Boston Terrier Non Standard Colors

Non- Standard Colors in Boston Terriers by Maureen Blackwood & Sharon Saberton

The official American Kennel Club breed standard for the Boston Terrier describes the colors and markings that are acceptable for all Boston Terriers. The acceptable colors are brindle, seal or black with white markings. A Seal colored Boston Terrier appears black, except it has a red cast when viewed in the sun or bright light”. Brindle is defined in the AKC glossary of terms as a color pattern resulting in the layering of black pigment in regions of lighter color.

Our standard further instructs judges to disqualify solid colored dogs (no white markings) or gray or liver colored dogs.

Sometimes there may be a puppy born that is a non-standard color, such as *red, blue, fawn, solid white, etc. While these dogs may be cute and healthy, they do not meet the requirements set forth by the breed standard.

Newcomers to the breed should be cautioned that these colors are not rare, nor desirable. They are simply incorrect. To promote these dogs as exceptional or as acceptable breeding stock in order to entice a sale is misleading to the buyer.

The unique, striking appearance of a black, seal or brindle Boston Terrier with its snow white required markings is what makes a Boston Terrier stand out from any other breed. Breeders are encouraged to adhere to the Boston Terrier Club of America standard when choosing their breeding stock so that each new litter will improve our breed and we can continue to preserve correct breed type.

Characteristics of these dogs with non-standard colors are Light eyes, lack of black nose pigment, no brindle, etc. Even in the case of the fawn color with a black mask, there is no brindle. IE: The lack of brindle and the lack of black pigmentation according to the way the revisions committee have been working on the color portion of the standard will eliminate these dogs from the ring.

*A red colored Boston Terrier has a solid red or brown colored coat and red pigmented skin with a red or liver colored nose and light gold or green eyes.

The views in this article are not necessarily those of the BTCA board directors.

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