Kids, horses, cats. Active farm life. Travel.
Who is better suited?
I vote for Boston!
but I have never had a Frenchie, I just worry about their breathing.
The Bostons I’ve met have all been quite active dogs. Like all brachycephalic dogs, they can have issues with overheating, but the ones I’ve known have all been go-go-go and haven’t had too many issues.
My mother’s boyfriend’s mother (kind of a mouthful!) breeds Frenchies, and while they are sweet, lovely dogs, they are nowhere near as active as Bostons. They overheat quickly, and aren’t as interested in running around.
I’ve really liked all of the dogs of both breeds that I’ve met. Frenchies being the more “lie around and hang out” type, and Bostons more on the go and active. They seem to be equally good with kids/cats/other dogs – as far as you can say those things about a breed as a whole.
Neither are good dogs for an active lifestyle. Sadly both can have major health issues and can’t tolerate heat/humidity/exercise.:no:
There are many breeds out there that are made for an active lifestyle, even if you want to stick with a small breed. Keep looking :yes:
I kinda love both, but I vote Boston for easier kid-centric temperament. But the above concerns are very true for the brachycephalic breeds.
I adopted a Boston Terrier a few months ago, He is Wonderful! I grew up with a Boston and I was wanting another one after losing my senior greyhound a few months ago. I have another greyhound and he is a great companion to her, they play together really well. He is an easy going, friendly, little dude. He did have a rough start (he was hit by a car, and went to rescue for surgery) and you would never know it except for some minor favoring the leg. They are active dogs, most like to chew, they need stimulation and companionship. A boston is not a dog that can be kenneled all day etc. As others said they can overheat and are sensitive to heat and cold (but owning a greyhound that is nothing new for me). He loves kids, people and wants to please and be with his person. He travels well and is respectful. He is really smart minded and good with learning basic commands. I am super happy with our Boston and he fits perfectly with our lifestyle.
I would go for the Boston, because of they are great family dogs, and if you get a larger one are good sized also. Plus, I understand that though some Bostons can be snorers, that some Frenchies can be much louder snorers (snoring drives me nuts).
It might depend on where you live also. For example, having to shovel paths during snow storms is not fun. Or living in a rainy area with a dog that doesn’t like to get wet isn’t fun either.
Get one that is a mixture of both! If you plug in the breeds you like in Petfinder you can find all sorts of assortments, all of whom are looking for the right home just as hard as you are looking for the right dog. 
The “designer” tag for a Frenchie-Boston mix is a Frenchton. BUt when I delved into that world of hybrid/designer dogs I was less than impressed with breeding practices and most breeders seemed less like breeders and more like aficionados who can’t resist making puppies.
My new puppy is probably a little bit Boston, a little bit Boxer, maybe some other stuff . . . he’s literally the first mutt I’ve ever owned and he’s perfect! 
I vote Boston. We have one a year old and he handles the horse shows just fine. Keep him out of the hottest part of the day and provide plenty of water and he does lovely. I would not give him to my kiddo to drag around on a leash at the show all day but with a few restrictions he handles it. He is very loving loyal …a kids best friend type dog. Plus hes portable low shed and likes to travel. Great horse show for me. ^^ Commenting about 2 posts up ours is a bigger more Old Boston Bull type vs the small smush faced showier type. Hes about 27lbs and has a bit more nose. There are plenty out there of that type… sportier Bostons I like to call them.
Just picked up our second on Monday and I just can’t say enough great things about the breed. 8weeks old and already will use her puppy pad or go to the door to potty.
Even know a few breeders that do fly-ball with theirs. They breath just fine.
There are plenty of breeders that put health first and have dogs with minimal/no issues.
Our new little girl Ruby yes shes a chocolate.
Love Frenchies! I don’t know about them and cats though. I also love Westies, also not sure about them and cats but great temperament.We have a bouvier,wonderful but very efficient transporter of whatever crap is outside, to inside. Definitely a lot of grooming (my husband’s job, thankfully) but GREAT with kids and cats (he’s been lightsabered, ridden, hog tied, chased, etc.) But…in your case, health issues aside, i do like the frenchies!!!
PM SkipHi4MeLad—she volunteers for the N.C. Boston Terrier rescue and would have some good info for you about both breeds (she and her DH were looking at Frenchies as well for their next canine addition).
Thanks everyone… I dont mind a dog that is somewhat heat intolerant, everyone is in the AC here when it gets bad anyway.
I have never had a small dog before, the rule has always been the bigger and hairier the better. But we babysat Whitney and adored her, and think we would enjoy a wee (my other dog is 100 lbs) one.
DW, I usually would agree with you but I am looking for some pretty specific traits and think I will need to go purebred to get them in a small dog. I am rescue adverse :lol: for the most oart unless it is hands on. So I think a breeder will be the way to go on this one.
MrB’s parents have a Boston and have had them for 30 years. They’re definitely a huge personality packed into a small body! MrB wishes he had gotten into agility with her since she’s so active. He trained her as a puppy, which I think is key if obedience and polite socializing are important to you. They can be stubborn and very opinionated! MrB’s parents’ Boston is a very, very sweet dog with people of all sizes and gets along with other dogs, but she can get bossy with dogs (especially with his parents… They aren’t into training or, well, consistency. Sigh) and can be a ball hog. She’s not one to fight, but her pushiness can piss of other dogs.
