Boston Terriers are very popular dogs. Their friendly, intelligent, and lively personality combined with their adorable appearance has caused them to steal the hearts of millions of people. These dogs come in a variety of different colors, but today we’re going to talk about Blue Boston Terriers.
Blue Boston Terriers are characterized by their blue and white coats. They have a coat that’s primarily blue with white markings on the paw pads, chest, face, and forehead. There is some controversy about this coloration though, which is why it’s important to get as much information about them as possible.
If you’re considering adding a Blue Boston Terrier to your home, you’ve come to the right place, because this overview will tell you everything you need to know about them!
Blue Boston Terrier Fact Sheet
| Height | 15 to 17 inches |
| Weight | 12 to 25 pounds |
| Lifespan | 11 to 13 years |
| Personality | Affectionate, friendly, intelligent |
| Price | $600 to $1200 for a puppy |
6 Blue Boston Terrier Facts
1. They are not a separate breed
To some people, this might seem obvious, but it’s a very common mistake that people make. They often mistakenly believe that blue Boston terriers are a separate breed. However, that’s not the case. All Boston Terrier colorations are the same breed, including the blue variant!
This also means that their color does not affect their personality. Blue Boston Terriers have the same personality as other colors of the same breed.
What does affect their personality is their genes and how they’re treated.
For that reason, it’s so important that you buy from a good breeder that treats the puppies with love and respect and that uses good parents to breed puppies.
2. These dogs are really more gray than blue
Even though they’re called “Blue Boston Terriers”, if you ask 100 people on the street what color they believe the dog has, I strongly believe that most people would probably say that they’re gray.
The reason why this coat color is called blue is that it has a faint blue tint, which is because it’s a dilute black coat.
In addition, it’s also partly marketing! The color blue is often considered to be more appealing than gray, which is often associated with being boring and bland.
3. Blue is not an accepted color by the American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is the largest dog club in the world. At its core, this club is responsible for keeping a registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States.
The club has recognized the Boston Terrier as a distinct breed since 1893. In the beginning, the AKC did not exclude any Boston Terrier colors. However, that has since changed.
About 100 years ago, they started excluding several colors. The only accepted colors are currently:
- Black & White
- Black Brindle & White
- Brindle & White
- Seal & White
- Seal Brindle & White
As you can see, blue is not on the list, not even blue with white markings. There’s a good reason for that, which I will explain later.
As a result, you will not be able to breed the dog or enter it into dog shows.
If you do plan on doing this, you will have to get a Boston Terrier that has one of the colors listed above.
4. Their color is a result of a mutation
The Blue Boston Terrier’s coloration is a result of a genetic mutation in its chromosomes. This results in them having a coat that’s blue rather than black.
As they grow older, their coat typically goes from a more light gray/blueish color to a darker blue.
This mutation is not desired, and as a result, ethical, reputable breeders usually do not breed Blue Boston Terriers. Not only because they’re not allowed to do so by the AKC, but also because such mutations can bring consequences to the dog’s health that are not worth the risk.
For instance, most dilute coats, including blue, come with skin conditions such as Color Dilution Alopecia which is why they’re not accepted into the breed standard. Is it really worth breeding a dog that’s less healthy just because they have a color that some people may like more?
Because of this, finding a reputable breeder that has one for sale can be very difficult because they will only have one available if the mutation just happens to occur in one of their puppies since they don’t breed for it. They will also spay or neuter the dog to ensure that it will not be used for further breeding.
5. They’re often sold by backyard breeders
While reputable, ethical breeders do not breed blue Boston Terriers, backyard breeders do.
Backyard breeders who do not care much for the health of the breed and simply want to make money tend to be the main supplier of these puppies.
Of course, that’s not to say that all breeders who sell these dogs are like that. I’m sure there are breeders who breed Blue Boston Terrier puppies who give them a lot of care and love, but they’re still breeding a dog with a genetic mutation that could have a negative impact on their health.
For more information about this, I highly recommend taking a look at this website.
6. It’s best to buy a recognized color instead
I hope that by reading these points you’re convinced that buying a Blue Boston Terrier is not the best idea.
They might look unique, but it’s honestly not worth buying a dog in an unrecognized color due to the fact that it will likely be less healthy than it would be if it had a more common color.
Especially in the case of dogs like the Boston Terrier, this is not a great idea since they already have more health issues than other breeds.
In the end, owning or buying a Blue Boston Terrier is not forbidden, and it’s everyone’s choice to buy whatever dog they want.
However, it is important to be properly informed about what you’re buying before you do so.
Puppy mills will often not tell you the whole story and might omit the fact that the genetic mutation that causes the dog’s unique color can also cause skin problems to make more sales.
If you do end up deciding to get one, make sure that you get a health guarantee and that they will be spayed or neutered.
Final words
Boston Terriers are loyal and loving animals that will steal the heart of anyone that meets them. Great with kids and other pets, they’ve quickly become some of the most popular dog breeds in the world.
Their popularity has caused some people to look outside the box for more unique colorations than the standard black, brindle, or seal.
However, while non-standard colors such as blue might give a unique look to the dog, they’re not accepted by the AKC. This is not only because they don’t conform to the standard, but also because these non-standard colors are more likely to make the breed less healthy.
Because of that, it’s important that people who are considering buying one of these animals are properly informed on the facts so that they make a well-informed decision rather than one out of ignorance.
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