The Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix is cherished for its small size and loud personality. A cross between two popular dog breeds, a Boston Terrier and a Chihuahua, this dog is a perfect blend of some adorable personality traits.
Adorably called names such as a Chi-Bo, Bo-Chi, Boston Chi Parti, Bohuahua, and Bostonhuahua—this dog has a lot to offer. But is it the best pet for you?
If you have questions and want to know more about this unique mix, we are here to help. So, let’s take a closer look and see if this adorable small dog with a big personality can fit into your life and home.
Origin and History of the Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix
When it comes to the history of a Bo-Chi dog, it is important to mention here that this is a relatively newly bred dog. Like other designer dog breeds, there is little information available about when or where they were first bred.
So, to better understand this new breed, we will assess the origin and history of its parents.
Boston Terrier Dogs
The Boston Terrier dogs were first bred in the late 19th century in the city of Boston, America. They grew in popularity in the early 1930s and are considered one of the first few breeds in America that were not hunting dogs.
Chihuahua Dogs
The Chihuahuas are known to share their lineage with Chinese dogs. Traders brought these dogs to Mexico and started breeding them with local small-sized dogs. Their history dates back to the 1850s and was first found in a Mexican state named Chihuahua, which gives them their name as well. When Americans visited the city, they instantly fell for this mini dog and brought him to the U.S. with them.
Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix Appearance
As mentioned earlier, the Bo-Chi is a small-sized dog. These dogs reach a maximum height of 15 inches. The average height range for them falls between 9 – 15 inches, whereas their weight lies somewhere between 4 – 10 pounds.
The overall appearance of these dogs depends upon which parent they take after, but usually, they have a muscular body and a large head. Their ears are also large and pointed, and they have round, expressive eyes. Their tails are usually small, or they may not have one at all. Their coat is shiny, soft, and short, which doesn’t need a lot of grooming or maintenance. Also, these dogs are minimal shedders.
The most common coat colors for the Chi-Bo are;
- White
- Cream
- Brindle
- Black & White
- Brown & White
Personality and Temperament
Just like its physical appearance, the personality of a Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix dog depends greatly upon the parent it takes after more. If the Bo-Chi takes more after its Boston parent, you will have a more calm and quiet dog. It will be a friendly and social family dog. But if the Chihuahua side is more dominant in your dog, it won’t show friendliness because the Chihuahuas are not that social and outgoing.
Overall, a Bo-Chi is considered a good family dog because it is loyal and affectionate towards its owners. These dogs love to play and spend time with their family. They are sporty and athletic and are also very alert, making them good watchdogs.
Activity Requirements of a Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix
As the Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix is a sporty and active dog breed, it needs a lot of physical activity to stay healthy. But you wouldn’t need to worry about their exertion because they can get all the needed physical activity by running around and jumping.
You should still give it your attention for 20 – 25 minutes every day and play games with your Bo-Chi so it can bond with you. By playing a game of fetch or Frisbee, you can help your Bo-Chi release all the pent-up energy and burn calories. So, 15—20 minutes of such vigorous playtime will be enough for your dog to stay healthy and happy.
Bo-Chi Weight Chart with Age
| Age | Weight |
| 1 Month | 2.5 pounds |
| 2 Months | 4.4 pounds |
| 3 Months | 6.6 pounds |
| 4 Months | 8.8 pounds |
| 5 Months | 12.1 pounds |
| 6 Months | 14.3 pounds |
| 7 Months | 16.1 pounds |
| 8 Months | 19.8 pounds |
| 9 Months | 20.9 pounds |
| 10 Months | 21.3 pounds |
| 11 Months | 22.0 pounds |
| 12 Months | 23.1 pounds |
Grooming Needs of the Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix
Grooming a Bo-Chi is relatively easy as they don’t need a lot of brushing or bathing sessions. As they are minimal shedders and have a short coat, they don’t need high maintenance.
So let’s find out what you can do to keep your Bo-Chi all buffed and clean.
Brushing: As mentioned above, the Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix has a short and silky coat that doesn’t shed a lot. This makes grooming a Bo-Chi relatively easy. You wouldn’t have to worry about brushing their coat daily, and they can do fine without a brushing session for a week.
Bathing: Just like brushing, they don’t need frequent baths as well. These dogs are one of the very few breeds that don’t smell, so you don’t need to give them frequent baths. The only time you would have to bathe them is when they get into something muddy. Too much bathing can also dry out their skin. Also, ensure you use a shampoo specifically manufactured for dogs to keep their skin and fur healthy.
Ear Cleaning: One thing you should regularly do is check and clean your dog’s ear. It helps in preventing wax buildup inside their ears, which can result in ear infections.
Nail Trimming: Their nails also need to be checked regularly to prevent them from accidentally harming themselves. When you can hear your dog’s paws make a clicking sound while it walks, it means its nails have grown and need a trim. You can use nail grinders to safely trim your pup nails.
Dental Care: You need to take good care of your dog’s oral health and hygiene. For this, you should regularly brush his teeth with toothpaste that is specifically formulated for dogs. With good oral hygiene, your pooch will have healthy gums and strong teeth.
5 Reasons You Should Get a Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix
Before you decide to bring home a new pup, we urge you to do some research and educate yourself about its living needs. To help you here, we have jotted down 5 reasons you should bring home a Bo-Chi. Let’s check them out.