The dog is happiest in a 15 degree range of temperatures, from about 60-75. She’s the first to shiver, doesn’t dare do the rain, and the humans worry about her overheating at warmer temps. However in the rain and cold she happily wears a dog blanket which keeps her warm. We had a dog bell on the door when she was living with us for a bit and we had to take it down… The weather was nice and she was ringing the bell to go out and sunbathe. (We didn’t have a fenced yard at the time so we couldn’t let her stay out there). But it was kind of funny- she’d WHACK the bell, look at us, and whine.
I think she’s a fun dog for people who appreciate that big personality. To me, personally, she’s more dog than I prefer. However, we have a bunch of dogs as it is, and my favorites are the lazy, quieter ones- or at least the ones with easy off switches and not a lot of vocalization. I can’t say if other bostons are as vocal with their opinions, and maybe this one learned it from MrB’s aussie (she learned a lot of behaviors from the aussie- like herding). And her stubbornness translates into persistence. Lots of persistence.
I personally would want a dog with less energy and fewer/less bulldoggish traits. So I’m probably biased! I do enjoy that dog, but in doses and around fewer dogs (ie, not our farm of foster dogs, or a full dog park).
I wish I could speak of frenchies, because I love their looks, but i haven’t met any for any length of time.
I would not now which to choose, both would be very nice dogs for your family, but for one requirement, the “active”.
Bostons can stay with you all day, the frenchies I have known have been more the two minute dogs, run around for two minutes, then “rest a spell”.
I have seen some adorable Boston mixes! One of my neighbours had an entire male pit bull; another neighbour had an entire female Boston. You see where this is going…
Questionable animal husbandry aside (although both are very devoted dog owners and both animals have since been neutered/spayed)… the puppies were SO CUTE. The owner of the Boston ended up taking two of the pups. I see them out and about, and they are the sweetest dogs – they look like big Bostons, basically (maybe 40 lbs).
…The best part? They call them “Pit Bosses” :lol:
Another fun option and lesser know is the Old Boston Bulldog. More the original phenotype for Bostons. Back when they were robust and thicker.
[QUOTE=deltawave;6187891]
Get one that is a mixture of both! If you plug in the breeds you like in Petfinder you can find all sorts of assortments, all of whom are looking for the right home just as hard as you are looking for the right dog. :)The “designer” tag for a Frenchie-Boston mix is a Frenchton. BUt when I delved into that world of hybrid/designer dogs I was less than impressed with breeding practices and most breeders seemed less like breeders and more like aficionados who can’t resist making puppies.
My new puppy is probably a little bit Boston, a little bit Boxer, maybe some other stuff . . . he’s literally the first mutt I’ve ever owned and he’s perfect! :D[/QUOTE]
Clients of mine just adopted the most adorable Bullduggle (bulldogXpuggle)…Busta be his name…cute beyond words, with “that” look-the pug/Boston/frenchie lop-sided sclera-eyed “WHAATT?” look, usually accompanied by a snaggle tooth or 2 poking out…freaking irresistable
[QUOTE=deltawave;6187891]
Get one that is a mixture of both! If you plug in the breeds you like in Petfinder you can find all sorts of assortments, all of whom are looking for the right home just as hard as you are looking for the right dog. :)The “designer” tag for a Frenchie-Boston mix is a Frenchton. BUt when I delved into that world of hybrid/designer dogs I was less than impressed with breeding practices and most breeders seemed less like breeders and more like aficionados who can’t resist making puppies.
My new puppy is probably a little bit Boston, a little bit Boxer, maybe some other stuD[/QUOTE]
Clients of mine just adopted the most adorable Bullduggle (bulldogXpuggle)…Busta be his name…cute beyond words, with “that” look-the pug/Boston/frenchie lop-sided sclera-eyed “WHAATT?” look, usually accompanied by a snaggle tooth or 2 poking out…freaking irresistible!
We adopted a boston/fbd mix last summer. OMG!! He is the best ever! I truly love all my dogs but I see temperament and personality traits in this guy that I’ ve not experienced in other breeds.
I think he leans more towards boston in build and temperament but he doesn’t look like either one. More like a tiny brindle pit bull with stand up ears. Can you say cute?
If you would like to get a feel for either breed you could lurk on"Woof" forum which is Bostons, or"Frenchie Friends" which is FBD. You can get an idea of their temperaments, health issues, and what to look for in a good breeder of those breeds.
Gotta warn ya though, some of those owners are a little bit…Ummmm…obsessive.:yes:
Oh, and on your list of requirements, check, check, check, check, and check. One of the smartest, most trainable, thinking dogs I’ve ever experienced.
I really think it is going to be a BT, unless by some miracle the perfect cross between the two that is a PUPPY and is not being held ransom by some crazy rescue comes along.
I have gotten some very kind help in PMs regarding breeders so here we go
