Which is Better Between the Boston Terrier and the Pekingese?

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Boston Terrier Versus Pekingese: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Boston Terrier and the Pekingese? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Boston Terrier and the Pekingese better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Boston Terrier and the Pekingese.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Boston Terrier and the Pekingese is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Boston Terrier and for the Pekingese. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Boston Terrier and the Pekingese.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Boston Terrier or the Pekingese.

Boston Terrier versus Pekingese: Overview

A very important difference between the Boston Terrier and the Pekingese is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Boston Terrier is a small-sized dog while the Pekingese is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the Boston Terrier and the Pekingese are Companion Dogs. This means both the Boston Terrier and the Pekingese were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

Boston Terrier versus Pekingese: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Boston Terrier to the Pekingese based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Boston Terrier and the Pekingese

FactorBoston TerrierPekingese
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Weight10 to 25 pounds7 to 14 pounds
Height12 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span13 to 15 years12 to 15 years
Tolerates Hot Weather2/51/5
Does NOT Shed4/52/5
Does NOT chew on things4/53/5
Low Prey Drive4/51/5
Tolerates Being Alone3/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather3/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/52/5
Good For Novice Owners4/54/5
Affectionate With Family4/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers4/52/5
General Health4/52/5
Easy To Train4/53/5
Intelligence4/54/5
NOT Rambunctious2/54/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/54/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/55/5
Easygoing1/54/5
Kid-Friendly5/52/5
Dog Friendly5/52/5
Easy To Groom5/51/5
Tendency NOT to Wander1/53/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor1/55/5
Potential For Playfulness5/53/5
Average Lifespan14.0 years13.5 years
Average Price$1670$1930
Price Range$1200 – $1999$1288 – $2500
Temperament Score86.3 percent93.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
    		• No Data
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)5473

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Boston Terrier in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Pekingese. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Boston Terrier is 87 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Pekingese is 77 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Boston Terrier is a better pet than the Pekingese. So, you should get the Boston Terrier!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Boston Terrier and the Pekingese so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Boston Terrier and the Pekingese

    Below is a list of where the Boston Terrier and the Pekingese are most different:

    • Boston Terriers have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Pekingeses have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Boston Terriers are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone. However, Pekingeses are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle.
    • Boston Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly. However, Pekingeses do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
    • Boston Terriers get along well with other dogs. However, Pekingeses do not get along well with other dogs.
    • Boston Terriers are very easy to groom. However, Pekingeses require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
    • Boston Terriers do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Pekingeses do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.

    The Similarities Between the Boston Terrier and the Pekingese

    The Boston Terrier and the Pekingese are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Boston Terrier and the Pekingese are most similar:

    • Both the Boston Terrier and the Pekingese do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Boston Terrier and the Pekingese cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
    • Both the Boston Terrier and the Pekingese are not prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the Boston Terrier and the Pekingese are good for new dog owners.
    • Both the Boston Terrier and the Pekingese are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Boston Terrier and the Pekingese are very easy to train.
    • Both the Boston Terrier and the Pekingese are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Boston Terrier and the Pekingese adapt well to apartment living.

    Size Comparison of Boston Terrier versus Pekingese

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Boston Terrier and the Pekingese.

    Boston Terriers weigh 10 to 25 pounds when fully grown. Boston Terriers are 12 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Pekingeses weigh 7 to 14 pounds when fully grown. Pekingeses are 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Boston Terrier versus Pekingese

    The lifespan of Boston Terriers is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Boston Terriers is 14.0 years.

    The lifespan of Pekingeses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Pekingeses is 13.5 years.

    Boston Terriers live longer than Pekingeses.

    Temperament of the Boston Terrier Versus the Pekingese

    The Pekingese has a better temperament than the Boston Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Pekingese is 93.3 percent while the temperament score for the Boston Terrier is 86.3 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 86.3 percent, the Boston Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 93.3 percent, the Pekingese has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Boston Terrier and the Pekingese by measuring the temperaments of 80 Boston Terriers and 15 Pekingeses.

    Price of Boston Terrier versus Price of Pekingese

    The average price of the Boston Terrier puppy is $1670. The price of the Boston Terrier typically ranges from $1200 – $1999. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 865 Boston Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Pekingese puppy is $1930. The price of the Pekingese typically ranges from $1288 – $2500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 138 Pekingese puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Pekingese is more expensive than the Boston Terrier.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Boston Terrier and Pekingese. For different price points, the charts show how many Boston Terrier puppies or how many Pekingese puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Boston Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Boston Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Pekingeses

    A breakdown of the prices of Pekingeses

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Boston Terrier puppy or the Pekingese puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    The Intelligence of the Boston Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Pekingese

    `
    Boston Terrier Pekingese
    Intelligence Rank 54 out of 130 dog breeds 73 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More!

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
    • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
    • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
    • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

    Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Boston Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 54 out of 130 dog breeds. The Boston Terrier belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Boston Terriers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Pekingese has an obedience intelligence rank of 73 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pekingese belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Pekingeses tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.

    The Boston Terrier is more intelligent than the Pekingese.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Boston Terrier versus Pekingese

    Boston Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Pekingeses can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Boston Terriers shed more than Pekingeses?

    Boston Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Pekingeses shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Boston Terrier or the Pekingese

    Boston Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Pekingeses do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Boston Terrier or the Pekingese?

    Boston Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Pekingeses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Boston Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pekingese?

    Boston Terriers have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Pekingeses have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Boston Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Pekingeses?

    Boston Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Pekingeses are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Boston Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pekingeses Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Boston Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Pekingeses can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Boston Terrier vs. Pekingese

    Boston Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Pekingeses have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Boston Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pekingeses Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Boston Terriers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Pekingeses cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Boston Terrier or the Pekingese?

    Boston Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Pekingeses do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Boston Terriers good family dogs? What about Pekingeses?

    Boston Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Pekingeses are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Boston Terriers and Pekingeses?

    Boston Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Pekingeses do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Is the Boston Terrier Easier to Train than the Pekingese?

    Boston Terriers are very easy to train.

    Pekingeses are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Boston Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Pekingese?

    Boston Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Pekingeses adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Boston Terrier or the Pekingese?

    Boston Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Pekingeses are very good for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Boston Terrier versus Pekingese. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Boston Terrier and the Pekingese better suits you and your family.