Introduction
The attentive, amiable Border Terrier Dog was originally trained to help with foxhunts by luring foxes from their hiding spots and into the open so the hounds could chase them. They now make lovely family members who adore their human family members.
Even though some dogs are purebred, some may wind up in shelters or rescues. Consider adoption if this breed is the right choice for you. Border Terriers still possess the same energy and a strong instinct for hunting and digging, allowing them to keep up with hunters riding horses.
Some people may find them frustrating pets due to these characteristics, but for others, Border Terriers make fantastic companions who play and love even more vigorously. If they exercise frequently, they can adjust to flat living. Give this puppy lots of exercise, and you’ll have a devoted and loving best friend for life.
If you want to add a Border Terrier Dog to your house, then in this article, we have included all the relevant information about Border terrier dogs.
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Table of content
History of the Border Terrier
The Border Terrier Club places the breed’s origins in the dry environment along the Scottish-English border in the middle of the 1800s. Farmers created one of the original terrier breeds, the dog, to hunt down foxes that were killing their cattle.
Both sides of the Cheviot Hills in Great Britain are where the border terrier first appeared. These hills are part of the Scottish-English border area. The fierce hill foxes terrorized farmers’ livestock since this region has so many hills.
The farmers and shepherds required a tenacious terrier with long enough legs to follow a horse but short enough legs to follow a fox to the ground to hunt and kill these foxes.
The canines needed to be strong, tenacious, and equipped with a weather-resistant coat to endure the mists and bone-soaking rains of the highlands. Almost all border farmers, shepherds, and hunters in this area kept one of these little, robust, working terriers at home.
The border terrier is likely one of the first terrier breeds in Great Britain. They have been employed as hunt terriers by the border foxhounds since 1869 and may be seen in many famous hunt paintings.
They were initially displayed as a distinct breed at agricultural society exhibitions in Northumberland in the late 19th century. Following the establishment of the Border Terrier Club by the British Kennel Club in 1920, the American Kennel Club recognized them as a breed in 1930.
The border terrier hasn’t achieved the ring-show success of other terrier breeds but has stayed faithful to its original shape and purpose.
Despite being narrow in the shoulder and body, this lively terrier with medium bone shows power and endurance, contributing to his ability to chase foxes in the smallest openings and stay with the horses throughout the whole hunt.
Appearance
The alert and expressive face of the Border Terrier breed gives away its members’ confident and perceptive personalities.
Their wiry, waterproof coat is fashioned to completely shield them from the weather and their robust yet small bodies. Red, wheaten, blue, tan, and grizzle (a blend of black with grey and brown) and tan are some of the colors of their coats. Black tips on the nose and ears virtually always accompany them.
Ears:
Small, V-shaped with a rounded curve, and positioned on their heads, a Border Terrier’s ears droop down towards their cheeks.
Eyes:
The medium-sized, rounded eyes of the Border Terrier are dark hazel and are witty and cunning.
Note:
They have a black nose atop a dark snout covered with whiskers.
Height:
A male: 12 to 15 inches, Female: 12 to 15 inches
Coat Length:
Border Terriers have two coats. The topcoat is wiry and close-lying, while the undercoat is short and thick.
Coat Color:
They can have red, wheaten, blue and tan, grizzle and tan, or blue and tan coats. Dark ears and muzzles are typical. Some dogs have a minor white marking on their chest.
Tail:
The tail of the Border Terrier is relatively short and is positioned rather low on their bodies. It is carried erect when vigilant and may droop when relaxed.
Weight:
Male: 13 to 13.5 lbs.
A woman: 11.5 to 14 pounds
Temperament and Personality
Personality:
Border Terriers may be dogs of extremes, contributing to the controversy surrounding their disposition. They are great companions for many people since they are lively, obedient, and relatively energetic. It is a playful breed of dog that is often obedient and enjoys playing activities, especially those requiring physical exertion.
Border Terriers don’t frequently bark and are typically calm indoors. It serves as a just watchdog and defender. Although they can be difficult sometimes, Border Terriers are quick learners with high obedience skills.
Temperament:
The Border Terrier is distinct from other terrier breeds. They were developed for a less dog-aggressive disposition than terriers that hunted largely independently since they were naturally designed to run calmly with foxhounds.
