Boston Spaniel

10-28 lbs
13-17"
United States
Boston Terrier
Cocker Spaniel

The Boston Spaniel is a designer breed, combining the Boston Terrier and the Cocker Spaniel. A medium-size sturdy dog, his coat is often medium length and shiny and the shedding is low to moderate. The Boston Spaniel is an intelligent, loving and playful dog who is good with children and enjoys spending time with the family.  Not normally a barker, his Cocker Spaniel side does make him prone to vocalization if left alone for extended periods of time. The Boston Spaniel make an excellent companion dog who will want to be included in every family outing.

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

Boston Spaniel Health

Average Size
Male Boston Spaniel size stats
Height: 13-17 inches Weight: 10-28 lbs
Female Boston Spaniel size stats
Height: 13-17 inches Weight: 10-28 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Glaucoma
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
  • Dry Eye
Minor Concerns
  • Cataracts
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Heart Murmur
Occasional Diagnoses
  • vonWillebrand’s Disease
Occasional Tests
  • X-Rays
  • Eye Examination
  • Electrocardiogram
  • Complete Blood Count
  • Thyroid Panel
  • vonWillebrand’s Disease Test
  • Buccal Mucosal Bleeding Time (BMBT)

Boston Spaniel Breed History

Robert C. Hooper of Boston, owned a white English Terrier. He purchased a Bulldog and the pair had a litter of puppies. The offspring of "Judge" and "Gyp" were then interbred with French Bulldogs, which led to the creation of the Boston Terrier around 1870.  The early Boston Terrier was larger than we see today, often weighing up to 44 pounds.   In 1893, the Boston Terrier was admitted to the American Kennel Club.  The Boston Terrier was the first non-sporting dog bred in the United States listed in the roster. Boston University made the Boston Terrier its official mascot in 1922 and the Boston Terrier also became the state dog of Massachusetts in 1979.  Currently, the Boston Terrier is the 23rd most popular breed in America. Dogs resembling the Cocker Spaniel were imported from Spain to England in the 12th century. Selective breeding during the 14th century produced the Water Spaniel and the Land Spaniel.  The smaller Land Spaniels were eventually called Cocker or Cocking Spaniels because they were used in flushing the woodcock bird from its hiding place during a hunt. The first Cocker Spaniel recorded in America was a dog named Captain, who was registered with the American Kennel Club in 1878. The American Spaniel Club was formed in 1881 and is considered the oldest breed club in the United States. Called the smallest member of the AKC's Sporting Group, the Cocker Spaniel is currently listed as America's 29th favorite breed.

Boston Spaniel Breed Appearance

The Boston Spaniel, once mature, will be a sturdy medium size dog. His coat will be medium in length and is typically smooth.  He will have drop ears and they are most often large. His dark expressive eyes are often round and his nose will be brown or black. The coat colors for this proud and perky hybrid are black, brown, and combinations of brown and white and black and white. His tail is carried straight and the muzzle and face usually take after the Boston Terrier parent.

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

Boston Spaniel Breed Maintenance

If your Boston Spaniel has a medium length coat he will need daily brushing and combing. Monthly professional grooming may be necessary if he has any feathering around the ears and legs as the Cocker Spaniel parent does. His nails should be trimmed monthly and checked often for cracks and tears..  To prevent tartar buildup, the Boston Spaniel’s teeth should be brushed several times a week.  Drop ears have a tendency to collect dirt and moisture so should cleaned with an ear wash when debris is noticed. Just be sure to dry the ears thoroughly after cleaning and any other time they get wet as the Cocker Spaniel parent is prone to ear infection.

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

Boston Spaniel Temperament

The Boston Spaniel will have personality traits from both his parents.  The Cocker Spaniel is an outgoing, confident and happy dog. A Cocker Spaniel that is well socialized at an early age will be good with children and other dogs.  He is a sweet and loving companion who is intelligent and eager to please, making him easy to train.  He does not like being left alone for extended periods of time and can be prone to separation anxiety, which may cause him to bark or chew on furniture. The Cocker Spaniel does have a hunting instinct, which makes him chase smaller animals.  Therefore, he should not be walked off leash. The Boston Terrier parent is an outgoing, intelligent and friendly dog. He loves to be included in family activities and can be a little rowdy and need a bit more attention.  He can be a little stubborn, so early obedience training is recommended. The Boston Terrier is usually good with children and other dogs. Your Boston Spaniel can be the ideal pet with kind and considerate handling. Be sure to make it clear that you are the boss though, so he will always be receptive of his place in the household.

