Boston Terrier

The Boston Terrier is a breed of dog originating in the United States of America. This "American Gentleman" was accepted in 1893 by the American Kennel Club as a non-sporting breed.[2] Color and markings are important when distinguishing this breed from the AKC standard. They should be either black, brindle or seal with white markings.[3][4] Bostons are small and compact with a short tail and erect ears. The AKC says they are highly intelligent and very easily trained.[5] They are friendly and can be stubborn at times. The average life span of a Boston is around 11 to 13 years, though some can live up to around 18 years.[6] They have a short nose, which can often cause breathing problems later in life, which is what leads to a low life expectancy.

Boston Terrier
Boston Terrier with a black brindle coat
Other namesBoston Bull
Boston Bull Terrier
Boxwood[1]
American Gentlemen
OriginThe United States of America
Traits
Weight 6–25 lb (3–11 kg)
Height 9–15 in (23–38 cm)
Coat Short, smooth and slick
Color Brindle with White
Seal with White
Black with White
Litter size 1–6 puppies
Life span 13-15 years
Kennel club standards
American Kennel Club standard
FCI standard
NotesState dog of Massachusetts
Dog (domestic dog)

The American Kennel Club ranked the Boston Terrier as the 21st most popular breed in 2019.[7][8]

History
A six-month-old female Boston Terrier with a black coat
A young male Boston Terrier with a black 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 Mr. Edward Burnett, of Southboro, MA. She weighed about 20 pounds, 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 what we know of it today. [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. 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 is the official state dog of Massachusetts.

Description
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][13] 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 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]

Coat and color

The Boston Terrier is characteristically marked with white in proportion to either black, brindle, seal (color of a wet seal, a very dark brown that looks black except in the bright sun), or a combination of the three.[9] Any other color is not accepted as a Boston Terrier by the American Kennel Club, as they are usually obtained by crossbreeding with other breeds and the dog loses its characteristic "tuxedo" appearance.[3][4] Any Boston from AKC parentage regardless of the color, or if it is a splash or has a blue eye or weak ears, can be and are registered by the AKC and participate in any AKC sporting events.

According to the American Kennel Club, an ideal Boston Terrier should have white that covers its chest and muzzle, a band around the neck, halfway 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.[3] 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."[2][9]

Notable features

The Boston Terrier's large, prominent pair of eyes is a distinguishable feature. The breed's round eyes are set widely apart, are large in size, and located squarely in the skull.[14]

The breed's genetic makeup produces a short tail.[15] These short tails can take the shape of a corkscrew, or curl, or they can be straight.[15] Generally, Boston Terriers' tails do not exceed two inches in length.[16]

Temperament

Boston is a gentle breed that typically has a strong, happy-go-lucky, and friendly personality with a merry sense of humour. Bostons are generally eager to please their owner and can be easily trained.[17] 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 down 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,[18] though early training in this regard is essential.[19][20] Their usually sensible attitude towards barking makes them excellent choices for apartment dwellers.[17] They enjoy being around people, get along well with children, the elderly, other canines, and non-canine pets, if properly socialized.[2]

Health
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.[21]

Their large and prominent eyes make Boston Terriers prone to corneal ulcers.[22] 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.[14]

Bostons are brachycephalic breeds. 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. 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 in any way.[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]

Exercise needs

A Boston Terrier energy level according the American Kennel Club is moderate.[27] A brisk walk two times per day would give your Boston the exercise it needs. However, each Boston is different so some may require a little more exercise than others.

Grooming

With a short, shiny, smooth coat, Boston Terriers require little grooming. [17] 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 low-maintenance 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.[17][28]

Similarly to nail trimming, teeth 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 teeth 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]

Purposes beyond companionship

In the past, Bostons were primarily pit-fighting dogs, but with their friendly and happy temperament, they became companion dogs.[31]

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.[32] Being such a versatile breed and with their outgoing personality and eagerness to meet new acquaintances, the Boston Terrier is a popular therapy dog.[33]

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.[34] 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.[34]

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.[35] The 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.[35] The comforting, protective war dog was also rewarded a medal by France.[35] Sergeant Stubby died in 1926 with the legacy of being the United States' "greatest war dog."[35]

In the Japanese manga and anime series JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, one of the main protagonists of the third part, Stardust Crusaders, is a male Boston Terrier named Iggy.

