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The establishment of type was the most difficult task for early breeders.It was the French Bulldog that was of great help in establishing the desired type. Since the French Bulldog was the result of inbreeding some English Bulldogs belonging to the lace makers of Nottingham, this genealogy made the French Bulldog the perfect choice to assist in the improvement of the Boston Terrier breed. Occasionally you will still see a Boston Terrier that is a throw back to the French Bulldog crosses that were done by the early breeders. It is amazing that out of all of these early breedings, varying so greatly in size and color, the forefathers of our breed were able to produce as much uniformity as they did. This is not to say that these dogs were anywhere near the quality of today's Boston Terriers. They had much improvement ahead in establishing type in body, head, color, markings, and size.
Although the original weighed approximately 30 pounds, there was immediately a decided variation in weight, with much popularity being accorded to the smaller Boston-so much popularity, in fact, that there was a toy class for Boston Terriers under 12 pounds. Eventually this class was eliminated and the divisions were changed to under 15 pounds, fifteen to twenty pounds, and twenty to twenty-five pounds."
"In 1865 Robert C. Hooper imported Hooper's Judge from England. Judge was a cross between an English Bulldog and a **White English Terrier. Judge was then bred to an English Bulldog bitch, Burnett's Gyp, owned by Edward Burnett of Massachusetts. Hooper's Judge was a 32 pound dog, high on leg, dark brindle, with white face markings. Burnett's gyp was a white Bulldog, short faced, stockily built, and short stationed with a three quarter tail. This breeding produced Wells' Eph, a short stationed, evenly marked, dark brindle. Wells' Eph was then bred to Tobin's Kate, a smaller, short headed, golden brindle dog, which produced Bernard's Tom, whelped in 1877.
To correct uneven type in the early breedings, a bully type bitch would be bred to a Bull Terrier and a too-terrier type bitch would be bred to a Bulldog. French Bulldogs were occasionally used to help establish type and to reduce size in these early breedings. In 1891, the breeders established a Stud Register showing about seventy-five dogs whose ancestors could be traced for three complete generations. These dogs proved to be the foundation stock of today's Boston Terriers.
Bernard's Tom was bred to Kelley's Nell, a dark brindle of even markings,
weighing approximately twenty pounds. From this breeding came Bernard's Mike,
who had the large. full, round eyes that became so important to the breed.
He was a light brindle color with white markings and weighed approximately
twenty-five pounds. Mike also had another quality favored by early breeders-
a short crew tail. He sired the first Boston to be registered by the American
Kennel Club, who was named Punch. � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �
These dogs were first exhibited in the New� England Kennel � Club show in � Boston in April 1888, at which time they were shown in classes for� Round-Headed Bull Terriers. These dogs were originally called American Bull Terriers, but upon being admitted to the American Kennel Club In 1893� the name was changed to Boston Terrier.
In the years before 1900, only four Boston Terriers completed their championships: Topsey, Spider, Montey, and Tansey. Monte was sired by Goode's Buster, a rich mahogany brindle with even face markings..Buster and Monte sired close to 20 percent of the registered Boston Terriers prior to 1900. "
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An Introduction to the Boston Terrier by Vincent G. Perry from his book THE BOSTON TERRIER,
(First Edition published in 1928)
ORIGIN and BEGINNINGS
"Nothing in America is more American or more expressive of the American spirit than that of the little
American dog, the Boston terrier."
He is so gay, so bright, so stylish!� He has been in favor for more than half a century, yet the Boston terrier,
like America itself will always be as new as a fresh-minted silver dollar. And while a silver dollar� may loose
its shine - and usually does, the Boston terrier has proved again and again that he loses none of his glisten,
his start, is so full of genuine delights and surprises that the world is far, far better for many thousands
of people because of his presence in homes throughout this land and many other lands."
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"The question is often asked, "How did the Boston Terrier originate?" � �
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Briefly stated it may be said to have resulted from a cross between the English Bulldog and the white English Terrier, and then to have been considerably inbred.� Incidental peculiarities of the first dogs used as sires are partly responsible for the present type."
From a book entitled THE BOSTON TERRIER by J. Varnum Mott, MD
This painting from the turn of the century is by artist Gustav Muss Arnolt. A dog of the Arroyo line. The white body was an acceptable color in the very early days.
ESTABLISHING TYPE
Some of the earliest examples of Boston Terriers were very small. Early accounts describe dogs as small as 6 lbs, or as large as 30 lbs. Over time, we have seen more consistancy in size develop.
Origin and beginnings of the Boston Terrier Breed by Beverly and Michael Staley from their book The Boston Terrier. An American Original
This playing card from the 30's or 40's illustrates the square features of the Boston Terrier. The cropped ears further accentuate these features.
Deisign Boston Terriers
presents a pictorial history of.....
THE BOSTON TERRIER
Atkinson's Toby
Brother of Bernard's Tom
Barnard's Tom
Hall's Max
Descendant of Hoopers Judge
Described as an extremely good natured dog "that could almost talk." Max was owned by Dr. Hall and was said to have been used extensively at stud.
Hollander's Pete
Hook's Punch
Descendant of of Hooper's Judge
O Brian's Rossie
Well's Eph
Weiner's Bessie
"We consider it a real stroke of genius that the early breeders used the Bulldog as the mother of the Boston Terrier and the Bull Terrier, a cross between the English Bulldog and the White English Terrier, as the father. These two breeds contained enough of the Bulldog heredity to stabilize the resulting breed.
English Black and Tan terrier or Manchester.
It is thought that some Manchester litters may have included white puppies which were known as White English Terriers. These two colors may have been interbred in some instances.
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Head study on an early postcard.
