Boston Terrier Information

Welcome to your one stop shop for all the Boston Terrier information that you can handle! Here you’ll find information about the breed, known health issues and a quick breed history. If we missed anything, please let me know!

Breed Info

The Boston Terrier has earned the nickname “American Gentleman” due to it’s markings looking like the animal is wearing a tuxedo. The breed is often compact, muscular, and well proportioned with erect ears and short tails. Another distinguishing mark of the Boston Terrier is the short muzzle, which will be discussed further in the health section. Bostons have smooth coats that are usually three colors; black, brindle, and seal with even white markings.

According to international breed standards, the dog should weigh no less than 10 pounds and no more than 25 pounds. Boston Terriers usually stand 15-17 inches at the withers (the ridge between the shoulder blades of a four-legged animal).

The Boston Terrier is happy-go-lucky, clever, and smart with its actions. The breed is very friendly and eager to please their owners. The Boston is the perfect family dog as it is usually gentle, alert, expressive and well-mannered. Very rarely will you hear a Boston Terrier bark, only if the dog feels that it is necessary. Highly intelligent, these dogs are quick learners and are very easy to train.

Health Info

Boston Terriers are known to have the following health issues:

• cataracts
• cherry eye
• luxating patellas
• deafness
• heart murmur
• allergies

In addition: 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.

The Boston Terrier is a brachycephalic breed. The word comes from Greek roots “Brachy,” meaning short and “cephalic,” meaning head. This anatomy can cause tiny nostrils, long palates and a narrow trachea.

One of the most important issues regarding the breed is their inability to tolerate excessive heat or cold due to their shortened muzzle. Planning exercise for the dog around these conditions is probably best.

Bostons are also known for their sensitive digestive systems and are known to have bad gas. Regardless of a proper diet, there’s a great chance you’ll have a stinky Boston.

According to a UK Kennel Club survey, Bostons frequently require caesarean section to give birth, with over 90% of litters being delivered this way.

Boston Terrier History

The Boston Terrier Breed originated in Boston, Massachusetts in 1870. The story goes: A man named Robert C. Hooper purchased a dog named Hooper’s Judge how had lineage from the bulldog and terrier. According to published reports: “Hooper’s Judge is either directly related to the original Bull and Terrier breeds of the 18th and early 19th centuries, or Judge is the result of modern English Bulldogs being crossed into terriers created in the 1860s for show purposes, like the White English Terrier.^” Their offspring interbred with French Bulldogs which created the Boston Terrier. Originally bred as fighting dogs (up to 44 pounds), they were bred down to their modern size (around 25 pounds). The breed became very in Boston leading to fanciers forming the American Bull Terrier Club, but this proposed name for the breed was not well received by the Bull Terrier Fanciers. Soon after,  James Watson (a noted writer and authority) suggested 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.

Originally, the color and markings of the breed were not that important, but by the 20th century to color and markings of the dogs were written into the standard, becoming an essential feature.