Border Terriers are loyal, adaptable, energetic and intelligent. Like many terriers, though, they can also be vocal, strong-willed and prone to chase and dig. They can be a challenge and won't be for every dog owner.
Breed Overview
GROUP: Terrier
HEIGHT: 12 to 15 inches
WEIGHT: 11.5 to 15.5 pounds
COAT: Wiry, broken, straight, close-lying topcoat and a dense, short undercoat
COAT COLOR: Tan, red, grizzle and tan, blue and tan, or wheaten; muzzle is usually darker
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 12 to 15 years
Characteristics of the Border Terrier:
| Affection Level | Medium |
| Friendliness | High |
| Kid-Friendly | Medium |
| Pet-Friendly | Medium |
| Exercise Needs | Medium |
| Playfulness | High |
| Energy Level | Medium |
| Trainability | Medium |
| Intelligence | High |
| Tendency to Bark | Medium |
| Amount of Shedding | Medium |
History of the Border Terrier:
In the 19th century, farmers in this region wanted a dog that was athletic, brave, intelligent and driven. This would allow them to excel in catching and deterring the hill foxes in the area that would worry and steal sheep.
They became popular in Northumberland in the North of England where they also worked alongside Foxhounds and accompanied local hunts.
Working-class groups predominantly ran the hunts in the North of England with the practical purpose of reducing the number of foxes that would decimate a farmers livestock numbers. This was very different from the staged sporting hunts organized by the wealthy gentry further South.
Border Terriers with their coarse coats could work in all weather conditions, and it would also protect their skin if they had to chase a fox into its lair.
They also have longer legs than your average terrier, meaning they would be able to keep up with the larger foxhounds and hunters on horseback too.
Recognized by the Kennel Club in the UK in 1920, they continue to be one of the countries most popular breeds.
It didn't take long from them to gain recognition from the AKC either. Since this happened in 1930, the breed had remained popular in the States too. They aren't as popular here, however, as they are in their native Britain.
Border Terrier Care :
While Border Terriers are most commonly kept as companions nowadays, they still retain a lot of the hunting traits that they were bred for.
They're exceptionally loyal to their families and are usually up for any sort of adventure. They're adaptable little dogs and are equally at home in an apartment, providing they get enough exercise and enrichment, as they are living in a country farmhouse.
Their background working alongside foxhounds meant they were bred to get along with other dogs more than your average terrier, but they can still be rather bossy and feisty.
Their hunting background also means that they can have a high prey drive. With careful introductions, they may be able to live alongside the family cat, but they will likely have to be kept away from other small furries. Outside, unless you have worked on a rock-solid recall, they may need to stay on-leash in environments where they could have the opportunity to chase a squirrel or other wildlife.
They're also typical terriers in terms of the fact that they can be prolific alert barkers and you could end up with holes across your lawn from their digging. You may need to offer them a designated digging spot and work on asking for alternative behaviors to prevent nuisance yapping.
Your yard should also be well secured, as Border Terriers are known to be little Houdini escape artists.
They're smart, though, and will respond well to positive reinforcement training methods. Trying to force a strong-willed BT to do something they don't want to, might not end well.
With treats, toy rewards and plenty of fun and short sessions you may be surprised by how quickly and enthusiastically your Border Terrier responds to training sessions. They often do well in things like agility and even canicross because of their enthusiasm, intelligence and stamina.
Border Terriers, with their short, wiry coat, have a low maintenance grooming regime and they don't shed excessively.
A good brush out of their coat once a week will be enough to lift out any dead hairs and keep their coat and skin in a healthy condition. Most BT owners will have their dogs hand-stripped a few times a year to keep their coat from becoming scruffy.
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Common Health Problems:
Border Terriers are known for being a hardy and healthy breed, but they can still be prone to certain inheritable conditions. Making sure you find a good breeder that performs health checks on prospective parents can minimize the risk of genetic problems developing, but it's still worth being aware of some of the health conditions they can develop.
Hip Dysplasia: This is a common hereditary condition across many breeds. Caused by the abnormal formation of one or both hip joints, it can lead to mobility issues and pain. In severe cases, surgery may be required to ease your dog's discomfort.
Heart Defects: Borders can be more prone to heart murmurs, congenital heart disease and other problems with their heart than your average breed.
Eye Problems: The breed is recognized as being at a higher risk of Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), which leads to eventual blindness, and Juvenile Cataracts.
Allergies: Environmental and food allergies are sometimes seen in Border Terriers. Often a process of elimination is required to understand what the triggers are, and then it can often be managed by a combination of exclusion and medication.
Diet and Nutrition:
Border Terriers are prone to easily putting on weight. Obesity is a major problem for pet dogs worldwide, and it can lead to a whole host of other more serious health problems.
