Can Boston Terriers Have Long Hair?
What about DNA testing?
Some long haired and even merle "Bostons" can test as "purebred" though novelty tests such as Wisdom and Embark. How does that happen?
DNA testing kits that are meant to identify a dog's breed, are only accurate for about three generations. This means that there could be a grandparent of a completely different breed causing that dog to have long hair, and the DNA test would still say "100% Purebred Boston Terrier".
The fine print on most of the packaging on these tests will tell you it is for entertainment purposes and is not meant to determine purebred status of any dog. This is why registries do not accept the tests as proof that a dog is purebred. Even registration papers do not determine that a dog is purebred, as there is human error as well as human dishonesty.
So a DNA test or registration papers do not mean a long haired Boston Terrier is purebred. They simply are NOT a long haired breed.
The short answer is NO, Boston Terriers cannot be long haired.
Why not?
The Boston Terrier is the product of a Bulldog and Bull Terrier cross. There are no long haired breeds in their background, nor in the background of the founding breeds behind them dating all the way back to the mid 1800's. "Long haired" Bostons and Frenchies and Bulldogs have been a recent development due to fad breeding and marketability of something "unique". If the Boston Terrier had recessive genes carrying long hair, even show breeders would be seeing this trait from time to time over the past 100+ years. However this "phenomenon" has only shown up recently in the breeding programs of fad breeders, money motivated breeders, or occasionally by accident in the breeding programs of those with multiple breeds. Some will insist that it's a "spontaneous mutation", however again... the spontanaous mutations seem to occur in questionable breeding programs and NEVER in the whelping box of reputable preservation breeders. For example, there is a heavily advertised "long haired Boston Terrier" stud claiming to be purebred, however with careful research, it was found that the dog was bred by one of the ASPCA's "Horrible Hundred" puppy mills who bred Boston Terriers as well as long haired breeds. Others have been found to DNA test as part Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or Shih Tzu. Unfortunately AKC registration is very much based on the honor system and sadly, some breeders have no honor.
OOPS!
Additional Facts About The Boston Terrier and Its History
Can Boston Terriers Have Long Hair?
Are Merle Bostons Purebred?
Can Boston Terriers Have Long Tails?
Are Boston Terriers With Longer Noses Healthier?
Did Bostons Used To Be 40-50 Pounds?
Is There Anything Wrong With White Headed Bostons?
Are Boston Terriers With Blue Eyes Okay?
Were Boston Terriers Fighting dogs?