100 years ago original boston terrier history and recognition as a terrier

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Posted Oct 29, 2024

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The Boston terrier has a rich history that spans over a century. They originated from the Old English Bulldog and the English Terrier in the 19th century in the United States.

One of the first breed clubs for the Boston terrier was formed in 1893, the Boston Terrier Club of America. This marked the beginning of the breed's recognition as a distinct terrier.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the Boston terrier as a distinct breed in 1893, the same year the breed club was formed.

History of the Breed

The Boston Terrier breed has a rich history that dates back to the late 19th century.

In 1870, Robert C. Hooper of Boston purchased a dog named Judge, which was of a bull and terrier type lineage, from William O'Brien. 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 nearly all true modern Boston Terriers. Judge weighed about 32 pounds and was bred to Edward Burnett's bitch named Gyp.

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Gyp was a white bulldog-type female, owned by Edward Burnett, of Southboro, Massachusetts, and weighed about 20 pounds. She was stocky and strong with a typical blocky head now shown in Bostons.

The Boston Terrier Club was formed in 1891, and it was admitted to membership in the American Kennel Club in 1893. This marked a significant moment in the breed's history.

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.

The breed's popularity was boosted by its recognition by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1893, making it the first American breed to be officially recognized. This recognition solidified the Boston Terrier's status as a distinct breed separate from its Bulldog and Terrier ancestors.

Physical Characteristics

The Boston Terrier's physical characteristics are quite unique and endearing. They have a compact, muscular body with a short, square shape and short legs.

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Their head is square-shaped with a straight top and a short, broad muzzle. The muzzle is proportional to the head structure and has a flattened black nose. Boston Terriers also have large, erect ears that sit on either side of their head, which can be either cropped or left natural.

Their eyes are rounded, large, and prominent, with a hazel, brown, or amber color. They have good vision with wide-set, round eyes in a flattened face structure. The Boston Terrier's legs are short and muscular, with straight and muscular limbs that are upright on the ground. They have a smooth, short, fine coat with a hard, shiny texture that sheds moderately.

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Physical Attributes

Boston Terriers are compact, muscular, and strong dogs with short square bodies and short legs. Their body structure is quite muscular and robust, despite their small appearance.

Their square-shaped head is a distinctive feature, with a straight top and a short, broad muzzle. This gives them a unique look that's often referred to as "the American Gentleman."

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Boston Terriers have large, erect ears that sit on either side of their head, with a triangular structure and dark color. They can be either cropped or left natural.

Their eyes are rounded, large, and prominent, with a wide-set, round shape that contributes to their friendly and expressive faces. These eyes are usually hazel, brown, or amber in color.

Boston Terriers have short and muscular legs that are quite strong, with straight and muscular limbs that are upright on the ground. This gives them a sturdy and balanced appearance.

Their tail is short, tapered, and low-set, often straight or screw-shaped. It's not clamped, which adds to their overall balance and poise.

Boston Terriers have a smooth, short, fine coat with a hard, shiny texture. They shed moderately, so weekly combing and brushing will keep their coat looking its best.

Their coat comes in a variety of colors, including black, white, brindle, seal (dark brown), and red-black tones. The most common pattern is a tuxedo-like combination of dark and white, with white hairs on the neck, chest, mouth, and face.

Coat and Color

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The Boston Terrier's coat and color are truly one-of-a-kind. The breed is characterized by its distinctive markings, which include white in proportion to either black, brindle, seal, or a combination of the three.

Solid colors and colors not mentioned in the breed standard are not accepted. This means you won't see any Boston Terriers with, say, a solid brown or gray coat.

The American Kennel Club breaks down the breed's markings into two categories: Required and Desired. The Required markings include a white chest, white muzzle band, and a white band between the eyes.

Symmetrical markings are preferred for conformation showing, which means the markings should be evenly balanced on both sides of the dog. This adds to the breed's overall refined and pleasant appearance.

Coat and Color

The Boston Terrier's coat and color are a big part of what makes this breed so charming. The Boston Terrier is characteristically marked with white in proportion to either black, brindle, seal, or a combination of the three.

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Solid colors and colors not mentioned are not accepted by the breed standard. This means that if you're looking to breed or show a Boston Terrier, you'll need to stick to these specific colors.

The American Kennel Club breaks down the Boston Terrier's markings into two categories: Required, which includes a white chest, white muzzle band, and a white band between the eyes. These markings are essential for conformation showing.

Desired markings include the Required markings plus a white collar, white on the forelegs, and up to the hocks on the rear legs. Symmetrical markings are preferred for conformation showing.

