Brindle Boston Terrier: Facts, Origin & History (With Pictures)
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With small and compact dogs gaining popularity among dog owners, Boston Terriers have grown to be a common favorite. The Boston Terrier, also known as the “American Gentleman”, is the pride dog breed of Boston that sports a signature tuxedo patterned coat.
While black and white Boston Terriers are more common, Boston Terriers with the brindle pattern have a unique and distinct charm to their look. No different from other Boston Terriers, brindle Boston Terriers simply sport a more rare patterned brindle coat, and have an interesting history.
Here, we discuss some facts about the Boston Terrier’s background, origin, and history!
The Earliest Records of the Boston Terrier in History
The Boston Terrier’s history began in England during the 1860s, where blood sports and dog fighting were all the rave. During this craze, a breeder in Liverpool decided to cross a bulldog with an English Terrier, resulting in what would later be the patriarch of the Boston Terrier breed. This dog was given the name, Judge, and was later sold to an American who brought Judge home to Boston in the 1870’s.
Judge was again sold to a fellow Bostonian, named Robert C. Hooper, and was given the name, “Hooper’s Judge”. Through generations of selective breeding for the sole purpose of companionship, the Boston Terrier was born with all the qualities we know and love.
How the Boston Terrier Gained Popularity
With the transition from the bloody fights in England to the laid-back city life in Boston, the Boston Terrier became a point of hometown pride for the city of Boston. The breed’s patriarchal ancestor, Judge, was a large and muscular dog built for fighting. Through selective breeding, Judge’s fighting build transitioned into a smaller, calmer, and more affectionate dog built for companionship in the city.
With its round head, pointy ears, stocky build, and tiny stature, the resulting dogs were initially called the “Round Head” by local dog enthusiasts. The breed’s name was later changed to Boston Terrier in honor of the city where it was developed. With the boom of the Round Head-turned-Boston Terrier, the official club for the breed was formed in 1891, called The Boston Terrier Club of America. In 1893, the Boston Terrier was formally recognized by the American Kennel Club.
Today, the city of Boston holds the Boston Terrier in high regard, and it was even named the official dog of Massachusetts in 1972.
Formal Recognition of the Brindle Boston Terrier
Brindle is a pattern, not a color, characterized by dark stripes similar to tiger stripes. The Brindle Boston Terrier meets AKC breed standards only if they have the appropriate portions of brindle and white on the dog’s coat, like with black and white or seal Boston Terriers, The white of Brindle Boston Terriers must also mark the chest, muzzle band, and blaze between the eyes.
A brindle pattern has four types—namely red brindle, blue brindle, seal brindle, and black brindle.
Top 5 Unique Facts About the Brindle Boston Terrier
1. Their Unique Brindle Pattern
Brindle Boston Terriers have a unique coat of brindle to go along with their white portions instead of the typical black. This is a result of two types of melanin—namely eumelanin for the black hairs, and pheomelanin for the lighter shades in the brindle pattern that range from yellow to red. The mix of these two types of melanin results in the striped brindle pattern on the brindle Boston Terrier’s coat!
Since the typical black and white coat is more common, expect that Brindle Boston Terriers will also be more expensive than their black and white counterparts.
2. “The American Gentleman” Nickname
Boston Terriers are given the nickname, “The American Gentleman”, not only because of the tuxedo pattern they are known for but also because of their calm and friendly personality—fit for a gentleman. They are well-mannered, incredibly sociable, and good-natured. These dapper dogs are also gifted with their antics that will spread joy to anyone around them.
Brindle Boston Terriers, regardless of the dark shades of their coat, will always have a tuxedo pattern. To meet the AKC’s breed standard for Boston Terriers, the dog’s coat must have the appropriate portions of dark and white shades around their body—making the tuxedo look a standard for all Boston Terriers.
3. They Are Brachycephalic
To go with their large eyes and round head, Boston Terriers are also brachycephalic—meaning they have short noses that make it harder for them to breathe, making them more prone to respiratory complications. This anatomical feature forces Boston Terriers to be mouth breathers due to the shorter and narrow airways.
4. They Are Athletic but Only Need Small Amounts of Exercise
Boston Terriers have a muscular build giving them enormous amounts of strength. They are also lively and full of energy, making them perfect playmates for children and other pets. While this muscular and energetic dog may seem athletic, they don’t really need much exercise. They are small and stocky, so playtime and short walks around the house are just enough!
5. They Are Not Heavy Barkers
Another interesting fact about Boston Terriers is that they are generally calm and quiet. They are gentle in nature and rarely show signs of aggression. Built for city life, Boston Terriers are not inclined to bark unless they find themselves in an emergency situation.
Does the Brindle Boston Terrier Make a Good Pet?
Aside from their dapper tuxedo look and beautiful brindle pattern, Brindle Boston Terriers have a very affectionate and playful temperament that make them excellent family dogs.
They are sociable and work well in households with small children and other pets. Their small size and friendly nature make the Boston Terrier a safe and dependable companion for small children.
They are easy to train, maintain, and they have a special way of making everyone around them smile!
Conclusion
Brindle Boston Terriers have a beautiful and unique coat compared to their more common black and white counterparts. They have a rich history deeply rooted in the city of Boston, with ancestors all the way from the fighting pits of England. Despite the violent nature of their ancestors, the Boston Terrier is a calm, friendly, and good-natured house dog that has truly earned the nickname of “the American Gentleman.”
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Featured Image Credit: K E Magoon, Shutterstock
