Editing Boston Terrier (section)

== History ==
[[File:Terrier Seated (Boston Public Library).jpg|alt=|thumb|''Terrier Seated'' (Old Boston Bulldog) by Frances B. Townsend, Boston Public Library, 19th century]]
[[File:Kennel secrets - how to breed, exhibit, and mannage dogs (1904) (14770140701).jpg|thumb|A Boston Terrier ante 1904.]]
[[File:Boston Terrier male.jpg|thumb|A young male Boston Terrier with a Brown brindle coat]]
The Boston terrier breed originated around 1870, when Robert C. Hooper of Boston purchased from a man named William O'Brien a dog named Judge (known later as Hooper's Judge), which was of a bull and terrier type lineage. Hooper's Judge is directly related to the original [[bull and terrier]] breeds of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The [[American Kennel Club]] cites Hooper's Judge as the ancestor of nearly all true modern Boston Terriers.<ref name="Get to Know">[http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/boston-terrier/#standard "Get to Know the Boston Terrier"], 'The American Kennel Club', retrieved 19 May 2014</ref>
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Judge weighed about {{convert|32|lbs|kg|abbr=}}. Judge was bred to [[Edward Burnett]]'s bitch named Gyp (or Kate). Gyp was a white bulldog-type female, owned by Edward Burnett, of Southboro, Massachusetts. She weighed about {{convert|20|lb}}, was stocky and strong and had the typical blocky head now shown in Bostons. From this foundation of the breed, subsequent breeders refined the breed into its modern-day presentation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bostonterrierclubofamerica.org/about-boston-terriers/boston-terrier-history.htm|title=The Boston Terrier Club Of America|website=www.bostonterrierclubofamerica.org|access-date=2019-09-21}}</ref> Bred down in size from [[List of dog fighting breeds|fighting dogs]] of the bull and terrier types, the Boston Terrier originally weighed up to {{convert|44|lbs|kg}} (Old Boston Bulldogs).<ref name=Meade/>

The Boston Terrier Club was formed in 1891; it was admitted to membership in the American Kennel Club in 1893.<ref name="Get to Know" /> It is one of a small number of breeds to have originated in the United States.{{cn|date=February 2024}}

In the early years, the color and markings were not very important to the breed's standard. By the 20th century the breed's distinctive markings and color were written into the standard, becoming an essential feature. The Boston Terrier has lost most of its aggressive nature, preferring the company of humans, although some males will still challenge other dogs if they feel their territory is being invaded.{{cn|date=February 2024}} [[Boston University]] has used [[Rhett the Boston Terrier]] as their mascot since 1922.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://goterriers.com/sports/2016/6/13/trads-rhett-html.aspx?id=830|title = Rhett}}</ref>  The Boston Terrier has also been the official state dog of [[Massachusetts]] since 1979.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hepburn |first1=David |title=State Dogs of American: Here are all 13 adorable state dogs of the USA - including the loving Boston Terrier |url=https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/family-and-parenting/state-dogs-of-american-here-are-all-13-adorable-state-dogs-of-the-usa-including-the-loving-boston-terrier-4072890 |website=The Scotsman |access-date=27 February 2024}}</ref>