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Master the art of judging Boston Terriers: explore breed standards, priorities, and the unique focus on head type and expression.
Ken Roux
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This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, November 2013 issue.
Judging a Boston Terrier requires a good depth of knowledge of the standard and an eye for correct breed type.
It is not a bully breed, isn’t a toy, nor fine-boned. It is somewhere in the middle. A Boston Terrier should be a sturdy dog, never appearing spindly or coarse. Fault: Blocky or chunky in appearance.
The Boston Terrier standard is one of the few Breed Standards that offer a scale of points to assist in judging. This scale simplifies the components and helps develop a good grasp of the breed.
This is one of the most significant features of the standard and is too often forgotten. After examining the scale of points, it becomes apparent that the Boston Terrier is a “head” breed first and foremost.
General Appearance…………………………10
Expression………………………………………10
Head (Muzzle, Jaw, Bite, Skull & Stop) …….15
Eyes…………………………………………………5
Ears…………………………………………………5
Neck, Topline, Body & Tail………………15
Forequarters……………………………………10
Hindquarters ………………………………….10
Feet…………………………………………………5
Color, Coat & Markings…………………….5
Gait……………………………………………….10
Total ………………………………………… 100
Boston Terriers are a hard breed to judge. If the only focus is on movement—a good down and back or clean go-around—a common dog will often win. An ignorant judge will place the dogs on the go-around.
Movement has some importance in the breed but it is a low priority for the Boston Terrier. Final consideration between specimens should always be re-tabled for head evaluations.
The Boston Terrier is neither a sporting, working, nor hound dog. The Boston Terrier is a companion. A Boston Terrier should look up with a beautiful head and expression from the couch.
Several weeks ago, I asked a judge about the priorities in which they were placing the dogs. Without delay, I interrupted and asked, “Isn’t the Boston Terrier a head breed?” She rolled her eyes and said, “If it peeks its head over a fence and looks like a Boston, then that’s a good enough head for me.”
That is not the correct way to judge a Boston Terrier. Judging without head type as the highest consideration is an injustice to the breed. The head of a Boston Terrier is the top of the priority chart. What makes a good head? As a judge, I put the most weight on the head, eyes, and expression. Why? The standard is crystal clear on this. In the standard, it states: “Expression is the most important characteristic of the breed.”
This phrase alone sets the precedent in judging the Boston Terrier. The prominent part of expression is the eyes. The standard states that the eyes are wide apart, large and round, and dark in color. I would estimate that less than 20% of the dogs I see in the ring have the desired eye described in the standard.
When examining the eyes, focus on a round opening. Any trace of blue in the eye is a disqualification; look carefully to ensure there are no hidden blue flecks. There should be very little, if any, white showing in the eyes as well.
Ears are also an important component of expression. They should be small, carried erect, and can be natural or cropped to conform to the shape of the dog’s head.
Tey should be situated as close to the corners of the skull as possible. Te standard says the Boston Terrier is to appear lively and highly intelligent. Te ears reveal a lot when looking for a dog to fit this description. An incorrect ear placement and shape will detract from the desired appearance that is called for in the standard. Be impartial to cropped or natural ears. Whether they are cropped or natural, they should be set high on the skull and at a position of 11 and 1, not lower. Tey should be in proportion to the shape and size of the head.
Te muzzle, jaw, bite, skull and stop total 15 points in the standard. Te skull is square, flat on top and free from wrinkles. Do not confuse cushion for wrinkles; they are not the same. Cushion is a term used to describe the fill under the eyes and muzzle area often times confused as a wrinkle or crease under the eye. Wrinkles on the skull and muzzle should be penalized, but cushion should be rewarded, as it is extremely difficult to breed for and is a rare find in the breed today. Te muzzle is short, square, wide and deep and in proportion to the skull. It is imperative to remember the muzzle area should be shorter in length than in width or depth; never should the muzzle exceed one-third the length of skull. Te nose on a Boston Terrier should be solid black with a well-defined line between the nostrils.
Nostrils that are constricted or wide are to be faulted. A butterfly nose is undesirable while a dudley nose is a disqualification. Be sure to know difference. Te jaw should be broad and square with short regular teeth. A wry jaw or teeth and tongue showing when the mouth is closed are serious faults. Te bite of a Boston Terrier is to be even or sufficiently undershot to square up the muzzle. At no time should
the bite be overshot. Te muzzle is short and wide; too many specimens in the breed ring today are long-muzzled and give the appearance of being pinched. Te flews or jowls of a Boston Terrier shouldn’t be pendulous; they should have a clean, tight lip line. Although no points are assigned to the cheeks of a Boston Terrier, it is important to note the square look that is desired requires a flat cheek line. Te standard allocates 15 points to the neck, top line, body and tail. Te 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.
A short or ewe-neck is undesirable. Te topline is level and the rump curves slightly to the set-on of the tail. A proper topline is a rare find. Tere should be no dip at the withers or sway or roach, which are serious body faults. Te back is just short enough to square the body. Tis gives a striking square outline. Te chest should be deep with good width and the ribs should be well sprung, carried back into the loins. A slab-sided rib is a serious fault. Te tail is set on low, short, fine and tapering, straight or screw and must not be carried above the horizontal. Although the standard allows for a very short tail, Boston Terriers should have a tail.
A docked tail is disqualification. Te forequarters and hindquarters make up 10 points. Tis is a moderate breed. Te front is well laid back. Te forelegs are straight with short, strong pasterns. Te feet are small, round and compact. Four toes should touch the ground. High outer toes are a deformity. Te rear is moderately angled. Te Boston Terrier is a double tracking breed at any speed and shouldn’t be run around the ring. Te Boston Terrier should never move like that of a working dog or a sporting dog. Tere will be no rolling, paddling or weaving when gaited. Tey should not have a hackney gait. Te legs should not converge. Crossing over in the front or rear should be heavily faulted. Color, coat and markings are often a big topic when discussing the Boston Terrier. Keep in perspective that five points are assigned to this area, although one could argue it also pertains to the general appearance. When judging markings for the Boston Terrier, the most important thing is to understand what the required markings are for the breed, a white muzzle band, white blaze between the eyes, and white forechest. Tat’s it. Any specimen that does not possess these minimal markings are to be disqualified. After required markings the primary focus should be on type and structure.
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