General Appearance

The Boston Terrier is a stylish and lively breed. It has a square appearance due to equal length of leg and body. Its short, smooth coat, compact build, and intelligent expression reflect its refined yet strong character. The dog should present a balanced and clean-cut appearance, without exaggeration.

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Size

• Weight Categories:

  • Under 15 lbs (7 kg)

  • 15 to under 20 lbs (7–9 kg)

  • 20 to not exceeding 25 lbs (9–11.3 kg)

• Height: Approximately 15–17 inches at the shoulder

Balance and proportion are more important than specific weight or height.

Head

• Skull: Square, flat on top, free from wrinkles.

• Stop: Well-defined.

• Eyes: Large, round, dark, and set wide apart. Positioned squarely in the skull. Expression is alert and kind.

• Ears: Small, erect, either natural or cropped to conform to the shape of the head. Set as near to the corners of the skull as possible.

• Muzzle: Short, square, wide, and deep. Free from wrinkles.

• Nose: Black and wide, with well-defined line between the nostrils.

• Bite: Even or slightly undershot. The jaw is broad and square.

Neck, Topline, and Body

• Neck: Slightly arched, carrying the head gracefully and blending smoothly into the shoulders.

• Topline: Level and straight.

• Body: Short and well-knit, giving the impression of strength and activity.

• Chest: Deep and broad with well-sprung ribs.

• Back: Short, maintaining a square build.

• Tail: Set low, short, fine, and tapering. It may be straight or screw-shaped but not carried above the horizontal.

Forequarters

• Shoulders: Sloping and well-laid back.

• Forelegs: Straight, set moderately apart, and well-muscled. Elbows neither in nor out.

• Feet: Small, round, and compact, with well-arched toes.

Hindquarters

• Thighs: Strong and muscular.

• Stifles: Well bent.

• Hocks: Short to the ground, turning neither in nor out.

• Feet: Same as forefeet.

Coat

• Texture: Short, smooth, bright, and fine in texture.

• Color:

  • Brindle and white

  • Seal and white (appears black but shows a red cast in sunlight)

  • Black and white
    Note: Brindle is preferred if all other qualities are equal.

Markings (Desirable)

• White muzzle band

• White blaze between the eyes

• White forechest

• White collar

• White feet and legs

Symmetry of markings is important in show dogs.

Gait / Movement

The Boston Terrier moves with a confident, straight, and rhythmic gait. The movement should be agile, with front and rear limbs moving in harmony. No paddling, rolling, or weaving.

Temperament

The Boston Terrier is a friendly, highly intelligent, and enthusiastic breed. It is alert, lively, and affectionate, making it an ideal companion dog. The breed is generally even-tempered and gets along well with children, pets, and strangers when properly socialized.

• Trainability: Very high

• Energy Level: Moderate

• Disposition: Friendly, curious, and charming

Faults

• Any deviation from the breed standard which affects the dog’s function or appearance

• Lack of symmetry in markings (for show purposes)

• Wall eyes (eyes with a blue cast)

• Docked tail

• Snippy or pinched muzzle

Disqualifications

• Solid black, solid brindle, or solid seal without required white markings

• Dudley nose (flesh-colored)

• Blue eyes or eyes of different colors

• Cropped tail

 

Ideal Owner

Boston Terriers thrive in households that can provide companionship, play, and a moderate amount of exercise. They do well in both apartments and homes and are great with families, singles, and seniors.

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The Boston Terrier — affectionately known as the "American Gentleman" for its distinctive tuxedo-like black and white markings — holds a unique place in American dog history as the first breed developed entirely in the United States as a companion dog rather than a working or hunting breed. The foundation sire of the breed was a dog named Judge, purchased in 1870 by Robert Hooper of Boston, Massachusetts — a cross between an English Bulldog and a White English Terrier. Over the following two decades, Hooper's Judge was refined through selective breeding by Boston fanciers, and the American Bull Terrier Club (renamed the Boston Terrier Club of America in 1891) was established to champion the breed's recognition. The American Kennel Club admitted the Boston Terrier in 1893, making it one of the first AKC-registered breeds. In 1979, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts officially designated the Boston Terrier as the state dog of Massachusetts — the only breed in the campaign to hold official US state recognition. Today, Dogster (July 2026) and Hepper (June 2026) document over 20 confirmed Boston Terrier mixed breeds. Designer Kennel Club registers both purebred Boston Terriers and every Boston Terrier mix.

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The most popular Boston Terrier designer crosses include the Boglen Terrier (Boston Terrier × Beagle — confirmed by Dogster July 2026 and Hepper June 2026 as the most documented Boston mix), the Bossipoo (also known as the Boston Doodle — Boston Terrier × Poodle, Hepper June 2026), the Frenchton (Boston Terrier × French Bulldog — a combination of two beloved flat-faced companion breeds that DKC already has a dedicated registration page for at designerkennelclub.com/frenchton-registration), the Bo-Dach (Boston Terrier × Dachshund), the Bostie (Boston Terrier × West Highland White Terrier), and the Boston Huahua (Boston Terrier × Chihuahua). The AKC registers purebred Boston Terriers — but AKC cannot and does not register any Boston Terrier mix, any Boston cross, or any hybrid offspring of a Boston Terrier regardless of generation. Designer Kennel Club was built for exactly this gap. Dog Breed Info

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Designer Kennel Club provides official registration papers for purebred Boston Terriers, Boglen Terriers, Bossipoos, Boston Doodles, Frenchtons, Bo-Dachs, Bosties, Boston Huahuas, Pomstons, and all other Boston Terrier crosses with no AKC papers or pedigree lineage required. DKC Foundation Dog Registration ($65) accepts any Boston Terrier or Boston mix without existing documentation. For breeders, DKC Litter Registration ($100) gives each puppy an individual DKC registration number that new owners can use to register for $45. Papers are delivered as a PDF via email within 2–3 business days.

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Whether you are registering a purebred Boston Terrier or a first-generation Boglen Terrier or Bossipoo you bred yourself, Designer Kennel Club provides official breed and ownership documentation accepted for veterinary records, grooming services, training programs, housing requirements, and general ownership verification. Register at designerkennelclub.com/registration.