Both dog breeds have their roots in the English Bulldog and local breeds, although the French Bulldog’s ancestry is a bit more clouded than the Boston’s.
The Frenchie was developed from Toy Bulldogs in the mid-to-late 1800s. When England outlawed bull baiting in 1835, there were variations of the Bulldog that suddenly didn’t fulfill a purpose. When the increase in mechanization during the Industrial Revolution forced English lacemakers out of the Nottingham region of England and into the Calais area of France, they took their Toy Bulldogs with them. A number of other breeds, most notably the Pug and Terrier Boule, were possibly interbred to set size and type. Originally seen with both erect and rose ears, the Petite Boule quickly became the star of the Parisian working class and the favorite of the Belles de Nuit, or ladies of the night, who introduced the breed to the upper classes.
As mentioned, the Boston Terrier is a brachycephalic breed, as are the Pug, the French Bulldog, and to a lesser degree, the Apple Head Chihuahua. This term refers to their short muzzles, which gives them that adorable baby face that many people find so appealing.
