Boston Terrier Colors

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Table of Contents

• Color Chart
• Colors Explained
• Rare Colors
• Patterns

So many colors & patterns

Boston Terriers – like other dogs – come in many different colors & markings…

• Only 5 Boston Terrier colors are recognized by the AKC— that’s it!
• Some colors are associated with health issues
• Some colors are rarer & more expensive than others.

What Colors do Boston Terriers Come in

AKC Boston Terrier Colors: Black & White; Black Brindle & White; Brindle & White; Seal & White; Seal Brindle & White

Other Boston Terrier Colors: Fawn & White; Lilac; Blue; Red; Red & White; Fawn; Merle; Chocolate (Brown); White (Platinum); Cream; Lavender;

Boston Terrier Color Chart

AKC Recognized	Other Colors
Black & White	Blue
Black Brindle & White	Platinum (All White)
Brindle & White	Lilac
Seal & White	Fawn
Seal Brindle & White	Chocolate (Brown)
	Cream
	Lavender
	Fawn & White
	Red
	Red & White

The 5 AKC Boston Terrier Colors Explained

If you are looking for a Purebred Boston Terrier, you’re going to want to make sure that it’s one of
the following 5 colors– anything else is not purebred!

1. Black & White
2. Black Brindle & White
3. Brindle & White
4. Seal & White
5. Seal Brindle & White

Seal & White

The seal and white coat is usually referred to as brown and white.

You should also know that seal is often a color that is hard to pinpoint, particularly for the novice who may not know anything about this breed.

This is also because this one color looks exactly like black until the light shines on it.

When the light shines on this Boston Terrier, it draws out the undertones of red.

Black & White

This is pretty self-explanatory…

Anyways, a picture can say more than I can

This is a pretty iconic Boston Terrier color in my opinion… it’s what immediately comes to mind when I think of
a Boston Terrier.

Black Brindle & White

Brindle is a coat made up of black, brown, tan, and/or gold stripes— it’s often compared to a tiger’s stripes.

This color looks so similar to a Black & White Boston Terrier— but if you look closely, you can see the subtle differences between the two colors.

In a Brindle coat, there are lighter & darker areas throughout the coat.

Brindle & White

Pretty similar to Black Brindle & White– just more Brindle.

Seal Brindle & White

This is the most unique AKC Boston Terrier color in my opinion– I don’t see many other dogs that have a coat like that!

Rare Boston Terrier Colors

The rare & expensive Boston Terrier colors are usually the ones that are also not recognized by the AKC.

These colors are very unique & not something you see every day! I have a Blue Fawn Frenchie & she’s always getting compliments & attention from strangers.

Colors Considered Rare

• Blue
• Merle
• Lilac
• Lavender
• Platinum

All Other Boston Terrier Colors

It’s important to note that these colors are not officially recognized by the AKC as a Purebred Boston Terrier.

This means that you would be unable to compete in any shows with your Boston Terrier– this isn’t important to most dog owners though.

It’s likely that other breeds were mixed into the bloodline at some point to create these colors.

1. Fawn & White
2. Lilac
3. Blue
4. Red
5. Red & White
6. Fawn
7. Merle
8. Chocolate (Brown)
9. White (Platinum)
10. Cream
11. Lavender

Lilac

Lilac fur comes from a mixture of brown and black coats.

And, with these colors, you will most likely see an appearance that looks like the following:

• This breed of dog may have Lilac tones in their nose.
• Eye colors may change as these puppies age from light yellow to amber.

Blue

The Blue that you see on this breed comes from a watered down of a standard black fur.

It is a mutation of a gene that results in lighter tones in a bluish hue.

Blue coats usually have White streaks.

Puppies and adult colors can vary, from a medium Blue to a dark steel when they become adults

Eye colors for this breed can also vary from gray or light Blue to hazel-brown as they begin to age into adulthood.

Brown

As mentioned before, the Seal and White coat is usually referred to as brown and White.

And, these hues of colors can change according to the way the light hits their coat.

Red and White

Some breeds of Boston terriers have a Red coat with a mixture of White stripping.

And, these shades of Red can vary significantly from a deep Red to light copper.

This type of Boston Terrier is also much more likely to have amber eyes and a Red-colored nose

Fawn

Even though some colors are rare, they can be found within the breeds of Boston Terriers.

For instance, some breeds have light fawn coats that give the appearance of champagne.

On the other hand, there are others that have a darker fawn appearance or light red.

And, here are a few other things that some people may or may not notice.

On their muzzle, they may have white and a blaze between their chest and their eyes.

Intermingled black hairs on their fawn fur is also a unique characteristic.

Health Problems associated with some Colors

Platinum (All White)

The All-White Boston Terrier is more prone to skin irritation and allergies.

They are also known for Albinism because they do not have any pigmentation on their skin.

This breed will need to be raised with extra care, especially since they cannot go out into the sun without sunscreen.

Merle

Instead, these are breeds that have been crossbred in a manner that can be very controversial.

As a result, this breed may have a wide range of health issues, including abnormal eye conditions and deafness.

List of Coat Patterns

• Black
• Seal
• Brindle (stripes)
• Each of these breeds should also have a white (traditional white color) band around their muzzle, white fore chest, and a white blaze between their eyes.

What are “uncommon/exotic” colors for Boston Terriers

The exotic colors are not common, and they do not meet the standards of the American Kennel Club.

In fact, these breeds are considered to be very rare. Here is a list of the most exotic.

• Liver
• Brown
• Cream
• Red

Frequently Asked Questions

Blue Boston Terrier Colors

Reminder: none of these Blue colors are officially recognized by the AKC

• Blue
• Blue Fawn
• Blue Merle
• Blue Pied
• Blue Sable
• Blue & Tan

What disqualifies a Boston Terrier from AKC Recognition?

• Blue Eyes: a genetic abnormality associated with deafness
• Unofficial colors: any non-AKC colors on their coat will disqualify them (no matter how little!)
• Docked tail: removal of the tail–
  a practice banned in many European countries
• Dudley nose: a flesh-colored nose (pinkish color)