Silent Boston Terrier

My 2 year old Boston Terrier never barks. She will bark when given the command to speak, but otherwise she is pretty quiet. She'll let out a little whine to get to go out. She doesn't bark when chasing birds, when someone knocks on the door, or when the grandsons rough house with her. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining and the neighbors aren't either. She is my first Boston, so I must ask, is this typical of the breed or does it have to do with her upbringing?

My year old long haired Chihuahua doesn't bark either. Does your dog have the "reverse sneezing" spells common with brachio syphalic (sp?) (short nosed) dogs? I think that's part of the issue.

My parents have a 3 year old female Boston Terrier. She is pretty quiet.

The only down side to their dog is that she gets gas real bad, that dog can sure clear a room.
Other than that they are great little companions to have. And very fun to watch them play. Very, very high energy.

JcMack said:

My year old long haired Chihuahua doesn't bark either. Does your dog have the "reverse sneezing" spells common with brachio syphalic (sp?) (short nosed) dogs? I think that's part of the issue.

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She does the reverse sneeze thing once in a great while. Her nose is not quite as smashed in as some other Bostons I've seen. Her eyes don't bug out quite like some others I've seen either. I try to limit her exercise when it is hot, but she does a pretty good job of that herself as you can see from the photo. I've had a lot of dogs, but so far this one is my favorite for a companion dog.

Super Trucker said:

My parents have a 3 year old female Boston Terrier. She is pretty quiet.

The only down side to their dog is that she gets gas real bad, that dog can sure clear a room.
Other than that they are great little companions to have. And very fun to watch them play. Very, very high energy.

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Mine was on Purina Puppy Chow when we first got her. We started her on Purina Dog Chow about a year ago. We feed her 1/2 cup in the morning and 1/2 cup in the afternoon. She seldom has gas. When she does, I think it is when the wife gives her some table scraps, like chicken skin. You might want to see if your parents have their Boston on a two X's a day feeding schedule and what they feed her.

Having owned several different dog breeds over the years, I have to say that this breed is now my favorite. My youngest daughter grew up with a Cocker Spaniel and Dachshund. She used to make fun of the Boston's looks and warned us of the pitfalls of the breed when we were looking around for a new pup. Now our little Squirt has won her over. She called the other day and said, "Dad, you are never going to believe this, but Brian and I decided when we get a house, we want to get a Boston Terrier".

BE Mike said:

. . . Having owned several different dog breeds over the years, I have to say that this breed is now my favorite. My youngest daughter grew up with a Cocker Spaniel and Dachshund. She used to make fun of the Boston's looks and warned us of the pitfalls of the breed when we were looking around for a new pup. Now our little Squirt has won her over. She called the other day and said, "Dad, you are never going to believe this, but Brian and I decided when we get a house, we want to get a Boston Terrier".

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Hi Mike,

I too grew up with a couple of great Cocker Spaniels, and we owned one when our kids were growing up too.

That being said . . . like you, we got a perky little BT pup four years ago . . . and all I can say is that the BT is a dog that will totally steal your heart. Everyone deserves one INCREDIBLE dog in their life, and out Boston Terrier, Ike, is mine!!!

He just turned four last Monday, going from this:


to this:



BARK?

Bostons typically do not bark a lot, though Ike becomes "Alpha Male" for my wife when I'm out of town or working late. He simply "steps up" automatically and if he hears a noise, he immediately moves towards it while barking a fierce warning. Otherwise, he's quiet on his feet and quiet in his demeanor.

HOWEVER . . . he's spoiled, and if two or more adults are talking he'll patiently wait a few moments to be the center of attention. If that fails, his jaw will start "mouthing" and then he'll suddenly let out the loudest, mournful WAIL you've ever heard.

The sound is more like a human getting tortured and impailed . . . than a hound dog's howl. It can literally make most folks jump and almost crap in their pants!


THE FACE?

At first, they seem "weird" like a frog when you've had long-nosed dogs all your life. But soon these little perky clowns make you fall in love with their many expressions, their sweet big eyes, and their constantly cocking heads as you talk to them.



Right now Ike is curled up in my wife's lap as she relaxes on the screen porch with a novel. However, he's no "respecter of persons," for he truly loves all people once they are welcomed into the house.



He sleeps with us and he's NOT a one-person dog. He loves each of us equally and affectionately . . . though when we have guests over for several nights we lose our little buddy as he becomes the warmest, most attentive "host" a visitor has ever seen.

