Boston Terrier History

The Boston Terrier breed originated around 1870, when Robert C. Hooper of Boston, purchased a dog known as Hooper's Judge, who was of a Bull and Terrier type lineage. Hooper's Judge is either directly related to the original Bull and Terrier breeds of the 18th and early 19th centuries, or Judge is the result of modern English Bulldogs being crossed into terriers created in the 1860's for show purposes, like the White English Terrier.

Judge weighed over 27.5 pounds (13.5 kilos). The offspring interbred with one or more French Bulldogs, providing the foundation for the Boston Terrier. Bred down in size from pit-fighting dogs of the Bull and Terrier types, the Boston Terrier originally weighed up to 44 pounds (20 kg.) (Olde Boston Bulldogge). 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. 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 bred 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. Terrier only in name, the Boston Terrier has lost most of its ruthless desire for mayhem, preferring the company of humans, although some males will still challenge other dogs if they feel their territory is being invaded.

Boston University's mascot is Rhett the Boston Terrier. The Boston Terrier is also the mascot of Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C.

Source:  Wikipedia

What is a Haggerty spot?

A circle of dark hair on top of the Boston's head (smack dab in the middle) is known as a Haggerty dot, spot or star, depending on who you ask. We just call it cute! Dogs with this special marking are descendants of one of the original lines of Boston terriers owned by the Haggerty family in the early 1900's, according to the Boston Terrier Club of America. Highly respected Boston terrier breeder and judge Vincent Perry called this mark "the kiss of God" and considered it a lovely addition to a dog's perfect markings.

Fun Facts

Boston Terrier Facts and Trivia

Here are some fun Boston Terrier facts and trivia. Did you know? ...

Gerald R. Ford,
38th President of the United States,
with Boston Terriers, Fleck and Spot

• Average life expectancy is 10 - 14 years


• The average male BT weighs 15 - 25 pounds and measures 16" - 17" high; the average female is slightly smaller weighing 10 - 20 pounds and measuring 15" - 16" high.


• The Boston Terrier was admitted to the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1893, making it the first US breed to be recognized.


• The Boston Terrier is one of very few breeds recognized by the AKC that originated in the US.


• The Boston Terrier was the first non-sporting dog bred in the US.


• The BT is (or was) also known as the "American Gentleman", the "Boston Bull Terrier" and the "Boston Bull".


• Warren G. Harding, 29th President of the United States, had a Boston Terrier named "Hub". Gerald R. Ford, 38th President owned two Boston Terriers, Fleck and Spot.


• The Boston Terrier was recognized by the state legislature as the "state dog of Massachusetts" in 1979.


• Rhett the Boston Terrier, became the Boston University mascot on November 15, 1922. He was named after a leading character from the novel "Gone With the Wind". Rhett is 6'3" and weighs 200 lbs. - now that's a big BT! :-)


• "Toto" the dog in Wizard of Oz, has been illustrated as a Boston Terrier in several editions of the book.


• Helen Keller had a Boston Terrier named Phiz, given to her by some classmates at Radcliffe College.


• Boston Terriers were very popular in the US during the 1920's, so much so that they represented between 20 and 30 percent of all of the dogs entered in dog shows.

from: the Boston Terrier Hub  (bostonterrierhub,com)