The Boston Terrier is a pure breed that was developed in the United States. In 1870, a breeder named Robert C. Hopper of Boston bought an Old English Bulldog and English White Terrier mix. He bred this dog with a small dog and bred their puppies with even smaller French Bulldogs. This became the basis for the Boston Terrier as we now know it. The name Terrier is actually a misnomer. Boston Terriers have very little Terrier in their ancestry and are more closely related to Bulldogs.

A man by the name of Robert C. Hopper bred the first Boston Terrier (then referred to as a Bull Terrier which Bull Terrier breeders were quite unhappy with). He bred subsequent litters with various Bulldog mixes such as the French Bulldog to make this breed a small-sized, non-aggressive companion dog.

The Boston Terrier is also referred to as the American Gentleman due to the tuxedo-like markings on its coat. Boston Terriers may be black with white, brindle with white, brown with white or a red-black color called seal with white. Their coats are uniformly white on the muzzle, between the eyes, on a band around the neck, on the chest and halfway up the forelegs. This color pattern make the Boston Terrier appear to be wearing a white collar, shirt, and cuffs with a black suit jacket and coat tails.

Due to their close ancestry with Bulldogs, some Boston Terriers can have behavioral issues such as territoriality, rambunctiousness, excessive barking and aggressive behavior toward other dogs. Most of the aggression has been bred out, but Boston Terrier puppies need to receive close monitoring from birth to make sure they do not expressive dominant behaviors.

Like all pure dog breeds, Boston Terriers suffer common genetic problems. Good Boston Terrier breeders will educate potential buyers about health conditions such as cataracts, deafness, allergies, curvature of the spine and difficulties during whelping. Due to their French Bulldog and pug ancestry, this breed has a short snout and may have respiratory difficulties such as reverse sneeze, snoring and an inability to regulate body temperature.

The first question a potential Boston Terrier buyer needs to ask himself is why he wants a Boston Terrier. Though not the most difficult breed to raise, Boston Terriers require constant care and affection. Grooming and exercise are low maintenance, but initial training and discipline of a Boston Terrier puppy requires intense work.

Buyers should thoroughly research the breed to make sure they can meet its needs. Once buyers have found that this is the breed they are looking for, they can begin researching Boston Terrier breeders.

A good place to start is the Internet. The American Kennel Club and Boston Terrier Club provide links to area breeders on their websites. Buyers may also ask for references from local breeders or animal shelters. Boston Terriers should never be purchased from online breeders that offer next day pets or overnight shipping. Puppies are not merchandise. A well-socialized, healthy, pedigreed Boston Terrier can only be purchased from a reputable and loving Boston Terrier breeder.