BOSTON TERRIER STANDARD
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, Gait
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.
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
Source: Akc.org
..... A BIT MORE ABOUT THE BREED
..... THE BOSTON TERRIER HEALTH