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Boston Terrier
| Other Names | Boston Bull, Boston Bull Terrier, Boxwood |
| Nicknames | American Gentlemen, Roundheads |
| Country of Origin | United States |
| Weight | 10 - 25 lbs. (4.5 - 11.3 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | 15 - 17 in. (38.1 – 43 cm) |
| Coat | Short and smooth. |
| Colour | The Boston Terrier is characteristically marked with white in proportion to either black, brindle, seal, or a combination of the three. However, there are also liver, yellow, brown, cream or red and white Boston Terriers, although these colours are not considered desirable by the American Kennel Club. According to the American Kennel Club, an ideal Boston Terrier should have white that covers its chest, muzzle, band around the neck, half way up the forelegs, up to the hocks on the rear legs, and a white blaze between (but not touching) the eyes. For conformation showing, symmetrical markings are preferred. Due to the Boston Terrier's markings resembling formal wear, in addition to its refined and pleasant personality, the breed is commonly referred to as the "American Gentleman." |
| Litter Size | 2-4 puppies ; because of this breed’s large head, caesarean births are very common |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 Years |
| Origin & History | The Boston Terrier is a relatively modern creation whose early breeders kept very close records and as a result of their diligent records keeping considerably more is known about the ancestry of this breed than almost any other. Although the Boston Terrier is a distinctly American creation, its ancestry can be directly traced back to two events in English dog history. The first is the keeping of organized studbooks by English Foxhound breeders; a process that began in the late 1700’s as English Foxhound breeders began to keep records of their dogs’ genealogies. Breeders of other dogs would follow this practice and add to it the exhibition of their dogs in competitions. This in turn would lead to the development of dog shows and kennel clubs and by the 1860’s, dog shows had become incredibly popular in England, a trend that soon spread to the Eastern Seaboard of the United States. The second event is the English passage of the Cruelty to Animals Act of 1835 which banned the sports of bear-baiting and bull-baiting. Both of which had previously been some of the most popular forms of gambling and recreation in that country. The cessation of bear and bull-baiting created a void, both in terms of a gambling venue and a way to satisfy the desire of the public for blood sports. This would lead to a rapid rise in the popularity of dog fighting. As the sport became more widespread and more and more money was on the line dog fighters quickly realized that there were two types of dogs best suited for competition in the fighting pit. The first of which was the terrier, which at this time was more descriptive of a type rather than a specific breed. Terriers of this time were known for having sufficient levels of dog aggression to fight another dog to the death, and also for their extremely fast-paced and exciting fighting style. The second was Bulldogs, which although it was illegal still found themselves still pitted against bulls in underground matches. Bulldogs which outwardly would have appeared to be the better fighting dog were larger and more impressive looking than Terriers and also had stronger jaws and necks, but they tended to be quite sluggish and lacked the requisite aggression to fight another dog to the death. This would lead English dog fighters to cross Bulldogs and Terriers in order to create the “ultimate” fighting dog, mixes popularly known as Bull and Terriers. Bull and Terriers would eventually breed true, and several distinct varieties were developed. The two most common eventually became known as Bull Terriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers. Their popularity as a fighting dog would lead to their importation into the United States, a process that began in the early 19th century, and it was there that they would eventually become known as Pit Bull Terriers. Once in America the type would experience a fairly rapid rise in popularity especially in major Eastern Cities where they earned the nickname Yankee Terriers. Despite having true-breeding types of Bull Terriers, Bulldogs and Terriers were still commonly crossed to create Bull and Terriers. During these years, Bull Terriers exhibited a substantially greater variation than is common today. Some had the elongated head of the modern Bull Terrier, others had a massive round head similar to an English Bulldog, and others had the intermediate head of the American Pit Bull Terrier. Bull and Terriers were especially popular in the city of Boston. For many decades, breeders in that city focused almost entirely on working ability, which meant skill in the fighting arena. That began to change around the year 1865. In approximately that year, a Boston man by the name of Mr. Robert C. Hooper acquired a dog named Judge from another Boston man, Mr. William O’Brien. It is generally accepted that Judge had been imported from England, and that he was a cross between an English Bulldog and the now-extinct English White Terrier. Judge, more well-known as Hooper’s Judge, was brindle in color with a white stripe down his face. He weighed approximately 32 pounds, as was relatively-long-legged. His head was large and stocky, but had the nearly even mouth of the modern Boston Terrier. Judge was bred to a white English Bulldog named Burnett’s Gyp owned by Edward Burnett of Southboro, Massachusetts. One of the resulting puppies became known as Well’s Eph, a short, evenly marked brindle dog. Eph was then mated to Tobin’s Kate. Almost all modern Boston Terriers can trace their ancestry directly back to these four