>I love Boston Terriers. They are the cutest dogs—smart, too. I managed an antique store for a friend for a couple of years, and there was a beautiful Boston Terrier that used to run in the open door a couple of times a day, just to say howdy. He was so sweet—he’d come up to me, sit down, and wait for his “Good Dog!” treat.<
It’s interesting you bring up Boston Terriers, particularly on this thread. People need to realize when they applaud blanket breed bans, many of which include “pit bull type” dogs, they are including Bostons by default?
Don’t believe me? Here is a quote on the Boston’s origins:
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). It is difficult to believe that these dapper little dogs were once tough pit-fighters. In fact, their weight classifications were once divided as lightweight, middle and heavyweight. The Boston Terrier is one of the few breeds that was “Made in the USA.” Boston to be exact.
The original Boston Terriers were a cross between the English Bulldog and now extinct English White Terrier. Around 1865, the coachmen employed by the wealthy people of Boston began to interbreed some of these fine dogs owned by their employers. One of these crosses, between an English White Terrier and an English Bulldog resulted in a dog named Hooper’s Judge. Judge weighed over 30 pounds (13.5 kg.) he was bred down in size with a smaller female and one of those male pups was bred to yet a smaller female. Their offspring interbred with one or more French Bulldogs, providing the foundation for the Boston Terrier.
By 1889 the breed had become sufficiently popular in Boston that fanciers formed the American Bull Terrier Club, but this proposed name for the breed was not well received by the Bull Terrier Fanciers. The breeds nickname, roundheads, was similarly inappropriate. Shortly after, the breed was named the Boston Terrier after its birthplace. The breed was recognized by the AKC in 1893. It was first shown in Boston in 1870. In the early years the color and markings were not very important but by the 1900’s the breeds distinctive markings and color were written into the standard becoming an essential feature.
Terrier only in name, the Boston Terrier has lost most of their 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.
Thank you for that fascinating bit of history, had it not been for you, I doubt I would have ever learned it.
My minpin is 11, and getting senile (seriously, the vet said she was) I don’t know if I should get another dog at my age, the mastiff really suffered when my husband died. All the dogs we’ve owned have been adult rescues, until these two, which we got both from very reputable breeders. The mastiff is 5, now, and while I might live long enough to take in another after this one, I doubt my heart could take it. They are the best of the best.
I forgot to say, many people underestimate the little breeds, and tease them, or ignore their true dog nature and laugh because it’s funny to see them throw a fit and know they can’t really kill you. I think that’s cruel. They would NEVER treat a sizable dog that way.