The Border Terrier is described in the standard as “hard as nails, a game as they come, and driving in attack,” yet he is also described as “affectionate, obedient, and easily Border Terriers can work and get along with other dogs nicely.
The border is unsuitable for you if you only want a dog sometimes or one to keep in a kennel. They aspire to join the family. They want to be with you, even if they don’t constantly demand it.
Although they don’t bark much, Border Terriers will tell you when someone is at the door. You may expect a border to be a determined digger because they were trained to track foxes to the ground. A border’s ability to think independently is simultaneously one of his most appealing and annoying traits.
Health and Care
Although Border Terriers are primarily healthy, they might develop specific health issues like any other breed. Not every Border Terrier will contract one or more of these illnesses, but if you’re considering getting one, you should be aware of them.
Find a reputable breeder that will provide health clearances for both of your dog’s parents if you are purchasing a puppy. Health certificates prove that a dog has completed examinations and received a clear health report.
Expect to see Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals hip clearances and Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) certifications indicating the eyes are normal in Border Terriers.
Health
Health clearances aren’t given to dogs under two years old since certain health issues don’t manifest until a dog reaches full maturity. Look for a breeder who waits until her dogs are two or three years old to breed them. Although they are not typical of the breed, the following issues might arise:
Hip Dysplasia:
This is when the hip joint’s pelvic socket and femur do not fit tightly together. Clinical signs of hip dysplasia may or may not be present. Some dogs have painful and lame back legs, either on one or both.
Arthritis may appear as the dog ages. The University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Programme (PennHIP) and the Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) both offer hip dysplasia screening services.
Hip dysplastic dogs shouldn’t be bred. Consult your veterinarian if your dog exhibits hip dysplasia symptoms. Surgery or medication may be helpful.
Heart defects:
The most prevalent of which is pulmonic stenosis, a constriction of the valve separating the heart’s right chamber from the lungs, which might harm Border Terriers. A cardiac murmur in your Border Collie may be a sign that he has a problem that needs to be watched for and addressed.
Heart murmurs are brought on by an obstruction in the blood flow through the heart’s chambers. One is mild, and six is quite loud when grading their loudness.
The dog could need medicine, a specific diet, and less exercise if the illness is evident, as determined by x-rays and an echocardiogram. Verifying that the breeder hasn’t used dogs with heart problems in her breeding program is the best strategy to prevent heart defects.
Malocclusions:
Sometimes Border Terriers have malocclusions, which means the dog’s jaws don’t fit together properly. Three distinct patterns of improper bites exist.
When the upper jaw overhangs the lower jaw, it is called an overshot bite. In more extreme cases, the lower teeth might bite into the roof of the mouth, leading to significant damage.
This makes it difficult to hold objects. The bite is called an undershot when the lower jaw protrudes past the upper jaw. Although it is common in certain breeds, it can be problematic in Border Terriers and may require surgery to address.
Seizures:
These may happen at any time and be brought on by various causes. Abrupt trembling or shaking, urination, stiffness, staring, mild muscular spasms, or a loss of consciousness all indicate a seizure. Although seizures cannot be cured, they can be effectively controlled with medicine.
Patellar Luxation:
Often referred to as “slipped stifles,” is a typical issue in little dogs. It results from an improper alignment of the patella, which is made up of the femur (the thigh bone), patella (the knee cap), and tibia (the calf).
This causes the afflicted limb to be lame or to walk with a skip or hop. The issue exists from birth, even if the physical misalignment or luxation frequently does not occur until much later. The rubbing that patellar luxation generates can lead to arthritis, a degenerative joint ailment.
There are four levels of patellar luxation, from grade I, a rare luxation that only temporarily impairs the joint, to degree IV, when the tibia is severely turned and cannot be manually straightened. This gives the dog what seems to be bowlegged legs. To address extreme levels of patellar luxation, surgery may be required.
Hypothyroidism:
Happens when the body cannot keep thyroid hormone levels at a healthy level. Weight gain, a thinning coat, dry skin, a sluggish heartbeat, and a cold susceptibility are all symptoms. Have your dog’s veterinarian examine him if you detect any of these symptoms because hypothyroidism is a progressive disease.