Boston Spaniel Activity Requirements

The Boston Spaniel enjoys his daily walks. Care should be taken in extreme temperatures when exercising your hybrid as this mix can be sensitive to the weather. Do not exert him when it is very hot or very cold. He is happy to have a few short walks per day as long as there is some mental stimulation and attention in the mix when he is at home. As part of his exercise regimen, you can enrol him in obedience classes. He will enjoy the outing and benefit from the structure of the class. Additionally, it will help him build confidence, learn to interact with other canines in a neutral setting, and allow him to practise his listening skills.

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

Boston Spaniel Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
3 cups
cup per day cost cup per day cost cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$2.75 - $3.00
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$34.00 - $45.00
food bag monthly cost

Boston Spaniel Owner Experiences

otis
3 Years
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Easily the best dog I’ve owned. He is so loving and awkward haha.
2 years, 8 months ago
Lexi
8 Weeks
1 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Play
I have none just brought her home Thursday
2 years, 8 months ago
Oreo
11 Weeks
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Chase
Cuddling
Nap
My Boston spaniel is very affectionate and playful. He is very stubborn at times and has been kinda slow with training. He greets everyone with love and friendliness. My Boston Spaniel is an adventure in the making.
6 years, 10 months ago
Abigail
10 Months
1 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Ball play
Tug-of-war
Very affectionate very needy
6 years, 9 months ago
Boston
9 Years
4 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
We rescued him from the local humane society 7 years ago and at that time they thought he was around two years old. He has been a great fit for our smaller house with younger children. He is very friendly, affectionate, and laid back. He enjoys walks, rides in the car, and likes to chase the tennis ball around once or twice a day. He spends the majority of days and nights curled up and napping.
6 years, 8 months ago
Luna
4 Months
5 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Luna is very affectionate and very small, weighing only 4lbs at 4½ months old. She has separation anxiety and becomes destructive when left alone when not in her kennel. Her coatis very short/slick. She barely sheds at all and has no dog smell. She gets cold easily and likes to be snuggled in a blanket while she is being held. She sleeps in my daughter's bed and likes to be under the blankets. She loves toys with bells and squeakers and enjoys tug of war.if she's not playing, she wants to be held. She is very smart and remembers things.
5 years, 7 months ago
Nigel Bartholomew
10 Years
1 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Go to Park
Walk
Groom
Hike
Play
Nap
Chase
Fetch
Speak
Cuddling
Family Outings
Dog Parks
Eating Snacks
Dressing up
Laying in the sun
Playdate
Look out the window
Catch treats
Tug-of-war
Obedience classes
Agility training
Nose work
Tracking
Dog-friendly events
Puzzle Toys
My Boston Spaniel has been a very healthy dog, with the exception of cherry eye in both eyes when puppy, both fixed with surgery--some resulting mild dry eye. His coat is thick, brindle and fine. Aside from nails, the only trimming he requires is shaving his footpads. He does have a small amount of Dandie Dinmont terrier far back in his lineage. He is very friendly, expressive, loves to bark to alert, and chases small animals. Very fast runner but does not like to stray far from his main human, always keeping me in sight. Food driven and apt to overeat. Incredibly intelligent and easy to train but stubbstubborn at times.
5 years, 3 months ago
Anberlin Grace
13 Years
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
I had Anberlin her whole life. She recently passed away from congestive heart failure. She was the most amazing dog. Even as a 16 year old with no dog experience I was able to train her.
4 years, 7 months ago
Jackson
8 Weeks
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
My 1st time owner. But seems to be pretty happy. Loves to cuddle with me and hubby.
4 years, 6 months ago
Gus
10 Years
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He has cherry eyes like a Cocker. He is very smart and stubborn. He is our last dog as our other 2 have passed. I think he likes being an only dog of the house.
3 years, 5 months ago
Rover
2 Months
1 People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Just got Rover as a gift.
3 years, 4 months ago
Margo
6 Months
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
5-6 short walks a day
Playing with toys
She adorable, very sweet and loving. she very friendly and smart. She picks up things very easily. For example, after watching me make the bed, she does her version of making her bed too. It's so cute.
3 years, 4 months ago
Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
Sketch of smiling australian shepherd