Quick Links: Table of Contents
- How Long Boston Terriers Live. Boston Terrier Life Expectancy
- Lifespan of the Boston Terrier Compared to Other Dog Breeds
- Common Causes of Death in Boston Terrier, and how to Prevent Them.
- How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Boston Terriers
- How Old is Your Boston Terrier in Human Years
- How Long Do Boston Terriers Live in Human Years?
- More Ways to Make Your Boston Terrier Live Long
- Conclusion on Boston Terrier Life Expectancy
How Long Boston Terriers Live. Boston Terrier Life Expectancy
Generally, the lifespan of the Boston Terrier is from 13 to 15 years.
Moreover, a few years back, British Veterinarinan researchers performed a scientific study to determine the lifespan of the Boston Terrier. In this study, the scientists collected data on how long 42 pet Boston Terriers lived.
From the study, it was found that Boston Terriers have a average lifespan of 10.9 years. Furthermore, the study found that Boston Terriers can live for as long as 15.7 years.
Furthermore, researchers from the University of Georgia conducted a study to find out what are the top causes of death in Boston Terriers.
According to the study, the top 5 causes of death in Boston Terriers are:
- Neoplastic Disease: Issues involving tumors
- Neurologic Disease: Refers to problems with the brain, nerves, and spinal cord.
- Cardiovascular Disease: Encompasses heart problems, blood pressure issues, and bleeding/clotting problems. CV issues may also be related to lung and/or breathing problems.
- Respiratory Disease: Problems with lungs and breathing
- Gastrointestinal Disease: Any problems that affect the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, or rectum.
In this article, we will explain each of these diseases and discuss how to prevent the early occurence of each in your Boston Terrier to make your Boston Terrier live a longer.
Also, in this article, we will discuss other things you can do to ensure that your Boston Terrier have a longer than average lifespan.
Do you want to know how old your Boston Terrier is in human years? Then, check out our Boston Terrier age to human years calculator
Lifespan of the Boston Terrier Compared to Other Dog Breeds
See in the table below how the lifespan of the Boston Terrier compares to the lifespan of other dog breeds.
| Dog Breed | Average Lifespan (Years) |
|---|---|
| Lakeland Terrier Lifespan | 15.40 |
| Basenji Lifespan | 13.50 |
| Bedlington Terrier Lifespan | 13.30 |
| Welsh Terrier Lifespan | 12.60 |
| Shetland Sheepdog Lifespan | 12.50 |
| Dalmatian Lifespan | 12.50 |
| Cardigan Welsh Corgi Lifespan | 12.10 |
| Irish Setter Lifespan | 12.00 |
| Lancashire Heeler Lifespan | 11.70 |
| Kerry Blue Terrier Lifespan | 11.50 |
| Affenpinscher Lifespan | 11.40 |
| Cocker Spaniel Lifespan | 11.10 |
| Boston Terrier Lifespan | 10.90 |
| Bernese Mountain Dog Lifespan | 8.00 |
| Leonberger Lifespan | 7.08 |
| Irish Wolfhound Lifespan | 7.04 |
| Saint Bernard Lifespan | 7.00 |
| Great Dane Lifespan | 6.50 |
| Pyrenean Shepherd Lifespan | 5.79 |
| Grand Bleu de Gascogne Lifespan | 4.54 |
Common Causes of Death in Boston Terrier, and how to Prevent Them.
We will now discuss the common causes of death in Boston Terrier, according to scientific research. Also we will provide you advice on how to prevent these problems in your Boston Terrier.
Here are the causes of death, starting from the most common cause
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Neoplastic Disease in Boston Terriers
Neoplasms, or tumors, can be benign (like a lipoma), or malignant (cancer).
Neoplastic Disease is responsible for 30.4 percent of all deaths in Boston Terriers.
Causes of Neoplastic Disease in Boston Terrier
Neoplasms in dogs, just like in people, are caused by either a genetic predisposition (like some breast cancers), an environmental factor (like smoking in humans), or a combination of both.
