Boston Terrier
Non Sporting

Group:

Non sporting

Size:

small

Lifespan:

10-14 years

Exercise:

low

Grooming:

very low

Trainability:

medium

Watchdog ability:

very high

Protection ability:

low

Area of Origin:

United States

Date of Origin:

1800's

Other Names:

Boston Bull, American

Original Function:

ratting, companion

History

The Boston terrier, a Made-in-America dog, was developed specifically for the nasty sport of dog-fighting in the 1800's. Breeders crossed the Bulldog and the English White Bull and Terrier, and then most likely crossed it again later with the French Bulldog, to give rise to the dog as it is recognised now. The breed would have been lost to future generations when dog-fighting became illegal had it not been for the concerted efforts of a few proud breeders in the Boston area. Eventually they formed the Boston Terrier Club and pushed to have the breed recognised by the American Kennel Club; it was recognised in 1893. By the 1930's, the breed was the most popular one in America and fit into households of all kinds. The breed requires little maintenance and exercise which makes it a good choice for those who prefer to stay at home.

Temperament

The Boston Terrier is a lively and intelligent dog who makes a good companion especially to children. Initially suspicious of strangers, the Boston Terrier is a good watch dog. Voted number one family pet by American Parents magazine.

Upkeep

This is a lively dog that needs daily exercise and interaction with its people. It loves games, and most of its exercise requirements can be met with a romp in the yard or a short walk on leash. It cannot live outdoors. Some Bostons wheeze and snore, and many don’t tolerate heat well. The coat requires only minimal care, an occasional brushing to remove dead hairs.

Official Breed Standard

CHARACTERISTICS:
A proportionate combination of "Colour" and "Ideal Markings" is a particularly distinctive feature of a representative specimen. A dog with a preponderance of white on body or without the proper proportion of brindle and white on head is at a disadvantage. The ideal "Boston Terrier Expression" as indicating "a high degree of intelligence" is also an important characteristic of the breed. "Colour and Markings" and "Expression" should be given particular consideration in determining the relative value of "General Appearance" to other points.

GENERAL APPEARANCE:
The general appearance of the Boston Terrier should be that of a lively, highly intelligent, smooth-coated, short-headed, compactly built, short-tailed, well balanced dog of medium size, of brindle colour and evenly marked with white. The head should indicate a high degree of intelligence and should be in proportion to the size of the dog; the body rather short and well knit; the limbs strong and neatly turned; tail short and no feature to be so prominent that the dog appears badly proportioned. The dog should convey an impression of determination, strength and activity, with style of a high order; carriage easy and graceful. The gait of the Boston Terrier is that of a sure-footed straight-gaited dog, forelegs and hindlegs moving straight ahead in time with perfect rhythm, each step indicating grace and power.

Head and Skull:
Skull square, flat on top, free from wrinkles, cheeks flat; brow abrupt, stop well defined. Muzzle short, square, wide and deep and in proportion to the skull- free from wrinkles; shorter in length than in width and depth, not exceeding in length approximately one-third of length of skull; width and depth carried out well to end; the muzzle from stop to end of nose on a line parallel to the top of the skull, nose black and wide with well-defined line between nostrils. The jaws broad and square. The chops of good depth but not pendulous, completely covering the teeth when mouth is closed.

Eyes:
Wide apart, large and round, dark in colour, expression alert but kind and intelligent. The eyes should be set square in the skull, and the outside corners should be on a line with the cheeks as viewed from the front.

Ears:
Carried erect; small and thin; situated as near corner of skull as possible.

Mouth:
Teeth short and regular, bite even, or sufficiently undershot to square muzzle.

Neck:
Of fair length, slightly arched and carrying the head gracefully; neatly set into the shoulders.

Forequarters:
Legs set moderately wide apart and on a line with the point of the shoulders; straight in bone and well muscled; pasterns short and strong. Elbows standing neither in nor out.

Body:
Deep with good width of chest; shoulders sloping, back short; ribs deep and well sprung, carried well back to loins; loins short and muscular; rump curving slightly to set-on of tail; flank very slightly cut up. The body should appear short but not chunky.

Hindquarters:
Legs set true, bent at stifles, short from hocks to feet; hocks turning neither in nor out; thighs strong and well muscled.

Feet:
Round, small and compact, and turned neither in nor out; toes well arched.

Tail:
Set-on low; short, fine and tapering; straight or screw; devoid of fringes or coarse hair, and not carried above horizontal.

Coat:
Short, smooth, bright and fine in texture.

Colour:
Brindle with white markings, brindle must show throughout the body distinctly; black and white markings are permissible, but brindles with white markings are preferred. (Ideal colour shall be one in which the brindle colouring is evenly distributed throughout the body). Ideal markings: white muzzle, even white blaze over head, collar, breast, part or whole of forelegs, and hind legs below hocks.

Weight and Size:
Weight should not exceed 11.4 kg. (25 lbs) divided by classes as follows: Lightweight, under 6.8 kg. (15 lbs); Middleweight 6.8 kg. (15 lbs) and under 9.1 kg. (20 lbs); Heavyweight 9.1 kg. (20 lbs) and under 11.4 kg (25 lbs).

Faults:
Solid black, black and tan; liver or mouse colour; Dudley nose; docked tail. Skull "domed" or inclined; furrowed by a medial line; skull too long for breadth, or vice versa; stop too shallow; brow and skull too slanting. Eyes small or sunken; too prominent; light colour or wall eye; showing too much white or haw. Muzzle wedge-shaped or lacking depth; down faced; too much cut out below the eyes; pinched or wide nostrils; butterfly nose, protruding teeth; weak lower jaw; showing "turn-up". Ears poorly carried or in size out of proportion to the head. Neck: ewe-necked; throaty, short or thick. Body: flat sides; narrow chest; long or slack loins; roach back; sway back, too much cut-up in flank. Loose shoulders or elbows; hind legs too straight at stifles; hocks too prominent; long or weak pasterns; splay feet. A long or gaily carried tail; extremely gnarled or curled against body. (Note - The preferred tail should not exceed in length approximately half the distance from the set-on to hock). Colour and markings: all white; absence of white markings; preponderance of white on body; without the proper proportion of brindle and white on head; or any variations detracting from the general appearance. Coat: long or coarse; lacking lustre.

Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.