Bossi Poo – The Boston Terrier Poodle Mix

The Bossi Poo is a combination of a purebred Poodle and Boston Terrier.

Also know as the Boston Poodle or Boston Poo, this little dog certainly has the cute factor.

Small in stature but big in personality, this dog is a perfect fit for many homes.

But how do his temperament and health measure up?

Let’s Meet the Bossi Poo!

What exactly is a Bossi Poo? The Bossi Poo is the offspring of the purebred Boston Terrier and the purebred Poodle.

Because the Bossi Poo is a crossbreed, there are many aspects of his personality, temperament, physical characteristics, and more, that could be left up to chance depending on what purebred parent he favors the most.

So what is a crossbreed, and furthermore, what’s up with the controversy? Let’s find out!

Crossbreeding – The Controversy

A crossbreed sometimes referred to as a ‘designer dog’ or a ‘hybrid’ is the offspring of two purebred parents.

Crossbreeding is a relatively new practice, only increasing in popularity over the last decade or so.

Some consider crossbreeds and mutts to be one and the same.

Others, however, insist that crossbred dogs are the result of only two purebred parents, while mutts have a lineage of several different breeds in their bloodline.

Supporters also claim crossbreeds have fewer chances of inheriting the genetic health defects of their purebred parents.

Doubters say that these generational health defects can be just as widespread in crossbreed dogs, if not more so.

You can learn more about some common objections to crossbreeding here.

Whether you support crossbreeding or not, one thing is for sure: before adding a new dog to your household, it’s important to learn as much about your desired breed – or crossbreed – as possible!

Origin of the Boston Terrier Poodle Mix

Because the Bossi Poo is still a relatively new crossbreed, there is very little known about his origin.

Both his purebred parents have fascinating histories, however, and each of their unique lineages can help to give us some insight into what type of personality traits and instincts their Bossi Poo puppy could inherit.

Let’s Start With the Boston Terrier

The Boston Terrier’s story begins in early 19th century England, where terriers and bull-type dogs were bred specifically for pit fighting and ratting contests.

Around the late 1860s, an impressively built dog named Judge, who was a cross between a Bull Dog and the since extinct White English Terrier, was sold to an American man named William O’Brien.

William O’Brien brought Judge back to Boston, where the dog subsequently became the patriarch for the modern day Boston Terrier.

Today, the Boston Terrier is a source of hometown pride amongst Boston natives.

In fact, the Boston Terrier has been the University of Boston’s official mascot for a proud 100 years!

What About the Poodle?

Although the Poodle is the national dog of France, he originally hails from Germany, where he was bred for duck hunting more than 400 years ago.

The Poodle is renowned for his fanciful coat, but did you know that the cut of the Poodle’s thick curly fur was actually more for practicality in his early history than for looks?

That’s right! Back in his working days, the Poodle’s haircut was intricately designed to help him swim easily through bodies of water while at the same time protecting the delicate parts of his body from the elements.

Aside from hunting, the Poodle’s showy nature made him an excellent circus dog, while his nose made him a favorite companion on truffle hunts!

As the years passed, Standard and Miniature Poodles became a symbol of nobility throughout France and Europe.

Their extravagant coats became somewhat of a doggie fashion statement.

The Toy Poodle, specifically bred for companionship, didn’t come into existence until the breed made its way to the United States of America in the early 20th century.

With two breeds who have histories as unique as the Boston Terrier and the Poodle, one can only imagine what their offspring will be like!

Let’s read on to find out more about their offspring, the Bossi Poo crossbreed.

Bossi Poo Temperament

When dealing with any crossbreed, the outcome in regard to things like temperament can be unpredictable, and the Bossi Poo is no exception.

However, both the Boston Terrier and the Poodle share some similar qualities. For example, a prospective owner can except their Bossi Poo puppy to be highly intelligent, eager to please, and fairly active.

But what other temperamental traits could the Bossi Poo inherit from his purebred parents?

Let’s Start with the Boston Terrier

The Boston Terrier is an extremely intelligent dog who is known for his comedic personality and friendly disposition.

He makes an excellent city dog, but he is active and requires exercise to stay healthy and happy. This means he will need more than solely being let outside in the yard to play.

We should also keep in mind that if the Boston Terrier becomes bored or is left alone for too long, he may become hyperactive or develop anxiety or destructive behaviors.

Still, with proper toys, training, and exercise, the Boston Terrier makes a wonderful family pet who enjoys being around people and making his family laugh!

But What About the Poodle?

Much like his Boston Terrier counterpart, the Poodle is incredibly bright and his eagerness to please makes him easy to train.

The Poodle is active and athletic and requires adequate exercise and stimulation to stay healthy and happy.

Considering the Poodle’s history in duck hunting, it’s no wonder the Poodle enjoys the outdoors and water!

Keep in mind your Bossi Poo could inherit these same desires.

Bossi Poo Defining Characteristics

Similar to temperament, the Bossi Poo inherits a wide range of physical traits from both parents.

This means features like coat color, weight, and height, will be left up to chance depending on which parent the Bossi Poo takes after most.

The Boston Terrier and the Poodle couldn’t look more different!

The Boston Terrier is a compact dog with a short, shiny coat that comes in three standard markings:

• black and white
• dark brown and white
• brindle and white.

The full-grown Boston Terrier will be 15-17 inches tall and will weigh anywhere from 12-25 lbs.

