needs little floor space. Because they are a similar size, neither has a clear space advantage — both will suit the same kind of home.

Exercise and energy needs

The Border Terrier demands substantial daily activity, from long walks to hard play. The Boston Terrier wants a decent walk or two each day and some playtime. If you have a busy schedule, the lower-energy of the two will be easier to keep satisfied; if you are active and want a dog to keep up, the higher-energy breed is the better match.

Grooming and shedding

The Border Terrier wants brushing on a regular schedule to stay tidy and loses a fair amount of coat, especially seasonally. The Boston Terrier takes almost no grooming, since the odd brush keeps it tidy and loses a fair amount of coat, especially seasonally. If low upkeep matters to you, factor this in — the difference adds up over a dog's lifetime.

Temperament, training and family life

The Border Terrier is quick to learn and a pleasure to train, keeps fairly quiet, barking occasionally and has a reputation for being wonderfully tolerant with kids. The Boston Terrier is quick to learn and a pleasure to train, keeps fairly quiet, barking occasionally and has a reputation for being wonderfully tolerant with kids. On guarding instinct, Border Terrier is not a natural guard and greets visitors warmly, whereas Boston Terrier will let you know someone is at the door without being aggressive.

Which is better for…

For apartment or apartment living, Boston Terrier has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.
For families with young children, Border Terrier and Boston Terrier are an even match — either can work well.
For first-time dog owners, Border Terrier has the edge, as it is easier to train and more forgiving of beginner mistakes.
For being left alone during the workday, Boston Terrier has the edge, coping better with independence and being quieter when unsupervised.
For allergy sufferers, Border Terrier and Boston Terrier are an even match — either can work well.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Border Terrier if you want a longer-lived breed or you want a more energetic partner for sport and adventure.

Choose the Boston Terrier if you prefer lower grooming upkeep, you want a more protective, watchful guardian, or you want a calmer, lower-energy companion.

Which dog do you look like?

Take one photo and an AI model tells you which of our 321 breeds you most resemble, and which features gave it away. Free, no account, and your photo is never stored. It is a game rather than advice — but every match links straight into that breed's real guide.

See which dog you look like

Frequently asked questions

Is the Border Terrier or the Boston Terrier better for families with children?: Both the Border Terrier and the Boston Terrier are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
Which sheds more, the Border Terrier or the Boston Terrier?: The Border Terrier and Boston Terrier shed a similar amount (medium).
Which is easier to train, the Border Terrier or the Boston Terrier?: Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.
Is Border Terrier or Boston Terrier bigger?: Border Terrier and Boston Terrier are a similar size (Small).
Which barks more, Border Terrier or Boston Terrier?: Both bark a similar amount (low).
Which is better for apartment living, Border Terrier or Boston Terrier?: For apartment or apartment living, Boston Terrier has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

Border Terrier vs Boston Terrier