Around the year 1865 in the City of Boston, Massachusetts "Great Experiment" was taking place. Some Bostonians who were true dog lovers
crossed the English Bulldog and the White English Terrier, and later on, to tone down the Bulldog traits, the French Bulldog. Photos of these
first crosses depict dogs that only slightly resembled the present day Boston Terrier.
Years of refinement by the founding fathers eliminated the all white bodies and white splashes, creating a smaller dog with a terrier type
body and a bully head. Early Boston Terriers were often called "round
heads" and later "bull terriers".
Today three sizes are recognized: Up to 15 pounds; 15 pounds and under 20 pounds, and 20 to 25 pounds.
The American Kennel Club admitted the Boston Terrier to its registry in 1893 and in less than 50 years from its creation the Boston had risen to
the Number One dog in the country. Quite an accomplishment!
This smart little dog, a true "American Gentleman", is still winning the hearts of everyone lucky enough to own a Boston Terrier.
PERSONALITY TRAITS OF A BOSTON TERRIER
The Boston Terrier is an ideal family pet and is a wonderful companion for the children. You may soon realize that two are even more fun than
one. Always comedians, a pair of Bostons will entertain you for hours.
A Boston Terrier is a loving, playful, very inquisitive and as we said,
"Always good for a laugh!" Highly intelligent and loyal, the Boston will
give his family ample warning when strangers are at the door, but he is
not a constant yapper.
Boston Terriers need one essential element in order to survive, TLC.
This spunky American Gentleman thrives on love and attention. Unless you
have a heart full of love and time to give him all he needs, then this
is not the breed for you. Be prepared for a Boston curled up on the
couch with you, and one who even expects to be taken into your bed at
night! After all, they are people too, aren't they?
Boston Terriers require daily exercise but because they are such busy
little characters, even an apartment dog will use up lots of energy
running from room to room.
This short coated breed is naturally clean with little or no shedding.
An occasional bath and frequent nail clipping will keep him spruced up
and ready for company.
COAT
The coat should be smooth, and shiny, and the skin soft and loose,
forming wrinkles at the head and throat. However, many French Bulldogs
and Boston Terriers have one or more skin problems.
The deep wrinkles of their faces should be kept clean and dry, as should
the areas between the toes, to prevent infections from developing in
these dark, moist areas. Good grooming, proper nutrition, good veterinary care, and an attempt to avoid breeding animals with known immune-mediated disorders are necessary to minimize the skin disorders.
**** Learn the truth about Colored Bostons.
DON'T BUY THE LIE!!!
UNDERSTANDING THE BOSTON TERRIER STANDARD
The Boston Terrier Club of America is a gathering place for all lovers and aficionados of the breed. Everyone is welcome regardless of the style of their Boston(s.)
Origin: U.S.A.
The BTCA developed a Breed Standard, approved by the American Kennel Club, that describes our breed. The Standard has its origins in the 1890's, created by the founders of the Boston breed during its infancy, and has had a few revisions, as allowed by the AKC, over the years, most recently in 2011.
The Standard defines General Appearance, Size, Proportion, Substance, Head, Neck, Topline and Body, Forequarters, Hindquarters, Gait, Coat, Color and Markings, and Temperament, and dedicated breeders strive to produce Bostons that most closely meet these defined attributes. Those who come closest and have no disqualifying characteristics are shown in conformation events, to obtain third party assurance (by way of a judge educated in the breed) that they are working in the right direction for the breed.
Disqualifications as listed in the Breed Standard that prevent a dog from participating in conformation events are:
1- Eyes blue in color, or any trace of blue
2- Dudley nose (one that is flesh colored and lacks any black pigment)
3- Docked tail (Boston Terrier tails are naturally short)
4- Solid black, solid brindle or solid seal, without required white markings
5- Any color not described in the Standard (black, brindle and seal are the only
colors described in the Standard, and so are the only colors allowed in the show
ring. Seal is defined in the Standard as "Seal appears black except it has a red
cast when viewed in sun or bright light."
Those who don't reach the show ring are placed in loving homes, where they can excel in obedience, rally, agility, lure coursing, barn hunting, dock diving, therapy…and of course, just as their siblings who spend time in the conformation ring do….as loving companions on our sofas and in our hearts.
Some breeders are breeding Bostons by following a different standard, or not following one at all. While these dogs are without a doubt loving companions, it is important to recognize the motivation behind such breeding practices and to know that they aren't condoned by the BTCA.
Whether your Boston is an agility star, an obedience nut, a barn hunting
fanatic, a conformation champion, or a beloved couch potato….or even all of
those things….if you love Bostons you are welcomed and encouraged to become part
of the BTCA.
Learn the AKC-BTCA Boston Terrier Standard.