Boston terriers are adorable small dogs that are most definitely in my top 5 small dog breeds! They aren’t overly active which is great for sitting back and having a chill day with them when you aren’t up for anything more than 1 walk that day.
But let’s get to the real question.
Table of Contents
Are Boston Terriers Hypoallergenic?
Are Boston Terriers hypoallergenic? No, Boston Terriers are not hypoallergenic because they do shed. However, no dog is completely hypoallergenic because all dogs have dander on their coat that you will clean off.
What Does Hypoallergenic Mean?
This is a phrase commonly used when talking about something that won’t or is less likely to cause an allergic reaction.
So in the context of a dog that is hypoallergenic, it would mean that dog is less likely to trigger allergies as other breeds that aren’t.
This is because hypoallergenic dogs shed little to no hair which means they don’t spread as much dander around your home as other dogs.
Dander is an allergen and when dander is produced it sticks to your dog’s hair. After that, they shed their hair and the dander covered hair covers the surfaces in your home and fills the air.
This can cause several allergic reactions like watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, a runny nose, etc.
So hypoallergenic dogs are often seen as the best way to avoid these reactions if you are an aspiring dog owner that has a hard time around heaving shedding dogs.
It’s not always the dogs with long hair that shed the most either. Although German Shepherds do shed heavily and have long hair some breeds like boxers actually can shed just as bad.
In the case of Boxers, it can even be seen as worse because they are in a constant state of shedding as they never grow a winter coat.
Do Boston Terriers Shed?
Yes, Boston Terriers do shed however it is a much lighter shed than other dog breeds. It is still noticeable enough so that you will have to brush their coats to remove any hair and/or dander.
Those are the typical shedding levels, but certain Boston Terriers might be more prone to shedding than others. Same with their energy levels, some Boston Terriers require much outdoor activity and some require very little.
How Can I Live With A Dog That Causes Me Allergies?
This is tough, but not impossible. You can do a few different things to reduce the number of allergens you have to breathe in.
Most of these tactics are focused on cleaning solutions and heavily reducing loose dander. Here are your allergen reducing tactics:
- Brush your dog every day outdoors. If you brush your dog indoors you are just knocking the dander off your dog and filling your house with it.
- Do not touch your face after petting your dog. Especially your mouth or eyes.
- Vacuum daily with a HEPA filter vacuum.
- Have dog-free rooms. Ideally, try to make your bedroom a dog-free room that way you can give yourself some reprieve and you can sleep easier.
- Don’t let your dog on the furniture. They will roll all over it and wipe all their dander and hair on it until it covers the surface and eventually transfers over to you.
Wrap Up
So, are Boston Terriers hypoallergenic? No, they are not hypoallergenic because they still lightly shed and will trigger your allergies.
Unfortunately, if you do have a very bad allergy to dogs, there might not be any dogs that won’t trigger your allergies.
Boston terriers are also great apartment dogs so if you are okay with their shedding and live in an apartment they could be a great choice.
But, if you don’t have a heavy allergy to dogs Boston Terriers are great dogs that lightly shed. You should do some more research before you get a Boston Terrier to make sure it is the right dog for you, even if you only have light allergies to dogs.