Bostie

13-18 lbs

10-15"

United States, Scotland, United Kingdom

Boston Terriers

West Highland White Terrier

Bostie Terrier, Boston Westie

A Bostie is a determined, energetic, and curious companion dog. They require a moderate amount of activity and a lot of affection from their owners. Their lifespan is average for small breed dogs between 10 and 14 years. They generally weigh between 14 and 20 pounds and grow to be between 10 to 16 inches tall. Bosties have compact Boston Terriers bodies and Westie facial features and coat, which is typically long, black and white in color, and wiry in texture. Not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club, the Bostie makes a great addition to an active family.

Purpose
Companion


Date of Origin
Unknown


Ancestry
Boston Terrier, West Highland White Terrier

Bostie Health

Average Size

Height: 11-16 inches Weight: 15-20 lbs

Height: 10-15 inches Weight: 13-18 lbs

Major Concerns

Patellar Luxation
Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
Craniomandibular Osteopathy

Minor Concerns

Deafness
Cataracts
Copper Poisoning

Occasional Tests

Biopsy
Orthopedic
Brain Auditory Evoked Response (BAER)
Internal Imaging (x-ray, CT scan, MRI, etc.)
Blood And Urine Analysis
Ophthalmology

Bostie Breed History

The name Bostie, also known as the Boston Westie or Bostie Terrier, is a combination of the name of its parent breed, the Boston Terrier, and the nickname of its other parent breed, the West Highland White Terrier or “Westie”. The Boston Terrier is named after its city of origin, Boston, Massachusetts. This canine’s ancestor was brought to the United States from England in 1865. This feisty breed was mixed various dogs, notably the French Bulldog, to produce the beloved American breed we know today. From 1905 to 1939, the Boston Terrier was very popular dog in the United States. Today, it is on the roster of the American Kennel Club and has been since 1893. The Bostie’s other parent breed, the Westie, originated in Scotland back to the time of King James I and was bred to hunt fox, badgers, and vermin. The breed was known by other names in the past such as White Scottish, Little Skye, Cairn, and Roseneath Terriers. In fact, it was registered as the Roseneath in 1908 by the AKC. The next year, the name was changed to the West Highland White Terrier and has been a popular pet and show dog ever since. The product of these two breeds, the Bostie, started to be unofficially bred in the early to mid-1900s. It has only recently been acknowledged as a designer hybrid, but is not widely recognized or registered by the AKC.

Bostie Breed Appearance

Bosties have Boston Terrier bodies and Terrier facial features. The breed is small with a compact torso and muzzle. Bosties have an average weight of around 18 pounds and grow to be between 10 and 15 inches tall. Their coat is long, dense, and wiry – just like their Westie ancestors. Bosties are typically black and white, but can also have impressions of other colors common in Boston Terriers, such as brown and brindle. Bosties are tenacious, which is apparent in their determined and keen expressions. They have erect triangle-shaped ears, dark eyes, and a scissor jaw. Their relatively thin legs end in round, cat-like paws and support their otherwise sturdy, muscular build.

Eye Color Possibilities

Brown

Nose Color Possibilities

Black

Coat Color Possibilities

Black

White

Brindle

Brown

Coat Length

Short Medium Long

Coat Density

Sparse Normal Dense

Coat Texture

Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Bostie Breed Maintenance

Bosties are not completely hypoallergenic, but produce less allergens due to the hair-like coat that they inherit from their Westie parent. Bosties’ long coat is prone to tangles and matting and should be brushed on a regular basis. Owners should also give their Bosties monthly baths and trim their hair around the eyes and ears to avoid infections in those areas. Some Bosties will require regular stripping and plucking to keep their coat is good shape. Like all breeds, Bosties should have their teeth brushed daily and their nails cut 1 to 2 times a month to prevent painful overgrowth, tearing or splitting.

Brushes for Bostie

Slicker Brush

Comb

Nail Clipper

Brushing Frequency

Daily Weekly Monthly

Bostie Temperament

Bosties are generally happy and social animals that get very attached to their owners. They are outgoing and get along well with children, though are sometimes shy around strange adults. Along those same lines, they should be introduced to new dogs slowly. Once a Bostie makes a friend, however, they will be very affable and playful from there on out. The Bostie’s lovely disposition makes them wonderful house pets and family companions. At the same time, Bosties inherit a sense of staunch independence from both of its parent breeds. As such, they can be difficult to train and relatively demanding, which can be frustrating for owners. Bosties also tend to bark and dig if they become restless. The best way to counteract these instincts is to expose Bosties to diligent training early and consistently. This breed can be sensitive and will quickly become timid or shy if mistreated. It follows that Bosties do best in affectionate and reaffirming home environments.

Bostie Activity Requirements

The Bostie is an upbeat breed that requires moderate exercise and consistent human affection. They enjoy short to moderate walks, casual romps in the park, and/or laid-back playtime with their owners. Bosties have moderate impulses to wander and hunt, so it is best to monitor this breed at all times when it is outside. Bosties will adapt well to apartment life in an urban area if they are provided with this type of regular activity and socialization. It’s important to note, however, that Bosties are primarily house dogs, so quality “hangout” time indoors is just as – if not more – important to this breed. Overall, Bosties will be happy pets if they remain close to their owners and have opportunities to socialize throughout the day.

Activity Level

Low
Medium
High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
6 miles

Minutes of Activity Per Day
60 minutes

Similar Maintenance Breeds to Bostie

Similarly Sized Breeds to Bostie

Bostie Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
1 cups
Daily Cost
$0.75 - $1.00
Monthly Cost
$20.00 - $30.00

Written by Kathleen Egger

Published: 10/16/2017, edited: 02/24/2021

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