Bichon Frise vs Boston Terrier
A side-by-side breakdown of size, cost, grooming load and lifestyle fit — with a straight answer on which suits which household.
Short answer
Boston Terrier is the easier breed to live with for most first-time owners — it needs less grooming (1/5 vs 5/5); it costs less to keep ($58 vs $105 a month). Bichon Frise makes more sense only if you specifically want what it offers more of.
Comparison table
| Attribute | Bichon Frise | Boston Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Species | dog | dog |
| Origin | France | United States |
| Weight (kg) | 4–7 | 5–11 |
| Height (cm) | 23–30 | 23–38 |
| Lifespan (years) | 14–16 | 11–15 |
| Monthly cost (USD) | $105 | $58 |
| Yearly cost (USD) | $1260 | $696 |
| Purchase price (USD) | $1500 | $1600 |
| Grooming need (1–5) | 5 | 1 |
| Shedding (1–5) | 1 | 2 |
| Energy (1–5) | 3 | 3 |
| Trainability (1–5) | 4 | 4 |
| Apartment fit (1–5) | 5 | 5 |
| Good with kids (1–5) | 4 | 4 |
| Vocal (1–5) | 3 | 1 |
What the numbers mean
- Bichon Frise weighs 4–7 kg and lives 14–16 years; Boston Terrier weighs 5–11 kg and lives 11–15 years.
- On estimated monthly cost, Boston Terrier runs about $58/month versus $105/month for Bichon Frise — a difference of roughly $47 a month, or $564 a year.
- Both have the same apartment suitability score (5/5).
- Boston Terrier has the higher shedding score (2/5 vs 1/5) — higher means more hair on your sofa.
- Bichon Frise has the higher grooming requirement (5/5 vs 1/5) — higher means more brushing and professional trimming.
- Both have the same energy level (3/5).
- Both have the same trainability score (4/5).
- Both have the same kid-friendliness score (4/5).
- Bichon Frise has the higher vocalisation score (3/5 vs 1/5) — higher means more barking or meowing.
Cost over ten years
At the estimated monthly rates above, ten years of routine care (food, treats, grooming, medication, vet visits and supplies — excluding insurance, emergency treatment and purchase price) works out to roughly $12,600 for Bichon Frise and $6,960 for Boston Terrier. The gap is $5,640 — usually larger than the difference in purchase price.
Health profile
Bichon Frise
Boston Terrier
Both breeds are associated with Patellar luxation, so screening for these is worth raising with a breeder either way.
Which one should you pick?
- Choose Bichon Frise if you want a breed that copes well in a smaller home, prefer a calmer daily routine, and your budget covers about $105 a month.
- Choose Boston Terrier if you want a breed that copes well in a smaller home, prefer a calmer daily routine, and your budget covers about $58 a month.
- Neither, if the grooming load is more than you can sustain; both need regular coat care.