Border Terrier – Fox Hunter

As the name suggests, Border Terriers come from the Scottish-English border area and have only been specifically bred for almost 100 years. Although the dogs are now mostly kept as family dogs and no longer for game hunting, they have retained their excellent hunting qualities. Here you can find out how the Border Terrier differs from other earth dogs and what owners should offer the self-confident hunter.

The Appearance of the Border Terrier

The wire-haired Border Terrier tends to be long-legged compared to other small terriers. He can easily keep up with riders and is still small enough for construction hunting. In the FCI breed standard, no specific height is given. The ideal weight for males is between 5.9 and 7.1 kilograms, bitches weigh between 5.1 and 6.4 kilograms.

Characteristics of the Border Terrier in detail

• The head should be shaped like an otter. The skull is flat and appears square when viewed from the front.
• The small folding ears are set high and on the sides of the skull and fold forward so that the inside of the ear is covered by the tip. The V shape is pointed and not rounded.
• A black nose is desirable, but lighter pigmentation can also occur. The muzzle is rather short and strong, the lips are tight. The hair on the muzzle is slightly longer than on the face and sticks out in all directions, creating a small beard.
• The body is longer than it is high, with strong loins. The chest is deep and the lower profile line is visibly tucked up.
• The Fore and hind legs are slender and relatively long.
• The tail is set high, is rather broad, and tapers towards the tip. It is only moderately long.

Coat and coloring of the Border Terrier

The Border Terrier’s two-layer coat consists of a wiry top layer, which is dirt and water-repellent, and a dense undercoat. The hair does not frizz and should not be too short. Eyebrows and muzzles are emphasized by longer hair. The ears are usually a little darker than the rest of the fur.

These colors are allowed for inbreeding

• Red.
• Mottled with loaf badge.
• Blue with tan markings.
• Color Scheme: Dark base color with lighter tan markings on head, legs, underbody, and chest.

This is how you distinguish Border Terriers from other earth dogs

• Cairn terriers are similar to border terriers, but they have pointy prick ears instead of flap ears.
• Norfolk Terriers are short-legged and bred in other colors.
• Norwich Terriers also have short legs and pointy erect ears.
• The Patterdale Terrier has a short black coat.

The Origin of the Border Terrier: The Fox Hunter from the Scottish-English Border Area

In the cool borderland between Scotland and England, numerous unique breeds developed in the 18th century, bred specifically for hunting badgers and foxes and herding sheep. How exactly the Border Terrier came about is difficult to understand today. What is clear is that the breed shares common ancestors with the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Bedlington Terrier.

The tasks of the border terrier

Border terriers were specially bred for burrow hunting and are good at tracking down and chasing foxes, badgers, and rodents. Thanks to their long legs, they can also accompany hunters on horseback. The waterproof coat keeps the dogs warm even in wet sea areas, allowing them to work for hours even in the cold.

The Nature of the Border Terrier: Small Dogs with a Lot of Character

The Border Terrier is a passionate hunting dog with a lot of stamina. It is small enough to be kept around town but needs plenty of exercise and exercise. If the little hunter smells game, he can hardly be stopped, even with good training. The dog is suitable for beginners and single owners, but it feels even more comfortable as a playmate in busy households with several dogs or children.

These characteristics are typical of Border Terriers

• Gets along very well with other dogs.
• Doesn’t get along with cats.
• Very active outside, rather quiet inside.
• Confident and brave.
• Spirited and sometimes stubborn.
• Friendly to children and visitors.

The Border Terrier is and will always be a working dog

If there is a low window to peek out of and enough toys in the house, the little terrier can easily keep him busy for several hours. However, the active earth dog cannot be kept as a lap dog. He needs a meaningful job that keeps him physically and mentally busy. If you like to spend time outdoors and are willing to deal intensively with your dog every day, you can also keep a Border Terrier purely as a companion dog.

Training and Husbandry: This Is How the Border Terrier Stays Happy and Healthy

If your Border Terrier is not used for hunting, it must be utilized in other ways. Simply going for a walk in the park is not enough for the active terrier at a young age. Visit a dog school with your puppy and find out about sports facilities for dogs in your area before you buy a Border Terrier. The little fur noses are very skillful in almost all dog sports and enjoy working with their owner.