How to Prevent Neoplastic Disease in Boston Terriers
Just like in humans, there is little you can do to prevent cancers that are caused by genetic factors. You can, however, reduce the environmental risks that are associated with cancer. The `environmental` causes of neoplasia are chemical agents, infectious agents, and physical agents. An example of a chemical agent that could cause cancer in Boston Terriers (and humans) is asbestos. An example of an infectious agent that could cause cancer in Boston Terriers is the virus called canine adenovirus. An example of a physical agent that can cause cancer in Boston Terriers is UV radiation from the sun, just like in humans.
Another way to prevent neoplasms in Boston Terriers is to vaccinate them against harmful viruses, such as canine adenovirus (DHPP vaccine at 8 and 12 weeks and then once a year, every year). As in humans, early diagnosis is the key to supporting Boston Terriers with neoplasms, so talk to your veterinarian if you find any new lumps, bumps, or discoloration on your Boston Terrier. You should also talk to your veterinarian if your Boston Terrier`s gums look pale.
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Neurologic Disease in Boston Terriers
These problems include canine cognitive disfunction, dementia, stroke, Lyme disease, and more.
Neurologic Disease is responsible for 22.2 percent of all deaths in Boston Terriers.
Causes of Neurologic Disease in Boston Terrier
Neurological issues can be caused by vascular disease, inflammatory disease, infectious disease, metabolic disease, cancer, and developmental disorders.
How to Prevent Neurologic Disease in Boston Terriers
Some neurological problems can be caused by infectious agents, like Lyme disease. You should always get your dog vaccinated with the course recommended by your veterinarian.
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Cardiovascular Disease in Boston Terriers
Cardiac problems may include valvular and vascular disorders, which ultimately lead to the heart`s inability to pump oxygen-rich blood to tissues. Cardiac issues can be acute or chronic, and can lead to progressive heart failure or sudden death.
Cardiovascular Disease is responsible for 12.7 percent of all deaths in Boston Terriers.
Causes of Cardiovascular Disease in Boston Terrier
Heart disease in Boston Terriers may be caused by genetic (inherited) factors, lack of exercise, and poor diet. Heart disease can also be caused by infections such as bacteria (endocarditis, myocarditis, and more) as well as viruses, fungi, and parasites (heartworm).
How to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease in Boston Terriers
You can prevent heart problems in your Boston Terrier by exercising your Boston Terrier regularly and feeding your Boston Terrier a good diet. Heartworm, which causes heart problems, is also very easily avoided by using preventatives. Giving your dog the following supplements can help prevent heart diseases. Here is a good supplement that can prevent heart problems in your Boston Terrier. The supplement is not only good for your Boston Terrier`s heart, but it is also good for your Boston Terrier`s overall health.
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Respiratory Disease in Boston Terriers
Respiratory diseases includes asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, and other conditions. May also be related to left-sided heart failure and other cardiovascular issues.
Respiratory Disease is responsible for 11.6 percent of all deaths in Boston Terriers.
Causes of Respiratory Disease in Boston Terrier
Some lung conditions can be caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Other lung conditions, such as asthma, can be related to allergies and genetic conditions. Some breeds (called brachycephalic breeds) are more susceptible to breathing problems. These breeds appear to have their noses and snouts kind of squished into their faces. Although they are very cute, these breeds can have serious breathing problems throughout their lives which may require surgery. Additionally, dogs and cats can often get colds and other upper respiratory infections because of stress. Common causes of stress in dogs include separation anxiety, thunderstorms and other loud noises, the introduction of other animals into the home, and more.
How to Prevent Respiratory Disease in Boston Terriers
Respiratory diseases can be prevented by supporting the immune health of your Boston Terrier, by making sure you feed your Boston Terrier a good, nutritious dog food brand, give them plenty of exercises, and help them live in a stress-free environment. There are several options for supplements and therapies that can help reduce stress in your Boston Terrier. Some Boston Terrier do really well with thundershirts, which are snug shirts that swaddle the dogs and help them calm down during thunderstorms and other stressful events. Furthermore, Boston Terriers that are anxious with loud sounds might also benefit from calming supplements, such as Anxiety TFLN. For general anxiety, the supplement Composure or Composure Pro might help calm your Boston Terrier`s nervousness. Some Boston Terriers do really well with supplements, but just like with people, supplements do not work for everyone. If you are not seeing results after a few weeks of putting your Boston Terrier on a supplement to calm anxiety, you should talk to your veterinarian about behavioral therapy and stronger medications.
