Mary Allen
The Border Terrier is an active working dog from the border area between England and Scotland. He belongs to an internationally recognized breed and is classified by the FCI, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, in group 3, the terriers. This group is subdivided again and here the terrier with “Scottish accent” belongs in Section 1, which is the “department” for “high-legged terriers”.
Border Terrier Dog Breed
Weight: 5-7kg
FCI Group: 3: Terriers
Section: 1: Long Legged Terriers
Country of origin: Great Britain
Colors: Red, Wheaten, Blue-Tan, Grizzle-Tan, Heather Gray-Tan
Life expectancy: 12-15 years
Suitable as: family, companion, show, and hunting dog
Sports: dog dancing, dog diving
Temperament: Affectionate, Intelligent, Attentive, Obedient, Fearless
Leaving requirements: high
Low drool potential
The thickness of hair medium
Maintenance effort: rather high
Coat structure: hard topcoat and soft undercoat
Child-friendly: rather yes
Family dog: yes
Social: rather no
Origin and Breed History
In the 18th century, people deliberately used dogs for successful hunting, for protecting houses and farms, and for guarding herds of cattle. Hunting in those days was more than dangerous and unthinkable without a companion dog. The Border Terrier was bred for exactly these tasks. He had to run fast and with stamina, be able to keep up with a horse’s gallop, and crawl into every fox’s den. He had to move swiftly and boldly in the water, he had to be weatherproof and “safe for packs”.
Northumberland, the border region between England and Scotland with what is now known as the National Park, used to be a dangerous place with countless adventurous stories that have happened in this region. From the start, the Border Terrier was bred for performance, not beauty. The result is a high-performance athlete related to the Bedlington and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. In 1920 the breed was recognized by the Kennel Club. To this day, the Border Terrier is used for hunting and is also a popular partner for active people.
Nature & Temperament of the Border Terrier
Originally bred to hunt fox, badger, and otter, the Border Terrier had to be a sure-footed companion, meaning it had to be socially acceptable lest the hunt is compromised by dogfighting. As easily as he finds his way around in a pack of his kind, he is just as “funny” with cats. A Border Terrier and a cat in the same household will not become friends and not only that – the terrier can even become dangerous to the cat. However, the clever hunter gets along very well with children, always provided that the children have been instructed beforehand how to behave towards a self-confident terrier. Everyone involved in a game must abide by certain rules.
The Border Terrier is a temperamental and self-confident dog whose hunting instinct is never completely extinguished in nature and immediately flares up when his nose picks up a hot scent. In the house, the “daredevil” behaves rather calmly and evenly – as long as his owner is regularly outside with him and busy with the dog. The method of hunting used by the Border Terrier to track and chase foxes and martens requires independent judgment, courage, and cunning. What is a great advantage for hunting is not always easy when living with a person who is “only” looking for a companion dog. The terrier has to understand commands and the dog owner will not be able to train his “border crosser” to obey blindly.
How Much Does a Border Terrier Puppy Cost?
A puppy from a breeder costs around $800 to $1,000.
The Appearance of the Border Terrier
A Border Terrier weighs around 6.5 kilograms and measures an average of 35 centimeters. His body is athletic and muscular. Anyone who sees it will believe its ability to run and the agility it needs to crawl effortlessly into a fox’s burrow. The dog breed is long-legged, well-trained, and very agile. The drooping ears give her a good-natured touch. As a cross-country skier, she must have enough lung volume available, which means that the thorax extends far back, but at the same time it must not be too wide so that the terrier’s “earthwork” can still be guaranteed.
The bitches are slightly smaller and lighter as is the case with almost all dog breeds. Both sexes have rough fur and a dense undercoat. It protects you in all weather conditions. In the wild English-Scottish nature where they come from, there was no windbreak or a roof over one’s head in the rain. The fur had to have the properties that a functional jacket has today. Water-repellent, quick-drying, breathable, and windproof. The Border Terrier is perfectly equipped to this day. The terrier also cuts a good figure next to a horse and is therefore suitable as a riding companion dog. In terms of color, it captivates in all shades – blue and tan, red as well as grizzle and tan.
What Does a Border Terrier Look Like?
The Border Terrier is a high-legged, medium-sized terrier with a flat, almost square skull and a short muzzle. Its coat is wiry, close-lying with a dense undercoat.
Upbringing and Keeping the Border Terrier – This is Important to Note
Training a Border Terrier should start as early as possible and follow a plan consistently. Absolute submission will not be high on the agenda. A Border Terrier has to be bound to oneself through enthusiasm for a task and thereby demand obedience. Joint activities strengthen the bond between man and dog.
Smaller pets, which normally roam free, must be kept safe from the shaggy hunter. Older people should be a little careful, the terriers can be quite boisterous at times. The Border Terrier can also be taken as a companion on horseback rides. However, this requires some training in advance so that it is a positive experience for all parties. Like so many others, humans and dogs need training together.
This dog breed is not exactly an entry-level dog. Of course, he can also be kept by a beginner, but this requires an extremely willing learner owner who gets help early enough and attends a dog school.
The Border Terrier is also sometimes used as a therapy dog, but only by experienced dog professionals. It is his stubbornness paired with great courage and intelligence that combine to create a rather stubborn character and require creative ideas for successful parenting. The dog owner must also be aware that he is getting an ambitious working dog that is in the good physical condition and does not mind bad weather.
