Non-Sporting Dogs

Utility Group

The Boston Terrier. This American breed is named after the Massachusetts town and was produced from crossing English and French Bulldogs, plus some old Terrier blood. The Boston Terrier ranked among America's top ten favorites from 1900-1963 and captivated millions of fanciers the world over. He is a gentle house pet and a good companion. These dogs are judged in three weight classes: lightweight, middleweight, and heavyweight. Brindle with white markings is the preferred coat colour (the white to be on the front, collar and blaze), though black with white is permitted. Coat short and sleek. Head broad and round; ears erect, rather large; body compact; tail straight or screw.

The English Bulldog. The Bulldog is considered the national British breed and typifies tenacity, determination and courage. We first hear of dogs fighting against bulls in 1209. The dog was trained to seize the bull's sensitive nose or ear and hang on until he brought the bull to its knees. This unpleasant so-called sport flourished until abolished by law in 1835.

Breeders, who valued the dog's courage, strength, and essential dignity managed in a few generations to bread out its ferocity. Today, the Bulldog is a fine pet, fun-loving, devoted and friendly.

The ideal Bulldog is of medium size, thick-set with rather low stature although broad and powerful. The head is a distinctive feature, with its wrinkles and furrows. The skull in front of the ears should be equal in circumference to the height at the shoulder. Between the ears the skull should be flat and not rounded. The jaws should be broad and square, the lower projecting considerably in front of the upper and turning up. The large nose should be set back almost between the eyes, which are wide apart; the ears, placed high on the head, hould be small and thin, the correct shape is termed a rose ear. The stout and strong front legs are placed wide apart, the muscular forearms giving them a rather bowed outline; but the actual bone should be straight. The muscular hind legs are longer in proportion than the front, which gives the animal an awkward, loose-jointed, shuffling gait. The back, short and strong, needs to be very broad at the shoulders and tapering at the loins, marking the body pear-shaped and tucked up at the belly. The tail is straight or screw, set low and should be carried downwards. Preferred colours of his smooth coat are red, or brindle, solid white, fawn, in a word - any colour except black or black and tan.

Corageous but never aggressive, he is kind, peaceful and dignified.