The Boston Terrier's markings are so refined and elegant that they're often compared to formal wear. This, combined with the breed's pleasant personality, has earned it the nickname "the American Gentleman."

Notable Features

Boston Terriers are known for their distinctive eyes, which are large, round, and set wide apart in the skull.

These prominent eyes are a defining feature of the breed.

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Boston Terriers have a short tail, typically no longer than 2 inches in length, which can take on a corkscrew or curl shape.

Their tails are usually straight, but some may have a slight curve.

Sergeant Stubby, a Boston Bull Terrier, was a war dog who earned a gold medal from the U.S. Army in 1921 for his service.

Stubby's bravery and loyalty earned him a rank in the U.S. Army, making him the first dog to receive this honor.

Blitz, the live Boston Terrier mascot of Wofford College, has been attending home football games since 2003.

Lennu, the pet of Sauli Niinistö, the President of Finland, was a beloved companion who often accompanied him to informal events.

Terrier History and Recognition

The Boston Terrier breed has a rich history that dates back to the late 19th century in the United States. The breed originated in Boston, Massachusetts, specifically from a cross between the English Bulldog and the now-extinct White English Terrier.

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The founding dog of the breed, Judge, was owned by Robert C. Hooper of Boston in 1870 and laid the foundation for the Boston Terrier breed. Judge was bred to Edward Burnett's bitch named Gyp, a white bulldog-type female, to create a dog that combined the Bulldog's strength with the Terrier's agility and spirit.

The Boston Terrier Club was formed in 1891 and advocated for the breed's recognition by the American Kennel Club (AKC), which was granted in 1893. This recognition solidified the Boston Terrier's status as a distinct breed separate from its Bulldog and Terrier ancestors.

Terrier History

The Boston Terrier breed originated around 1870, when Robert C. Hooper of Boston purchased a dog named Judge, which was of a bull and terrier type lineage. Judge weighed about 32 pounds and was bred to Edward Burnett's white bulldog-type female, Gyp.

The Boston Terrier Club was formed in 1891 and was admitted to membership in the American Kennel Club in 1893. This was a significant moment in the breed's history, as it solidified the Boston Terrier's status as a distinct breed separate from its Bulldog and Terrier ancestors.

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The breed was developed from a cross between the English Bulldog and the now-extinct White English Terrier. The goal was to create a dog that combined the Bulldog's strength with the Terrier's agility and spirit.

In the early years, the Boston Terrier was a fighting dog, but through selective breeding practices, breeders were able to temper the breed's aggressive tendencies and enhance its physical characteristics. By the early 20th century, the Boston Terrier had become a popular pet among American families.

The Boston Terrier Club of America played a crucial role in the development and recognition of the Boston Terrier breed, establishing the breed standard and advocating for the breed's recognition by the AKC. This recognition was granted in 1893, making the Boston Terrier one of the first breeds developed in America to be recognized.

Boston Terriers were first used as mascot dogs during World War I, boosting morale and providing companionship to American soldiers. Their presence in military camps and on the home front helped solidify their status as an all-American breed.

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What Makes Terriers Unique?

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Boston Terriers are unique due to their distinctive "tuxedo" coat pattern. This distinctive feature sets them apart from other breeds.

Their friendly and affectionate temperament makes them a joy to be around. They're highly adaptable and can thrive in a variety of living situations.

Boston Terriers are relatively small in size, which makes them a great fit for city living or smaller homes. Their intelligence and sociability make them a versatile companion.

As one of the first breeds developed in America, Boston Terriers embody the spirit of innovation and diversity.

Description

The original Boston Terrier was a compactly built dog, weighing no more than 25 pounds and standing up to 15-17 inches tall at the withers.

Its head was square-looking with erect ears and a slightly arched neck. The muzzle was short and wrinkle-free, with an even or slightly undershot bite.

The chest was broad and the tail was short.

Frequently Asked Questions

How have dog breeds changed over 100 years?

Over the past 100 years, dog breeds have undergone significant changes through selective breeding, resulting in distinct physical transformations such as shorter legs and stockier builds. Explore the fascinating history of dog breeds and discover the dramatic changes that have occurred over time.

Mildred Gusikowski

Senior Writer

Mildred Gusikowski is a versatile writer with a passion for exploring the intricacies of everyday life. Her articles often delve into the quirks and charms of the human experience, from the joys of dog ownership to the, ahem, fragrances associated with canine companionship. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, Mildred has established herself as a go-to authority on a range of unexpected topics.