How America Helped the Boston Terrier
The history of the Boston Terrier parallels the history of the New Americans descended from European settlers. In the 1800s, the new America was trying to find its own identity not only in its place in the world, but also in its own homes. They wanted to take the best of the European dogs they were familiar with, but change it up a bit so the dog would breed more American like them. They wanted a companion in the home.
Dogs were already well established in North America by the time the first European settlers arrived. However, anything to do with Native Americans was considered shocking, wild, and unknown. So, Native American dogs, along with their owners, were ostracized from the new America. Boston was one of the largest shipping cities in New America and still had close ties to Europe. Therefore, the Boston Terrier came from predominantly European bulldog lines.
The founding father of the Boston Terrier is believed to have been a cheerful little dog named Hooper’s Judge, owned by Robert C. Hooper of Boston, who bought him in 1870. This pivotal dog was imported from England and made a big impression on not only the Boston bitches, but also their owners. He weighed thirty-two pounds, which is much heavier than today’s Boston Terriers. He is also described in old America Kennel Club records as tall and well built, being a dark brindle with a white blaze on his nose.
No matter what kind of bitch Hooper’s judge put on, the puppies mostly took on his characteristics and not hers. No one spayed or neutered their dogs back then, as more dogs were generally needed and there was no sign of today’s pet overpopulation problem. Also, veterinary medicine for dogs was pretty primitive back then. Soon the Boston Bull Terrier was known outside of Boston.
Eventually determined Boston breeders got the dog they wanted. This Boston Bull Terrier or Boston Bull weighed between fifteen and twenty-five pounds, had a naturally short tail, and was an evenly proportioned amount of white with the colors black, seal, or brindle. The breed has gone through many name changes to arrive at the Boston Terrier name we have today. The American Kennel Club recognized them as a distinct breed in 1893.
The future of the Boston Terrier looks great, because as much attention has been given to breeding a good temperament as to breeding a cute appearance. There have been attempts to make a teacup-sized Boston Terrier, but they are frowned upon due to health concerns. Today’s Boston Terrier is small enough for apartment life, yet tough enough for roughhousing. There have been popular designer dog breeds based on Boston crosses, such as the Boston Spaniel (a cross with a Cocker Spaniel).