Boston Terrier

Origin & history

The Boston Terrier was developed in the United States in the late nineteenth century, in and around Boston, from crosses between the English Bulldog and the now-extinct white English Terrier, with later additions to refine type and reduce size. Early dogs were larger and linked to the pit and ratting world, but breeders deliberately moved the dog towards a smaller, smarter, friendlier companion, and it became one of the first breeds developed in America to be formally recognised, gaining American Kennel Club recognition in 1893. The breed quickly grew popular as a stylish, good-natured city dog, and it remains strongly associated with its home city, where it is an official state symbol. Its whole development was aimed at companionship rather than work, which is why it is so attuned to people. In Australia the Boston Terrier is a recognised and reasonably popular small breed, kept almost entirely as a family and companion dog.

Temperament

The Boston Terrier is friendly, affectionate and lively, a true companion dog that wants to be with its people and is usually wonderful with children, often patient and playful with them. It tends to be sociable and good-natured with strangers and generally gets on well with other dogs and pets, particularly when socialised young, and it is more of a cheerful greeter than a guard dog, though it will bark to announce visitors. It is intelligent and quick to learn, responding well to gentle, reward-based training, but it can have a stubborn or mischievous streak and does not take to harsh handling. Many have a playful, almost clownish personality and enjoy games and attention. It is fairly adaptable and not overly demanding in exercise, but it is emotionally needy in the sense that it thrives on company and does not like being left alone for long, where it may become bored or anxious. Sensible early socialisation brings out its sociable, easygoing best.

Appearance

A small, compact, square and well-muscled little dog, standing roughly 38 to 43 cm at the shoulder and usually weighing somewhere between about 5 and 11 kg, with the breed often informally grouped by weight class. The head is the signature feature: square and flat-topped with a short, wide, blunt muzzle, a flat face, and large, round, dark eyes set wide apart, giving an alert, friendly expression, topped by small erect ears. The coat is short, smooth and fine. The classic colouring is the tuxedo look, black, brindle or seal with crisp white markings on the muzzle, between the eyes, across the chest and on the legs, which is what earns the breed its gentlemanly nickname. The body is short and sturdy with a deep chest, and the tail is naturally short and carried low.

Suitability

The Boston Terrier is one of the better small breeds for apartment and unit living, and it suits a wide range of owners including families with children, older people and first-time dog owners, thanks to its friendly nature, modest exercise needs and easy coat. It wants to be part of the household and does not cope well with long days alone, so it fits people who are home a fair bit or can bring it along. The most important consideration in Australia is heat: as a flat-faced brachycephalic breed it overheats dangerously easily and cannot cool itself efficiently, so it must be kept indoors with cooling on hot days, exercised only in the cool of the morning or evening, never left in a warm car or out in the sun, and never pushed into strenuous activity in the heat. It also feels the cold, making it very much an indoor companion.

Health

Boston Terriers usually live around 11 to 14 years, but as a brachycephalic, flat-faced breed they carry meaningful health risks that buyers must take seriously. The short muzzle can cause brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, leading to noisy or laboured breathing, exercise intolerance and a real vulnerability to overheating; severe cases need surgery. The prominent eyes are exposed and prone to corneal ulcers, dry eye and other injuries, and cataracts and other inherited eye conditions occur. Patellar luxation and some spinal conditions are seen in the breed, and the large head means many litters are delivered by caesarean. Deafness, sometimes in one ear, also occurs and can be checked with a BAER hearing test. Buy from breeders who prioritise more open nostrils and a less extreme face, who eye test and BAER test, are honest about breathing and birthing in their lines, and breed for the dog's ability to breathe and move comfortably.