ORIGIN : U.S.A.
UTILIZATION : Companion.
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.
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.
In a comparison of specimens of each sex, the only evident difference
is a slight refinement in the bitch’s conformation.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS : 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.
BEHAVIOR / 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.
HEAD
CRANIAL REGION :
Skull : Square, flat on top, free from wrinkles; brow abrupt.
Stop : Well defined.
FACIAL REGION :
Nose : Black and wide, with a well defined line between the nostrils.
Muzzle : 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.
Lips : The chops are of good depth, but not pendulous, completely
covering the teeth when the mouth is closed.
Jaws/Teeth : Jaws broad and square with short, regular teeth. The bite
is even or sufficiently undershot to square the muzzle.
Cheeks : Flat.
Eyes : Wide apart, large, round and dark in color. Set square in the
skull and the outside corners are on a line with the cheeks as viewed
from the front.
Expression : Alert and kind, indicating a high degree of intelligence.
This is a most important characteristic of the breed.
Ears : 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.
NECK : The length of the neck must display an image of balance to
the total dog. It is slightly arched, carrying the head gracefully and
BODY : The body should appear short.
Top line : Level.
Back : Just short enough to square the body.
Croup : Curves slightly to the set-on of the tail.
Chest : Deep with good width; ribs well sprung and carried well back
to the loins.
TAIL : 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 seton
to hock).
LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS : Forelegs set moderately wide apart and on a line
with the upper tip of the shoulder-blades; straight in bone.
Shoulders : Sloping and well laid back, which allows for the Boston
Terrier’s stylish movement.
Elbows : Stand neither in nor out.
Pasterns : Short, strong. The dewclaws may be removed.
Forefeet : Small, round and compact, turned neither in nor out, with
well arched toes and short nails.
HINDQUARTERS :
Thighs : Strong, well muscled, and set true.
Stifles : Well bent.
Hocks : Short to the feet, turning neither in nor out, with a well
defined hock joint.
Hind feet : Small and compact with short nails.
GAIT / MOVEMENT : 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.
COAT
HAIR : Short, smooth, bright and fine in texture.
COLOR : 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).
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.
WEIGHT :
Weight is divided by classes as follows :
• under 15 pounds (6,8 kg),
• 15 pounds and under 20 pounds (6,8 to 9 kg),
• 20 pounds and not to exceed 25 pounds (9 to 11,35 kg).
FAULTS : Any departure from the foregoing points should be
considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be
regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
• Blocky or chunky in appearance.
• Pinched or wide nostrils.
• Eyes showing too much white or haw.
• Size of ears out of proportion to size of head.
• Gaily carried tail.
• Legs lacking in substance.
• Straight in stifle.
• Splay feet.
• Gait rolling, paddling or weaving; hackney gait.
SERIOUS FAULTS :
• Wry mouth.
• Any showing of the tongue or teeth when the mouth is closed.
• Roach back or sway back.
• Ribcage slab-sided.
• Gait : Any crossing movement, either front or rear.
ELIMINATING FAULTS :
• Aggresive or overly shy.
• Dudley nose.
• Eyes blue in color or any trace of blue.
• Docked tail.
• Solid black, solid brindle, or solid seal without required white
markings.
• Grey or liver colors.