The traditional Boston Terriers colors of white, and black or brown coats have given way to detailed modern breed standards. Most of these cute pups have distinctive white markings on a background of black, seal or even brindle fur. Although there are rarer colors to be found in the breed, these can come with some health problems attached.
Contents
- Where do their colors come from?
- Typical Boston Terrier colors
- Unusual coats and patterns
- Colors linked to health problems
The Boston Terrier, with his distinctive and distinguished Boston Terrier colors and tuxedo coat, has earned himself the moniker of the “American Gentleman.” Not only is the Boston Terrier the official dog of Massachusetts, but this dog has also served as Boston University’s official mascot for nearly a century! Today, the Boston Terrier is found in loving homes all over the world. They are prized not just for their sensitive spirit, but also for their people-loving personalities.
A Brief History of Boston Terrier Colors and Coat
Many modern Boston Terrier fans don’t realize that their favorite dog actually came to America from across the pond. The Boston Terrier can trace her origins all the way back to England! The forefather of today’s Boston Terrier was a dog named Judge. Judge was a cross between a White English Terrier and an English Bulldog.
Judge was sold to an American, William Hooper, who soon renamed him “Hooper’s Judge.” It wasn’t long until Hooper’s Judge, with his dark brindle coat and white facial splash, was making new friends in his new country. These friends include a pretty white lady dog owned by Edward Burnett, who named her “Burnett’s Gyp.”
Modern Boston Terrier Colors Explained
The traditional Boston Terrier colors are white, brindle and black/brown colors. They are found in the earliest official AKC (American Kennel Club) breed standard. However, no colors are specifically excluded in the first breed standard either. Later, in 1914, Boston Terrier breeders became more specific. They rewrote the breed standard.
In this newly revised breed standard they excluded certain colors, including solid (self) black, tan and black, liver (red) and mouse (blue). The all-white coat plus predominantly white coats were also disqualified from the show ring.
Fast forward to the current reigning Boston Terrier colors as per the breed standard, and we discover that Boston Terrier breeders are more specific still – a lot more specific!
Today, there is a new Boston Terrier color pattern, seal (a black color with a red cast to it). Solid black is still a no-no, and now solid brindle and solid seal with no white markings are disqualified as well. Gray and liver (red) colors are also disqualified.
The best places for Boston Terriers to display their signature white markings are as a chest splash, a blaze between the eyes and a muzzle band. It is acceptable (but not ideal) to show white on the collar and legs (hocks).
Common Boston Terrier Colors
When most people think of Boston Terrier colors they automatically think of the classic black and white “tuxedo” coat.
Black & White Boston Terriers
The “signature” color combination of theBoston Terrier is the black and white coat. This is the coat color that gives the Boston Terrier that dignified “tuxedo” look responsible for the breed’s nickname of “American Gentleman.”
With this coat color, black predominates and white is an accent color. In order to be true Boston Terrier colors black & white, the eyes will be dark brown and the nose will be black.
Brindle & White Boston Terriers
The brindle coloration is technically a pattern of markings rather than a solid (self) coat color. Brindle can vary from dark to light and the base can be dominant or dilute.
A dilute color is a recessive form of a dominant color such as black or brown. For example, a dilute black might appear to be blue or lilac. A dilute brown might appear as red.
It is important to know that true Boston Terrier colors, brindle & white, will also have dark brown eyes and a black nose.
Seal & White Boston Terriers
The seal and white coat color is often referred to as brown and white. This is an acceptable Boston Terrier coat color if you want to show your dog or breed to AKC show standards in the future.
Seal can be a difficult color to pinpoint for those who are new to the Boston Terrier breed. This color looks solid black until the light hits it in a certain way to bring out red undertones.
A true seal and white Boston Terrier will also have dark brown eyes and a black nose.
Be aware that other Boston Terrier colors brown & white may not be acceptable in the show ring. These include brown shades called liver and fawn.
Rare Boston Terrier Colors
Reputable Boston Terrier breeders caution against falling prey to claims that a Boston Terrier puppy is displaying “rare Boston Terrier colors.” This is often a euphemism for an undesirable mating that has produced puppies with unusual or disallowed coloration. For unscrupulous so-called “backyard” breeders or puppy mills, this can be a method to charge higher prices to unwitting puppy shoppers.
The AKC breed standard disallowed colors of red (liver), brown, solid black, blue (gray), champagne (pale red), solid white and blue-eyed or pink-eared Boston Terriers. These are examples of so-called “rare” Boston Terrier colors.
They can result when the breeder is careless or not knowledgeable about breed lines. Sometimes these puppies may not even be purebred Boston Terriers – especially those that have markings more characteristic of other dog breeds such as bulldogs or boxers.
Standard vs Miniature Coat Colors
The standard size Boston Terrier ranges from 12 to 25 pounds. Modern Boston Terriers are bred in two sizes, standard and miniature (sometimes called “teacup”). This is not an official, recognized size difference, however. It is simply a choice some breeders have made to reduce the size of the Boston Terrier dog for a variety of reasons.
