that compare the three brachycephalic Non-Sporting breeds together; thus too forgiving or actually choosing the roached topline and search for the flattest face possible without allowances for the slightly longer muzzle as permitted in our Standard. M&BS: Some new judges may not be aware that a represen- tative specimen should not be penalized for not possess- ing “desired markings”. 10. Is there anything else you’d like to share about the breed? Please elaborate. CB: They are a companion dog, so unless it is fun they are unhappy. Lastly, I like the brindle in the coats as it seems to give the soft feeling with fine smooth finish look mixed with the black fine hair. But there is nothing prettier than a True Brindle yet they have a hard time in the ring with Judges as of the White of the Boston stands out more with the Dark Seals and Blacks. MD: I think I’ve said enough in the previous answers, but would like to define the ideal Boston by the fol- lowing: The Boston Terrier is a dog of squares—square muzzle on a square skull with a square body in a tuxedo. A dapper gentleman, ready for an evening of adventure while on the town in New York City! M&BS: We are glad to see Boston Terriers holding their own in the Non-Sporting group. It has been awhile since the Boston Terrier has received the credit that they deserve. It is good to see so many quality Boston Terriers being shown and being recognized and we hope to see this trend continue. 11. And, for a bit of humor: What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever experienced at a dog show? MD: Too many funny experiences to think of one in particular, but a giggler (now, not then) during the Bulldog National Obedience trial, my Bulldog ran away during the off lead heel exercise, forcing me to chase her through the gallery, the vendors, the lobby and the bar of this huge convention center, while yelling, “ETHYL COME!” and trying to catch her. She didn’t qualify! (Except for the comedy award.) M&BS: One of our funniest experiences happened when we traveled to Australia to judge the Boston Terrier specialty. In Sydney after renting a car at the airport we found that with all of the roundabouts that no matter which way we turned or what road we took we took, we would eventually end up right back in the airport. It reminded me of Bill Murray in Groundhog Day . After that funny experience we did our traveling by train.
buggy eyes and fine bone. The Boston is a family compan- ion, not a tiny lap dog and must be sturdy enough to be handled by small children without fear of injury. I’ve also been seeing unsound feet. In keeping the preferred small round foot, breeders have been exhibiting dogs where the lateral toe is too short to reach the ground. This needs to be addressed as a health issue. M&BS: There are presently no traits in the Boston Terrier that we fear are becoming exaggerated. There is no com- plete perfect Boston Terrier, but we do have our standard to keep us on track that was updated in 2011 to disquali- fy colors other than those listed in the standard. 9. What do you think new judges misunderstand about the breed? CB: New Judges have a hard time understanding standard when judging them in the ring. Which I feel is because of the three weights. Many people have heard me say over and over that we should have a ideal weight. When you look at the Specials they usually are close in size. The smaller ones are not usually seen in the Groups same as the very large. It is all about the Balance Look. Not weight. They are not always easy to Show. The handlers have to make them think it is fun or they could careless. Also Judges have to gentle with them on the table or there goes the expression and the expression by shutting their eyes or turning their head away to show who is boss. MD: New judges seem to equate the Boston with the Bulldog and Frenchie--probably from too many seminars “THE BOSTON TERRIER IS A DOG OF SQUARES— SQUARE MUZZLE ON A SQUARE SKULL WITH A SQUARE BODY IN A TUXEDO. A DAPPER GENTLEMAN, READY FOR AN EVENING OF ADVENTURE WHILE ON THE TOWN IN NEW YORK CITY!”
S how S ight M agazine , J anuary 2017 • 151
Powered by FlippingBook