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The Boston Terrier is one of the few dog breeds that is native to America. The Breed historically has carried many nick names, such as the "American Gentleman" and "Boston Bulls". As a relative newcomer to the dog world, they have already built a strong story and following.
Boston Terriers were originally bred to fight in dog fighting pits in the Boston, Massachusetts area. They were a crossbreed between the English Bulldog, a white English Terrier, and the French Bulldog.
The first crosses occurred in England, but most of the refining of the breed occured in American -- hence the nickname.
In 1889 a several owners of these "Boston Bulls" organized the American Bull Terrier Club. Together they bred and showed their dogs as Bull Dogs and Bull Terriers -- much to the objection of other clubs. Since it could be argued that the "Boston Bulls" were neither Bull Dogs or Bull Terriers, the name of the club was changed to the Boston Terrier Club of America.
This new club developed a standard for what a "Boston Terrier" should be in 1891. Originally, they were declined entrance to the AKC stud books as a registered breed.
In 1893 the club refined the standard and applied again. This time they were successful and the first Boston Terrier became AKC-registered. He was Hector #28814, by Bixby’s Tony ex. Dimple.
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 a rather short and well knit dog. 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 the style of a high order; carriage easy
and graceful. A proportionate combination of "Color and White Markings"
is 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.
Weight is divided by the classes as follows; Under 15 pounds; 15 pounds
and under 20 pounds; 20 pounds and not to exceed 25 pounds. The length
of a leg must balance with the length of body to give the Boston Terrier
it's 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 the 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 proportions to the
skull. It is free from wrinkles, shorter in length then in depth; not
exceeding in length approximately one-third of the length of the skull.
The muzzle from the stop 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 proportions
to the size of the head. Serious Head Faults: Any showing of the tongue
or teeth when the mouth is closed.
NECK, TOP LINE, AND BODY:
The length of the neck must display and 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 top line 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 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 dew claws 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 a 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 markings. Gray or liver colors.
Required Markings:
White muzzle band, white blaze between the
eyes, white fore chest.
Desired Markings:
White muzzle band, even white blaze between
the eyes and over the head, white collar, white fore chest, 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 preponderance of white on the head or body must possess sufficient
merit otherwise to counteract it's 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.
SCALE
OF POINTS:
General Appearance 10
Expression 10
Head (muzzle jaw bit skull stop) 15
Eyes 5
Ears 5
Neck, Top line, Body, Tail 15
Forequarters 10
Feet 5
Color, Coat, Markings 5
Gait 10
TOTAL 100
DISQUALIFICATIONS:
Eyes blue in color or any trace of blue.
Dudley nose.
Docked tail.
Solid black, solid brindle, or solid seal without required markings.
Gray or liver colors
How
to Care for Your New Boston Puppy:
For the first 24 hours get acquainted; you
and your new baby need time so keep them at home.
Limit taking them around strange dogs for you must always be aware there
are diseases and things that can harm your new puppy.
The small tiny breeds do not eat much at one time.
There are several ways to entice your new puppy to eat. One is baby food;
for what are they? A baby. You can give alone or mix with dry dog food.
Turkey, beef or chicken flavors are preferable. It is best to talk with
the breeder and keep feeding the new puppy what they were getting before
coming home.
You can slowly wean them into new foods. Just remember if you give a puppy
to many different kinds of foods to fast it can upset their stomachs.
Remember this new life you have brought home will need care and attention
just like a new baby. When they wake up they potty, and after they eat
they potty. Don't think that house training happens over night. It takes
much patience and understanding.
You can crate train your new puppy. Crate training is like their little
apartment; they feel safe there when you are away or not watching them
closely. Do not get the crate too big at first. Normally a dog won't potty
where they sleep. But there are exceptions to that rule. So be patient!!!
Make sure your puppy has lots of toys and chewies. Lambskin toys and chew
hooves are excellent and not very costly.
Your puppy will have been on a strict vaccination & health program. You
will be given a record of this and instructions on further health needs.
One of the most important things about caring for a puppy is to love it,
after all it is your newest family member.