Historic Boston Terriers

LOS ANGELES, November 10, 1907: The unusual spectacle of a 2-year-old baby driving a pair of Boston terriers hitched to a small wagon is occasionally seen on South Grand Avenue in Pasadena.

The small Jehu that sits up and handles the reins so expertly is the son of Mr and Mrs Freeman R Ford, well known in Pasadena society. "Teddy", as he is called at home, is fond of driving the blue ribbon dogs from his father's kennels and will gladly leave a meal unfinished to take advantage of such an opportunity. He is also very fond of riding in the automobiles of which his father has a stable of seven, having just added a new passenger Packard touring car of the 1908 model.

[Close up]. Lucky kid. Can't you hear the outcry today if we hitched up a couple of dogs to a cart and set the 2-year-old off to fetch a carton of milk and 20 Rothmans!

As a fan of the Boston terrier you can never have too many Boston terrier things. And Boston fans are lucky in that the breed's image was used on so many cool items. Check out 10 "things" we love below and see if you agree:

1. Boston terrier bookends. The ones pictured are Lefton china but quite often you can find cast iron ones which can take on the weight of any book stack.

2. Boston terrier advertising. From crate labels to trade cards the "American gentleman" has helped sell a lot of stuff over the years.

3. Boston terrier vintage toys. Rather than playing with them, vintage toys make very cool decorative pieces for your home.

4. Antique Boston terrier photographs. It's quite common to come across some most unique old Boston terrier images. They look great framed.

5. Light up your life with a Boston Terrier lamp.

6. And light up your life in a different way by collecting Boston terrier tobacciana.

7. You can never have too many handbags adorned with Boston terriers!

8. The Boston terrier can always be found popping up in vintage books.

9. You gotta know when to hold 'em vintage Boston terrier playing cards.

10. Perhaps one of the most renowned Boston terrier collectibles is the cast iron doorstop ... Hubley in particular!

Once again we have an old photo of a Boston Terrier enjoying a pipe. This one dates to around 1910, a time when balancing dogs on things like crates, chairs and tables and adorning them with human accessories was even more popular than the habit of carrying dogs in handbags is today.

The collar, though (yes, I've a bit of a thing about antique dog collars) is enough to make a even a dry-mouthed dog drool.

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, October 8, 1910: The specialty show which was held at Madison Square Garden under the auspices of the Boston Terrier Club was brought to a close last night. The day was devoted largely to judging special classes and the competition was keen.

Frank J Hellbron's brown brindle dog, The Demon, by Chauncey Boy, jr., out of Parker's Lady Alice, continued his victorious career and caused the sensation of the year in Boston terrier circles by defeating the hitherto unconquered Yankee Doodle Did, owned and entered by Mrs FP Kendall, in the open class after a close, hard battle for the prize.

One of the most promising youngsters shown in local rings in some time is Virginia R, owned by Mrs H Hogers, of Pittsburg and shown in the senior puppy class. This handsome dark brindle and white daughter of Fame - Vivillo Duchess won no fewer than a dozen prizes which included the Dr Daniels cup for the best year-old puppy of either sex and the George F Reger cup for the best bitch owned and shown by a woman.