Lilac Boston Terrier: Pictures, Facts, Origin & History
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Lilac Boston Terriers have striking looks thanks to their expressive eyes, pointed ears, and distinctive coat hue. Their coats are blue/purple versions stemming from dilute brown and black Boston Terriers. Like the purebreds, Lilac Terriers are intelligent, easy to train, sociable, and fun-loving.
Are you curious about the Lilac Boston Terrier? Would you like to adopt the dog breed but are unsure whether it’s the perfect pup for your household?
Read on for some interesting facts about this unique canine. We will take a deep dive into its origin and history and also discuss its appearance, personality, and more.
The Earliest Records of Boston Terriers in History
While the precise origin of the Boston Terrier was not documented, rumors have it that the breed stemmed from a white English Terrier and Bulldog crossbreed. The earliest record of a Boston Terrier was in Boston in 1869 when Robert C. Hooper bought a dog named “Judge” from William C. O’Brien. At the time, the canine breed was inelegantly nicknamed “roundhead.”
Hooper’s Judge, a 32 pounds canine with stunning white face markings, is considered the father of all modern Boston Terriers. At first, Bostons were bigger and could weigh up to 40 pounds. They were also more masculine, and their physical traits made them excellent for pit fighting. It took a couple of generations to refine the breed to its current day presentation.
Modern Boston Terriers are smaller but still stocky and strong. Unlike their highly aggressive predecessors, they are more sociable and prefer the company of humans.
How the Lilac Boston Terrier Gained Popularity
The Boston Terrier quickly climbed up the popularity scale because of its success in dog shows. As this happened, breeders began to experiment with the dog breed. This gave rise to Bostons with unique hues like lilac, platinum, lavender, and merle.
During the early years, the markings and colors of Boston Terriers were not a big deal. It was not until the 20th century that the distinctive markings of Bostons became an essential feature. As expected, the Lilac Boston Terrier did not meet the written standards of purebred Bostons.
Generally, Bostons still rank high in prominence, and the AKC ranked them the 21st most popular dog breed in America in 2019. While they have some shortcomings and snore loudly because of their short snouts, they make excellent companions for being polite, loyal, and generally well-mannered. They are also commonly used as therapy pets because of their outgoing personality.
Formal Recognition of the Lilac Boston Terrier
Unfortunately, the Lilac Boston terrier does not qualify as a purebred Boston. It is, therefore, not recognized by popular clubs like the National Breed Club of America and the American Kennel Club.
Still, the Lilac Boston Terrier is an impressive dog that is highly intelligent, easy to train, and full of energy. The only difference between a Lilac Boston and the purebreds is that it is unregistered and cannot participate in dog shows.
Top 3 Unique Facts About the Lilac Boston Terrier
1. Coat Color
Boston Terriers have short and smooth single-layer coats. While the purebreds are black and white, seal and white, or brindle and white, Lilac Terriers have a coat with a dilute purple pigmentation. Sometimes, the dog breed can have markings on its face, muzzle, and chest.
The short coats of Lilac Bostons require minimal maintenance, and it’s perfectly adequate to brush and bathe your pup occasionally. However, note that the short coats with scarce hair make the canines unable to withstand extreme temperatures.
2. Snout & Eye Color
Lilac Bostons can have distinctive purple pigmentation on the snout, eye rims, and paw pads. While their unique hue is aesthetically pleasing, it is considered a gene abnormality that doesn’t meet the standards of purebreds.
3. Personality
Lilac Boston Terriers are easy to handle because of their gentle and playful personality. They are not highly vocal and won’t bark a lot. Typically, they make soft woofing sounds and don’t resolve to growling and lunging unless in nerve-wracking circumstances.
Even with a polite personality, Lilac Bostons are clingy and love loads of attention. They are prone to separation anxiety, especially if left at home alone for over 12 hours a day. Fortunately, they are intelligent and can self-entertain themselves with toys.
Lilac Bostons are indoor dogs and remain perfectly healthy alone at home for about eight hours a day. It’s a bonus that they sleep a lot and can have long naps of 12 to 14 hours daily, only taking short breaks in between. Still, they are happier when close to their owners and tend to be protective of them.
Does the Lilac Boston Terrier Make a Good Pet?
The Lilac Boston Terrier is an excellent companion for folks who fancy a loyal, playful, cheerful, and family-oriented furry friend. Even though Bostons have a sturdy build and their predecessors were bred for pit fighting, the current breeds are oddly gentle and pleasant furballs.
Compared to smaller dogs like Pomeranians or Chihuahuas, Lilac Boston Terriers are more kid-tolerant. They can offer priceless entertainment with their silly antics. These sweet and intelligent furballs will not mind playing fetch, tug-a-war, or hide-and-seek with your little ones all day. It’s also a bonus that they get along with other pets and will be glad to cuddle with your cat or bunny occasionally.
Furthermore, the natural physique of Lilac Terriers makes them perfect house dogs, even in small apartments. While they need their daily dose of exercise, it doesn’t need to be overly rigorous. 30 to 60 minutes of light-to-moderate activity per day is adequate. This will keep your pup in a healthy emotional state and prevent it from bouncing off the walls or adopting nasty behavioral problems.
The ultimate trait that makes the Lilac Boston Terrier an excellent pet is that it is a one-person dog. While Bostons are super affectionate with all family members, they have unparalleled loyalty towards their favorite person in the household. With some luck and effort, that person may just be you!
Conclusion
Lilac Boston Terriers make excellent pets. While they are not registered, they are not so different from their purebred counterparts. Lilac Terriers are people-oriented with a natural talent for comedy. Everything from their jaunty, rhythmic steps to their goofy grins is hard to resist. Their big round eyes that can shine with curiosity, love, or mischief are also a constant source of smiles.
Even when asleep, Lilac Bostons are super alert to their surroundings, which makes them excellent family watchdogs. Remember to treat them as your equals because they don’t like playing subordinate. Also, watch your actions and tones around your pup because it can influence their personality.
Featured Image Credit: Tasha Karidis, Shutterstock
