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Bochi (Boston Terrier & Chihuahua Mix) Dog Breed: Pictures, Care Guide & Traits

Written by: Nicole Cosgrove

Last Updated on March 18, 2024 by Nicole Cosgrove

Bochi (Boston Terrier & Chihuahua Mix) Dog Breed: Pictures, Care Guide & Traits

The Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix is a small dog with a big personality. This mix is called several shortened names like Bochi, Chibo, and Bohuahua. It rarely stands taller than 15 inches or weighs more than 10 pounds and is often much smaller.

Breed Overview

Height

9–15 inches

Weight

4–10 pounds

Lifespan

11–16 years

Colors

Black, brown, tan, and silver

Suitable for

Apartments, families

Temperament

Playful, intelligent

Its appearance will be heavily dependent on which parent it takes after more, but you can expect it to have a stout and muscular build with a large head. It will also have a small tail or no tail at all, and it will have a short shiny coat that’s available in several colors, including black, brown, tan, and silver.

Energy
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High-energy dogs will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy, while low-energy dogs require minimal physical activity. It’s important when choosing a dog to make sure their energy levels match your lifestyle or vice versa.
Trainability
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Easy-to-train dogs are more skilled at learning prompts and actions quickly with minimal training. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice.
Health
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Some breeds, due to their size or their breeds potential genetic health issues, have shorter lifespans than others. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet.
Lifespan
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Some dog breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every dog will have these issues, but they have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Sociability
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Some dog breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other dogs. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed, it’s important to socialize your dog and expose them to lots of different situations.

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Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix Puppies

Both the Boston Terrier and Chihuahua are popular pets in America, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find a Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix. These dogs have a healthy lifespan and are highly-social dogs. They get along with other dogs and are ideal for individuals living in apartments and for families.

This mix breed dog has a wide variety of color coats, it is generally healthy and has very few health issues. Keep your Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix healthy with a balanced diet and enough mental and physical stimulation.

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Image By: Left- Eve Photography, Shutterstock | Right – liggraphy, Pixabay

Temperament & Intelligence of the Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix

The Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix is an active breed. It’s eager to play with family members and loves to learn new tricks. It’s not a suspicious dog and enjoys meeting new people, so it’s not the best choice as a watchdog. It likes to follow owners around and forms a strong bond with family members it spends time around.

With patience and plenty of positive reinforcement, your Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix will learn a new trick quickly. It enjoys being the center of attention and will look forward to your training sessions.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

Yes, the Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix makes a great family pet that doesn’t bark a lot like many other small breeds, including the Chihuahua parent breed. Its small size is well suited for small apartments as well as large homes, and it has plenty of energy for playing with children. It loves attention and will often be right under your feet or in your lap when you sit down. It enjoys meeting new people, so it’s a great choice if you like to entertain guests.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

Yes, the Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix gets along very well with other pets and will be quick to play games and pal around. The downside is that its small size makes it vulnerable to other pets that might be aggressive. Even a cat can present a very real danger to this breed, so you need to be careful when introducing them to other animals.

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Things to Know When Owning a Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix:

Food & Diet Requirements

Your Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix will need the same high-quality diet that most other breeds need. Crunchy kibble can help clean the teeth by scraping away the tarter, while wet food helps add moisture to its diet and can relieve constipation. We recommend looking for brands with chicken, turkey, beef, or salmon listed as a first ingredient. Brands that contain omega-3 fats can help the dog have a shinier, healthy coat, and it will also help reduce inflammation.

Exercise

Your Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix requires plenty of exercise, but the good news is that it will get most of it running around your home night and day. It also likes to jump and can get quite high. You will only need to set aside 15–30 minutes per day to throw a ball or play some games. Frisbee is a great game because it incorporates jumping, which burns lots of calories and will help your dog settle down at night.

Training

As we mentioned earlier, the Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix loves to learn new tricks to get attention. Set aside 5–10 minutes each day for training and be consistent to get your dog into a routine. Motion to your dog what you want it to do, and when it complies, give it a treat and some praise. Your Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix will catch on quickly and start learning tricks in a few tries. This breed can get stubborn from time to time, so you’ll have to try the next day again. Try not to let the dog see disappointment, or it might not be willing to carry on with the training sessions.

Grooming ✂️

The Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix is a moderate shedder, but the short coat is easy to maintain. We recommend weekly brushing to help remove hair before it winds up on your furniture, clothes, and floor. It doesn’t smell, so it will rarely need a bath unless it gets into something, but you will need to trim the nails when you hear them clicking on the floor. We also recommend manually brushing the teeth as frequently as the dog will allow using a safe dog toothpaste to help reduce the progression of dental decay.

Health and Conditions

Minor Conditions
  • Dental problems
Serious Conditions
  • Luxating patellas
  • Cataracts

Dental Problems

Dental problems are not only a problem for the Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix. They are a problem for all dog breeds in America. Periodontal disease, a disease affecting the gums, affects up to 90% of dogs by two years old. As the disease progresses, it will damage the teeth, gums, and supporting structures in the mouth. Regular brushing with a dog-safe toothpaste can help slow the progression of the disease, and frequent checkups can inform you of any problems early so you can treat them.

Luxating Patellas

Both the Boston Terrier and the Chihuahua suffer from luxating patellas, so it is a danger to your dog too. This condition causes the kneecap to temporarily pop out of place due to a malformation of the patella ligament. Over time the ligament will wear down more, allowing the kneecap to fall out of place more frequently. It can affect one or both knees, and there are several degrees of progression. Signs include difficulty bearing weight, and your dog may swing out its let to put the knee back in place.

Cataracts

Cataracts are another condition that can affect your Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix, and dogs with this condition will experience increasingly cloudy lenses covering the pupil in one or both eyes. If left untreated, it can make it hard for your dog to see clearly and can lead to glaucoma, an even more serious condition that can lead to permanent blindness. We recommend taking your pet to the vet if you notice one or both eyes getting clouding.


Male vs Female

The female Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix is a little more playful than the male but is more cautious of strangers. The male is friendlier to new people and enjoys learning new tricks but isn’t quite as fun-loving as the female. Otherwise, both sexes are similar in temperament, size, and weight.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix

1. The Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix only barks when necessary and is not a yapper.

This is good news for people who do not want a dog who is that vocal. Plus, if the Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix only barks when necessary, this means they have the potential to make good watch dog!


2. The Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix is one of the longest-living breeds, with most dogs living 15 years or more.

Looking for a long-term canine companion? The Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix can be by your side for more than a decade and half. Of course, this is all provided that the have a happy and healthy environment to in thrive in!


3. The Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix coat does not protect it very well from extreme weather.

Neither parent breed is known for their thick and wooly coats, so it should come to no surprise that the Boston Terrier Chihuahua mix will need some extra protection in very cold weather conditions.

 

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Final Thoughts

The Boston Terrier and Chihuahua mix is a fantastic family pet that is well suited to small city apartments, especially since it’s not a heavy barker. It doesn’t require much maintenance and gets along with children and other pets. Its long lifespan is a huge bonus, and it has very few health problems.

We hope you have enjoyed our look into this mixed breed and learned some interesting facts. If we have convinced you to get one for your family, please share this review of the Boston Terrier Chihuahua mixed breed on Facebook and Twitter.

See also:


Featured Image Credit: Alyssa Culpepper, Shutterstock

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