Making sure you feed a high-quality food and that you measure out the portions and adjust them according to your dog's activity levels is important. Don't let their pleading eyes tempt you into spoiling them with too many unhealthy treats and table scraps.
Affectionate and intelligent
Adaptable and can suit apartment living
Energetic and hardy
Can be strong-willed
Can have a high prey drive
Often prolific diggers
Where to Adopt or Buy a Border Terrier:
If you have your heart set on a Border Terrier puppy, it's important to do your research and find a good breeder. Backyard breeders and puppy mills can be cruel, and it could result in your puppy having more health or behavioral problems.
A good place to start your research would be through the Border Terrier Club of America.
Why not consider adopting a Border Terrier, or a similar small breed? Offering a deserving dog a forever home and watching them come out of their shell can be a very rewarding experience. You could enquire with your local rescue shelters or reach out to a breed-specific rescue like North American Border Terrier Rescue.
More Dog Breeds and Further Research:
If you're interested in dogs similar to the Border Terrier you could also consider the following breeds:
- Cairn Terrier
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Norwich Terrier
There are lots of wonderful dog breeds out there. By doing your research, you'll find one that will be best suited to having a forever home with you.
The Border Terrier is originally from the Cheviot Hills are that is on the border of England and Scotland. These dogs were bred to be farm dogs, and their main purpose was to drive fox from their den and to kill them. The Border terrier was also used to hunt otters, badgers and martens. Currently the Border Terrier is fairly rare in the United States - but they remain a very faithful companion and continues to be used as pest hunters on farms.
Temperament:
Border Terriers are extremely friendly and good-natured; the show lots of affection and flourish on human contact and attention. This breed is more easy-going than is characteristic of the other terrier breeds. They will do weel in a home with older thoughtful children. They will usually get along with other dogs but are not ideal for homes with cats or other little household animals. The Border Terrier does not like to be left alone for long periods of time and will become destructive and bark a lot if bored or feeling alone. Therefore a family where everyone works during the day will not work for this breed. They are cautious of strangers but are generally not hostile. This breed is not recommended for inexperienced or inactive dog owners.
Care:
Border Terriers should be brushed weekly and stripped by a professional twice during the course of the year. These dogs should only be bathed when totally necessary, and then a mild shampoo should be used to protect the coat. This breed has a high pain tolerance, and will not show any signs of illness or distress very often. It is therefore vital to closely watch their health.
Ready and eager to please its owner, the Border Terrier needs to be socialised enough to stop shyness, and also be trained in obedience.
They will not do well with cruel or unkind training methods that will shatter their courage and make training more hard. Training should be done with enough praise, inspiration, reward, respect, patience and consistency. The Border Terrier is very talented in areas such as tracking, agility, competitive obedience and hunting.
Health problems:
The Border Terrier is a energetic breed that can endure pain and illness at great lengths, and not letting anyone know that there is a problem until very late in the game. Regular checkups are advised for these dogs. A metabolic disease known as canine epilepoid cramping syndrome is a suspected inherited disease that Border Terriers may suffer from. It is however often confused with epilepsy.
Primarily a working dog, the tough little Terrier border is able to keep pace with a horse despite its small stature - it is no bigger than a bug. It takes its name from the area where it was originally brave and where it's thrived long before it's became known by the rest of the world: the border between Scotland and England. The region, located at the base of the Cheviot Hills, also lent its name to another versatile little working breed, the Border collie.
In this hilly area where farms were widely scattered and difficult to protect, the Border terrier proved its worth by disposing of the hill foxes that had acquired a taste not only for poultry, but it's also for sheep and newborn calves. Undaunted by the rain and inclement weather because of its double covering-a dense and wiry coat over a thick undercoat-the little border would uncomplainingly spend days on end in this damp, cold countryside.
To run for long hours and long distances behind a mounted hunter, a daughter had to be liked and long legged enough so that it would not tire too quickly. This dynamo, with its exceptional endurance and spirit, summoned up enough energy after running the Fox down to boldly attack it-even if the quarry had managed to take refuge underground in its lair. Patient, even obstinate, its small size an advantage, the border Terrier would remain alert near the foxhole, waiting as long as was necessary to trap the prey in its solid jaws and finish the job.
Owners of this able, reliable dog were perversely pleased that it was not quite as big as some of its show-dog relatives. So it is not surprising that some fanciers were up six when the British kennel club recognized the Border terrier in 1920. They were fearful that readers would try to prettify the dog and, in so doing, diminish its grit and stamina. Their fears were unfounded; the Border terrier has remained game and agile, still able to father a horse all day if necessary. Its working manner is very similar to the lake land terriers. In fact, there has always been a great rivalry among hunters who own dogs of either breed. The Border terrier is not satisfied with just hunting fox. Nimble and sturdy, it will also track badger, marten, and otter. With its highly sociable character and its ability to adapt to small quarters, the Border terrier has today become a valuable companion dog