Australian TerrierVSBoston Terrier

The Australian Terrier is known for being spirited, affectionate, courageous, while the Boston Terrier is typically described as friendly, lively, intelligent. These distinct personality traits mean each breed offers a different kind of companionship.

Both breeds share a similar playfulness level at 4/5, so you can expect comparable levels of fun and games from either one.

Noise-wise, the Australian Terrier is more vocal with a barking level of 4/5, while the Boston Terrier is quieter at 2/5. If you prefer a calmer household, the Boston Terrier may be the better choice.

The Australian Terrier is a small breed standing 23–28 cm (9–11 in) tall and weighing 6–7 kg (13–15 lbs). In comparison, the Boston Terrier is a small breed at 38–43 cm (15–17 in) and 5–11 kg (11–24 lbs).

These two breeds are quite similar in size, so space and food requirements will be comparable for either choice.

The Australian Terrier has a wiry coat available in blue and tan, sandy, red, while the Boston Terrier sports a short coat in black and white, brindle and white, seal and white. Coat type significantly impacts grooming needs and shedding, which we cover below.

The Australian Terrier has high energy (4/5) with moderate exercise needs (3/5). The Boston Terrier has moderate energy (3/5) and moderate exercise needs (3/5).

Both breeds have similar exercise requirements, so your daily activity routine won't change much regardless of which you choose. Plan for regular walks and play sessions to keep either breed content.

Both breeds shed at a similar rate (2/5), so you can expect comparable amounts of loose fur from either one.

The Australian Terrier demands more grooming attention with a score of 2/5, while the Boston Terrier is lower-maintenance at 1/5. The Australian Terrier's wiry coat requires regular brushing and professional grooming sessions, adding to the overall cost of ownership.

Annual grooming costs average around $150 for the Australian Terrier and $100 for the Boston Terrier. Factor this into your budget when deciding between the two.

The Australian Terrier has a lifespan of 11–15 years, while the Boston Terrier lives 11–15 years. Both breeds have comparable lifespans.

In terms of overall health robustness, the Australian Terrier scores 4/5 compared to the Boston Terrier's 3/5. The Australian Terrier is generally a hardier breed with fewer genetic health concerns.

Common health issues for the Australian Terrier include patellar luxation, diabetes, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, allergies. The Boston Terrier is prone to brachycephalic syndrome, patellar luxation, cataracts, deafness. Regular vet checkups and health screenings are essential for both breeds.

Annual vet costs average $400 for the Australian Terrier and $500 for the Boston Terrier. Pet insurance is worth considering for either breed.

Both breeds are equally trainable at 4/5. Consistent, positive reinforcement methods work well with either breed.

Both breeds match in intelligence at 4/5, so expect similar learning speeds and mental stimulation needs from either choice.

Regardless of which breed you choose, early socialization and consistent positive reinforcement training are key to raising a well-behaved dog. Puppy classes are a great investment for either breed.

Both the Australian Terrier and Boston Terrier score 4/5 for intelligence, putting them on equal footing mentally. They'll learn commands at similar speeds and need comparable amounts of mental stimulation to stay happy and well-behaved.

These breeds excel in different types of intelligence. The Australian Terrier leans toward obedience intelligence — quickly learning and responding to commands from their handler. The Boston Terrier, on the other hand, shows strong adaptive intelligence — figuring out new situations on their own and reading social cues effectively.

For either breed, mental enrichment is just as important as physical exercise. Puzzle feeders, training sessions, scent work, and interactive toys keep intelligent dogs engaged and prevent the boredom that leads to chewing, digging, or excessive barking.

The Boston Terrier edges ahead as a family dog, scoring 5/5 with children versus the Australian Terrier's 4/5. The Boston Terrier's friendly temperament makes it especially patient around kids.

If you have other pets, the Boston Terrier tends to get along better with other dogs (4/5) than the Australian Terrier (3/5). Proper introductions are still important, but the Boston Terrier is naturally more sociable with canine companions.

The Boston Terrier is more welcoming to strangers (5/5), while the Australian Terrier tends to be more reserved (3/5). If you frequently have guests, the Boston Terrier's sociable nature will make entertaining easier.

The initial purchase price for a Australian Terrier ranges from $1,000–$2,000, while a Boston Terrier typically costs $600–$2,000. The Australian Terrier has a higher upfront cost.

Ongoing annual costs (food, vet, grooming) come to approximately $850 for the Australian Terrier and $1,020 for the Boston Terrier. The Boston Terrier costs more annually, largely because of higher food costs.

Monthly food costs run about $25 for the Australian Terrier and $35 for the Boston Terrier. Over a typical lifespan, the total cost of ownership can differ by thousands of dollars, so it's worth factoring in the long-term financial commitment.