Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix – Great Pet or Potential Problem Pet?

The Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix is adored for his small size and sassy disposition, but how do you know if this crossbreed would make the perfect pet for you?

If you have questions about the Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix, we are here to help!

Keep reading to learn more about this spunky little hybrid and find out if he would fit into your unique lifestyle!

If you want to check out any other Boston Terrier mixes, take a look at this article! 

What Is the Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix?

Also known as the Bochi, Chibo, or the Bohuahua, the Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix is the offspring of the Boston Terrier and the Chihuahua.

Whenever you have a dog that is the “designed” offspring of two purebred parents, you have what most people call a crossbreed, and crossbreeding comes with its share of controversy.

Keep reading to learn more.

Crossbreeding and the Designer Dog Debate

Ever heard of a hybrid or a designer dog? If so, then you’ve heard of a crossbreed.

Many breeders have jumped on the crossbreeding craze, selling crossbred puppies for as much as purebred dogs. Is that fair?

After all, crossbreeds are just glorified mutts, right? Actually, here is where things get tricky.

Those in favor of crossbreeding insist that there is quite a difference between mutts and crossbreeds.

You see, while mutts are mixed breeds with a widely unknown lineage, crossbreeds are the designed offspring of two specifically chosen purebred parents.

Hence the term “designer dog”.

To learn more about the debate between mutts and crossbreeds, visit us here.

The issue of health regarding crossbreed dogs and purebred dogs

The rise in genetic disease and health complications in purebred dogs is an unfortunate result of generations of overbreeding in order to maintain breed standards.

Those who support crossbreeding hope that the practice will help to reduce these genetic health issues by widening the gene pool and decreasing the chances of genetic issues being passed down to litters.

However, this is not guaranteed, and many naysayers claim that crossbreed dogs are equally susceptible to inheriting genetic health problems as their purebred counterparts.

Otherwise keep reading to learn more about the Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix, because we are about to tell you where he came from!

Origin and History of the Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix

The Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix is a newer generation crossbreed. What this means is that his story is still in the works, and his history and origin are still somewhat murky.

So, in order to learn more about him, we must look into the histories of his purebred parents.

Let’s start with the Boston Terrier!

Origin of the Boston Terrier

The Boston Terrier came about during the height of blood sports in England during the 19th century.

Sportsman and breeders wanted a dog that was tough enough to brawl in pit fights and scrappy enough to excel in ratting competitions.

This resulted in breeders crossing terriers with bull-type breeds.

One such crossbreed, a Bulldog and White English Terrier mix named Judge was sold to an American breed enthusiast by the name of William O’Brien during the 1860’s.

That’s History!

O’Brien brought Judge to Boston and went on to sell him to an acquaintance named Robert C. Hooper in 1870.

Judge subsequently became known as “Hooper’s Judge”, and according to the American Kennel Club, he is believed to be the true “patriarch of the Boston Terrier breed”.

After years of careful breeding and meticulous refining, the creation of the Boston Terrier was complete.

Named for the city in which it was so carefully cultivated, and the breed remains a city favorite to this day!

In fact, the Boston Terrier has been the Boston University’s official mascot for the past 100 years.

Officially registered by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1893, the Boston Terrier sits at number 21 out of 190 on the AKC’s list of America’s most popular dog breeds.

Now let’s learn about the Chihuahua!

Origin and History of the Chihuahua

Despite being the national dog of Mexico, the Chihuahua’s original relationship with the country is still a mystery.

However, historians are certain the Chihuahua is an ancient breed, with his likeness being depicted in ancient relics throughout the world.

Believed to be a successor of the early Techichi, the Chihuahua likely came about by careful refinement of the Aztecs, who modified the breed to create much smaller, more compact dogs.

Although initially thought to have gone extinct during the conquest of Cortez, the Chihuahua was found to have survived in isolated villages when he was discovered by American travelers during the 1800’s.

Since the majority of these tiny Aztec creations where found in the region of Chihuahua, the breed became known officially as the Chihuahua dog.

Famous!

It wasn’t long after the Chihuahua’s discovery when his fame skyrocketed.

Adored for his compact size and sassy attitude, this little dog with a big ego made a name for himself not only in Hollywood but also amongst families looking for an intelligent and lively little companion.