WOW . . . what great dogs they are!!!

Nice dogs! This is my no bark Chihuahua Daizy (aka "fuzzball")

Jeez.....If this thread continues I will want to get another dog......Hmmm.....Back yard would need fenced...

I've had a few Boston's. They all barked as much any other breed I've had. Your's has great markings and her body weight looks just right.

Never had a Boston, seem like great dogs. No offense to cat lovers, but dogs want to be loved, and show it. My dogs give me more love than I deserve.

I had a miniture schnauzer for 13 years, the ONLY time that dog made a sound was when the door bell rang

My great-grandma had a Boston. I've always liked them. But my girls are mini Dachshunds, and they definitely let me know when someone, or something, is around. Here's Molly, my 5 y/o.

GLGirl,

our dog Fred, Dachsund, died last year. He was 20 years and 4 months. Can you show some pictures of your weiner dogs? We sure miss Fred.

Our other dog Ethel, Rat Terrier, mourned for him 2 months. She is 12 years old. She didn't leave our room, except for outside breaks once a day, for 3 weeks.

red14 said:

GLGirl,

our dog Fred, Dachsund, died last year. He was 20 years and 4 months. Can you show some pictures of your weiner dogs? We sure miss Fred.

Our other dog Ethel, Rat Terrier, mourned for him 2 months. She is 12 years old. She didn't leave our room, except for outside breaks once a day, for 3 weeks.

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That's so sad. Fred lived a long life! 20 is pretty amazing, for any dog! Molly, the 5 year old, is my baby. Last November I adopted Angel, a 10 y/o tweenie from a rescue organization. Molly is a playful clown, and Angel just wants to lay next to someone and get her head scratched. She's about as laid back as they come!

Great pics!

We have a new part Dachshund, Roscoe. Wife got him because he looked like Fred. It is kinda amazing how much he is like Fred. He lays on the floor the same, 'sings' at sirens the same, even terrified of Ethel.

I have always had dogs. We just get them from the pound. They seem to appreciate being rescued.

neiljrosen said:

I've had a few Boston's. They all barked as much any other breed I've had. Your's has great markings and her body weight looks just right.

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Squirt thanks you about your comments on her girlish figure. I guess she is just unique. We learn more about dogs every time we get a new one. We never encouraged her to bark except on command and she never picked it up. We are really thankful and so are the neighbors, I'm sure. We had a great male Dachshund before our Boston and he barked some. He barked a lot when someone came to the front door when we were home, but we discovered that he wouldn't let out a peep when someone came to the front door when we weren't home. He also had anxiety issues when we left him alone for any length of time. We really loved our Dachshund. Unfortunately he injured his back and was paralyzed at age 6 and I had to have him put down.

We've had a Boston for over 8 years- just a tiny (13 lbs) girl, but she's very bright and affectionate. One of the reasons we picked a Boston is because we lived in a condo at the time, and wanted a dog that wouldn't be "yippy." Ours will bark when the doorbell rings, or when she's startled, but that's about it. Or, if we're playing rough (boxing), she'll sometimes let out a ferocious bark. (She usually thinks she's a small, fuzzy person, but every now and again she acts like a dog.) Bostons also have the cutest "squeak" that they let out when they're trying to say something.

Horace: If you give in and get a Boston, you will definitely need to fence the back yard, as they tend to go deaf when they're outside sniffing (or just sunning!) and you try to call them to come in!!!

smith revolver cop said:

We've had a Boston for over 8 years- just a tiny (13 lbs) girl, but she's very bright and affectionate. One of the reasons we picked a Boston is because we lived in a condo at the time, and wanted a dog that wouldn't be "yippy." Ours will bark when the doorbell rings, or when she's startled, but that's about it. Or, if we're playing rough (boxing), she'll sometimes let out a ferocious bark. (She usually thinks she's a small, fuzzy person, but every now and again she acts like a dog.) Bostons also have the cutest "squeak" that they let out when they're trying to say something.

Horace: If you give in and get a Boston, you will definitely need to fence the back yard, as they tend to go deaf when they're outside sniffing (or just sunning!) and you try to call them to come in!!!

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It took me a while to get our Boston to come in from the backyard when called. Luckily she is highly food motivated. Giving her a piece of dry dog food each time she came when called finally got her trained. Most of the time now she comes running at 100 mph and leaps about 6' from the patio to the living room, not stopping for any bothersome steps!