Boston Terrier Age Calculator

Congenital sensorineural deafness is associated with the white coat pigmentation genes in Boston Terriers, particularly in individuals with extensive white markings on the head. The condition can be unilateral (one ear) or bilateral (both ears). Unilateral deafness is often undetected by owners, as the dog compensates well. Bilateral deafness is present from birth and requires adapted training approaches using visual cues. BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) testing can definitively diagnose the condition.

Prevention: BAER testing at 5-6 weeks of age can identify affected puppies. Responsible breeding avoids mating two dogs with extensive white markings, as this increases the risk of deafness in offspring. Deaf Boston Terriers can live full, happy lives with visual signal training (hand signals, vibration collars for recall, flashing lights for attention). They should never be allowed off-leash in unfenced areas.

Symptoms: not responding to loud noises (bilateral), startling easily when touched from behind, difficulty waking with sounds, not coming when called despite training, tilting head frequently, unusually hard sleeping

Boston Terriers' large, prominent eyes with shallow orbits are highly susceptible to corneal scratches, ulcers, and direct trauma. Their flat facial structure provides less protection for the eyes compared to breeds with longer muzzles and deeper-set eyes. Corneal ulcers can develop from minor scratches, dry eye, entropion, or distichiasis (abnormal eyelash growth), and can progress rapidly to perforation and vision loss if untreated. Eye injuries are one of the most common reasons Boston Terrier owners visit an emergency veterinarian.

Prevention: Protect your Boston's eyes from injury by avoiding rough play with other dogs, trimming vegetation along walking paths at eye level, and using pet-safe goggles for car rides with windows open. Monitor for entropion (inward-rolling eyelids) and distichiasis, which can cause chronic corneal irritation. Keep eye-safe artificial tear drops on hand. Any sign of eye pain or injury requires immediate veterinary attention — corneal ulcers can deteriorate within hours.

Symptoms: squinting or holding one eye closed, excessive tearing or eye discharge, redness of the eye, cloudiness or visible defect on the cornea, pawing at the eye, light sensitivity

A condition where the kneecap slides out of its normal groove, causing intermittent lameness. Boston Terriers are among the breeds most commonly affected. The condition is graded I through IV in severity, with Grades I and II often managed conservatively while Grades III and IV typically require surgical correction. Chronic luxation leads to progressive arthritis and cartilage damage in the affected joint. Bilateral involvement is common.

Prevention: Source puppies from OFA-certified parents with normal patella evaluations. Maintain a lean body weight to reduce joint stress. Avoid excessive jumping, especially from heights. Provide ramps for furniture access. Low-impact exercise and joint supplements may help manage mild cases and slow progression.

Symptoms: intermittent skipping or hopping on hind leg, sudden leg lifting during walks, bowlegged appearance in hind legs, reluctance to jump, clicking from the knee joint, sitting with one leg extended

A congenital spinal malformation where one or more vertebrae are wedge-shaped or butterfly-shaped instead of the normal rectangular form. This is particularly common in screw-tailed breeds like Boston Terriers, as the gene responsible for the shortened, kinked tail can also affect other vertebrae. Mild cases may cause no clinical signs, but severe cases can cause spinal cord compression, pain, weakness, and in extreme cases, paralysis. The thoracic spine (mid-back) is most commonly affected.

Prevention: Responsible breeding that avoids extreme screw-tail conformation reduces risk. Spinal radiographs can identify hemivertebrae in young dogs before clinical signs develop. Avoid activities that put excessive strain on the spine (jumping, rough play). Maintain a healthy weight. Dogs with mild, asymptomatic hemivertebrae can live normal lives but should be monitored for any neurological changes.

Symptoms: hind limb weakness or wobbly gait, urinary or fecal incontinence, pain when the back is touched, reluctance to move or play, progressive hind leg paralysis in severe cases, abnormal posture

A group of upper airway abnormalities including stenotic nares (narrow nostrils), elongated soft palate, everted laryngeal saccules, and sometimes a hypoplastic trachea that restrict airflow. Boston Terriers have a moderate degree of brachycephaly compared to breeds like Bulldogs and Pugs, but still experience significant respiratory compromise. BOAS severity ranges from mild (occasional snoring) to severe (exercise intolerance, cyanosis, syncope). The condition worsens with obesity, heat, humidity, and excitement.

Prevention: Maintain a lean body condition — excess weight is the most significant controllable risk factor for BOAS severity. Always use a harness rather than a collar. Avoid exercise in heat or humidity, and provide air conditioning in warm climates. Have your Boston evaluated for BOAS severity at 12-18 months — surgical correction (nares widening, soft palate resection) in moderately to severely affected dogs done while young can dramatically improve quality of life and may prevent secondary airway changes.

Symptoms: snoring and noisy breathing, exercise intolerance, gagging or retching, difficulty breathing in heat, blue-tinged gums during exertion, regurgitation after eating, sleep apnoea