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.If you are interested in
a
Boston
Terrier Puppy:
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