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Thread: Boston Terrier Classification

  1. #1

    Boston Terrier Classification

    Anyone know why does the Boston Terrier belong to the non sporting group and not the terrier group?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Methuen, MA; USA
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    17,105
    The "terriers" in the Terrier Group were originally kept to hunt vermin, especially mice, rats, rabbits, stoats and weasels. The Boston Terrier is an American breed, originally developed from a cross between an English Bulldog and a white English terrier, and was developed for fighting. So it does not fit the purpose definition of the AKC Terrier Group.

    Today most of the dogs in the terrier group are kept as companion animals, though a few are still working dogs.
    .

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2000
    Location
    Windham, Vermont, USA
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    40,828
    Exactly - while their foundation breeds included terriers who were indeed bred to "go to ground," the Boston Terrier was only ever bred as a fighting dog, then as a companion dog, so is stuck in the "non-sporting" group!
    I've Been Frosted

  4. #4
    Thanks for that interesting bit of dog history. So now I'm wondering why was the name "terrier" picked, something more suitable might be "Boston Bulldog" or something like that.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Methuen, MA; USA
    Posts
    17,105
    From the white English terrier that was used.
    .

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