dogs. The descendants of Hooper’s Judge were notable for their rounded heads, which were much more similar to those of the Bulldog than a Terrier. These dogs became very popular around the city of Boston and were highly in demand among dog fighters. Very quickly, dog breeders with no interest in dog fighting began to take an interest in these dogs which at the time were known as Boston Bull Terriers or Roundheads. These breeders were more interested in creating a standardized dog with a unique appearance than in working ability. They began a breeding program based on the descendants of Hooper’s Judge. These dogs were heavily inbred, as well as being crossed with other dogs. These crosses were made to balance out appearance. Puppies that were too much like a Bulldog were crossed with Terriers, most frequently Pit Bull Terrier-type dogs. Puppies that were too Terrier-like were crossed with Bulldogs. Initially, English Bulldogs were preferred, but their place was quickly taken by French Bulldogs. French Bulldogs were both smaller than their English cousins and possessed the prick ears preferred by Boston breeders. Many of the early breeders of Boston Terriers were stable workers, and carriage drivers. These men borrowed the pedigreed Bulldogs and Terriers of their employers and clients to cross with their non-pedigreed dogs. In 1888, the Boston Bull Terrier made its first appearance in a dog show when they were exhibited in a generic class for round-headed Bull Terriers at the New England Kennel Club Dog Show in Boston. By 1891, there was enough interest in this breed that Charles Leland organized a meeting of breeders, to form the American Bull Terrier Club. These breeders compiled a stud book of 75 dogs whose origins could be traced back at least three generations. These 75 dogs form the basis of the modern Boston Terrier breed. The group also published the first breed standard. The club’s first goal was to get their dog recognized by the newly formed American Kennel Club (AKC). There were initially some hurdles, of which perhaps the greatest was opposition from Bull Terrier breeders who objected to the breed’s name. The AKC also did not feel that the name Roundhead was appropriate. A compromise was reached to give the dog the official name of the Boston Terrier, which is how it is now known throughout the world. In 1893, the AKC officially granted full recognition to the Boston Terrier, and to the recently renamed Boston Terrier Club of America (BTCA) as the official breed club. This marked several milestones. The Boston Terrier became the first breed created in America to be granted official recognition by the AKC. Similarly, the breed became the first (and only) dog breed named after an American City. The Boston Terrier is also widely recognized as the first dog breed to be developed in America for companionship and conformation rather than working ability, and remained as such up until the last few decades. Finally, the BTCA became not only one of the first breed specific clubs affiliated with the AKC, but also the first for a breed native to the United States. Although initially bred by barbers and carriage drivers, the Boston Terrier quickly found favor with the American upper class. By the end of the 19th Century, the breed was beginning to replace Toy Spaniels and Pugs which had previously been favored. Boston Terriers also found quick success in the show ring, and by 1900, 4 breed members had already claimed championships: Topsy, Spider, Montey, and Tansey. Montey and his sire Buster had more influence on the breed than any dog other than Hooper’s Judge, and the two combined sired more than 20% of all Boston Terriers registered with the AKC before 1900. The earliest Boston Terriers were quite variable in appearance, but by 1910 had become standardized into their modern coloration and markings. Popular with all classes, their charming appearance and playful, sweet nature earned many admirers and helped the Boston Terrier to rapidly spread across the United States. In 1914, the breed was registered with the United Kennel Club (UKC), becoming one of the first companion dogs to be entered with that registry. The years after World War I saw a tremendous growth in the American economy. The boom of the Roaring Twenties coupled with strong nationalist sentiment accompanying the American victory over the Central Powers led to a strong desire among many Americans to own an American dog. The Boston Terrier was the overwhelmingly popular choice. Throughout the 1920’s, the Boston Terrier was one of the most popular dogs in America, and in all probability was the most common pedigreed breed for that decade. The dog was seen as the ideal canine companion, small enough to live in the city, but also extremely playful and affectionate with children. Because of its great popularity, the Boston Terrier was almost ubiquitously used in advertisements, and this dog’s image appeared on everything from tobacco to playing cards. Beginning in 1922, Boston University adopted a Boston Terrier character named Rhett as its official mascot. The Great Depression of the 1930’s dampened interest in dogs in general and World War II saw the introduction of new breeds. As a result, the Boston Terrier was supplanted in popularity by other dogs. However, the breed maintained a large number of loyal fanciers, and while it never quite regained the popularity it enjoyed during the 1920’s, it also never fell far from the top of the AKC registration rankings. From 1900 until 1950, the AKC registered more Boston Terriers than any other breed. Since the 1920’s, the Boston Terrier has consistently ranked between 5th and 25th in terms of AKC registrations, coming in at number 20 in 2010. Throughout the 20th Century, the Boston Terrier was exported all across the world. However, nowhere else did the breed find anywhere close to the popularity