About Boston Terriers
The Boston Terrier is often referred to as "The American Gentleman," and it has been said that "There is no better dog or greater companion" than the Boston Terrier. Many adjectives have been used to describe this little dog: lively, affectionate, intelligent, stylish, sturdy, handsome, elegant, loving, loyal, comical, friendly and most of all an extraordinary companion dog.
Your Boston will want to be with you at all times and it really “needs” to be near you to keep it happy. These are not dogs that you can have live in a separate room from you but they do enjoy have a space of their own. It is critical to crate train your Boston Terrier. Leave the door open and you can often find them inside taking a nap.
Taking Good Care of Your Boston
Boston Terriers require only a moderate amount of exercise and a minimal amount of grooming. They do well in relatively small spaces and are usually quiet, well mannered dogs. They should never be allowed to run free and should be contained by a fence or be on a leash at all times.
They require the companionship of humans and should be given regular exercise and the opportunity to eliminate at least four times a day after they reach adulthood. They do require protection from extreme heat or cold and are not outdoor dogs.
With a high-quality, grain-free diet, proper exercise, and good veterinary care, your Boston should maintain good health. The average life span of a well bred and well cared for Boston should be about 11 to 13 years.
Health Testing of Boston Terriers
Health testing of Boston Terriers to continue to improve their health is very important. The following is a link to articles about genetic and/or general health problems that can affect Boston Terriers.
Click here to read more.
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. Any color not described in the standard.
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. Any color not described in the standard.
Approved February 11, 2011
Effective March 30, 2011