Information on AKC Boston Terrier Puppies
AKC MEET THE BREEDS®: Boston Terrier
Truly an "All-American" dog, the Boston Terrier is a lively and highly intelligent breed with an excellent disposition. Conveying an impression of determination, strength and activity, he is short-headed and compactly built, and must be black, brindle or seal with white markings.
A Look Back
Following the Civil War, the Boston Terrier breed was developed in the stables of Boston, Massachusetts, as a fighting dog. An imported dog known as "Hooper's Judge" (sold to a Boston man in 1870) became the ancestor of almost all true modern Boston Terriers.
The breed is an American creation, resulting from a cross between an English Bulldog and a white English Terrier. In 1891, the breed became known as Boston Terriers, taking the name of the city where they originated.
Right Breed for You?
The Boston has been nicknamed "the American Gentleman" because of his dapper appearance, characteristically gentle disposition and suitability as companion and house pet. They require only a moderate amount of exercise and a minimum amount of grooming. The breed is easy to train and they are easy keepers, preferring to remain by their owner’s sides.
If you are considering purchasing a Boston Terrier puppy, learn more here.
- Non-Sporting Group; AKC recognized in 1893.
- Weight is divided by classes as follows: Under 15 pounds; 15 pounds and under 20 pounds; 20 pounds and not to exceed 25 pounds.
- Companion.
© The American Kennel Club, Inc.
Boston Terrier Breed 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
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.
Scale of Points
General Appearance
Expression
Head (Muzzle, Jaw, Bite, Skull & Stop)
Eyes
Ears
Neck, Topline, Body & Tail
Forequarters
Hindquarters
Feet
Color, Coat & Markings
Gait
Total |
10
10
15
5
5
15
10
10
5
5
10
100 |
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
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