THE BOSTON TERRIER,

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3802, 31 August 1936, Page 6

THE BOSTON TERRIER,

AMERICA’S MOST POPULAR DOG.

In less than half a century Massachusetts has manufactured a dog which is easily the most popular variety in the United States to-day. This mixture of raw material was first imported from England, being 50-50 bulldog and terrier. The Boston terrier is recognised as “America’s own dog.” In 1891 the American Kennel Club turned down for registration the American Bull Terrier Club of Boston on the ground that the dogs were no longer bull-terriers. Eventually a compromise was effected as the definitely fixed type from an originally chaotic blending was admitted and recognised as the Boston terrier.

As an instance of the breed’s extraordinary popularity in the States for several years. Bostons now have accounted for fully one-fifth of the total registrations for all breeds. This is actually a larger percentage than any single breed in England. It is estimated that there are more than 50,000 Boston terriers in American homes to-day. As far back as 1906 there were 520 exhibits benched at a specialist show in Boston. This record has since been beaten, The general appearance of the finished article is that of a compactly built and w'ell proportioned dog of medium stature, free style, easy and graceful cariage. The brindle colouring and white markings are very attractive, the ideal being an even white blaze, colllar, and breast With part or whole of the forelegs white, and the hind legs white below the hocks. The expression indicates intelligence and character, embodies, pluck, loyalty, obedience, and a sweet nature. The full face on the skull fits into a square flat on top, free from wrinkles, with erectly carried ears.

The Boston is a short-backed dog with a neck of fair length, sloping shoulders, deep wide chest, well sprung ribs and muscular loins. The top line must be level, and only a slight cut up of loin is required. Although the forelegs are set fairly wide apart, they must be those of a terrier and absolutely straight. Elbows must not turn out, and hocks should be well let down turning neither in nor out. A short down-tail tapering quickly to a fine point is desired, but a screw tail is also correct. The coat is short, smooth, and fine in texture, of lustrous finish, shining like satin. Dudleys, blacks, black and tans, livers and blues are disqualified, as are dogs that have been docked. The Boston varies in weight from 10 and 25 lb., divided into light medium and heavy classes.