For the purposes of Boston Terrier colors, however, there is no real difference between the standard and miniature Boston Terrier.
Color Genetics vs Health
Boston Terriers as a breed are facing some significant health issues today. Some are genetically linked to Boston Terrier colors. You can find out more about the general Boston health issues here. But in short the Boston Terrier is prone to problems related to his physical structure. These can cause pain, distress, and shortening of his life, so it is important to make sure you are fully informed of the possible health implications if you are considering taking on a Boston Terrier.
(paid link) White Coats and Deafness
Boston Terriers with predominantly white or all-white coats have a higher incidence of unilateral (single ear) or bilateral (both ears) deafness.
Blue eyes with a white coat carry a special risk of puppies being deaf.
Albino Boston Terriers
Albinism is not a coat color, per se. Rather, it is a lack of pigmentation that produces a white-appearing coat. In Boston Terriers, albinism may produce the characteristic pink eyes or eyes may appear to be neutral or a very light blue-green.
More research is needed to understand the health implications of albinism in Boston Terriers. Breeders report these dogs can have a higher rate of skin allergies and irritations. They also cannot go into the sun without sunscreen because of the risk of sunburn.
Merle Boston Terriers
Merle, sometimes also called harlequin or dapple, is a controversial Boston Terrier color pattern. It is controversial because the same gene that controls this coat color can produce eye and ear disorders.
When a breeder mates two merle-coated dogs, some of the puppies are born “double merle.” Double merle Boston Terrier colors can carry even more extreme health issues. These include smaller than normal eyes, abnormal eye or iris shape, missing eyes and deafness in one or both ears.
Cynthia says
I have a white boston withvblavk round spots. She is stunning. Would love to send a picture of lulu.
Kat says
Is it common for a bulldog DNA to show up in Boston terrier DNA?
Teresa says
Yes,
Because Boston terriers were originally created from English bulldogs mixed with white terriers. That’s how the breed was created.
Dawna M Clark says
I have a beautiful one year old female “splash” with brindle in her black. Is that still considered a splash?
Mary says
I have a 9week Boston Terry she is white on her mouth and black and her legs are white with little dots and he r tail look like a. Pig tail and on one side of her shoulder she is white and the back of her neck it is white
Jamie Brecht says
We just had 3 puppies 1 was seal or blue
Phoenix Scarborough says
I have an albino Boston terrier
Lynn Graham says
The Merle pattern is looked down upon because the M allele responsible for the Merle coat pattern is not naturally occurring in the breed. In the article you referred to the “AKC” standard AKC does not set the color standard the BTCA does.
The naturally occurring colors CAN be registered with AKC, creams and fawns are registered under FN, blues, as BL, every shade of red is registered as LVR or liver. The non standard colored dogs can participate in every AKC event other than showing for conformation. Just like a dog with a blue eye or a splash coat pattern or a weak ear set.
Rebekah says
I have an 8 year old red Boston. She came with her AKC papers. I’m disappointed to see that they are disallowed. She’s never had any health problems, she’s amazing, and very, very beautiful. I was fortunate enough to accidentally get a blue Boston terrier two months ago. He needed rescuing from a pet store, and I got him and nurses him to health. He’s even kinder and sweeter than my other Boston’s. My “normal” black and white Boston is the craziest, largest, and most stubborn of all of them 😂
Op says
I have an 8 year old red boy! He is sweet! My black and white recently passed at 12 and he was loving but a lunatic and big, too!
Kathy says
Interesting to read this as I just encountered a couple with a young dog that I thought was a boxer pup! Pup was pretty much a solid light reddish-brown ..with some white…and a longer tail! I asked the couple: “Boxer pup?” “Oh no–she’s a Boston Terrier!” The only thing that looked like a Boston was the shape of her head, the ears and -somewhat the lines of her body. 6 months old, full of energy and wanted to kiss everyone! But didn’t look like a standard Boston terrier. Hopefully they did not get ripped off….
Catherine says
I found I beautiful Boston Terrier from a Breeder and he has great markings just has half white on one side face and the other is black which I wanted the nose is the same is this mean something wrong ? Please Help ? This is a personal breeder from their family dog .
Renee says
Would love to see a picture of your Boston baby. We had one too with half black and half white fave for 14 years.
Candy shively says
I found a boston terrier that is black and white(mostly white) but with black freckles on mussel and front legs. What can you tell me about that.
Pat Turner says
Not s biggy the.stamp as you call it is called Haggarty dot some have it most dont….
Cheryl Schmidt says
I would like to know what it means when one is a split head?
Arlene Bonin says
Thanks for your information. We acquired a little female who doesn’t have the star stamp nor the tuxedo markings. She has a white face with with black tipped ears and a brindle and white coat. We weren’t familiar with most of the facts mentioned in your article but fell in Love with her. Her parents are both ‘typical’ Boston’s, with the Mom dark brindle and the Dad light brindle. Hopefully she will be healthy and not have more of the health issues mentioned, because she doesn’t have the full tuxedo?