Basic Information

Fur Colors

According to the American Kennel Club, Bostons should only be bred in three colors; seal, black, and brindle. Sometimes there are breeding mistakes, resulting in other fur colors, but Bostons should not be bred for these specific other colors. They are known as "rare" colors.

Acceptable Colors

White and brindle
White and seal
White and black

"Rare" Colors

Red
Brown
Fawn
Blue
Champagne
Albino
"Splash"
Note: These dogs are sold for higher prices because of the "rare" coloring, when in fact they don't adhere to the standard breed requirements. They are more susceptible to health problems!

Where Are They From?

Bostons originate from the United States, specifically Boston, Massachusetts. They are the result from the selective breeding of the English Bulldog and the White English Terrier (now extinct). Their name used to be "round heads," but was later changed when the American Kennel Club made the Boston Terrier a member. Their name was changed to what they are known as today, the Boston Terrier, in honor of the city where they were first bred. They are also called the American Gentleman for their sweet and gentle disposition.

English Bulldog

White English Terrier

Boston Terrier

Dog Breed Group	Height	Weight	Life span	Exercise level	Affectionate	Maintenance/Grooming	Shedding	Training
Companion Dogs	15-17 inches to the shoulder	13-25 lbs	13-15 years	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★	★★	★★★★★

Competition Dogs

Requirements

Boston Terriers have very strict requirements they must meet in order to be able to compete. Here are a few:

Head

Skull = square and flat on top, no wrinkles, flat cheeks, and well defined brows
Expression = kind and alert, which shows intelligence (most important characteristic)
Eyes = wide apart, round, big, dark in color (any trace of blue will be disqualified)
Ears = small, erect, as close to the corners of the skull as possible

Neck

slightly arched, must make the image of the dog balanced

Body

back length is short enough to square the body, should appear short
topline is level
chest is deep with good width
tail should be no more than one-quarter the distance from set-on to hock joint (tail cannot be docked)
shoulders are laid back
elbows are straight
front legs are set wide apart and in line with the shoulder blades
toes are neither turned in nor out
feet are small and round with short nails
thighs must be strong and muscular

Coat

short, smooth, shiny, fine texture

Types of Competitions

Along with being able to compete in the national competition ring, Bostons are able to do many other types of competitions. They are super agile and strong, allowing them to sail over jumps and race around the ring. You can find them in the obedience ring, agility trials, flyball, and even tracking events.

Obedience

In this type of competition, dogs are tested on their ability to perform certain commands, such as walking on your left (heel) or to come when called.

Agility

As Bostons are very smart, they learn this quickly. They love to run, jump, climb, and race through the tunnels, making this an enjoyable competition for them to participate in.

Flyball

This requires a dog to speed through a series of jumps to catch a ball in midair and then return to the start.

Tracking

Tracking is where a dog is asked to track a scent. Although Bostons have smushed noses, they can still smell really well. They have even earned tracking titles.

Film Stars

Bostons have been in some films. One of the most famous was "Feast," which was Disney's animated short that appeared before their movie Big Hero 6 in 2014. It's about a Boston Terrier puppy named Winston, who loves food. Winston's owner, James, gives him his scraps from his meal. This make Winston so, so happy. One day James meets a special someone, and suddenly Winston is being fed vegetables and doesn't have a spot at the dinner table anymore. As James falls in love with the woman, Winston becomes sad and stops eating. James breaks up with the woman, and James and Winston return to normal. Except James is sad and misses the woman, and Winston realizes this. He escapes out the window of the house and James follows him all the way to the restaurant where the woman works, and there they make up. Later, they get married and she moves in, and because James is happy, Winston is happy. Click the film cover to watch the short.