Boston terrier

American  

noun

1. one of an American breed of small, pug-faced, short-haired dogs having erect ears, a short tail, and a brindled or black coat with white markings.

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Boston terrier British  

noun

1. a short stocky smooth-haired breed of terrier with a short nose, originally developed by crossing the French and English bulldogs with the English bull terrier

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Etymology

Origin of Boston terrier

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95

Example Sentences

When Louise Burns noticed that her dog Bow was breathing oddly in October 2023, she took the Boston terrier straight to the vet.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

In the dark Norco garage, Abruzzo agonized over leaving behind dozens of animals, including the tiny Boston terrier he delivered.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 12, 2024

For several years the Smiths had a Boston terrier named Pepper, who traveled back and forth between the Smiths’ home in Newport Beach and Theresa Smith’s parents in Costa Mesa.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 17, 2023

No one ever noticed, except for a Boston terrier that eyed him curiously.

From New York Times • Mar. 3, 2023

The hand-tinted photographs in the hallway, the needlepoint pillows on the sofa, the ever-changing grocery list stuck to the refrigerator under a magnet in the shape of a Boston terrier.

From "We Are Okay" by Nina LaCour