|
|
 |
|
| Welcome |
Boston
Terrier
Truly an "All-American" dog, the Boston Terrier is a lively and
highly intelligent breed with an excellent disposition. Conveying an
impression of determination, strength and activity, he is
short-headed and compactly built, and must be black, brindle or seal
with white markings.
A Look Back
Following the Civil War, the Boston Terrier breed was developed in
the stables of Boston, Massachusetts, as a fighting dog. An imported
dog known as "Hooper's Judge" (sold to a Boston man in 1870) became
the ancestor of almost all true modern Boston Terriers.
The breed is an American creation, resulting from a cross between an
English Bulldog and a white English Terrier. In 1891, the breed
became known as Boston Terriers, taking the name of the city where
they originated.
Right Breed for You?
The Boston has been nicknamed "the American Gentleman" because of
his dapper appearance, characteristically gentle disposition and
suitability as companion and house pet. They require only a moderate
amount of exercise and a minimum amount of grooming. The breed is
easy to train and they are easy keepers, preferring to remain by
their owner's sides.
If you are considering purchasing a Boston Terrier puppy, learn more
here.
Non-Sporting Group; AKC recognized in 1893.
Weight is divided by classes as follows: Under 15 pounds; 15 pounds
and under 20 pounds; 20 pounds and not to exceed 25 pounds.
Companion.
© The American Kennel Club, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boston Terrier Breed Standard
Non-Sporting Group
General Appearance
The Boston Terrier is a lively, highly intelligent, smooth coated,
short-headed, compactly built, short-tailed, well balanced dog,
brindle, seal or black in color and evenly marked with white. The
head is in proportion to the size of the dog and the expression
indicates a high degree of intelligence.
The body is rather short and well knit, the limbs strong and neatly
turned, the tail is short and no feature is so prominent that the
dog appears badly proportioned. The dog conveys an impression of
determination, strength and activity, with style of a high order;
carriage easy and graceful. A proportionate combination of "Color
and White Markings" is a particularly distinctive feature of a
representative specimen.
"Balance, Expression, Color and White Markings" should be given
particular consideration in determining the relative value of
GENERAL APPEARANCE to other points.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Weight is divided by classes as follows: Under 15 pounds; 15 pounds
and under 20 pounds; 20 pounds and not to exceed 25 pounds. The
length of leg must balance with the length of body to give the
Boston Terrier its striking square appearance. The Boston Terrier is
a sturdy dog and must not appear to be either spindly or coarse. The
bone and muscle must be in proportion as well as an enhancement to
the dog's weight and structure. Fault: Blocky or chunky in
appearance. Influence of Sex. In a comparison of specimens of each
sex, the only evident difference is a slight refinement in the
bitch's conformation.
Head
The skull is square, flat on top, free from wrinkles, cheeks flat,
brow abrupt and the stop well defined. The ideal Boston Terrier
expression is alert and kind, indicating a high degree of
intelligence. This is a most important characteristic of the breed.
The eyes are wide apart, large and round and dark in color. The eyes
are set square in the skull and the outside corners are on a line
with the cheeks as viewed from the front. Disqualify: Eyes blue in
color or any trace of blue. The ears are small, carried erect,
either natural or cropped to conform to the shape of the head and
situated as near to the corners of the skull as possible. The muzzle
is short, square, wide and deep and in proportion to the skull. It
is free from wrinkles, shorter in length than in width or depth; not
exceeding in length approximately one-third of the length of the
skull. The muzzle from stop to end of the nose is parallel to the
top of the skull. The nose is black and wide, with a well defined
line between the nostrils. Disqualify: Dudley nose. The jaw is broad
and square with short regular teeth. The bite is even or
sufficiently undershot to square the muzzle. The chops are of good
depth, but not pendulous, completely covering the teeth when the
mouth is closed. Serious Fault: Wry mouth. Head Faults: Eyes showing
too much white or haw. Pinched or wide nostrils. Size of ears out of
proportion to the size of the head. Serious Head Faults: Any showing
of the tongue or teeth when the mouth is closed.
Neck, Topline and Body
The length of neck must display an image of balance to the total
dog. It is slightly arched, carrying the head gracefully and setting
neatly into the shoulders. The back is just short enough to square
the body. The topline is level and the rump curves slightly to the
set-on of the tail. The chest is deep with good width, ribs well
sprung and carried well back to the loins. The body should appear
short. The tail is set on low, short, fine and tapering, straight or
screw and must not be carried above the horizontal. (Note: The
preferred tail does not exceed in length more than one-quarter the
distance from set-on to hock.) Disqualify: Docked tail. Body Faults:
Gaily carried tail. Serious Body Faults: Roach back, sway back,
slab-sided.
Forequarters
The shoulders are sloping and well laid back, which allows for the
Boston Terrier's stylish movement. The elbows stand neither in nor
out. The forelegs are set moderately wide apart and on a line with
the upper tip of the shoulder blades. The forelegs are straight in
bone with short, strong pasterns. The dewclaws may be removed. The
feet are small, round and compact, turned neither in nor out, with
well arched toes and short nails. Faults: Legs lacking in substance;
splay feet.
Hindquarters
The thighs are strong and well muscled, bent at the stifles and set
true. The hocks are short to the feet, turning neither in nor out,
with a well defined hock joint. The feet are small and compact with
short nails. Fault: Straight in stifle.
Gait
The gait of the Boston Terrier is that of a sure footed, straight
gaited dog, forelegs and hind legs moving straight ahead in line
with perfect rhythm, each step indicating grace and power. Gait
Faults: There will be no rolling, paddling, or weaving, when gaited.
Hackney gait. Serious Gait Faults: Any crossing movement, either
front or rear.
Coat
The coat is short, smooth, bright and fine in texture.
Color and Markings
Brindle, seal, or black with white markings. Brindle is preferred
ONLY if all other qualities are equal. (Note: SEAL DEFINED. Seal
appears black except it has a red cast when viewed in the sun or
bright light.) Disqualify: Solid black, solid brindle or solid seal
without required white markings. Gray or liver colors. Required
Markings: White muzzle band, white blaze between the eyes, white
forechest. Desired Markings: White muzzle band, even white blaze
between the eyes and over the head, white collar, white forechest,
white on part or whole of forelegs and hind legs below the hocks.
(Note: A representative specimen should not be penalized for not
possessing "Desired Markings." A dog with a preponderance of white
on the head or body must possess sufficient merit otherwise to
counteract its deficiencies.
Temperament
The Boston Terrier is a friendly and lively dog. The breed has an
excellent disposition and a high degree of intelligence, which makes
the Boston Terrier an incomparable companion.
Summary
The clean-cut short backed body of the Boston Terrier coupled with
the unique characteristics of his square head and jaw, and his
striking markings have resulted in a most dapper and charming
American original: The Boston Terrier.
Scale of Points
General Appearance
Expression
Head (Muzzle, Jaw, Bite, Skull & Stop)
Eyes
Ears
Neck, Topline, Body & Tail
Forequarters
Hindquarters
Feet
Color, Coat & Markings
Gait
Total
10
10
15
5
5
15
10
10
5
5
10
100
Disqualifications
Eyes blue in color or any trace of blue.
Dudley nose.
Docked tail.
Solid black, solid brindle, or solid seal without required white
markings.
Gray or liver colors.
Approved January 9, 1990
Effective February 28, 1990 |
|