When is a Border Terrier Fully Grown?
He reaches his height at about one year, his maximum weight usually a little later.
Diet of the Border Terrier
The breed is robust, its coat unruly, the hunter is tough in pursuit of game and his metabolism and feed conversion have remained just as natural. No unhealthy overbreeding – the Border Terrier will eat whatever is put in front of him. Nevertheless, the dog owner should take care of a balanced diet for his four-legged friend. The carnivore needs meat and above all meat. No pun intended here, in fact, a sincere message to all dog owners. In addition, care should be taken to ensure that they receive all the important trace elements, vitamins, and minerals in sufficient quantities. When choosing between wet and dry food, the expert would recommend wet food or a combination.
If the Border Terrier is used for hunting or takes part in long tours, he needs particularly high-quality feed so that he does not suffer from a shortage. Of course, the type and amount of food are adjusted to the “activity level” of the dog.
Healthy – Life Expectancy & Common Diseases
The Border Terrier is one of the few all-around healthy dog breeds because almost no hereditary diseases are known. With enough exercise and high-quality feed, the little guys can even live to be 17 years old. Most specialist journals point out that the representatives of the “Border Terrier” breed can be burdened with a few typical hereditary diseases, such as a predisposition to epilepsy (CECS), hip dysplasia, retinal detachment (PRA), and heart diseases.
If the owner has the possibility of “genealogical research” with his dog, he can extrapolate probabilities for his own Border Terrier. In the case of border terriers that are rescued from an animal shelter or a sanctuary, it is usually not possible to investigate and in this case, the dog owner “only” has the certainty that this breed is an extremely healthy breed despite the occurrence of hereditary diseases. The dogs rarely contract “conventional” diseases such as allergies, gastrointestinal upsets, or infections.
If the little hunter gets enough exercise and high-quality food, conspecifics, and a family, then the terrier shows itself to be extremely resilient. In addition, it also copes well with temperature extremes.
How Old Do Border Terriers Get?
They can live up to 17 years, most live to be 10 to 15 years old.
Grooming the Border Terrier
Border Terrier grooming is extremely easy. The tousled fur, which feels like wire hair, only needs to be brushed. The terrier sheds its coat twice a year. Then the owner has to brush, comb and trim more. The loose hair is plucked off and the dense undercoat is brushed vigorously. Scissors are not popular with this breed. The topcoat is water and dirt repellent and should remain so. It hardly sheds.
When Should a Border Terrier be Trimmed?
At the time of molting, twice a year, dead hair is removed by plucking.
Border Terrier Activities and Training
Undreamt-of possibilities are open to the owner of a Border Terrier: nose work, agility, Frisbee and ball throwing, intelligence games, man trailing, and hidden object games. The well-conditioned Border Terrier likes to run alongside the horse through the forest or to follow its owner while he pedals vigorously on the bicycle. Exercise and tasks are especially important for Border Terrier breed apartment dogs. Working dogs of this breed need at least one challenge a day to keep them happy and not get silly while the family is away.
Under-challenged Border Terriers can rearrange the household or effortlessly turn two objects into four or simply give the garden a “Swiss cheese look”. People who don’t like being in nature, who don’t move around much, and who have to leave their dog alone for a long time should urgently reconsider the desire for a Border Terrier.
Good to Know: Peculiarities of the Border Terrier
With the Border Terrier, it should always be noted that it is a dog with a strong hunting instinct and a mind of its own. He wants to be busy all day and needs a job to be really busy and happy.
In addition, it should be noted that he rarely tolerates smaller animals in the same house. Cats are also hunted unless both grow up together.
Cons of the Border Terrier
A possible disadvantage could be the Border Terrier’s hunting instinct and the high urge to move. A dog owner should always be aware that he was originally bred for hunting and that this is anchored in his genes. For example, he usually has to be on a leash in nature, otherwise, he will quickly pursue his hunting instinct. Because of this, the dog breed is very self-confident and the owner needs to learn how to handle it.
Otherwise, there are only a few disadvantages with this dog breed, since there are hardly any hereditary diseases and they have a long life expectancy.
Is the Border Terrier Right for Me?
Before you decide to get a dog, no matter what breed, you should always ask yourself a few basic questions:
- Do I have enough time to look after the dog, walk it several times a day and keep it busy?
- Do all family members agree to a new roommate moving in?
- Who takes care of the dog if I can’t?
- What is my holiday with a dog like?
- Do I have enough financial means to keep a dog?
If you have finally thought about everything and decided to bring a Border Terrier into the family as a new family member, you should first look for a reputable breeder. It is best to visit the breeder before you finally buy the puppy and look at the little puppies more often. In this way, you not only get to know your dog but ideally also the parent animals.
Active people who like to do sports outdoors are a good match for a Border Terrier. For example, riders who go off-road on horseback, cyclists, joggers who do longer tours every day. A Border Terrier demands attention and time, in addition to exercise, he also needs “head training” so that he is a quiet fellow in the house. It is weatherproof, so the dog owner should not shy away from a rain shower or a small storm. Because the Border Terrier likes to go outside in all weathers.
In addition, he is ideal for hunters, as hunting is his passion. At the same time, this means that there will hardly be any walks in the forest without a leash. Even with the best upbringing, he will resist you from time to time and make his own “suggestions”.