The Poodle comes in three size variations:

• tοy (Under 10 inches and 4–10 lbs)
• miniature (10–15 inches tall and 10–15 lbs)
• standard (Over 15 inches tall and 40–70 lbs).

The Poodle is athletically built with a thick, curly coat that comes in three standard colors:

• black
• brown
• apricot.

Bossi Poo Grooming

The Boston Terrier is a mild shedder, and simple brushing with a grooming comb should help to keep loose hairs from furniture and floors and keep his dashing ‘tuxedo’ styled coat nice and shiny!

Aside from that, the Boston Terrier is a low maintenance dog who only requires the occasional bathing.

The Poodle, on the other hand, will take a bit more upkeep. Although the Poodle is hypoallergenic, his thick, curly coat requires frequent brushing to help keep it from becoming matted.

Keeping the above information in mind, a prospective Bossi Poo owner should also prepare to clean their Bossi Poo’s ears regularly to keep wax and moisture at bay.

He will also need his nails trimmed to avoid splitting and cracking.

Bossi Poo Training and Exercise Requirements

Because both the Boston Terrier and the Poodle are so intelligent and eager to please, we can expect the Bossi Poo crossbreed to be the same, making training easy and fun!

The Bossi Poo is an active crossbreed, especially if he takes after his Poodle parent.

Proper exercise like daily walks or runs to the dog park can be fun and healthy for your Bossi Poo.

Both the Boston Terrier and the Poodle are known to make excellent family dogs, but we still recommend early socialization and proper training with your Bossi Poo puppy.

Health Issues and Lifespan of the Bossi Poo

As with all dogs, the Bossi Poo can inherit health issues from either of his purebred parents.

We recommend researching the health issues your crossbreed’s purebred parents are predisposed to.

In this case, we will begin with the Boston Terrier.

A healthy Boston Terrier’s lifespan is 11-13 years, with several inheritable health issues to be aware of, including Patellar Luxation, Hemivertebrae, Sensorineural Deafness, Cataracts, Corneal Ulcers, and Glaucoma.

Because of his shorter, flatter shaped snout, the Boston Terrier is also more predisposed to Brachycephalic Syndrome, which is a syndrome that can cause breathing difficulties and pain.

Be aware that your pup could inherit this syndrome and will need the proper care should symptoms arise.

The purebred Poodle has a lifespan of 10-18 years and can be prone to Hip Dysplasia, Epilepsy, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Addison’s Disease, Thyroid Issues, Bloat, and Hypoglycemia.

Keeping the above in mind, your Bossi Poo’s lifespan could be anywhere from 10-18 years. Health issues do vary depending on what his parents have passed to him.

Early health screening in your Bossi Poo can help avoid or prepare for future health issues.

Remember that reputable breeders will be able to provide certificates regarding the health of the parent breeds, proving they have been screened and cleared of certain health issues.

You can learn more about the health testing requirements as specified by the American Kennel Club (AKC) here.

Ideal Home for the Bossi Poo

The Bossi Poo’s purebred parents are both active and intelligent. Any dog-lover who enjoys being outdoors and has the patience for training will love this crossbreed!

Being athletic and bright, they are best with an owner who can take them on consistent walks or jogs.

By all accounts, the Bossi Poo should do great in homes with young children and it’s adaptable to different home sizes. It will just need his exercise requirements met!

Finding a Bossi Poo Puppy

Getting your Bossi Poo from a reputable source is of the utmost importance. We recommend doing plenty of research before you decide where you get your new friend.

Shelters carry all types of breeds and crossbreeds, however, you are not guaranteed to find a Bossi Poo.

Although most shelters incur fees, they are often a fraction of what some Bossi Poo breeders will charge. You can prepare for most adoption fees to be anywhere from $50-$100.

Most shelters will even cover initial vet fees, ensuring the dog ready for his new home!

If you are seeking a Bossi Poo from a breeder, be ready to spend between $500 to over $1,000. This will depend on the breeder and parental history of the pup.

Again, do your research and make sure you look into the history of the Bossi Poo’s parents when dealing with a breeder.

It’s always wise to ask about temperamental issues with the Bossi Poo’s parents and previous litters. Any health concerns that have arisen in the past could crop up again.

As previously mentioned, reputable breeders will be able to provide certificates proving their dogs have been health screened.

Are you thinking about taking home your very own Bossi Poo? Tell us your unique story in the comments section below.

Take a look at the over popular Poodle mixes here!

References and Further Reading

Packer D and Tivers M. 2015. Strategies for the Management and Prevention of Conformation-Related Respiratory Disorders in Brachycephalic Dogs. Veterinary Medicine: Research and Reports.

Bannasch D et al. 2010. Localization of Canine Brachycephaly Using an Across Breed Mapping Approach. PLoS One.

Turcsan B et al. 2004. Owner Perceived Differences Between Mixed-Breed and Purebred Dogs. Journal of Heredity.

Howell T et al. 2015. Puppy Parties and Beyond: the role of early age socialization practices on adult dog behavior. Journal of Heredity.

Sutter N & Ostrander E. 2004. Dog Star Rising: The Canine Genetic System. Nature Reviews Genetics.

Irion D et al. 2003. Analysis of Genetic Variation in 28 Dog Breed Populations With 100 Microsatellite Markers. Journal of Heredity.

Acumen L. 2011.  The Genetic Connection; a Guide to Health Problems in Purebred Dogs, Second Edition.