Dogs

Border terrier

Updated: September 4, 2024
Border terrier

Border terriers are lovely dogs. Its somewhat rustic appearance and excellent character make this terrier an ideal pet. If socialized correctly with the right amount of dedicated time, a border terrier will be obedient and easy to manage. A border terrier is usually very affectionate with children.

In addition, border terriers are known to shed very little hair. Therefore, if you are looking for an easier coat to manage, this dog is perfect for you. If you are thinking of adopting a border terrier, take a look at this AnimalWised breed file; where we tell you everything you need to know about a border terrier. We will cover all; general characteristics, care, education and health.

Origin
  • Europe
  • United Kingdom
FCI classification
  • Group III
Physical characteristics
Height
  • 5-14
  • 14-18
  • 18-22
  • 22-27
  • 27-31
  • More than 31
Adult weight
  • 2-7
  • 7-22
  • 22-55
  • 55-100
  • 100-220
Life expectancy
  • 8-10
  • 10-12
  • 12-14
  • 15-20
Recommended physical activity
  • Low
  • Meidum
  • High
Character
Recommended climate
Type of hair
Contents
  1. Origin
  2. Physical Characteristics
  3. Character and Temperament
  4. Education
  5. Care
  6. Health

Origin

The border terrier originates from the Cheviot Hills, a mountain range on the border between England and Scotland. This breed was originally used to hunt foxes, which were a plague for farmers in that area. Its small size allowed it to enter a fox's burrows, forcing them to flee from their dens. But, at the same time, it was big enough to follow the hunters' horses and fight foxes. This breed was only recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1930.

Today, the border terrier is considered a companion dog rather than a hunting dog. However, due to their strong roots to their origin, they are still used in some places for hunting.

Physical Characteristics

Small but athletic, the border terrier is a true working dog, and this is reflected in its rustic appearance. It has an otter shaped head, one of its most popular assets. The vivacious expression in its eyes and its "V" shaped ears, give it a cute a definitive appearance.

Their legs are long in relation to its height. These legs are on of the reasons this breed can easily ‘‘follow a horse’’.

The border terrier has a double mantle that provides it with excellent protection against inclement weather. The internal coat is very dense and provides good protection. Its outer coat is dense and rough, presented a somewhat disheveled air. Its high insertion tail is very thick at the base, and tapers gradually towards the tip.

The FCI standard of the breed does not indicate a certain height. However, males are generally between 35 and 40 centimeters at the withers, while females are usually between 30 and 35 centimeters at the withers. According to the standard of this breed, the ideal weight for males is between 5.9 and 7.1 kilograms. The ideal weight of a female border terrier is between 5.1 and 6.4 kilos.

Character and Temperament

The border terrier is a very active and determined dog. Its strong personality is easily noticeable, but they do not tend to be a strong or aggressive dogs. In fact, this breed is usually very friendly with both people and other dogs. In addition, this breed is particularly good with kids and, therefore, is an excellent pet for families with children. However, these children need to be old enough to know how to deal with a dog. It is not appropriate breed for families with very young children who do not yet understand how to treat a dog and its space.

However, it is important not to forget that this dog was bred as a hunting dog and will therefore always hold these instincts. They have a strong prey drive, and despite getting along with other dogs, they are known to attack other pets like cats and rodents.

Education

A border terrier usually learns very quickly when trained with positive training methods. Traditional methods of training, based mainly on punishment and negative reinforcement, do not produce good results in this breed. Practicing clicker training with this breed is very effective. Bare in mind that positive reinforcement is always the best way to educate a dog.

This dog needs frequent company and a lot of exercise. If a border terrier gets bored or starts to feel anxious, they tend to destroy things and dig in the garden. In addition, it is important to socialize this dog from when it is a puppy. This socialization is necessary in order to prevent behavioral problems in the future. Although they do not tend to be an aggressive breed, a terrier can be shy and withdrawn if it has not been socialized correctly.

Care

Caring for a border terrier’s coat is simple, since a border terrier does shed much hair. Brushing its coat twice a week should be sufficient, although it is better to supplement it by "stripping". Stripping can be done by a professional and requires the manual removal of dead hairs.This breed should only be bathed when necessary.

A border terrier requires a lot of company and should not be left alone for prolonged periods of time. Company and a good daily dose of exercise are necessary elements for this breed.

Health

In general, a border terrier is healthier than many other dog breeds. However, it is necessary to go to the vet for routine checkups. The reason for this is because this dog doesn’t tend to show symptoms of pain, even when physical problems are present.

Common diseases in a border terrier are;

  • Cataracts
  • Autoimmune problems
  • Patellar dislocation
  • Thyroid problems
  • Allergies
  • Neurological problems
  • Heart problems
  • Hip dysplasia

Remember, like with all of your pets, you must keep its deworming and vaccination schedule up to date.

Border terrier photos

Related articles

Upload a picture of your Border terrier

Upload your pet's picture
Write a comment
Add an image
Click to attach a photo related to your comment
How would you rate this breed?
1 comment
Rating:
Domenico DiCosimo
is this dog available? why is it so hard to give a dog a home ,when they beg for money on t v to feed these poor dogs? Is this a scam or do you really want to place thise dogs.
Administrador AnimalWised
Hi,

We are unsure, but maybe you have misinterpreted the purpose of our site. We do not sell or house dogs, but are a resource for animal lovers of all kinds. We help to show you how to provide the best care as well as general information about any topic which concerns animals. We recommend you go to your local animal shelter if you wish to adopt as there are many dogs in need of a home.
1 of 6
Border terrier