Boston Malterrier

9-22 lbs
10-16"
United States
Boston Terrier
Maltese

The Boston Malterrier is a designer breed and is the combination of a Boston Terrier and a Maltese. The coat of this perky hybrid is usually medium to long in length and should be brushed and combed daily. Most often seen in black and white, the Boston Malterrier is described as gentle yet rambunctious. A dog who likes to be on the go and included in everything, he is spunky but may shy away from noisy children. This hybrid is the perfect companion for adults who are often home, or seniors who want a lively partner.

purpose Purpose
Companion
history Date of Origin
Unknown
ancestry Ancestry
Boston Terrier, Maltese

Boston Malterrier Health

Average Size
Male Boston Malterrier size stats
Height: 10-16 inches Weight: 9-22 lbs
Female Boston Malterrier size stats
Height: 10-16 inches Weight: 9-22 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cataracts
  • Glaucoma
  • Heart Murmur
  • Patent Ductus Arteriosis (PDA)
Minor Concerns
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Skin Allergy “atopy”
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Deafness
  • Misaligned Teeth
Occasional Tests
  • X-Rays
  • Physical Examination
  • Allergy Tests
  • Electrocardiogram
  • Complete Blood Count
  • Thyroid Panel

Boston Malterrier Breed History

The Boston Terrier originated in Massachusetts through the crossing of a white English Terrier and an English Bulldog. Described as the "American Gentleman"because of his tuxedo coat and kind nature, the Boston Terrier is presently the official dog of Massachusetts. In the early 1900s he was either the first or second most popular dog in the United States. Ranked as the 21st most popular today, he joined the American Kennel Club in 1893. A true American dog, the Boston Terrier came to be in America through the mating of "Judge" and "Gyp" whose offspring developed over the years to produce the intelligent terrier we now know. Once called "Round Heads" standardization was the goal of fanciers and breeders over the past 150 years. The Maltese is believed to have originated in Malta, an island off the coast of Italy. They are an ancient breed and can be traced back to 3500 B.C. They were once called, “Ye ancient dog of Malta”. Because they were often carried by ladies, they were described as “the jewels of women.” It is documented that Publius, the Roman ruler of Malta in the first century A.D., owned a Maltese. The Maltese became a lapdog and companion to royalty and to the rich and famous during the British Empire. There are numerous famous paintings and writings by Greek and Roman philosophers, featuring this special little canine. In the 1800's the Maltese was imported into the United States. In 1888 the Maltese was accepted by the American Kennel Club. 

Boston Malterrier Breed Appearance

The dark and expressive eyes of the Boston Malterrier are wide-set but are not protruding like that of the Boston Terrier. They often have a sparkle like the Maltese parent, giving an air of mischief to this dog's look. His muzzle can be short with a dark little nose.  The Boston Malterrier may inherit the brachycephalic features of the Boston Terrier, meaning the face could be slightly flattened. His coat is black and white and the face may have the typical "mask" seen on the Boston Terrier parent. His ears are usually large and folded over like the Maltese parent. His medium density coat can be wiry and is usually a bit longer than the Boston Terrier coat.  

Eye Color Possibilities
brown Boston Malterrier eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Boston Malterrier nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
black Boston Malterrier coat
Black
white Boston Malterrier coat
White
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Boston Malterrier wiry coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Boston Malterrier Breed Maintenance

If your Boston Malterrier has a medium to long length coat he will need daily brushing and combing.  A pin brush works very well in this type of fur; care should be taken to make sure the tangles are removed on a daily basis. Often, they can be worked through with the fingers. If fur tends to grow between the toes, trim it weekly. His coat may require bathing twice a month with a mild shampoo. Smaller dogs can often have dentition problems so the teeth of your Boston Malterrier should be cared for every day. Your hybrid, if taught the grooming routine early on in life, will soon learn to like the attention that grooming provides. Praise your dog while brushing his teeth and trimming his nails.

Brushes for Boston Malterrier
Pin Brush
Pin Brush
Comb
Comb
Scissors
Scissors
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Boston Malterrier requires daily brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Boston Malterrier Temperament

The personality and character traits of the Boston Malterrier will be a mix of both his parents. He will be an intelligent, playful and a sweet companion.  The Boston Terrier is well mannered and easy going but the Maltese can be a little territorial and snappy.  Early obedience training and socialization is recommended.  The Boston Malterrier can be prone to separation anxiety, which can lead to excessive barking and chewing. Positive reinforcement when training is a must, as is praise when you leave the house and when you return. Your Boston Malterrier may benefit from having a crate; often a dog will feel less anxiety when he has a space of his own in which to retreat when the house is empty.

Boston Malterrier Activity Requirements

This spritely little hybrid will love to walk. Anywhere that you go, he'll be happy to follow. Short spurts of activity are just fine - a trip to the dog park to socialize with friends, a meet and greet session on the street with the neighbors, or a romp in the fenced back yard are all suitable outings. This dog is not meant to be left alone in the yard unattended, though. He will not be happy about it and will bark, and possibly attempt to dig his way out. Best in a home in an urban or rural area, he is fine in an apartment as well, as long as he is not left alone for long periods. He will bark and cause a commotion.

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
6 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
45 minutes
activity minutes

Boston Malterrier Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
1 cups
cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$0.75 - $1.00
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$25.00 - $30.00
food bag monthly cost

Boston Malterrier Owner Experiences

Asher
4 Years
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Tug-of-war
Tag
Puzzle Toys
Sun bath
Hide & Seek
Walk
Chase
Our pup is gray with a white chest and boots (paws) when we got him as a puppy he was the classic black and white Boston color. He has the pointy floppy ears of a Boston as well as the playful bounce. He does take after the Maltese side because he tends to be territorial and takes a long time to warm up to other dogs. He is very playful, energetic, goofy, super trainable when it comes to tricks. He can be naughty at times, he had separation anxiety he doesn’t like to be alone so we crate him to help. For grooming we take him every other month, he gets his coat brushed every other day to help with allergies. After he turned 4 we increased his teeth brushing.
2 years, 8 months ago
Kiki
8 Months
7 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Chase
Tug-of-war
Hide & Seek
wrestling
She is so full of good energy and is very protective of me and the family. Very playful and smart. She can jump so high and enjoys running around the house in an obstacle course style way, is her favorite. So I'd say they are a very energetic breed. She loves to snuggle.
6 years, 5 months ago
Lulu
2 Years
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
An upstairs neighbor at a previous apartment had a litter of boston malterrier pups. We were coming home one night and the pups were playing on the balcony one night. She fell off the balcony, rolled under the railing, and was laying on ground. We hollered at them and told what we saw. The owner no longer wanted the dog. So we took her home.
6 years, 3 months ago
Rudy
One Year
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Trips to the apple tree and playing outside.
Meeting new friends
Laying in the sun
wrestling
The description given is pretty spot on.
5 years, 1 month ago
Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
Sketch of smiling australian shepherd