it enjoys in its native land. In 1979, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts named the Boston Terrier the Official State Dog, becoming just the fourth breed to be so honored and one of only eleven total. Although developed as a companion and show dog, the Boston Terrier is a frequent and successful participant in a numerous dog sports including obedience and agility trials. This breed has also been used as a therapy and service dog. Despite its ability to perform other tasks, the vast majority of Boston Terriers are companion dogs, just as has always been the case. The incredibly charming appearance and sweet personality of this breed along with its comparatively low requirements make this breed among the best-suited of all dogs to life as a companion animal. Although it’s exact popularity will almost certainly fluctuate from year to year, all signs point to the Boston Terrier remaining an American favorite for the foreseeable future. |
| Personality | The Boston Terrier is gentle, alert, very intelligent, well-mannered and enthusiastic. Without the proper amount of mental and physical exercise it can become rambunctious and a bit high strung. They are very sensitive to the tone of one's voice. Boston's like to learn and therefore are not difficult to train. Their intelligence ensures they pick things up quickly. If the humans around the dog do not display the leadership that all dogs need, they will become willful as they begin to believe they are running the show and need to tell YOU what to do. Do not allow the Boston Terrier to develop Small Dog Syndrome, human induced behaviors where the dog believes he is pack leader to humans. This can cause a varying degree of behavior issues. Boston's need a gentle, but firm, confident, consistent pack leader who knows how to display authority over the dog. It is canine instinct to have a strong leader and this little guy is no exception to the rule. Either the human will be that leader, or the dog will. Some owners have reported that their dogs are good watchdogs, barking only when necessary, while other owners have reported their female Boston Terriers do not bark at the door at all. Most reliable with children, especially good with elderly people and very friendly with strangers, the Boston Terrier is playful, very affectionate and likes to be part of the family. Very popular in the United States, due above all to its excellent character, they generally get along well with non-canine pets. Without proper leadership from humans communicating to the dog what is acceptable behavior and what is not, they can become dominant and may fight with other dogs. These little dogs may be difficult to housebreak. |
Care Requirements
| Health | Boston Terriers are known to suffer from a number of health problems, and many experts consider them to be a relatively unhealthy dog. In fact, most experts put health as their number one concern for those interested in acquiring a Boston Terrier. Most of their problems are a result of the breed’s unnatural brachycephalic head, which is responsible for a number of maladies. However, most of the Boston Terrier’s problems are not fatal or life-shortening, and this breed tends to live a very long life. The average life expectancy for Boston Terriers is from 12 to 14 years, but it is surprisingly common for these dogs to reach advanced ages of 16 or older. The head of the Boston Terrier has been incredibly modified from that of the wolf, or even the Bull Terriers, from which it descends. Unfortunately, the dog’s internal anatomy has not had time to adapt to this shape. Boston Terriers have a number of breathing problems. That is why they wheeze, snort, and snore. Dogs use the air that they breathe both to power their bodies and to cool themselves off. Because Boston Terriers have difficulty breathing, they get winded easily during exercise and often need to stop. Also, they have great difficulty in high temperatures. Boston Terriers develop and die of heat stroke more quickly and at lower temperatures than many other breeds. The shorted face of the Boston Terrier often makes the dog’s eyes bulge out. This makes them considerably more susceptible to a number of eye conditions, but makes them highly vulnerable to physical injury or even loss. Breeders have tried to keep this dog’s head small enough that it can whelp naturally, but many Boston Terriers require Caesarian Sections to give birth. Because skeletal and visual problems have been known to occur in this breed (hip dysplasia is quite commonly seen) it is highly advisable for owners to have their pets tested by both the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF). The OFA and CERF perform genetic and other tests to identify potential health defects before they show up. This is especially valuable in the detection of conditions that do not show up until the dog has reached an advanced age, making it especially important for anyone considering breeding their dog to have them tested to prevent the spread of potential genetic conditions to its offspring. |
| Grooming | The smooth, shorthaired coat is easy to groom. Comb and brush with a firm bristle brush and bathe only when necessary. Wipe the face with a damp cloth every day and clean the prominent eyes carefully. Check both the ears and eyes for grass seeds. Ticks may also lurk in the ears. The nails should be clipped from time to time. This breed is an average shedder and does not have a strong doggie odor. |
| Exercise | A long daily walk and sessions of free play in a fenced-in yard are all the Boston Terrier needs to stay in shape. They are fairly lightweight and can easily be carried. |
| Other Considerations | Boston Terriers are good for apartment as well as country living. They are relatively inactive indoors and do okay without a yard. This breed is sensitive to weather extremes. |
