Are Boston Terriers Actually Terriers?

Written by Donnie Gardner in Boston's 101

Are you wondering if a Boston Terrier is actually a Terrier? The short answer is No.

I have seen many articles and posts referring to a Boston Terrier as a Terrier. I had even done this myself before I learned that Boston’s are not “Terriers.”

are Boston Terriers Terriers?
Bella

Here is what I’ve learned regarding Boston Terriers and their non-terrier status…

Are Boston Terriers Actually Terriers?

No, the American Kennel Club does not recognize the Boston Terrier as a Terrier. The Boston Terrier is in the AKC Non-Sporting group. The Terriers have their own group.

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Boston Terriers And Their Non-Terrier Status

So, why are Boston Terriers not considered Terriers? This is because the Boston is in the American Kennel Clubs Non-Sporting group.

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A dog breed is put into a specific group based on their work function. A prime example is the Herding Group, well you guessed, dogs in this group were created to herd.

The AKC recognizes seven different dog groups:

  1. Sporting Group
  1. Hound Group
  1. Working Group
  1. Terrier Group
  1. Toy Group
  1. Non-Sporting Group
  1. Herding Group

What is the definition of the Terrier Group?

The Terrier, according to AKC, is known for two distinct traits, feisty & energetic. The Terrier Group breed was bred to hunt and to kill vermin. 

Particularly rats in the barn and around the home. 

The Complete List Of Dog Breeds In The AKC Terrier Group:

  1. Airedale TerrierOpens in a new tab.
  1. American Hairless TerrierOpens in a new tab.
  1. American Staffordshire TerrierOpens in a new tab.
  1. Australian TerrierOpens in a new tab.
  1. Bedlington TerrierOpens in a new tab.
  1. Border TerrierOpens in a new tab.
  1. Bull TerrierOpens in a new tab.
  1. Cairn TerrierOpens in a new tab.
  1. Cesky TerrierOpens in a new tab.
  1. Dandie Dinmont TerrierOpens in a new tab.
  1. Glen of Imaal TerrierOpens in a new tab.
  1. Irish TerrierOpens in a new tab.
  1. Kerry Blue TerrierOpens in a new tab.
  1. Lakeland TerrierOpens in a new tab.
  1. Manchester Terrier (Standard)Opens in a new tab.
  1. Miniature Bull TerrierOpens in a new tab.
  1. Miniature SchnauzerOpens in a new tab.
  1. Norfolk TerrierOpens in a new tab.
  1. Norwich TerrierOpens in a new tab.
  1. Parson Russell TerrierOpens in a new tab.
  1. Rat TerrierOpens in a new tab.
  1. Russell TerrierOpens in a new tab.
  1. Scottish TerrierOpens in a new tab.
  1. Sealyham TerrierOpens in a new tab.
  1. Skye TerrierOpens in a new tab.
  1. Smooth Fox TerrierOpens in a new tab.
  1. Soft Coated Wheaten TerrierOpens in a new tab.
  1. Staffordshire Bull TerrierOpens in a new tab.
  1. Welsh TerrierOpens in a new tab.
  1. West Highland White TerrierOpens in a new tab.
  1. Wire Fox TerrierOpens in a new tab.
Boston Terrier Laying down
Bella in the Non-Sporting group lol

What is the definition of the Non-Sporting Group?

The Non-Sporting Group is basically a group of breeds who had no distinct purpose, as the other six groups had. 

The breeds in this group come from broader backgrounds, so it is harder to group them.

The Complete List Of Dog Breeds In The AKC Non-Sporting Group:

  1. American Eskimo DogOpens in a new tab.
  1. Bichon FriseOpens in a new tab.
  1. Boston TerrierOpens in a new tab.
  1. BulldogOpens in a new tab.
  1. Chinese Shar-PeiOpens in a new tab.
  1. Chow ChowOpens in a new tab.
  1. Coton de TulearOpens in a new tab.
  1. DalmatianOpens in a new tab.
  1. Finnish SpitzOpens in a new tab.
  1. French BulldogOpens in a new tab.
  1. KeeshondOpens in a new tab.
  1. Lhasa ApsoOpens in a new tab.
  1. LowchenOpens in a new tab.
  1. Norwegian LundehundOpens in a new tab.
  1. Poodle (Miniature)Opens in a new tab.
  1. Poodle (Standard)Opens in a new tab.
  1. SchipperkeOpens in a new tab.
  1. Shiba InuOpens in a new tab.
  1. Tibetan SpanielOpens in a new tab.
  1. Tibetan TerrierOpens in a new tab.
  1. XoloitzcuintliOpens in a new tab.

Why is the Boston Terrier not in the Terrier Group?

The Boston is not in the Terrier Group because their background and history is so diverse that their function and work purpose can not be grouped in the 6 of the 7 specific groups.

This is why the lovable breed has been placed in the non-specific Non-Sporting Group. The Boston over the years has been bred to be a companion dog.

While the ancestor of the Boston Terrier was a Bulldog as well as the now-extinct White English TerrierOpens in a new tab. the Boston’s demeanor no longer resembles that of the feisty terrier. 

📖 By the way — if you want all of this in one place, I wrote The Complete Boston Terrier GuideOpens in a new tab.. 14 years of real-world advice on health, training, and care. Grab it on Amazon →Opens in a new tab.

Final thoughts…

While the Boston Terrier is not technically a Terrier, it does have an ancestry trail to the old White English Terrier. 

In addition, the Boston was created in the 19th century, an era of when bull-baiting and rating were popular, this led to many Terrier’s being cross bred and designed for the sport.

While there is undoubtedly ancestry linkage to Terrier’s, this was still not enough to classify this unique breed with the Terrier Group.

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Donnie Gardner

Donnie Gardner is the founder of Boston Terrier Society and author of The Complete Boston Terrier Guide. He has been raising Bella his Boston Terrier since 2010 and resides in Kansas with his wife, daughter, two sons. He created Boston Terrier Society to help owners make informed decisions about their dog's health, training, and care. 📖 Get his book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/06k3klcb

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