Boston Terrier 101: The Breed Standard
A breed standard is a breed organization’s blueprint of what the ideal dog should look and act like. This is what a show dog like a purebred Boston Terrier is judged against. Instead of being compared to the other dogs in the ring, the dog is compared to how well they fit the breed standard. This is usually what breeders strive to achieve in their breeding programs. A breed standard is the Holy Writ of the dog world.
The charming personality of the Boston Terrier is not only one reason why it is so popular, but also why they do so well outside of a show ring or a breeding kennel. The purpose of developing the breed was to make a good pet for people, unlike other breeds bred to hunt, fight or herd livestock. They are lively, kind, easy-going and good with kids and senior citizens as well as other animals.
The breed standard also reveals another reason why the Boston Terrier is so popular. They are small, but not so small as to jeopardize their health. They are robust, but portable. Although you may find some Boston Terriers outside the lines, they are usually fifteen to twenty-five pounds and only about fifteen inches high at their shoulders. They are most famous in black and white, but also come in seal and white and brindle and white. The breed standard is quite strict on the distribution of white around the body, which disqualifies a lot of Boston Terriers from the ring.
Boston Terriers look like they have docked tails, as they are very short. However, when you look at the breed standard, it says that docked tails are not allowed. This is one of the few breeds that naturally have tiny tails.
But part of the Boston Terrier breed standard that best helps you identify one of this breed is the temperament. Thankfully, the temperament in a Boston Terrier has always been considered just as important as their looks.
Boston Terriers look and act like a toy dog, but they are shown in the non-sporting group. Their looks are just as charming as their personalities, colors and lack of tail. They are smooth-haired, strongly built without being too muscular like an English Bulldog. They have large, expressive eyes and a lively walk. They have a blunt nose, but usually not as flat as a Pekingese nose. The breed they most look like is the French Bulldog.
Boston Terriers often have pointed ears that are proportional to the size of the head. Sometimes, you’ll see a purebred Boston with huge bat-ears - that’s not a show dog. They bounce when they walk, but they should not have a high-stepping walk like a Hackney horse or the incredibly slow shuffle of a Pekingese.
Boston Terriers are usually abandoned through no fault of their own, but because they are so cute and small, as people often buy them on impulse.
Tags: animal, animals, boston terrier, breeding dogs, dog, Dogs, family, home, pedigree dogs, pet, Pets