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Gastrointestinal Disease in Boston Terriers
Gastrointestinal diseases includes vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, stomach upset, blockages, toothache, constipation, and more.
Gastrointestinal Disease is responsible for 9.3 percent of all deaths in Boston Terriers.
Causes of Gastrointestinal Disease in Boston Terrier
GI problems can be caused by a lot of different things. Often, GI problems like vomiting and diarrhea are caused by things that were eaten. It is best not to let your Boston Terrier eat human food or anything it finds outside, including garbage, plants and berries, fecal matter from other animals, and more. Vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach upset can also be caused by bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. Another important sign of GI problems is when your Boston Terrier stops eating or eats less than usual. This can be caused by many things; sometimes it could be that your Boston Terrier is feeling nauseous, sometimes it could be that your Boston Terrier has mouth pain, and more. In these cases, it is best to see a veterinarian to get to the root of the problem.
How to Prevent Gastrointestinal Disease in Boston Terriers
An easy way to protect your dog from gastrointestinal problems is to make sure they are on heartworm, flea, and tick medicine all year long (no matter where you live). Many heartworm medications can also de-worm your dog every time you give a dose. This can prevent nasty parasites from settling into your dog`s intestines and causing pain, anemia, and other serious issues. Another way you can keep your dog feeling good is by taking good care of their teeth! This is especially an issue in small dogs. The best way to care for dog teeth is by cleaning them a few times a week. Here is a great brush for cleaning your Boston Terrier`s teeth. However, if your dog will not allow you to do that, dental treats like these are a good second option.
How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Boston Terriers
Every dog breed has a set of genetic problems to which it is predisposed, and the Boston Terrier is not an exception.
These disease will reduce your Boston Terrier`s qualilty of life. Also, these diseases can shorten your Boston Terrier`s lifespan.
The good news is that these diseases can be prevented in Boston Terrier offsprings by only breeding Boston Terrier that have been screened and cleared of genetic defects.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is one the organizations that keep records of which disease to which a dog breed is genetically prone.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Boston Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy and live long, make sure that your Boston Terrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
If you do not know if your Boston Terrier has been screened for genetic health problems, then your can use an at-home genetic screening kit like this one to check your Boston Terrier for genetic health problems at home. This might help you in deciding whether to get your Boston Terrier a pet health insurance.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Boston Terriers for:
How Old is Your Boston Terrier in Human Years
The table below shows your human years equivalent age of your Boston Terrier. This table is based on a dog-to-human age study conducted by researchers from Purdue University.
Learn more about how old your Boston Terrier is in human years here.
In 1997, researchers from Purdue University developed a method for converting a dog`s age to its human age. Their method was based on the 1953 work of the French Veterinarian, A. Lebeau that we discussed above.
Researchers from Purdue University took Lebeau`s work further by taking into account two important factors to develop a more accurate method for converting a dog`s age into its human equivalent age:
- The size of the dog: Smaller dog breeds live longer than larger breed dogs
- The lifespan of the dog: Dog breeds that live longer lives will age slower than dog breeds that live shorter lives
The average lifespan of the Boston Terrier is 10.9 years.
Boston Terriers are small-sized dogs. Boston Terriers weigh 10 to 25 pounds.
The method developed by the Purdue University veterinarian researchers took into account the lifespan and size of Boston Terrier in converting Boston Terrier age to human age.
The researchers used data on the lifespan and weight of 5,608 mixed breed dogs and 17,927 purebred dogs to develop their method for converting the ages of dogs (of different breed sizes and lifespans ) to their equivalent human ages.
