| The Boston Terrier is one of the few breeds of dog | | | | Terriers will grow to an average of 15 to 17 inches in |
| that America can claim as its own. Around 1870, | | | | height and 10 to 25 pounds in weight. Their smaller size |
| Robert C. Hooper of Boston purchased Hooper's | | | | makes them suitable for all types of living |
| Judge, a cross between an English Bulldog and an | | | | environments including apartments. |
| English White Terrier. Hooper's Judge was bred with a | | | | Boston Terriers do need regular sessions of walking |
| smaller female, and that litter bred with French bulldogs, | | | | and playtime, and do not require large amounts of |
| providing the beginnings of the Boston Terrier, | | | | space for their exercise. They are sociable and |
| America's first non-hunting dog. Though originally bred | | | | friendly dogs that are described as intelligent and |
| for dog fighting, Boston Terriers are no longer used for | | | | energetic. Boston Terriers make good family pets and |
| that purpose and the aggressive traits have been bred | | | | companions and are generally good around children |
| out of the breed. | | | | and other pets. They make fair watchdogs; some |
| Also know as the Boston Bull, Boston Terriers are | | | | Boston Terriers will bark only when necessary and |
| compact, muscular dogs with short, wide muzzles, | | | | others will never bark. |
| dark, large round eyes, short tails and pointy erect | | | | Boston Terriers are prone to breathing problems, due |
| ears. Their short coats come in black and white or | | | | to their short snouts. |
| brown and white and are easy to groom. Some | | | | Some of them will snore when sleeping, which can be |
| breeders have tried selling all white Boston Terriers as | | | | a sign of a more serious medical condition or illness, but |
| rare. However, an all white coloring generally indicates | | | | it can be corrected with surgery or medical |
| a genetic weakness, making them more prone to | | | | procedures. Exercise caution when out in excessive |
| health problems. Though Boston Terriers do shed, it is | | | | heat and humidity with a Boston Terrier, as they are |
| not excessive and with regular brushing, the shedding | | | | more prone to heat exhaustion due to their short |
| is easy to manage. Baths are only given when | | | | snouts. Boston Terriers are more likely to experience |
| necessary. | | | | problems with heart and skin tumors and are more |
| With the proper care, Boston Terriers can live 15 years | | | | likely to suffer eye injuries due to their prominent eyes. |
| or longer, but usually average about 13 years. Boston | | | | |