Boston Terrier

Terrier Seated (Old Boston Bulldog) by Frances B. Townsend, Boston Public Library, 19th century

A young male Boston Terrier with a Brown brindle coat

The Boston terrier breed originated around 1875, when Robert C. Hooper of Boston purchased from Edward Burnett a dog named Judge (known later as Hooper's Judge), which was of a bull and terrier type lineage. Hooper's Judge is directly related to the original bull and terrier breeds of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The American Kennel Club cites Hooper's Judge as the ancestor of all true modern Boston Terriers.[9]

Judge weighed about 32 pounds (15 kg). Judge was bred to Burnett's Gyp (or Kate). Gyp was a white bulldog-type female, owned by Edward Burnett, of Southboro, Massachusetts. She weighed about 20 pounds (9.1 kg), was stocky and strong and had the typical blocky head now shown in Bostons. From this foundation of the breed, subsequent breeders refined the breed into its modern day presentation.[10] Bred down in size from fighting dogs of the bull and terrier types, the Boston Terrier originally weighed up to 44 pounds (20 kg) (Old Boston Bulldogs).[2]

The breed was first shown in Boston in 1870. By 1889 the breed had become sufficiently popular in Boston that fanciers formed the American Bull Terrier Club, the breed's nickname, "roundheads". Shortly after, at the suggestion of James Watson (a noted writer and authority), the club changed its name to the Boston Terrier Club and in 1893 it was admitted to membership in the American Kennel Club, thus making it the first US breed to be recognized.[9] It is one of a small number of breeds to have originated in the United States. The Boston Terrier was the first non-sporting dog breed in the US.

In the early years, the color and markings were not very important to the breed's standard. By the 20th century the breed's distinctive markings and color were written into the standard, becoming an essential feature. The Boston Terrier has lost most of its aggressive nature, preferring the company of humans, although some males will still challenge other dogs if they feel their territory is being invaded. Boston University has used Rhett the Boston Terrier as their mascot since 1922.[11] Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC has had a live Boston Terrier mascot named Blitz since 2003 that attends home football games.[12] The Boston Terrier has also been the official state dog of Massachusetts since 1979. [13]

A female Boston Terrier with a black coat

An adult male Boston Terrier with a black coat

The Boston Terrier is a compactly built, well-proportioned dog. It has a square-looking head with erect ears and a slightly arched neck. The muzzle is short and generally wrinkle-free, with an even or a slightly undershot bite. The chest is broad and the tail is short.[4] According to international breed standards, the dog should weigh no more than 25 pounds (11 kg). Boston Terriers usually stand up to 15–17 inches (380–430 mm) at the withers.[3]

The American Kennel Club divides the breed into three classes: under 15 pounds, 15 pounds and under 20 pounds, 20 pounds and not exceeding 25 pounds.[9]

Boston Terrier is a gentle breed that typically has a strong, happy-go-lucky, and friendly personality with a merry sense of humor. Boston Terriers are generally eager to please their owner and can be easily trained.[18] They can be very protective of their owners, which may result in aggressive and territorial behavior toward other pets and strangers. The breed requires only a minimal amount of grooming.[9]

While originally bred for fighting as well as hunting rats in garment factories, they were later bred for companionship. They are not considered terriers by the American Kennel Club, however, but are part of the non-sporting group.[9]

Both females and males are generally quiet and bark only when necessary,[19] though early training in this regard is essential.[20][21] Their usually sensible attitude toward barking makes them excellent choices for apartment dwellers.[18] They enjoy being around people, get along well with children, the elderly, other canines, and non-canine pets, if properly socialized.[2]

A newborn Boston Terrier

Boston Terrier in the agility ring.