The calculator below lets you convert your Boston Terrier`s age to its human age based on the Purdue University method. Just enter your Boston Terrier`s age in the calculator and it will compute your Boston Terrier`s human age. If you do not know your Boston Terrier`s exact age, enter an approximate age in the calculator.
Also, the table below shows how old your Boston Terrier is in human years based on the method developed by the researchers.
Note that your Boston Terrier`s human age changes day by day. Therefore, always check back to use the calculator to find your Boston Terrier`s up-to-date human age.
Boston Terrier Age to Human Age Calculator (Purdue Uni. Method)
Below is a Boston Terrier age to human age calculator that is based on the methods developed by researchers from Purdue University.
The calculator will tell your Boston Terrier`s human age based on your Boston Terrier`s dog birthday. Also, the calculator will tell you which day is your Boston Terrier`s human birthday! Try it out!
| Boston Terrier Age (Years) | Human Age (Years) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 12 |
| 2 | 19 |
| 3 | 25 |
| 4 | 30 |
| 5 | 35 |
| 6 | 40 |
| 7 | 44 |
| 8 | 48 |
| 9 | 52 |
| 10 | 56 |
| 11 | 59 |
| 12 | 63 |
| 13 | 67 |
| 14 | 71 |
| 15 | 75 |
| 16 | 79 |
How Long Do Boston Terriers Live in Human Years?
The average lifespan of the Boston Terrier is 10.9 years. In human years, the Boston Terrier lives for 59 years.
How Old is 1-year-old Boston Terrier in Human Years?
A 1-year old Boston Terrier is 12 years old in human years.
How Old is 2-year-old Boston Terrier in Human Years?
A 2-year old Boston Terrier is 19 years old in human years.
How Old is 6-year-old Boston Terrier in Human Years?
A 6-year old Boston Terrier is 40 years old in human years.
How Old is 7-year-old Boston Terrier in Human Years?
A 7-year old Boston Terrier is 44 years old in human years.
More Ways to Make Your Boston Terrier Live Long
Here are more things your can do to make sure your Boston Terrier live a long life:
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Regular Exercise: Research studies have shown that one of the very effective ways to make a dog live long is to ensure that a dog is in good shape. Adequate exercise will make your Boston Terrier fit and make it live longer.
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Good Diet: A poorly-fed, underweight Boston Terrier does not have a good chance of living a long life. Similarly, an overweight Boston Terrier will have a shorter lifespan than a Boston Terrier that is of normal weight. Therefore, it is important that your feed your Boston Terrier high-quality dog food without overfeeding your Boston Terrier. Check out our Boston Terrier feeding guide here. Learn how you can prevent your Boston Terrier from being overweight here.
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Proper Hydration: Water is essential for your Boston Terrier existence. Therefore, you should make sure your Boston Terrier has access to clean water whenever your Boston Terrier needs water. However, too much water is bad for your Boston Terrier. See our Boston Terrier water drinking guide to learn more on how to properly hydrate your Boston Terrier.
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Spaying/Neutering: Sterilizing your Boston Terrier might prolong its life. Check out this guideline to know when it is the best time to spay/neuter your Boston Terrier.
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Routine Vet Care: Regular preventative visits to the vet can help catch diseases early.
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Vaccinations: Always make sure your Boston Terrier is up to date on its vaccination.
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Dental Hygiene: Your Boston Terrier’s teeth can get infected, and if the infection goes unnoticed, that infection can spread to other parts of the body and become systemic. This could lead to a shortened lifespan. You must have your Boston Terrier teeth cleaned professionally at your vet’s office a couple of times in its lifetime. Talk with your vet about the best ages to have these cleanings done.
Conclusion on Boston Terrier Life Expectancy
We hope the information we have provided will help your in increasing your Boston Terrier`s life expectancy.
Tate Ackerman contributed to this article. Tate is a second-year veterinary student at Kansas State University. Tate is also a concurrent Ph.D. student. She has a lot of experience reading scientific literature and communicating that information to a non-veterinary audience. Tate was a veterinary technician for a companion animal practice before she applied to veterinary school.