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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. Sadly, other breeds like Rottweilers, Boxers, Dobermans and Pembroke Welsh Corgis have to have docked tails in order to show. Another fault is being too big ? Boston Terriers are only supposed to be fifteen inches high at the shoulder and twenty-five pounds at the most.

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 were bred purposefully to be companion animals. They are happy, trainable, lively and like to get along with others.

But that also tells you that these dogs need to be kept indoors, as they lack any protection from the elements.

In looking at the Boston Terrier breed standard, you can see not only if your shelter dog is a Boston Terrier (or mostly Boston Terrier), but also get to see how hard it is for a show dog to win a class. But their winning personalities often get them out of trouble in new homes that they got into in their previous homes.

Boston Terriers are big dogs in little packages. They should exude strength and spirit but also give of an aura of friendliness.