- A Bo-Chi makes a good family dog because of its loyal and affectionate nature. Families who are looking for a faithful pet dog will love to have a Bo-Chi in their home.
- If you are living in a small house or in an apartment, the Bo-Chi is perfect for you. This dog’s small size makes it suitable for keeping in small living spaces.
- These dogs are very intelligent, which makes training them easy and fun. They also love to learn new tricks and would try to impress you with them.
- As they are moderate to minimal shedders and have a short coat, they are easy to groom. This is why it is a perfect dog for people who don’t have much free time to daily groom their dog.
- They are active dogs but wouldn’t need much attention from you to fulfill their activity requirements. They can play on their own and love to run around. This makes them ideal companions for people who have a busy lifestyle.
5 Reasons You Should NOT Get a Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix
Even though these dogs have so many likable traits, certain things make them less desirable by some dog owners. Below we have gathered some reasons a Bo-Chi may not be the perfect dog for everyone.
- People who have other pets at home may not be able to own a Bo-Chi. The reason behind this is their small size. Other pets may easily intimidate them and become aggressive towards them.
- Although they are small in size, they cannot be confined to a very small space as they are high-energy dogs. They need to have access to an open place where they can play and get their exercise.
- They tend to be stubborn and don’t follow commands which can be frustrating for people who don’t have prior experience in training dogs.
- These dogs have a tendency to easily be provoked. For this reason, they cannot be trusted around children.
- As there is not enough information available about the Bo-Chis health, owning them can be a huge responsibility. They may be susceptible to several health issues which their parents had to face.
Health-Related Issues of a Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix:
When it comes to the health of a Bo-Chi, there is not enough information available. This is the case with any designer dog as it is relatively new, and there is not a lot of data at hand to know about the potential health risks it may face. But we can surely look at the parent breeds and see what health risks they usually face.
Dental Problems
Having oral and dental health problems is very common in many dog breeds. About 90% of dogs go through gums-related diseases before they reach the age of 2. As established earlier, it is important to keep your dog’s oral and dental hygiene in check and take him to a dentist every once in a while.
Heart Murmurs
Another common health risk faced by the parents of Bo-Chi is heart murmuring. This heart-related disease is common in a lot of dog breeds in the U.S. Heart murmurings result from a disturbance in blood flow which causes an audible noise that can be heard and differentiated from the regular heartbeat via a stethoscope.
Cataracts
This is another health risk that can affect your Bo-Chi. Cataracts result in cloudy eye lenses and can make it difficult for your dog to see clearly. It can subsequently result in Glaucoma, which is more serious than Cataracts and can eventually lead to permanent blindness in dogs.
Deafness
Some dogs are also prone to become deaf as they age. So, it is important to regularly take your dog to a vet and get his ears checked for any potential ear defects.
Patellar Luxation
This defect occurs when a dog’s kneecap gets dislocated. According to PetMd, “a luxating patella in dogs is a common condition in which the kneecap (patella) shifts sideways, or luxates, away from the normal position at the front of the knee.” It can temporarily affect your dog’s ability to move easily and can make him unable to bear weight.
Read: Why is My Dog Limping?
Under Bite
Although not very serious, some Bo-Chi dogs can suffer from an under bite condition. According to DentistVet, “underbite dentition is an abnormal relationship between the dental arches in which the upper jaw is shorter than normal relative to the lower jaw.”
To help your dog deal with this defect, you can offer him soft food which he can easily chew and digest.
Adopting a Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix—What You Need to Know?
Before you go searching for a Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix pup to adopt, it is important to know a few things.
Firstly, these dogs are very popular in the U.S., so finding a legal and ethical breeder won’t be a lot of trouble. Secondly, you should keep in mind that these dogs would cost you around $500 – $1000. Apart from the initial costs, there are other expenses as well, such as diet and food expenses, health care, and housing costs. So owning a Bo-Chi can be a bit expensive for you.
Another thing you need to be aware of is that these dogs’ coat doesn’t protect them from harsh weather. Thus, you should make arrangements to keep your pooch protected during the extreme seasons.
Life Span of Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mixes
A healthy and happy BO-Chi will be around for 15 or more years. Thus, it is important to take good care of your pooch, regularly take him for vet visits, and give him a nutritious and balanced diet. A Bo-Chi should also be provided with enough exercises to help him burn calories and stay happy. As he is an intelligent dog, you can also play games and teach him new tricks.
Final Thoughts
The Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix dog is a perfect mix of two loyal and affectionate dogs. These are ideal for families that live in apartments or small homes because of their small size. Also, they are quiet-natured and are not heavy barkers, making them the best choice for people living in quiet neighborhoods.
If you are looking for a faithful and playful dog with high energy and intelligence, then a Chi-Bo is ideal for you. They also get along well with older children, but small kids shouldn’t be left unsupervised with them as these dogs tend to get aggressive when provoked. They are very alert and make good watchdogs.
They are minimal to moderate shedders, so they don’t need a lot of grooming and maintenance. A weekly brushing session and a bath once a month are all he needs to stay buffed and groomed.
Thus, in a Chi-Bo, you can find an adorable companion that will learn new tricks simply to impress you and will keep you entertained with his intelligence.
