The Boston Terrier

Originally bred in the mid-1800s for pit-fighting, the first generation of Bostons – created by crossing the English Bulldog with the English White Terrier (now extinct) – used to weigh in at about 40 lbs (roughly 20 kgs). Over the years, the dog was steadily bred down in size, and its temperament was refined to the point that today’s Boston Terrier wants little more than to keep the very best of company among the politest of society. In fact, the dapper little Boston now wears a permanent tux, is exceptionally well-mannered and intelligent, and revels in the opportunity to share in the delightful conversation (and, naturally, the delicious food) that’s being planned for your next dinner party.

Oliver

Owing to their intelligence, Bostons are very easy to train. However, this same intelligence suggests that Bostons are very quick to become bored: they require a healthy dose of intellectual and emotional stimulation in order to remain well-behaved. Otherwise, off they’ll go on a wilful quest to chew something far more sophisticated and expensive than that silly and juvenile plastic thing you just bought them.

Bostons are playful and affectionate with both their immediate family and all manner of strangers. They are good with children and the elderly, as well as other non-canine pets. In fact, they’re quite genial dogs all around, and inherently believe that, as a result of their fine qualities, they’re entitled to receive from their owner an endless stream of praise and affection. If you’re too busy, however, with chores or homework, cooking or even sleeping, they’ll condescend to at least fall asleep close by. If – perish the thought – you actually have to leave them for a few hours, they’ll stoically endure the isolation, but your return will be cause for great rejoicing. And then, with those big, bulging eyes that gaze at you and scream, “LOVE ME! LOVE ME! LOVE ME!” they’ll expect nothing less than your undivided attention to make up for that agonizingly long period of abandonment.

Like the Boxer, the Boston doesn’t do well in extreme weather conditions – and for the very same reasons: a short coat makes winter a drag, and a short nasal passage can complicate breathing in excessive heat. Unlike the Boxer, however, the Boston is perfectly content to be a couch potato, making smaller, apartment sized spaces appropriate homes. Nevertheless, the Boston certainly appreciates an occasional burst of exercise, and urban owners should make provisions for a regular walk (or run) in the park. Failing that, an opportunity for free play in a fenced-in yard will suffice to keep your dog in reasonably good shape.

If you’re considering owning a Boston Terrier, we invite you to contact us for more information about the breed and its many joys.

The following is adapted from the description of the breed found on the website of the Canadian Kennel Club:

The general appearance of the Boston Terrier should be that of a lively, highly intelligent, smooth-coated, short-headed, compactly built, short-tailed, well-balanced dog of medium station, of brindle colour and evenly marked with white. The head should indicate a high degree of intelligence and should be in proportion to the size of the dog. The body rather short and well knit, the limbs strong and neatly turned; tail short; and no feature be so prominent that the dog appears badly proportioned. The dog should convey an impression of determination, strength and activity, with a style of a high order; carriage easy and graceful.

A proportionate combination of colour and ideal markings is a particularly distinctive feature of a representative specimen, and a dog with a preponderance of white on body, or without the proper proportion of brindle and white on head, should possess sufficient merit otherwise to counteract its deficiencies in these respects.

The ideal Boston Terrier expression displays a high degree of intelligence, and is an important characteristic of the breed.
Colour and markings and expression should be given particular consideration in determining the relative value of general appearance to other points