The American Kennel Club officially recognized the Chihuahua in 1908, and today he sits at number 32 out of 190 on the AKC’s list of America’s most popular dog breeds.

With backgrounds as rich and exciting as the Boston Terrier and the Chihuahua, their offspring must be quite the crossbreed, right?

Let’s find out more about the Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix.

Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix Temperament

Due to the fact he is a hybrid, the Boston Terrier and Chihuahua Mix temperament is going to depend on the behavioral traits he inherits from his parent breeds.

Both the Boston Terrier and the Chihuahua are known for having loads of personality, but they do have different temperamental traits that could be passed down to their mixed offspring.

For instance, if your Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix favors his Boston Terrier parent, you can expect him to be pretty go-with-the-flow.

There is a reason the Boston Terrier is known as an “American Gentleman”!

A very intelligent breed, the Boston Terrier is said to do excellently with children and other household pets, although he can be known to get a bit hyper if not properly trained and socialized.

The Boston Terrier is a sensitive breed who is eager to please and will enjoy being around his family.

But what about the Chihuahua?

The Chihuahua is the quintessential big dog in a little body. With his sassy temperament, it’s no secret the Chihuahua has a bit of an ego and likes to think of himself as king of the mountain.

While this is not the best dog for homes with smaller children, the Chihuahua makes a wonderful pet for families with older kids, singles, or couples.

He can be a stubborn dog and does not tend to get on well with other household pets.

Funny and highly intelligent, the Chihuahua is eager to please but can be hard-headed. He will need training early in his life to ensure he grows up to be a well-mannered little adult.

Remember, your Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix could inherit any of the above personality traits from his purebred parents.

For that reason, early socialization and obedience training beginning in puppyhood are going to be key in ensuring your Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix grows up happy, healthy, and well-rounded.

So, if the Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix personality traits will be left up to chance, does that mean his appearance will too?

Let’s find out!

Defining Characteristics – What Does the Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix Look Like?

Yes, the Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix is a designer dog and that means that his appearance, just like his temperament, is going to depend on genetics and chance.

But what are your options?

Let’s begin by looking at the defining characteristics of the Boston Terrier.

The purebred Boston Terrier is a small dog who stands 15 to 17 inches tall and can weigh around 12 to 25 pounds.

His short, sleek coat is often described as a “tuxedo coat” because of its unique tuxedo-like markings. This coat comes in three color combinations, including:

• White and Black
• Dark Brown and White
• White and Brindle

The Boston Terrier has large, erect ears, a docked tail, and short, squished in face with bulging eyes.

The Chihuahua, on the other hand, looks quite different. In fact, did you know there are two unofficial types of Chihuahua?

While not recognized by the American Kennel Club, the two versions of the Chihuahua are typically accepted by most Chihuahua enthusiasts and breeders and are used to describe the difference in appearance between the two varieties.

That’s right, we are talking about the Apple Head Chihuahua and the Deer Head Chihuahua.

Differences between the Apple Head Chihuahua and the Deer Head Chihuahua

There are a number of differences between the two types of Chihuahuas, but there are a few differences that make it easy for even the novice to pick up on at a glance.

For example, the Apple Head Chihuahua has a round, apple-shaped head, shorter muzzle, and bulging eyes, while the Deer Head Chihuahua has a longer muzzle and quite large ears that make him resemble a deer.

Furthermore, the Apple Head Chihuahua is the only variety accepted by most major clubs for show.

Much smaller than the Boston Terrier, Chihuahuas tend to weigh no more than six pounds and they are only about 5 to 8 inches in height.

They can also come in either a long or smooth coat, with fawn being the most common color amongst Chihuahua dogs.

However, their coats can come in six colors total, including:

• Black
• White
• Fawn
• Chocolate
• Cream
• Gold.

Since your Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix is a cross between the Boston Terrier and the Chihuahua, his appearance is going to be left up to genetics and chance.

So, how do you groom this crossbreed? Let’s see.

Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix Grooming and General Care

In the case of the Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix, grooming should be pretty easy.

Both the Boston Terrier and the Chihuahua are moderate shedders who require weekly brushing and occasional bathing to keep their coats healthy.