Curvature of the back, called roaching, might be caused by patella problems with the rear legs, which in turn causes the dog to lean forward onto the forelegs.[2] This might also just be a structural fault with little consequence to the dog. Due to their shortened muzzles, many Boston Terriers cannot tolerate excessively hot or cold weather and demanding exercise under such conditions can cause them harm. A sensitive digestive system is also typical of Boston Terriers with flatulence commonly being associated with poor diet in the breed.[22]

Their large and prominent eyes make Boston Terriers prone to corneal ulcers. Due to the breed being characterized by a short muzzle paired with a large pair of eyes, their eyes are susceptible to injury when making contact with sand, dust, debris, or sharp objects, such as plants with thorns.[15]

Boston Terriers are brachycephalic, meaning that their head is both broad and short, resulting in small nostrils, long palates and a narrow trachea; the shortened nose of brachycephalic animals can lead to brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome. Bostons may be prone to snoring and reverse sneeze—a rapid and repeated forced inhalation through the nose—accompanied by snorting or gagging sounds used to clear the palate of mucus, which does not harm the dog if it does not last for more than 1–2 minutes.[23][24] Brachycephalic dogs may be prone to complications with general anesthesia.

Bostons frequently require caesarean section to give birth, with over 80% of litters in a UK Kennel Club survey delivered this way.[25][26]

A Boston Terrier's energy level is moderate, according to the American Kennel Club.[27] Two brisk walks per day is considered satisfactory for the breed's exercise needs.

With a short, shiny, smooth coat, Boston Terriers require little grooming.[18] Bostons produce light shedding, and weekly brushing of their fine coat is effective at removing loose hair.[28] Brushing promotes the health of the coat because it distributes skin oils, and it also encourages new hair growth.[28] Occasional bathing is suitable for the breed.[28]

The nails of Boston Terriers require regular trimming.[28] Overgrown nails not only have the potential to inflict pain on the breed, but they can also make walking difficult or tear off after getting snagged on something.[18][28]

Similarly to nail trimming, tooth brushing should also be done regularly to promote good oral health.[29] The risk of the breed developing oral pain, gum infection, or bad breath can be decreased with regular tooth brushing that removes plaque buildup and other bacteria.[29] In addition, poor dental hygiene can lead to tooth root abscesses that can lead to damage around the tissue and eventually lead to the loss of teeth.[30]

In modern days, aside from being an excellent companion, the Boston Terrier also excels in all sorts of canine sports. The breed is increasingly popular in dog agility competitions, obedience training, rally obedience, tracking, dock diving, flyball, weight-pulling, barn hunting and lure coursing.[31] Being such a versatile breed and with their outgoing personality and eagerness to meet new acquaintances, the Boston Terrier is a popular therapy dog.[32]

In 2012, a high school student named Victoria Reed took the advice of her veterinarian and submitted a photo of her Boston Terrier, Bruschi, to Guinness World Records.[33] With each eye being 1.1 inches, or 28 mm, in diameter, Bruschi is recognized by Guinness to be the dog with the largest eyes.[33]

In 1921 at a ceremony to commemorate the United States' 102nd Infantry, the U.S. Army awarded a gold medal to an honorable war dog: Sergeant Stubby.[34] The Boston Bull Terrier, possessing three service stripes and one wound stripe, was given a rank in the U.S. Army-making him the first dog to ever earn it.[34] The comforting, protective war dog was also rewarded a medal by France.[34] Sergeant Stubby died in 1926 with the legacy of being the United States' "greatest war dog."[34]

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• Bulanda, Susan (1994). Boston Terriers. Barron's Educational Series, Inc. ISBN 0-8120-1696-3.
• Lee, Muriel (1998). The Official Book of the Boston Terrier. TFH Publications. ASIN: B013J9J8WO.
• Axtell, Edward (1910) The Boston Terrier And All About It. The Dogdom Publishing Company. Battle Creek, Michigan. First Edition.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Boston Terrier.

Wikisource has the text of the 1920 Encyclopedia Americana article Boston Terrier.

• Boston Terrier Club of America, Inc.
• Boston Terrier Club of Canada
• The Boston Terrier and All About It at Project Gutenberg (First published 1910)
• “The Boston Terrier” in The power of the dog by Arthur Croxton Smith. 1910.