Famous people who owned Boston Terriers

President Gerald Ford, the 38th president of the United States grew up with two Boston Terriers, Fleck and Spot.[36]

Helen Keller, a famous deaf and blind author and lecturer was once given a Boston Terrier, Phiz, as a gift from a classmate.[37]

References
  1. "Boston Terrier". Animal World.
  2. Meade, Scottee (2000). The Boston Terrier: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet. Howell Book House. ISBN 1-58245-159-1.
  3. "Boston Terrier Dog Breed Information". Akc.org. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
  4. "CKC Breed Standards — Boston Terrier". CKC.ca. Canadian Kennel Club. Archived from the original on 2007-02-16. Retrieved 2007-03-11.
  5. "Boston Terrier - American Kennel Club". Akc.org.
  6. "The Boston Terrier Club Of America". Bostonterrierclubofamerica.org.
  7. "Most Popular Dog Breeds - Full Ranking List". Akc.org. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
  8. American Kennel Club 2013 Dog Registration Statistics Historical Comparisons & Notable Trends, The American Kennel Club, Retrieved 19 May 2014
  9. "Get to Know the Boston Terrier", 'The American Kennel Club', retrieved 19 May 2014
  10. "The Boston Terrier Club Of America". www.bostonterrierclubofamerica.org. Retrieved 2019-09-21.
  11. https://goterriers.com/sports/2016/6/13/trads-rhett-html.aspx?id=830
  12. https://woffordterriers.com/sports/2007/10/28/GEN_1028072210.aspx
  13. "Boston Terrier Dog Breed Information and Pictures". Dogbreedinfo.com. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
  14. Boston Terrier Club of America. "Boston Terrier eyes". Boston Terrier Club of America. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  15. Chester, Jo. "Do Boston Terriers' tails curl?". The Nest. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  16. "Boston Terrier". Easy Pet MD. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  17. "Boston Terrier". Vet Street. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
  18. Cline, Mrs. Charles D. (1995). Boston Terriers. T.F. H. Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-7938-2397-8.
  19. "Boston Terrier - Temperament & Personality". Petwave.com. Archived from the original on 11 December 2017. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
  20. "Boston Terrier Temperament". BostonTerriersRock.com. Archived from the original on 2015-02-21. Retrieved 2015-02-21.
  21. "Boston Terriers". adoptaboston.com.
  22. "Boston Terrier Dog Breed Information, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts". DogTime.com. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
  23. "Brachycephalic". marvistavet.com. Archived from the original on 2007-12-22.
  24. "Health Concerns: Respiratory System". Animal Health Center. New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association. Archived from the original on 2007-05-18. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
  25. Evans, K.; Adams, V. (2010). "Proportion of litters of purebred dogs born by caesarean section" (PDF). The Journal of small animal practice. 51 (2): 113–118. doi:10.1111/j.1748-5827.2009.00902.x. PMID 20136998. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-04-06.
  26. Wedderburn, Peter (6 April 2009). "Why do over 80 per cent of Bulldog births happen by caesarian section?". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 13 August 2011. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
  27. "Boston Terrier Dog Breed Information". American Kennel Club. Retrieved 2020-02-12.
  28. "Boston Terrier". AKC. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  29. Bedwell-Wilson, Wendy. "Boston Terrier health watch: teeth, gums, and jaw". Dummies. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  30. "The Importance of Oral Health Care for Dogs". www.petmd.com. Retrieved 2020-02-12.
  31. "Boston Terrier". Dog Time. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  32. "Boston Terrier". Dog Breed Plus. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  33. "The Boston Terrier Club Of America". bostonterrierclubofamerica.org.
  34. Moye, David (May 26, 2012). "World's largest dog eyes: Bruschi the Boston Terrier eyeballs world record". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on April 28, 2017. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  35. Kane, Gillian. "Sergeant Stubby". Slate. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  36. "Famous Boston Terrier Owners". Boston Terrier Rescue Canada. 2013-05-13. Retrieved 2020-02-12.
  37. "Famous Boston Terrier Owners". Boston Terrier Rescue Canada. 2013-05-13. Retrieved 2020-02-12.

Further reading
  • 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.
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