"Concerning the earlier dogs of the breed.—How did the breed originate? It resulted from a cross between the English Bull dog and the English Terrier, and these two have been considerably inbred. Accidental peculiarities of the first dogs used as sires are partly responsible for the present type. About 30 years ago Mr. Robert C. Hooper, of Boston, Mass., U. S. A., came into possession of a dog named Judge who was imported from England. This dog known as Hooper's Judge was destined to be the ancestor of the true modern Boston Terrier. He was a cross between an English Bull dog and an English Terrier, leaning in type rather more toward the Bull dog. Judge was bred to Gyp, or Kate, a white bitch, owned by Ed. Burnett, of Southboro, Mass. She weighed twenty pounds, had a fine three-quarter tail low stationed, stocky-build, showing strength in her make-up, good head, being short and blocky. From Judge and Gyp descended Well's Eph. Eph was mated to Tobin's Kate, weighing twenty pounds, short head, golden brindle in colour, and straight three-quarter tail. From Well's Eph and Tobin's Kate came Barnard's Tom, the first dog with a screw tail. This dog Tom was a great improvement over his sire and grandsire, beside being the first to show the fine quality that is present in a good specimen of the modern Boston Terrier—Tom was the best Boston Terrier of his day, so, of course, was much used in stud. The above gives very briefly the main facts concerning the older dogs of this breed. To correct an idea that has become somewhat prevalent, it can here be stated that the dog is in no sense a fighting dog. While he is plucky as might be expected from his ancestry, he is not quarrelsome or aggressive—is very loyal to his master, obedient, affectionate and of sweet nature, quick in motion and very intelligent."
Show points and standard of the Boston Terrier, furnished by an enthusiastic American fancier of the breed.
General Appearance.—The general appearance of the Boston Terrier is that of a smooth, short-coated, compactly built dog of medium stature. The head should indicate a high degree of intelligence, and should be in proportion to the dog's size, the body rather short and well knit, the limbs strong and finely turned, no feature being so prominent that the dog appears badly proportioned. The dog conveys an idea of determination, strength and activity—style of a high order, carriage easy and graceful.
Skull—Broad and flat without prominent cheeks, and forehead free from wrinkles.
Stop—Well defined but indenture not too deep.
Eyes—Wide apart, large and round, neither sunken nor too prominent, dark in colour and soft—the out side corner on a line with the cheeks as viewed from the front.
Ears—Small and thin, as near corners of the skull as possible.
Muzzle—Short, square, wide and deep, without wrinkles; nose black and wide, with a well defined straight line between nostrils. The jaws broad and square with short, regular teeth; the chops wide and deep, not pendulous, completely covering the teeth when the mouth is closed.
Neck—Of fair length, without throatiness, and slightly arched.
Body—Deep and broad at chest, well ribbed up. Back short, not roached. Loins and quarters strong.