Bostons were started in the late 1800's around Boston, MA. They started out by breeding white English Terrier, Bulldogs, the bull terrier and later French Bulldogs. They were originally bred for fighting. The original colors allowed were only brindle/white, white/brindle solid brindle or solid white. Black, liver & mouse colors were disqualifying colors even in the early Bostons.
I have never seen any of these off colors mentioned in any of the old Boston Terrier books and I have at least 6-8 of them that date before 1950. None of these books mention or have pictures of fawn, red or other off colors of Bostons.
The only colors that are approved now in the Boston Terrier standard which are seal/white, seal/brindle/white, black/white, black/brindle/white and brindle/white.
For those that don't believe this, go to www.akc.org for the breed standard.
Colors such as fawn, cream, silver, liver or red are NOT in the Boston Terrier standard, nor is albino. These colors would be considered a disqualification even though AKC will register these colors. Blue eyes or any trace of blue are also a disqualification.
Beware of anyone selling these "off" colors (includes splashes and mismarks) of Bostons and promoting these colors as "rare" and selling the pups for extremely high prices. Splashes and mismarks do happen in any bloodline but reputable breeders would never breed these splashes and mismarks just to get more of them to sell as "rare".
I have seen very few of these fawn, red Bostons that come close to the BT standard in body and head type. Some I have seen look like a Boxer cross, like the 2 pictures below, with the same head type as a Boxer, docked tails, black mask, weigh 30-40 or even 50 lbs. Most of these are CKC/NKC/APRI registered.
This is my main problem with these colors, alot don't even look like a Boston, like these 2 examples below . The one that is standing looks like a mixed breed, the sitting one, like a Boxer cross and are registered with CKC. CKC pups from these 2 bitches are being sold as Bostons. I will say I have seen a few reds/fawns that do look like a Boston should but so many more don't, long noses, floppy ears, too big, etc. Bottom line is these colors are NOT in the AKC standard.
I don't see how anyone can say either of these comes even close to looking remotely like a Boston. The one on the left looks more like a really bad quality Boxer and the one on the right, who knows, this one looks like a mixed breed.
Do your research before you buy a pup from anyone. Get references, ask about health testing. visit breeders if you can before deciding on a pup.
Bostons come in 3 sizes, under 15 lbs, 15 lbs and under 20 lbs and 20 lbs and under 25 lbs. Pups can be different sizes in the same litter and can be bigger or smaller than the parents. No breeder can guarantee how big a 6-8 week old pup will be as an adult.
Bostons can be larger or smaller than this but these are the sizes that are allowed in the Standard.
Bostons should NOT have docked tails. It is a disqualification in the standard to dock a Boston's tail.
Bostons tails should be short. set on low and not be longer than 1/4 of the distance between set on and hock.
Required markings: White blaze between the eye , white muzzle band and white forechest.
Desired markings: Even white blaze between eyes and over the head, white collar and forechest, white on part or all of front legs and hind legs below the hock. A represenative speciman should not be penalized for not possessing the desired markings.
