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| Dog Breed Profile |
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
The Border Terrier (BT) got its name from the region that it originates from; the countryside along the Scottish and English Border. They were originally referred to as the Coquetdale Terrier or Redesdale Terrier and share history with the Dandie Dinmont and Bedlington Terriers.
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.
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.
Pros
- Affectionate and intelligent
- Adaptable and can suit apartment living
- Energetic and hardy
Cons
- 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.
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