Boston Terriers With Blue Eyes or "Too Much White"

What is wrong with "over white", blue eyed" or "mis-marked" Boston Terriers?

What is wrong with "over-white", Blue Eyed, or "mis-marked" Boston Terriers?

As pets? Absolutely nothing! As breeding dogs? A few things actually...

The Boston Terrier is known to have a history of deafness in the breed. There are many things that can cause deafness, however as a trait inherited at birth, there are two most likely scenarios causing it.
Hereditary Deafness
The first scenario is that it is hereditary, running in specific bloodlines. This is seen in Boston Terriers that are perfectly marked brown eyed dogs who are born deaf. Deafness can occur in one ear (unilateral deafness) or both ears (bilateral deafness). This is why responsible breeders BAER test their breeding dogs. A dog with hearing in one ear, will usually respond the same as a fully hearing dog, so BAER testing is the only way a breeder can be sure that their dogs are not unilaterally deaf.
Pigment (lack of) Related Deafness
The next scenario is deafness related to pigment and markings. Deafness is known to run in breeds such as the Dalmation, due to the piebald gene. Many Bostons also carry piebald, or the (not yet completely understood) "white head" genetics, which can result in deafness. The lack of pigment in the inner ear hampers development of some of the vital components needed to process sound. So lack of pigment in the inner ear resulting in deafness would happen more often in blue eyed or white headed Boston Terriers.
(ref source; https://www.lsu.edu/vetmed/deafness/genetics.php)
So Then Are All Mis-marked or Blue-Eyed Boston Terriers Deaf?
Absolutely not! Though there are not enough OFA results available to show an accurate number of dogs from a variety of breeding programs to be certain what percentage are deaf, emperical evidence has shown that most bred by responsible show breeders who regularly screen their breeding dogs for deafness, have hearing that is perfectly normal. So why do responsible breeders place mis-marked puppies in pet homes without breeding them? They do this because responsible breeders always strive to reduce the chances of any health issues, hereditary or structural, or even due to lack of pigment, etc. They make perfectly fine pets, but should not be utilized in any breeding programs, nor promoted as "rare". They are no different in quality than their standard colored siblings. In fact, many show breeders joke about "Murphy's Law" always making the mis-marked or a blue eyed puppy the best quality and the prettiest show prospect in the litter... had it not been for their markings. If you happen upon a breeder who is purposely breeding mis-marks or blue eyed Bostons, especially if they do not BAER test, or they breed FOR these undesirable characteristics, you should run the other way. This is a very clear red flag.
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 or Blue Eyed Bostons?

  • Were Boston Terriers Fighting dogs?

were the first bostons larger?
Were Bostons Fighting Dogs?
are longer noses healthier?
can bostons have long tails?
Can Bostons Have Long HAir?
can merle bostons be purebred?
what's wrong with White heads and blue eyes?

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