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 Terrier were originally bred to fight in dog fighting pits in the Boston, Massachusetts area. They were a crossbreed between Bull Dogs and Bull Terriers see photos below.

+=
Pictured here are the Bull Dog and Bull Terrier
which were first bred in 1889
to become the Boston Terrier of today!

The first crosses occurred in England, but most of the refining of the breed occurred 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

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