The Boston Terrier and All About It | Page 2

reputation, the English
bulldog and the bull terrier, had to be joined to make a third which we
believe to be the peer of either, and the superior of both. The dog thus
evolved possesses a type and individuality strictly his own, inherited
from both sides of the house, and is a happy medium between these two
grand breeds, possessing the best qualities of each. To some the name
"terrier" would suggest the formation of the dog on approximate terrier
lines, but this is as completely erroneous as to imagine that the dog
should approach in like proportion to the bull type. When the dog was
in its infancy it was frequently called the Boston bull, and then again
the round-headed bull and terrier, and later, when the Boston Terrier
Club was taken under the wings of the great A.K.C. in 1893, it became
officially known as the Boston terrier.
There are several features that are characteristic of the dog that tend to
its universal popularity--its attractive shape, style and size, its winning
disposition, and its beautiful color and markings. From the bulldog he

inherits a sweet, charming personality, quiet, restful demeanor, and an
intense love of his master and home. He does not possess the restless,
roving disposition which characterizes so many members of the terrier
tribe, nor will he be found quarreling with other dogs. From the bull
terrier side he inherits a lively mood, the quality of taking care of
himself if attacked by another dog, and of his owner, too, if necessary,
the propensity to be a great destroyer of all kinds of vermin if properly
trained, and an ideal watch dog at night. No wonder he is popular, he
deserves to be. The standard describes him as follows:
"The general appearance of the Boston terrier is that of a smooth,
short-coated, compactly built dog of medium station. 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 impression of determination,
strength and activity, style of a high order and carriage easy and
graceful."
The men composing the Boston Terrier Club, who framed this standard
in 1900, were as thoughtful a body as could possibly be gotten together,
and they carefully considered and deliberated over every point at issue,
and in my estimation this standard is as near perfect as any can be. I
was an interested participant in the discussion of the same, having in
my mind's eye as models those two noted dogs owned by that
wonderful judge of the breed, Mr. Alex. Goode, Champion Monte, and
his illustrious sire, Buster. If one takes the pains to analyze the standard
he will be impressed by the perfect co-relation of harmony of all parts
of the dog, from the tip of his broad, even muzzle, to the end of his
short screw tail. Nothing incongruous in its makeup presents itself, but
a graceful, symmetrical style characterizes the dog, and I firmly believe
that any change whatever would be a detriment.
[Illustration: Franz J. Heilborn]
[Illustration: Heilborn's Raffles]
[Illustration: Edward Burnett

A Prominent Early Breeder]
It seems to be hardly necessary at this late date to give a history of the
dog, but perhaps for that large number of people who are intensely
interested in him but have not had the chance to have been made
acquainted with his origin, a brief survey may be of service. Although
Boston rightly claims the honor of being the birthplace of the Boston
terrier, still I think the original start of the dog was in England, for the
first dog that was destined to be the ancestor of the modern Boston
terrier was a dog named Judge, a cross between an English bull and
bull terrier, imported from the other side and owned by Mr. R. C.
Hooper, and known as Hooper's Judge.
On my last visit to England I found that quite a number of dogs have
been bred in this way, viz., a first cross between the bull and terrier,
especially in the neighborhood of Birmingham in the middle of
England; but these dogs are no more like the Boston terrier than an ass
is like a thoroughbred horse. Judge was a dark brindle, with a white
stripe in face, nearly even mouthed, weighing about thirty-two pounds,
and approximating more to the bull than the terrier side. He was mated
to a white, stocky built, three-quarter tail, low stationed bitch, named
Gyp (or Kate), owned by Mr. Edward Burnett of Southboro. Like Judge,
she possessed a good, short, blocky head. It may not be out of place to
state here that some few