JUDGING THE BOSTON TERRIER By Ken Roux J udging 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 EXPRESSION 10 points HEAD muzzle, jaw, bite, skull & stop 15 points EYES 5 points EARS 5 points HEAD 35 points
Terrier should be a sturdy dog never appear- ing spindly or coarse. Fault: Blocky or chunky in appearance. Th e Boston Terrier standard is one of the few breed standards that o ff er a scale of points to assist in judging. It simplifies the components and helps to develop a good grasp on the breed. Th is is one of the most significant features in the standard and is too often forgotten. After examin- ing the scale of points it becomes apparent the Boston Terrier is a “head” breed first and foremost. SCALE OF POINTS 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 DISQUALIFICATIONS • Eyes blue in color or any trace of blue. • Solid black, solid brindle, or solid seal without required markings. All other colors are a disqualification. Without type as the priority, 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. Move- ment has some importance in the breed • Dudley nose. • Docked tail.
GENERAL APPEARANCE 10 points
BODY
NECK, TOPLINE, BODY & TAIL 15 points
FOREQUARTERS 10 points
HINDQUARTERS 10 points
FEET 5 points
MOVEMENT 10 points
COLOR, COAT & MARKINGS 5 points
Keep a good grasp on the priorities of the breed and how the standard by following the prioritization chart above.
but it is a low priority for the Boston Ter- rier. Final consideration between speci- mens should always be re-tabled for head evaluations. Th e Boston Terrier is neither a sporting, working or hound dog. Th e Boston Terrier is a companion. A Bos- ton Terrier better look up with a beautiful head and expression from the couch. Several weeks back I asked a judge 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.” Th at is not the correct way to judge a Boston Terrier. Judging without head type as the highest consideration is an injustice to the breed. Th e 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? Th e standard is crystal clear on this. In the standard it states, Expression is the most important characteristic of the breed. Th is phrase alone sets the precedents in judging the Boston Terrier. Th e prominent part expression is the eyes. Th e standard states the eyes are wide apart, large and round, dark in color. I would estimate less than 20 percent of the dogs I see in the ring have the desired eye described in the standard. When examin- ing the eyes focus on a round opening. Any trace of blue in the eye is a disqualification; look carefully to be certain there are no hidden blue flecks. Th ere should be very lit- tle, if any, white showing in the eyes as well. Ears are also an important component of expression. Th ey should be small, car- ried erect and can be natural or cropped
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