ORIGINUSA.DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE VALID ORIGINAL STANDARD28.02.1990.UTILIZATIONCompanion.CLASSIFICATION FCIGroup 9 Companions and ToysSection 11 Small Molossian Dogs. Without working trial.GENERAL APPEARANCEThe 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 particulary distinctive feature of a representative specimen."Balance, Expression, Colour and White Markings" should be given particular consideration in determining the relative value of GENERAL APPEARANCE to other points.SIZE/PROPORTION/SUBSTANCEWeightIs divided by classes as followsUnder 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.FaultsBlocky or chunky in appearance.INFLUENCE OF SEXIn a comparison of specimens of each sex, the only evident difference is a slight refinement in the bitch's conformation.HEADThe skullis square, flat on top, free from wrinkles, cheeks flat, brow abrupt and the stop well defined. The ideal Boston Terrier expressionis 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. DisqualifyEyes 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 noseis black and wide, with a well defined line between the nostrils.DisqualifyDudley nose.The jawis 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 Faults Wry mouth.HEAD FAULTSEyes showing too much white or haw. Pinched or wide nostrils. Size of ears out of proporion to the size of the head.SERIOUS HEAD FAULTSAny showing of the tongue or teeth when the mouth is closed.NECK/TOPLINE AND BODYThe 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. Notethe preferred tail does not exceed in length more than one-quarter the distance from set-on to hock.DisqualifyDocked tail.BODY FAULTSGaily carried tail.SERIOUS BODY FAULTSRoach back, sway back, slab-sided.FOREQUARTERSThe 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.FaultsLegs lacking in substance; splay feet.HINDQUARTERSThe 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.FaultsStraight in stifle.GAITThe 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 FAULTSThere will be no rolling, paddling, or weaving, when gaited. Hackney gait.SERIOUS GAIT FAULTSAny crossing movement, either front or rear.COATThe coat is short, smooth, bright and fine in texture.COLOUR AND MARKINGSBrindle, seal, or black with white markings. Brindle is preferred ONLY if all other qualities are equal. NoteSEAL DEFINED. Seal appears black except it has a red cast when viewed in the sun or bright light.DisqualifySolid black, solid brindle or solid seal without required white markings. Gray or liver colours.Required MarkingsWhite muzzle band, white blaze between the eyes, white forechest.Desired MarkingsWhite 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.SUMMARYThe 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 POINTSGeneral Appearance 10Expression 10Head (Muzzle, Jaw, Bite, Skull & Stop) 15Eyes 5Ears 5Neck, Topline, Body & Tail 15Forequarters 10Hindquarters 10Feet 5Colour, Coat & Markings 5Gait 10-------------TOTAL 100DISQUALIFICATIONSEyes blue in colour or any trace of blue.Dudley nose.Docked tail.Solid black, solid brindle, or solid seal without required white markings.Gray or liver colors.N.B.Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
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