What Were Boston Terriers Bred For? Original Role, Jobs, History, and More

Boston terriers are small but muscular dogs known for their cute and quirky personalities. It’s no wonder that Boston Terriers have become one of the most beloved dog breeds out there — they’re equal parts spunky and sweet, as well as goofy and graceful, with their unique brand of charm that’s impossible not to fall in love with. Although their ancestors were strong fighters and fierce hunters, Boston terriers were bred for a surprisingly different purpose. Let’s take a closer look at these peppy little pups and discover what Boston terriers were bred for!

What Were Boston Terriers Bred For?

You might have heard that Boston terriers were bred for fighting and hunting vermin — but that’s not entirely true. That was what their ancestors were bred for. The first bloodline of the Boston terrier was a cross between a bulldog and a white English terrier . Bulldogs helped with bull baiting and controlling livestock, while terriers were bred to hunt and kill vermin. However, Boston terriers were not commonly used for either of these activities!

Instead, Boston Terriers were most likely created to be the ultimate, versatile canine companion for the city’s wealthy elite. The wealthy class wanted dogs that could effortlessly transition from the cozy confines of their city apartments to living in their sprawling grand estates in the country. Originally known as “Boston bulls”, Boston terriers fit the bill perfectly!

Boston terriers of the early 1900s were sturdy, solid dogs that could keep up with country life. Their short hair also made them easier to keep clean, so they didn’t track mud and dirt inside like many other dog breeds. However, the dogs were still small enough to provide companionship back at home in city apartments. Although they were on the smaller side, Boston terriers were sturdy dogs who could still take care of themselves.

The Origin of the Boston Terrier

The very first pups of the Boston terrier bloodline were bred sometime around 1875. Judge — the father of today’s modern Boston terrier — was an English bulldog and English terrier mix owned by Robert C. Hooper. The dog was powerfully built and weighed about 32 pounds, with dark brindle coloring, a white stripe on his face, and a blocky head.

Developing the Boston Terrier Line

Judge was bred with Edward Burnett’s female dog, Gyp, a 20-pound white dog with a stocky build and low-slung stature. After a few generations, a pup named Barnard Tom was born — the first of the Boston Terrier line to have a screw tail. Barnard Tom was one of the best examples of his breed at that time, so he was frequently utilized as a stud.

However, as Tom and Judge had been used as studs for quite some time, much of their bloodline was inbred. So, breeders begin importing other types of dogs to help create this new dog breed. By 1888 the American Bull Terrier Club was established, although it changed its name shortly after to the Boston Terrier Club. In 1893 the Boston Terrier was accepted by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as the very first U.S. dog breed. And, in 1979, this spunky little dog breed was crowned as the official state dog of Massachusetts .

Fun Fact: Did you know that the very first dog to ever earn an official rank in the U.S. Army was a Boston terrier mix? This famous dog, Sergeant Stubby, is known as the “greatest war dog”. He was awarded three service stripes, one wound stripe, a gold medal from the U.S. Army, an official rank in the U.S. Army, and a medal from France !

Boston Terriers Today

Although their ancestors were fierce fighters and cunning hunters, the modern Boston terrier breed is far displaced from this history. The Boston terrier is no longer considered a “terrier” at all, but a non-sporting breed. Today’s Boston terriers are precious family pets with a surplus of love and affection. Anyone with a Boston terrier can tell you just how much fun these dogs are! They are gentle and intelligent dogs with light-hearted personalities. These dogs provide plenty of laughter with their playful antics, as well as an endless supply of cuddles. Boston terriers are fiercely loyal and make excellent watchdogs. They are typically quite quiet, although always alert and only bark to sound the alarm when necessary.

Boston terriers are compact dogs that do not weigh more than 25 pounds — some are even less than 15 pounds! They have iconic square-shaped heads with enormous eyes and perked-up ears. Boston terriers have white fur mixed with either brindle, black, or seal (a super dark brown that looks almost black). Their unique markings make them look like they are dressed up in fancy formal wear — and combine that with their sweet personalities, and you can see why so many people call the Boston terrier “the American gentleman”.

Up Next:

• 10 Incredible Boston Terrier Facts
• Boston Terrier vs Pug: 5 Key Differences
• Boston Terrier Colors: Rarest to Most Common

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