How long does a Golden Retriever Boston Terrier Mix live?

A typical lifespan is 10–12 years, the midpoint of the Golden Retriever (10–12 years) and the Boston Terrier (11–13 years).

Is a Golden Retriever Boston Terrier Mix easy to train?

Trainability is very high, based on how both parent breeds respond to training. Start early and keep sessions short.

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Golden Retriever Boston Terrier Mix

A Golden Retriever Boston Terrier mix is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Boston Terrier. Most grow into medium-sized dogs of 35–50 lb and live 10–12 years.

Golden Retriever, a purebred dog — Golden RetrieverPhoto: Janneke Vreugdenhil, derivative work by Anka Friedrich, Public domain, source

Boston Terrier, a purebred dog — Boston TerrierPhoto: Svenska Mässan from Sweden, CC BY 2.0, source

Photos show the purebred parents. There is no single look for a mix: puppies in one litter can resemble either side.

Weight35–50 lbcan be 12–75 lb

Height18–20 inat the shoulder

Lifespan10–12 years

SizeMedium-sized

How big does a Golden Retriever Boston Terrier Mix get?

Golden Retriever55–75 lb

The mix35–50 lb

Boston Terrier12–25 lb

Pounds. The dark band is where most Golden Retriever Boston Terrier Mix dogs end up; the light band is the full range between the smallest and largest parent.

Height runs 18–20 inches at the shoulder, against 21.5–24 in for the Golden Retriever and 15–17 in for the Boston Terrier. The parents differ a lot in size, so litters vary more than usual. Breeders normally use the larger breed as the mother to keep whelping safe.

Coat, energy and training

Shedding

Very low to moderate

Neither parent has a low-shedding coat, so expect dog hair around the house and seasonal heavy shedding.

Energy

Moderate to very high

Plan on long daily walks plus real exercise, such as running, fetch or a sport. A yard alone will not tire this dog out.

Trainability

Very high

The Golden Retriever rates very high and the Boston Terrier very high; a puppy may lean either way.

Grooming

Low

A weekly brush and the odd bath keep the coat in shape.

Temperament

The Golden Retriever is usually described as friendly, intelligent, devoted. The Boston Terrier as friendly, bright, amusing. A mix can take after either parent or land in between. If you can, meet both parents of a puppy before you choose.

Golden Retriever vs Boston Terrier vs the mix

Trait	Golden Retriever	Golden Retriever Boston Terrier Mix	Boston Terrier
Weight	55–75 lb	35–50 lb	12–25 lb
Height	21.5–24 in	18–20 in	15–17 in
Lifespan	10–12 yr	10–12 yr	11–13 yr
Shedding	moderate	very low to moderate	very low
Energy	very high	moderate to very high	moderate
Group	Sporting	mixed	Non-Sporting

Questions about the Golden Retriever Boston Terrier Mix

How big does a Golden Retriever Boston Terrier Mix get?: Most grow to 35–50 pounds and 18–20 inches at the shoulder. Because puppies can take after either parent, the full possible range is 12–75 pounds.
How long does a Golden Retriever Boston Terrier Mix live?: A typical lifespan is 10–12 years, the midpoint of the Golden Retriever (10–12 years) and the Boston Terrier (11–13 years).
Does a Golden Retriever Boston Terrier Mix shed?: Shedding is very low to moderate. Neither parent has a low-shedding coat, so expect dog hair around the house and seasonal heavy shedding.
Is a Golden Retriever Boston Terrier Mix easy to train?: Trainability is very high, based on how both parent breeds respond to training. Start early and keep sessions short.

Other Golden Retriever mixes

Other Boston Terrier mixes

Figures are calculated from each parent breed's standard height, weight and life expectancy. How we calculate.