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The Boston
Terrier Standard was revised on February
28, 1990 to clarify and adapt the language
so that everyone - novices, exhibitors,
breeders, judges, and potential judges
- would understand it. There are many
definitions for the words "standard",
but when referring to the Boston Terrier
Standard, this one is preferred: "A
degree or level of requirement, excellence
or attainment." When you read the
breed Standard, the words paint a picture
of excellence. In any breed Standard,
there is very little leeway for interpretation.
There is only one version. Not ours, not
yours, but the right one. The Boston Terrier
Standard is divided into 12 sections.
Each is an important part of the breed.
Without excellence in all these parts,
no Boston Terrier can be an outstanding
specimen of the breed, no matter how many
ribbons it wins.
Boston
Terrier Breed Standard
Non-Sporting Group
General Appearance |
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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.
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
For the pictoral edition of the standard,
go to the Boston Terrier Club Of America's
site HERE
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