However, if your Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix has a long-haired Chihuahua parent, and he inherits that long-haired coat, experts suggest brushing once or twice a week to keep his long, silky hair free of mats and tangles.

Your Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix will need his nails trimmed regularly so that they don’t break, and he will need his ears cleaned on a consistent basis to keep them free of waxy build-up and moisture.

Lifespan and Health Concerns of a Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix

All dogs are susceptible to inheriting genetic diseases and the Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix is no exception.

With a lifespan of 11-16 years, your Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix could be susceptible to any of the same issues as his parent breeds.

For example, the Boston Terrier, who has a lifespan of 11-13 years, is susceptible to:

• Patellar luxation
• Hemivertebrae
• Sensorineural deafness
• Cataracts
• Corneal ulcers, and
• Glaucoma.

The Chihuahua, on the other hand, has a lifespan of 14-16 years and can be predisposed to:

• Patent ductus arteriosus
• Mitral valve disease
• Eye issues
• Patellar luxation
• Tracheal collapse, and
• Idiopathic epilepsy.

A prospective owner of the Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix should also note that both the Boston Terrier and the Apple Head Chihuahua especially are prone to the something known as Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome.

Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome is a condition carried by most dogs with shorter faces, due to their skull development.

The condition is known to cause breathing difficulties that can be worsened by heat and humidity, discomfort, snoring, sleep apnea, pain, and more.

To learn more about Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome and its symptoms, click here.

Due to the number of health issues your Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix may face in his future, you may decide to have him undergo early health screening.

How to Train and Exercise a Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix

Both the Boston Terrier and the Chihuahua are intelligent breeds, but while the Boston Terrier is known for his eagerness to please and ability to learn, the Chihuahua is a bit more stubborn and may not take to picking up lessons as quickly.

This has nothing to do with intelligence and everything to do with his hard-headed disposition.

Furthermore, the Boston Terrier is a friend to everyone while the Chihuahua can be more aloof with strangers.

Early socialization and obedience training beginning in puppyhood would help to stop unwanted behaviors, as will consistent and patient training that utilizes the positive reward system.

In regard to exercise, the Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix is an active little dog who will need a good half-hour of exercise every day and will enjoy playing games with his favorite humans as well as running around in a securely fenced in backyard.

Is the Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix Right for Me?

The Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix is a compact crossbreed who will do well in a number of home types from apartments, to sprawling mansions.

However, he may not be the best dog to join families with smaller children and other household pets.

However, grooming and overall care for the Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix is pretty simple, and his exercise needs make him a great choice for owners looking for a lap dog who loves to play.

Also, keep in mind that the Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix can be susceptible to a number of health issues as mentioned above.

Do you think the Boston Terrier Mix is the perfect dog for you? If so then keep reading, because we have some tips on how you can find the healthiest Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix puppy!

Finding a Healthy Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix Puppy

Research and patience are going to be essential in finding the healthiest Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix puppies.

Whether you plan on going through a breeder or you want to try a rescue shelter, getting your Boston Terrier Chihuahua puppies from a responsible source is of the utmost importance.

Most Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix breeders will charge around $500 to $1,000, with prices being higher if your crossbreed’s parents are show quality.

One of the great things about going through a reputable breeder is that they will have already health screened their puppies and will be able to provide you with certificates to prove it.

If you intend on rescuing your Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix from a shelter, adoption fees will usually be about $50 to $100 at most.

Also, shelters will usually cover the initial veterinarian trip!

So, did this article help you decide if the Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix is right for you? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

References

• Turcsan B., Miklosi A., Kubinyi E., Owner Perceived Differences Between Mixed-Breed and Purebred Dogs
• Howell T.J., King T., Bennett P.C., Puppy Parties and Beyond: the role of early age socialization practices on adult dog behavior
• Sutter N.B. and Ostrander E.A, Dog Star Rising: The Canine Genetic System, Nature Reviews Genetics
• Acumen L., DVM, DACVD, MBA, MOA, The Genetic Connection; a Guide to Health Problems in Purebred Dogs
• Purebred Vs Mutt-Common Objections to Mixed Breed Dogs
• Beuchat C., Ph.D., The Myth of Hybrid Vigor in Dogs…Is A Myth