Any Boston Terrier breeder worth his salt will tell you that this all-American breed isn't really a Terrier at all. Terriers were dogs originally bred to chase small game or to harry and kill prey. The Boston Terrier is descended from two extinct breeds, one of them a Terrier and the other a Bulldog. It was inbred with various English and French Bulldogs down to the size and temperament seen in the breed today. The Boston Terrier is more similar in appearance and bloodline to its Bulldog ancestry and is often referred to as the Boston Bull. The Boston Terrier gained membership in the American Kennel Club in 1893 and is the first American-made breed to win that honor.

Though the Bulldog ancestors of the Boston Terrier were bred for aggression, this trait has largely been bred out of the Boston Terrier. The breed is a non-sporting, companion dog with an overall affectionate, intelligent and energetic temperament.

The American Gentleman, as the Boston Terrier is also known, has a dapper appearance. It is an overall sleek, sturdy dog with a short, fine coat that has markings similar to that of a man's tuxedo. Boston Terriers come in several dark colors with uniform white markings. Coats can be brindle and white, brown and white or black and white. The coat is white on the muzzle, between the eyes, on the chest, in a band (or collar) around the neck, and up the forelegs. The Boston Terrier has large, dark, wide-set eyes with and an intelligent expression. These compact dogs appear to be well-dressed little gentleman.

The temperament of the Boston Terrier is also refined. Every Boston Terrier breeder has attempted to breed out the aggression of Bulldog ancestors. Breeders choose dogs with the finest breed standard personality traits such as alertness, trainability, energy, affection, humor and overall sociability.

The first question a potential buyer needs to ask a Boston Terrier breeder is what Boston Terrier information the breeder can provide. Breeders should be experts on their breed. The second question asked should be whether breeders sell to pet stores. The answer to this question should always be no. No respectable Boston Terrier breeder sells or brokers dogs. This is an inhumane form of treatment. Good breeders will be affiliated with breed-specific rescue centers and may encourage dog buyers to visit rescue centers as well as breeder kennels to consider rescued dogs as an alternative to puppies.

Buyers need to ask themselves whether they can provide for all the needs of a Boston Terrier. It is important that both buyer and breeder match the potential dog owner with the appropriate puppy so that the Boston Terrier can be placed in a loving, permanent home. Good Boston Terrier Breeders will provide information on training, care, discipline and history to help prepare dog owners to raise their Boston Terriers.