Boston Huahua

A small hybrid that doesn’t lack in confidence, the Boston Huahua is a delightful mix of the spunky Chihuahua and the cheeky Boston Terrier. Lively though not hyper, the Boston Huahua makes a lovely little lap dog that is happiest when in the company of its family. As they do not have excessive exercise needs, they can fit in quite well to most busy households.

Neat and compact dogs, Boston Huahuas are built in good proportion and should be lean and muscular. Their attractive ears are typically slim and pointed, standing proudly on top of their heads. With many different potential coat colours and patterns, one Boston Huahua can look quite different to another. Many will, however, be a mixture of black or brown with white markings.

About & History

The Boston Huahua is a dog of many names and can also be referred to as the Bohuahua, Bo-Chi or the Chibo. A designer dog that is quickly making a name for itself, most believe that they originated in the USA, probably about 30 years ago. As the Boston Huahua has not had a lot of time to acquire much of a history, it’s best if we look to their parent breeds to get a better understanding of who they are and where they came from.

The Boston Terrier

The Boston Terrier is an interesting mix of some very popular breeds, including the English Bulldog, the French Bulldog and the Boxer and the breed first came about during the late 1800s.

Their place of inception is no secret and they are, of course, from the city of Boston. Their claim to fame is that they were the first ever breed recognised by the American Kennel Club. While most people will keep Boston Terriers as pets, they are quite athletic despite their small size and can do well in canine competitions, such as agility and flyball.

The Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are perhaps best known for being ‘the world’s smallest dog breed’, though don’t let this fool you! These spunky canines are no wallflowers and more than make up for their short stature with their bravery and loud voices.

Originating in Mexico a few thousand years ago, they are a truly ancient breed that was ‘adopted’ by the state of Texas in more recent times where they were further refined. With their fine bone structure and elegant gait, they are an Instagram favourite with many celebrity owners who appreciate their beauty.

Appearance

Though not as small as their Chihuahua parent, the Boston Huahua is a diminutive dog, measuring from 9 to 15 inches and weighing between 10 and 15 pounds. They are not as streamlined as Chihuahuas and have a more robust body shape which they’ve inherited from the sturdier Boston Terrier. Their skull is square in shape with a long forehead and eyes that are widely spaced. Their brown eyes are alert and engaging, while their characteristic large, triangular ears are stand tall atop their head.

The coat of the Boston Huahua is short and straight. Though not a hypoallergenic coat, they do not tend to shed too much fur. While many individuals will have black coats with white markings, they may also be brown, red, cream and brindle.

Character & Temperament

Inquisitive and fun-loving, the Boston Huahua is one to poke its nose in everyone’s business and doesn’t like to be left out of the action. They are bold and brave, never shying away from any situation and making excellent watch dogs.

Owners need to ensure they thoroughly socialise their Boston Huahua from as young an age as possible to ensure they accept children and other pets. Without an adequate socialisation process, some may be wary of strangers and snappy with young children. Similarly, it is never advised to ‘baby’ or mollycoddle the Boston Huahua, as this is a breed that can be prone to ‘small dog syndrome’, resulting in a spoiled pooch that doesn’t take no for an answer and refuses to follow basic cue words.

A content Boston Huahua will make a lifelong friend for every member of its family, showing them heaps of affection. Their kind and gentle nature is evident when they mix with young ones and they are always up for a game of fetch or tag.

Trainability

Adequate training is essential to produce a Boston Huahua that is not possessive or fearful. For those less experienced owners, it can be a good idea to hire a professional trainer or behaviourist at some stage in their first year to provide a good basis for the dog. Training should be kept positive at all times, rewarding desired behaviour at every opportunity.

It is known that some breed members can have the potential to be stubborn and require extra patience than others. It’s important to not give up on these cheeky pooches and to give them the time and extra attention that they need.

Health

While both the Boston Terrier and Chihuahua enjoy quite good health in general, there will inevitably be some health conditions that they can pass on to their offspring. In the recently created Boston Huahua, we watch out for the following issues:

Patellar Luxation

Many owners notice that their small dog will hop or skip on one back leg when running in the park but think that this is just ‘normal’ for them. In fact, this is often a sign of a knee cap that pops out and then back into place.

This problem can occur in one or both knees and is more commonly seen in small dogs. As dogs age, this joint instability can lead to local arthritis and pain. Patellar luxation is diagnosed on X-ray and, in some case, will need to be surgically corrected.

Allergic Skin Disease

Dogs with allergic skin disease may feel the urge to lick their feet, rub their face and scoot their bum on the floor in an attempt to alleviate the itch. One of the more frustrating and challenging conditions that vets are faced with, skin allergies can rarely be cured but instead are managed over time.

Some may decide to perform ‘allergy blood tests’ to determine exactly what an animal is responding to and they may then enjoy success by avoiding the allergic trigger. Where this is difficult to achieve (for example, in the case of house dust mites and grasses), a course of immunotherapy injections may provide some benefit.

Corneal Ulcers

Boston Huahuas can be prone to corneal ulcers due to the shape of their face and eyes making them more prone to injuries and eyes that dry out. Those with an ulcer may squint, produce excessive ocular discharge and rub their face on the floor. A simple stain called a ‘fluorescein stain’ can detect an ulcer.

Treatment typically comprises of antibiotic drops, pain relief and an Elizabethan collar to prevent rubbing. Most uncomplicated ulcers will heal quickly within a matter of days. Any ulcer that persists longer than this must be re-examined and may need more drastic treatment to prevent things from becoming worse.

Exercise and Activity Levels

A dog that keeps themselves busy around the home running from room to room and ‘exploring’, Boston Huahuas only need a couple of 15 to 20-minute walks a day to ‘do their business’ and get some fresh air. They are well-suited to apartment life and do not necessarily require access to a back yard.

As the Boston Huahua is an engaging and intelligent character, they need plenty of mental stimulation to avoid them from developing nuisance behaviours within the home. Chews and Kongs are great to leave with them when they are home alone, as are interactive dog toys and food puzzles.

Grooming

The low maintenance coat of the Boston Huahua is a real benefit, as they only need to be brushed on a weekly basis and are not prone to mats or tangles. They have a coat that sheds minimally but are not classed as ‘hypoallergenic’.

Boston Huahuas will benefit from regular tooth brushing, which can help to prevent periodontal disease. This can be introduced from six months of age once they have developed all of their adult teeth. As their ears stand upright, they are not particularly prone to ear infections, but owners should keep an eye out for any signs of otitis externa, especially in those with allergic skin disease.