“One of the old founding lines of Bostons way back in the early 1900’s was owned by the Haggertys. Many of their Boston Terriers were born with the dot in the coat on the top of their heads, and the marking became associated with their line.”* To this day, most Boston Terrier dogs with this marking can be traced to the Haggerty’s Boston Terrier line (though it appears in just about any kennel program), and the marking is referred to as a “Haggerty dog”, “or a “Haggerty star.”
Vincent Perry, a respected Boston breeder, also called it “the kiss of God,” and considered it the “icing on the cake as far as perfect markings were considered.”
*From the Boston Terrier Club of America web site.
Photo by Marcia Rubin and available at http://www.redbubble.com/
I have had five Boston Terriers since 1975 and three of them had the Haggerty Spot. My most recent one, a beautiful dog we called Bridger, is pictured. Unfortunately, Bridger had to be euthanized about 10 days ago at the age of ten and a half as a result of medical problems (very aggressive mast cell tumors and diabetes). He was probably the prettiest, or should I say the handsomest, Boston of them all. They are all so special, but Bridger was super special. He and I would play and converse with each other just like two people might talk to each other. I miss the little fella terribly and look forward to getting another one. You’ve never had a true “friend” until you’ve had a Boston Terrier.
Dale, we’re so sorry for your loss. Bridger was indeed a handsome dog with a superior Haggerty Spot. They never live long enough, ever. Sigh.
It’s a nice partially fictionalized story . The spot on top of the head is in many breeds not just Boston terriers . The mark does not trace back to show lines . The only lines that can be traced back to early Bostons are show lines . The spot occurs in a lot of masked breeds . The spot isn’t even mentioned in our standard for breeding as it’s of so lil importance. I’ll say I think it’s a cute marking when it shows up in a litter. ✌🏻
Zoey has the Haggerty spot. She is my 2nd Boston and have to say he seems different than the my first. Equally nice but Zoey seems to have extra personality, very sensitive and in tune to everyone’s current feeling (sad or happy). Best dog ever
Zoey is awesome, Ron, such a wonderful face (and that Haggerty spot is epic!). Thanks for sharing her picture here!
I had a beautiful Boston that passed away a few months ago. She was just the best dog ever, and miss her more than I can say. So I managed to find a beautiful boy puppy I’m in love with, and learning more about. I think he has a haggerty spot on His sweet head, I believe kissed by god is more like it!
Personally, Rebecca, we think all dogs are kissed by God, so we like to think of the Haggarty Spot as physical landmark for Boston Terrier owners, a reminder to “kiss here.” Your new boy is adorable and we bet there aren’t many spots on that face that haven’t been kissed!
I know I just lost mine. He was special just like yours. Almost human. He loved to hunt. Let him out in the morning to do his ritual around the property
He would return and hit the door for breakfast
The other morning it was little long
Story short saw a Coon stated chasing it
Coon ran into highway and got ran over and he was right behind it. Got hit and killed. miss him so much he was so special having a hard time with it.
Oh how very sad, Gaylord, we’re so sorry for your loss. It’s so hard to lose them….
I was told my frenchie has a hagerty spot what do you think
This is Lincoln, from South Africa. He has a big Haggerty spot
Hello, South Africa! We love “Lincoln,” Marco, and his H-spot. Thank you for sharing his picture!
the company I work for Mimecast was founded in South Africa.
Zoey has the Haggerty spot. She is my 2nd Boston and have to say he seems different than the my first. Equally nice but Zoey seems to have extra personality, very sensitive and in tune to everyone’s current feeling (sad or happy). Best dog ever
This is Mabel with her Haggerty spot
OMG, Mabel is precious, Lezlie, and what a wonderful Haggerty spot she has!!
Zoey has the Haggerty spot. She is my 2nd Boston and have to say he seems different than the my first. Equally nice but Zoey seems to have extra personality, very sensitive and in tune to everyone’s current feeling (sad or happy). Best dog ever
This is Bruce. I had never heard of the Haggerty Spot until the vet told me. He is my second full blood Boston, we also have “combos”. He had the most mellow laid back personality and he is the most handsome BT I’ve seen (slight bias😉)
Cynthia, Bruce is very handsome indeed, and that’s an epic Haggerty Spot! Thanks for sharing this handsome boy with us!
Recently born Kalei Zoe
Here is Pinky Lee and her haggerty. My first Boston didn’t have this marking.
Rachel, Pinky Lee has a good one!!! What a cutie you have there (the child is adorable, too, lol)
My first Boston and feel very lucky. This is Tugg with his haggety spot.
That’s a good one, Mary, Tugg is quite adorable!
Our Emma has a haggerty spot and 3 in her litter so too. One of her pups has two haggerty spots.. does anyone know what that means?
It means the force is strong with this one.
Kidding aside, and pointing out that we are NOT geneticists, it seems to us that your Emma is inherited the predisposition for the Haggerty spot, and so might have dad! Beautiful litter, congrats!
Forgot the pic! Emma’s litter
Our sweet 12 year old Odie with her Haggerty spot. Going for a ride on the lawnmower (blades disengaged) with Dad. She rings a bell when she wants to go outside!
Clever Odie!!
Had to show off Ernie from Atlanta, GA and his HSpot!! He’s only 5 months and is the most loving, playful intelligent puppy ever!!
He’s pretty darn adorable, Dev, and we hope you help us all celebrate Ernie’s breed on May 1, National Purebred Dog Day!!
This is Luna, she`s 8 month old. Sweet and good natures. She is missing black markings on her left side of the head, but she does have a haggerty mark in the shape of a perfect <3.
She’s wonderful, Hege!
Buster Beans. What can I say. I look forward to many years with him. He is awesome and smart.
Mike, he’s wonderful, and that is an impressive Haggerty spot!
This is Dottie she has the Haggerty dot. Just got her this last Sunday. She is the sweetest. My 1st Boston, but definitely not my last 🥰
This is Dottie she has the Haggerty dot. Just got her this last Sunday. She is the sweetest. My 1st Boston, but definitely not my last 🥰
What a perfect name for Dottie, Tott, and what a perfectly cute puppy she is!! We kind of suspect she won’t be your last Boston, they’re a terrific breed.
Just had a litter of 5 with two star pups. Both are male.
Wow, Stuart, and aren’t they wonderful! Congratulations!
I have two frenchtons and this is there third litter this litter had four pups one was died and one has a longer tail and one has the Haggerty spot I think this litter takes more after the Boston.
This is Wyatt has two dots one is big in the other one is a tiny tiny littledot
A spot and a spare, Sienna Cat, cute!!
My baby Murphy has the Haggerty spot. His entire litter had it.
We are adopting a Boston that was abandoned. He is thought to be about 7 yo. He has a cute little Haggerty spot, which I have always adored!
We have it on good authority that the spot is a “kiss me here” spot. What we don’t get is how anyone abandons a dog, let alone one this cute. Bless you for taking him in.
Mine has a larger spot than most of the ones I’ve seen. Is it still a Hagertty spot?
We suspect so, Roy. It’s a glorious one!
This is Penny who I’ve just discovered is a splash Boston with what I think is probably a Haggerty spot.
Elva, Penny is wonderful, thanks for sharing her photo!
This is Ziggy; I was just told he has a Haggerty spot! I adopted him for $25. He is blind in one eye and about 1.5 years old. He’s my best friend, and I love him to death!
It looks like a classic haggerty spot to us, Anna!
Rose was born in Arcola, Illinois.
August 6,2021.
Perfect Boston with the prettiest markings.
Last night sofi had 6 babies.
Squeal, look at these lovelies!