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Boston Terrier Facts & Worksheets

Friendly and amusing, the Boston terrier is a short-tailed, compact dog that is distinguishable for its stylish tuxedo coat and big, round eyes.

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Friendly and amusing, the Boston terrier is a short-tailed, compact dog that is distinguishable for its stylish tuxedo coat and big, round eyes. Originally bred to be pit-fighters, their flawless manners have gained them the nickname, “The American Gentleman”.

See the fact file below for more information on the Boston terrier or alternatively, you can download our 20-page Boston Terrier worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORY

  • There are a lot of tales about how Boston terriers came to be. One mentions a wealthy coachman who crossbred bulldogs and the extinct English White terrier to develop a new pit-fighting dog.
  • Others believe that Bostonian Robert C. Hooper brought a bulldog or English terrier cross named Judge, whom he got from England in 1865.
  • Another story suggests that around 1870, Hooper bought Judge from another Bostonian named William O’Brien.
  • We may never know which version of the Boston terrier’s history is true, but the fact is that there was, indeed, a canine named Judge, who became the patriarch of the Boston terrier breed and the common predecessor of most true Bostons.
  • Based on “The Complete Dog Book”, Judge was a “well-built, high-stationed dog”, weighing around 32 pounds. He had a dark brindle coat with a white blaze on his face and a square, stocky head.
  • Judge was bred only once, crossed with Edward Burnett’s white dog named Burnett’s Gyp (or Kate). Their union resulted in a single puppy, a male named Well’s Eph, who was not an attractive dog, but Hooper and his friends admired some of his other features. Thus, he was widely bred.
  • Well’s Eph was bred with a 20-pound golden brindle female named Tobin’s Kate, who had a fairly short head and a straight, three-quarter tail. It was believed that their offspring were crossed with one or more French bulldogs to create the foundation for the modern Boston terrier.
  • Boston terriers were not initially called Boston terriers. Eph’s children were given many names, including bullet heads, round-headed bull-and-terriers, American terriers, and Boston bulldogs.

APPEARANCE

  • Boston Terriers are categorized in three weight classes: below 15 pounds, 15 to 19 pounds, and 20 to 25 pounds. Generally, these dogs stand 12 to 17 inches.
  • They have square skulls which are flat on top and are wrinkle-free. A Boston’s expression is alert and kind, displaying a high degree of intelligence. They have wide apart, large black eyes, short muzzles, and small and erect ears that are either natural or cropped.
  • Their necks are slightly curved, bearing the head and setting into the shoulders. Bostons have deep chests, well-sprung ribs, compact bodies, and short tails. The tails can take the shape of a corkscrew or a curl, or it can be straight.
  • Boston terriers have short, smooth coats that are distinctively marked with white in proportion to black, brindle, seal, or a combination of the three.
  • According to the AKC, a Boston should have a white chest and muzzle, a band that surrounds its neck, midway up to the forelegs, up to the joints on the back legs, and a white blazer between (but not touching) the eyes.

TEMPERAMENT

  • Commonly known as the American Gentleman, Bostons are energetic, intelligent, and lovable with an amiable personality.
  • Sometimes, these breeds can be stubborn, so it is important for owners to be persistent and consistent when training.
  • Short-nosed Bostons often snort, drool, and snore, sometimes loudly.
  • Generally, these dogs can be very protective of their owners, which may lead to aggressive and territorial behaviors towards other dogs and strangers.
  • Both males and females are naturally quiet and bark only in certain situations.
  • Because of their large heads and small pelvises, whelping is quite difficult for female Boston terriers.

HEALTH AND CARE

  • Cataracts. An eye condition that causes difficulty in seeing, usually affecting dogs in old age. This happens when the Water Spaniel’s eyes have a cloudy appearance on the lens.
  • Cherry eye. A genetic condition that is a prolapse of the gland found at the third eyelid. It usually affects dogs that are less than a year old.
  • Patellar Luxation. Also referred to as “slipped stifles”, this condition is common to small dogs and is caused when the patella is not properly lined up. This problem results in lameness in the leg or an abnormal walk, usually a skip or a hop.
  • Heart murmurs. This condition results from a disturbance in the blood flow through the chambers of the heart, usually graded on their loudness.
  • Deafness. Boston terriers can be plagued with a high level of deafness in one or both ears. Owners should have their puppies BAER-tested to find the status of the puppies’ ears before they adopt or buy them.
  • Bostons that are colored white over more than one-third of their heads and/or bodies are most likely to produce more deaf babies.
  • Brain tumors. Meningiomas are the most common brain tumors in dogs, making up about 40% of all dog primary brain tumors.
  • Allergies. Bostons are prone to food allergies (symptoms include dry, itchy skin; too much scratching or licking; bald patches; and a number of hotspots), contact allergies (caused by a reaction to flea powders, dog shampoos, and other chemical substances), and inhalant allergies (brought about by airborne allergens like pollen, dust, and mildew).
  • Curing allergies depends on the cause and may include diet restrictions, medications, and change in environment.
  • Megaesophagus. This is an abnormality in the esophagus that makes a dog regurgitate its undigested food. It generally shows no advance warning that it will occur, unlike vomiting.
  • Reverse sneezing. This could happen at any time in a Boston terrier’s life, but it usually occurs when the dog is overly excited, gulps itsfood too fast, or is affected by allergies, such as pollen. Bostons make a wheezing sound and may become alarmed.
  • Even though Boston terriers are lively dogs, they don’t require excessive exercise requirements.They are generally inactive indoors and well-suited for apartment dwellers or those who don’t have a lawn.
  • These breeds are sensitive to their owner’s tone of voice, and punishment can make them shut down. Thus, training should be lowkey and motivational, such as applying positive techniques like food rewards, praise, and play.
  • Because of their short coats, Bostons can’t withstand extremely cold temperatures, so they should definitely be kept indoors.
  • They can have respiratory problems, so avoid pulling their collars to get them moving.

Boston Terrier Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the Boston terrier across 20 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Boston Terrier worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Boston terrier which is a short-tailed, compact dog that is distinguishable for its stylish tuxedo coat and big, round eyes. Originally bred to be pit-fighters, their flawless manners have gained them the nickname, “The American Gentleman”.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Boston Terrier Facts
  • Meet a Boston
  • Breed Standards
  • Fetch Some Facts
  • Growing Up a Boston
  • Ask a Boston
  • Two Short-nosed Doggos
  • Notable Bostons
  • Taking Care of a Boston
  • Pros and Cons of a Boston
  • Adopting a Boston

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Link will appear as Boston Terrier Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, June 3, 2020

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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