boston terrier
HISTORICAL SUMMARY
Some historians claim that it is a breed completely developed by the Americans, from the mating of British dogs. Others claim that they were bred in Boston, Massachusetts, in the late 1800s. In any case, the most accepted hypothesis is that the Boston Terrier is the first fully developed breed in the United States.
Country of Origin: United States of America
GENERAL APPEARANCE: Highly intelligent, smooth-coated, short-headed, compactly built, short-tailed, well-balanced, brindle, seal-colored or black and equally marked with white. The head is proportional to the size of the dog and the expression indicates a high degree of intelligence. The trunk is more like short and well adjusted, the limbs strong and without deviations; the tail is short, and no part of the dog is so prominent as to make it look ill-proportioned. The dog should give an impression of determination, strength and classy activity, with a pleasant and graceful demeanor. A proportional combination of “Color and White Marking” is a particular characteristic of a representative specimen.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS: The length of the legs must be in proportion to the length of the torso to give the Boston Terrier its notable square appearance. The Boston Terrier is a strong, vigorous dog and should appear neither slender nor coarse. Your bones and muscles should be in proportion as well as enhancing the dog's weight and frame.
BEHAVIOR AND TEMPERAMENT: The Boston Terrier is an affectionate and gentle dog. The breed has an excellent disposition and a high degree of intelligence, which makes the Boston Terrier an incomparable companion dog.
CRANIAL REGION
skull : Square, flat on top, no wrinkles; abrupt brow ridges.
Stop : Well defined.
FACIAL REGION
Snout: Short, square, wide and deep and in proportion to the skull. No wrinkles; shorter in length than in breadth or depth, not exceeding in length approximately one third of the length of the skull.
Truffle: Black and wide, with a well-defined line between the nostrils. Nostrils wide open.
Jaws and Teeth: Jaws broad and square, with short, regular teeth; a pincer bite or with enough undershot bite to square the muzzle.
Eyes: Well separated, large, round and dark in color. Inserted perpendicularly into the skull and the outer corners should be in line with the cheeks when viewed from the front.
Ears : Small, carried erect or natural or cut to the shape of the head and situated as close as possible to the corners of the skull.
NECK : Length of neck should give the dog an appearance of total balance. Slightly arched, carrying the head gracefully and well set on the shoulders.
TRUNK
Top Line: Flat.
Back: Short enough to square the torso.
Croup: Slightly arched towards the root of the tail.
chest : Deep, with good width; ribs well sprung and set well back towards the loin.
TAIL: Set low, short, thin and tapering; straight or screw, it must not be carried above the horizontal.
MEMBERS
FOREQUARTERS : Forequarters set moderately apart and in line with the point of the withers; straight bone.
Shoulders: Slanted and well placed back, which gives the Boston Terrier an elegant movement.
Elbows: Turning neither in nor out.
Pasterns: Short, strong. Ergos can be removed.
Paws: Small, round and compact, turning neither in nor out, with well-arched fingers and short nails.
HINDQUARTERS :
Thighs: Strong, well muscled, no deviations
Knees: Well angulated.
Hocks: Short, strong. Ergos can be removed.
Paws : Small and compact, with short nails.
DRIVE : The Boston Terrier's gait is that of a dog with sure, straight movements; forelegs and hindquarters move in a straight line in perfect rhythm; each step indicating grace and power.
COAT
By : Short, smooth, shiny and fine textured.
COLOR:
Brindle, seal or black with white markings. Brindle is preferred only if all other qualities are equal.
Markings Required: A white band around the muzzle, a white band between the eyes, white forechest.
White band on the muzzle, equally between the eyes and on the head, white collar, white forechest, white in part or entirely white forelegs and, in the hindquarters, white below the hock.
FAULTS
Any deviation from the terms of this standard should be considered a fault and penalized in exact proportion to its severity and its effects on the health and well being of the dog.
• Heavy or stocky appearance.
• Narrow nose.
• Eyes showing too much white or the third eyelid.
• Length of ears out of proportion to head size.
• Tail carried cheerfully.
• Legs lacking substance.
• Straight knees.
• Open paws (spread out).
• Movement by “rolling”, paddling or crossing; “hackney” movement.
SERIOUS FAULTS
• Jaw twist.
• Showing teeth or tongue when mouth is closed.
• Carped or sealed back.
• Flattened ribs.
• Movement: Any movement across, either front or back
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS
• Aggressiveness or excessive shyness.
• Any dog that shows any sign of physical or behavioral anomaly must be disqualified.
• Depigmented truffle.
• Blue eyes or with any trace of blue.
• Tail docked.
• Solid black, solid brindle or solid seal color without the required white markings.
• Gray or liver colors.
GRADES
• Males must present both testicles, of normal appearance, well let down and accommodated in the scrotum.
• Only clinically and functionally healthy dogs with typical breed conformation should be used for breeding.