Breed History
and Characteristics

The Boston Terrier - a native American breed - is known for his sunny disposition. He is happy to know you and to be your friend, and is content to live in the city or country. Even though they are small, they'll bark to let their family know if someone is at the door.

"The question is often asked, "How did the Boston Terrier originate?" Briefly stated it may be said to have resulted from a cross between the English Bulldog and the white English Terrier, and then to have been considerably inbred. Incidental peculiarities of the first dogs used as sires are partly responsible for the present type."

"...Mr. Robert C. Hooper, of Boston came into possession of a dog named Judge. This dog, which he purchased of Mr. William O'Brien of the same city, was undoubtedly imported from England. Judge, commonly known as Hooper's Judge, was destined to be the ancestor of almost all the true modern Boston Terriers. He was a cross between an English Bulldog and a white English Terrier. He was a strongly built, high stationed dog of about thirty-two pounds weight. In color he was a dark brindle, with a white stripe in the face. His head was square and blocky, and he resembled the present Boston Terrier in that he had a nearly even mouth. Judge was bred to Burnett's Gyp (or Kate). Gyp was a white bitch, owned by Mr. Edward Burnett, of Southboro, MA. She was of about twenty pounds weight, had a fine three-quarter tail, and was quite low stationed. She was of stocky build, showing considerable strength in her make-up. Her head was good, being short and blocky."

"From Judge and Gyp descended Well's Eph. This dog was of strong build, and like his dam was low stationed. His weight was about twenty-eight pounds. He was of dark brindle color, even white markings, and like Judge, had a nearly even mouth."

"Eph was mated with Tobin's Kate. This bitch was of small size, weighing only twenty pounds. She had a fairly short head, was of golden brindle color, and had a straight three-quarter tail."

excerpted from The Boston Terrier, recently reprinted by the Boston Terrier Club of America and written by J.Varnum Mott, M.D. combined with information from the archives of the Boston Terrier Club of America, Inc.

From these dogs can be traced the start of the breed, the Boston Terrier.

In the year 1893 occurred the most momentous event in the history of the Boston Terrier. After two years of trying to have the breed recognized, The American Kennel club admitted the breed to recognition for registration in the Stud Book, and the Club as a member of the American Kennel Club.

Bostons are usually described as near-perfect companions: friendly, affectionate, gentle with children and other animals, playful, comical, lively and intelligent, clean and easy to train. Bostons live for their owners; they are eager to please and prefer to be right by their owner's side at all times.

Boston Terriers are very active dogs. They need much exercise and enjoy playing. Their intelligence allows training them with ease, whereas their physical characteristics allow them to excel in canine sports. One of the most favorite Boston Terrier activities is agility.

Is a Boston right for you? Check our Frequently Asked Questions to see.