Are you thinking about buying or adopting a Boston Terrier but want to know more about this breed of dog ? Don’t know whether to choose a French Bulldog or a Boston Terrier? Don’t worry! Today we are going to talk about the French Bulldog’s cousin , which has been gaining ground every year and we can see more and more of it on the street. It is a very special dog, with characteristics and a personality that make it unique, as explained by NFNatcane, the Boston Terrier can be the best life partner you can choose.

boston terrier characteristics personality origin care
Bat ears , a flat nose , a round head , a slender figure and usually very bouncy , you may have confused it with a French bulldog more than once, but there are many differences between them. It is an adorable , intelligent breed and if you are thinking of choosing it to be part of your family, it will surely not disappoint you. Let’s see what these adorable little dogs are like!

Origin and history of the Boston Terrier

The Boston Terrier is a breed of dog that originated in the United States in the mid- 19th century . It was created by mixing an English bulldog (although you’re probably thinking it was a French bulldog) and a white English terrier in Boston. Originally, it was called “American Gentlemen” because of its shape or “round head” because of its tiny, rounded head.

The first Boston Terrier was called Judge and was owned by a certain Robert C. Hooper. He was a strong, tall dog, dark brindle in colour, with a white stripe on his face. His head was rather square and resembled the current Boston Terrier. Judge was crossed with Gyp , a smaller, shorter white dog. And it was from this pair of the first Boston Terriers that the breed emerged until they began to make crosses so that the breed was recognised by the American Kennel Club around 1895. Little by little they worked to improve, perfect and standardise the breed through scientific breeding and some inbreeding. Thus the Boston Terrier eventually began to travel the world, being today a very sought-after breed.

Physical characteristics of the Boston Terrier

The Boston Terrier is a breed of dog that has changed over time until it reached the breed standard of today, although as always depending on the physical characteristics of the parents they will be more or less approximate.

According to the American Kennel Club, the main physical characteristics are the following:

#1 General appearance

The Boston Terrier is a smooth-coated , short-headed , compactly built , short-tailed , well-balanced dog , brindle or black in color and uniformly marked with white. The head is in proportion to the size of the dog.

The body is rather small and compact, the limbs strong and well-shaped, the tail is short and not as prominent as in other dog breeds. It is a dog that conveys an impression of determination, strength and activity, with an elegant style. A well-balanced combination of coloured and white markings is a particularly distinctive feature of the Boston Terrier breed.

#2 Size

The weight is usually between 7 kilos and 11 kilos . The length of its legs is in balance with the length of its body. It is a robust dog and should not appear lanky or coarse, its bones and muscles should be in proportion.

#3 Head

The skull is square , flat on top, free from wrinkles, flat cheeks, abrupt forehead. The eyes are set wide apart and are large and round, usually dark in colour. The eyes are set squarely in the skull and the outer corners are in line with the cheeks when viewed from the front. The ears are small and erect , naturally. The muzzle is short , square and broad in proportion to the skull. The nose is black and broad , with a well-defined line between the nostrils.

#4 Neck and body

The length of the neck is balanced with the rest of the body. It is slightly arched , carries the head gracefully and fits perfectly into the shoulders. The back is short enough to square the body. The topline is level and the croup curves slightly towards the tail mounting. The chest is deep with good width, ribs well sprung and carried back. The tail is low set , short , fine and tapering.

#5 Forequarters

The shoulders are sloping and well relaxed , allowing the Boston Terrier to have the graceful movement of a terrier. The elbows turn neither in nor out. The front legs are set moderately, widely separated and in line with the tops of the shoulder blades. The feet are small , round and compact, with well arched toes and short nails.

#6 Hindquarters

The thighs are strong and well muscled , bent at the hips and straight.

#7 Fur

The Boston Terrier’s coat is short , smooth, shiny and fine in texture .

#8 Color and brands

Brindle, white or black with white markings.

Personality and temperament of the Boston Terrier

The Boston Terrier is a friendly , affectionate and very cheerful dog . It is a breed of dog with an excellent disposition to learn and a high degree of intelligence , which makes them an incomparable companion. It is also a gentle and affectionate breed , perfect with children.

It is a very agile dog , much more so than the French bulldog due to its physique, so you can take long walks and play with it without limits . It is a dog that is dependent on its family and also very stubborn, so you will have to be patient with it on some occasions.

Curiosities about the Boston Terrier

boston terrier characteristics personality origin care
The Boston Terrier is a very special dog with some interesting facts that you will surely not forget after reading this article or if you decide to adopt or buy one.

It was the first breed of dog developed in the United States : as we mentioned at the beginning, more specifically the Boston, and hence its name along with the terrier cross.
They are often given the wrong identity : yes, the Boston Terrier is often confused with the French Bulldog, despite being descended from the English Bulldog. And they are also adorable, don’t you think?
Bred for dog fighting : Initially, like many other dog breeds, they were bred for violent practices between dogs, especially in their beginnings because they were stronger, larger and more compact dogs.
They have a luxurious appearance : the vast majority are black with a white chest and paws, as if they were wearing a suit or tuxedo, hence their name American gentlemen.
They have been presidential dogs : President Gerald Ford had two Boston terriers called Fleck and Spot. Warren G. Harding had one called Hub. In addition, many celebrities have been seen with this adorable breed such as Marilyn Monroe, Princess Caroline of Monaco, Robin Williams or Ben Stiller.

Conclusion: The Boston Terrier is an adorable and unique dog

As you have read throughout the article, the Boston Terrier is a unique breed, although we are more into French bulldogs , it is a breed that we would definitely have in the future. Also, if you are looking for a medium/small sized dog , and you live in a small house, it can be a very good idea, as long as you take it out for walks and get all the exercise it needs. It has a life expectancy of between 13 and 15 years, so you will have many years to enjoy it.

Do you have or have you had a dog? Are you thinking of bringing a Boston Terrier into your home? What did you think of this guide about the Boston Terrier ? Would you add anything else? If you found it interesting or have any concerns or simply want to share your experience, leave us a comment and share it on your social networks.