French Bulldog vs Boston Terrier — what nobody tells you before you get one
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chris_apartment·6 days·1981 views
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In the research phase for getting a brachycephalic dog. I've always loved Frenchies but the health costs I keep reading about are genuinely alarming — BOAS surgery, spine issues, skin folds. A Boston Terrier seems like a slightly hardier option but I don't know enough about long-term ownership of either.
For people who have owned one or both: what's the real day-to-day difference, what are the actual vet costs looking like, and if you could do it over would you?
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mark_pdx· 6 days
Frenchie owner, 4 years. I love Marcel to death and would do it again — but with eyes open. He had soft palate surgery at 14 months ($3,200), has had two ear infections per year, and requires daily fold cleaning or he gets skin irritation. Annual vet costs run me $800-1,200 not counting the surgery year. If your budget can't absorb a $3-5k surprise in years 1-2, get the Boston or a different breed. If you can, and you love the personality, go for it.
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dr_yamadaVET· 6 days
Medically: Bostons are meaningfully healthier on average. They have fewer spinal issues (Frenchies have IVDD risk), less severe BOAS in most lines, and lower rates of skin problems. Both need airway screening before purchase — never buy from a breeder who doesn't health test. For either breed, get pet insurance before 8 weeks old if possible and budget $1,500/year for routine + expected health costs as a baseline.
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morgan_review· 6 days
Boston person here — 6 years, one senior now. Vet costs have been genuinely reasonable compared to what I hear from Frenchie owners. One cherry eye surgery ($800) at age 2, otherwise just routine care. Very apartment-friendly, funny personality, much less snoring than Frenchies. My only complaint is they can be stubborn to train.