Inthis picture from the 1800's we see two dogs of the type that that contributed to the development of the Boston Terrier. Although nothing is known of these particular dogs; the dog on the left resembles many of the "Bull and Terrier" type dogs� that were used in the very early stages of development. The dog on the right has more terrier-like features, similar in appearance to the extinct English Terrier which is said to have played a role in the early development of the Boston Terrier.� A delicately balanced combination of both Bull and Terrier blood was used to achieve the moderate appearance of the Boston Terrier.
"The smaller dog (Boston Terrier) graduated from stable and barber shop. He was soon replacing the Pug and precious toy spaniel in the drawing rooms of the fashionable, and while charming milady, no end, he found favor in the master's eyes because of his spirit and gameness."
An Introduction to the Boston Terrier by Vincent G. Perry from his book THE BOSTON TERRIER,
(Third Edition published in 1950)
A Patriarch of the breed
A low stationed, dark brindle dog with even white markings, weighing 28 lbs. Eph was a result of a mating between Hooper's Judge, a dog imported from England and a bitch named Gyp (or Kate). Gyp was owned by Edward Burnett, a prominent early breeder.
Son of Wells' Eph x Tobin's Kate
A red brindle weighing 22 lbs, said to posses the first screw tail in the breed.
First AKC registered Boston
Sire of first AKC Champion, CH Topsey.
NOTE:Dogs that exhibited white markings or patches were used in the very early development of the breed. Over 100 years later we still see the occasional Boston with too much white; this comes from these early ancestors. The BTCA standard accepts Black, Brindle and Seal (black with some brown hairs visible in sunlight) only. In addition, red, liver, brown, fawn, blue or white are not acceptable colors in the Boston Terrier standard. Please be cautious in dealing with people who market these off-color dogs for profit.�
Also, there is no such breed as an "Old Fashioned Boston Terrier," "Boston Bull," etc. The dogs that existed over one hundred years ago are long gone. If someone claims to be breeding an "Old Fashioned Boston," they should be able to tell you which dogs in their pedigree lived to be over 100 years old and still produce a litter of puppies.� Many of these dogs that I see are Boxer, Pit Bull� or Staffordshire Terrier mixed with a Boston, or oversized Bostons of very poor quality. The docked tails, drop ears, long muzzles, and odd colors you see on many of these dogs are a sure sign that other breeds have been thrown into the mix. There are many dog paper selling "registries" cropping up in the U.S. that will "register" these mixed breeds as Boston Terriers.
Mismarked Bostons have a higher incidence of deafness linked with lack of pigment. � Deafness was said to be a major problem in the White English Terrier and may have been a contributing factor that led to its extinction. The early dogs shown on this page were foundation dogs used to help establish the Boston Terrier as the breed we know today.
We take great pride in our breed's standard and feel that as stewards of this wonderful breed, owe much gratitude and respect to the forefathers of the breed who devoted their lives to developing the Boston Terrier. We feel that those who are now trying to create their own version, color, or pattern of Boston Terrier� because of their own selfish ideas are creating a tremendous and selfish disservice to our beloved breed; putting in complete disregard the original vision and goals these great dog men set out to accomplish as set forth in their earliest drafts of the standard.
It has come to my attention that some websites promoting� the above mentioned dogs are linking to this history page, so I placed this information here. More information on the breed standard set forth by the BTCA can be found here.
circa 1870 headstudy of the White English Terrier, CH. Prince. Artist George Earl.
The White English Terrier was very popular in early dog shows.� The breed eventually became extinct due in-part to nineteenth century anti cropping laws. Deafness, over zealous inbreeding, and infertility also played a role in this breeds demise.
These dogs provided the early foundation for the breed. Present day type was set fairly quickly and some of the earliest Bostons from the turn of the 19th century looked like the dogs we see today.
Bull Terrier and Boston
** accounts by some early breeders say Hooper's Judge was actually a cross between an English Bull and Bull Terrier
Origin and beginnings of the Boston Terrier Breed by Beverly and Michael Staley from their book The Boston Terrier. An American Original
The Boston Terrier was an all American favorite in the beginning of the 20th century and peaked in popularity. He was also a favorite model used in advertising at this time. Images of Boston Terriers could be found on everything from tobacco tins to playing cards, post cards and countless magazine adds.
Beautiful early dog food box
All images and content� Copyright �
EARLY BREEDERS
Edward Burnett
A prominent early breeder from Southboro. Owner of Kate (or Gyp) who was mated to Hooper's Judge, an early English import.
Edward Axtell
An early breeder and author and proprietor of St. Botolph Kennels in Cliftondale, Mass.
J. P. Barnard
The father of the breed.
J. P. Barnard once possessed thirteen white Boston Terrier dogs that accompanied him on his walks through his farm. One breeder who visited him wrote "..and woe to any kind of vermin or vagrant curs that showed themselves."
"Barnard's Tom was said to be of a type and quality that was rarely seen at the time. Barnard's Mike was a very important stud dog who introduced the large round eye into the breed and passed it on to his descendants."
� � � � � � � E.S. Pollard
A largely successful early breeder
"Pop" Benson with Bunny II
"......and I am going to make a prediction that on the continent of Europe it will not be long before the American dog will follow the trotting horse, and will work his way eastward, until jealous China and strange Japan will be as enamored with him as we are, and his devotees at the Antipodes will be wondering where he got his little screw tail, and� why that sweet, serene expression on his face, like the 'Quaker Oat smile,' never comes off.� This to a person who knows knows not the Boston may seem extravagant praise, but to all such we simply say:� Get one, and then see if you are not ready to exclaim with the Queen of Sheba, when visiting King Solomon and being shown his treasures:� ' Behold, the half was not told to me!! ' "