With daily medicine, which must be continued for the duration of the dog’s life, hypothyroidism is readily handled. Asking the breeder about the thyroid health of your puppy’s grandparents will help you determine whether the condition runs in the breeder’s family line because this is a disease of middle age.
Cryptorchidism:
Is a syndrome that occurs frequently in tiny dogs when one or both testicles fail to descend. By the time the puppy is two months old, the testicles should have descended. A retained testicle is often inactive and, if left untreated, can develop cancer.
The undescended testicle(s) are removed during neutering by a minor incision, and any remaining normal testicles are removed as usual.
Care
Border terriers require a lot of play and exercise for their happiness and health. To be well-mannered dogs, they also need constant training and socialization.
Although border terriers are a typically healthy breed with minimal health issues, owners should consider investing in pet savings accounts or pet health insurance to help cover any unforeseen medical costs from owning such an energetic and active breed.
The Border Terrier’s coat requires quite minimal maintenance. That does not, however, exclude grooming. You should routinely groom the skin with a comb and brush and remove any dead hair. The Border Terrier does not naturally remove dead hair as other dog breeds do. He thus seldom sheds.
Grooming
Border Terriers have a double coat with a soft undercoat for warmth and a strong, waterproof top coat. Some Borders have either no undercoat at all or only a thin one. This doesn’t fit the breed at all. Others develop a top coat that is extremely lengthy and rather sparse.
These are frequently tans and blues. Border terriers don’t require much grooming. They need to be brushed for a few minutes each day. Any dead hairs and slack undercoat will be removed in the process. Any dried dirt on the coat will be removed by brushing.
Even the mildest wash can remove the oil from the top layer since it is waterproof. The coat won’t be water-resistant when the oil is gone, and it will be easier to pick up dirt. It is far preferable to simply use lukewarm water and no shampoo or detergent.
Bathing:
Depending on how much time you spend outside and how quickly he becomes dirty, you should bathe your Border Terrier frequently. Two baths are necessary for Border Terriers. The first bath should be a general bath to remove dirt and grime.
If your dog has allergies or sensitive skin, we recommend starting with a Hypo-Allergenic Shampoo and then switching to a Tea Tree & Aloe Shampoo or Tar and Sulfa Itch Relief Shampoo.
Use a light conditioner instead of a heavy one to preserve the coat’s naturally complicated structure. Plum Perfect Cream Rinse or Rainforest Conditioner are two options that are both light and leave behind a clean, fresh aroma.
Ears Cleaning:
To ensure that no ear issues that could require veterinary treatment develop, it is advisable to do a monthly cleaning with Ear Care.
Eyes Cleaning:
Terriers are naturally hole-diggers and highly inquisitive canines. Use of Opti-Soothe Eye Wash each day can help remove foreign objects.
Coat Care:
After outdoor activity, you can help keep your Border Terrier smelling clean and fresh by using Extreme Odour Eliminator in between baths.
Paws:
To keep paw pads flexible and supple, Paw Balm should be used once a week. The places are less likely to dry out and break as a result.
Show Dog Tips:
While fluffing, use Freeze! Styling Gel to add more volume to the furnishings on the legs. Use Quick Finish Styling Spray to maintain the ring’s firm texture. Before entering the ring, use High Sheen Finishing Spray to enhance shine without leaving a film and keep the rough surface.
Brushing:
No part of at-home dog grooming calls for as much dedication and effort as brushing. By boosting blood flow, eliminating dead hair, and dispersing natural oils, regular brushing keeps your pet’s skin healthy and his coat clean and tangle-free.
You should give your wire-coated dog a weekly brushing. Their coats combine a short, soft undercoat with a longer, wiry, thick outer skin that, if not combed, has the propensity to mat and tangle. Slicker brushes may be used to get rid of mats and knots. Rub liquid detangler or baby oil into tangles that won’t come out.
Nail Clipping:
‘Little and frequent’ is the nail trimming advice. Puppies should begin routine nail trimming at three weeks of age.
Take extreme care not to cut into the blood vessel or nerve; only remove approximately a millimeter at a time. This hurts the puppy; when it happens, the dog won’t want you to touch its paws again.
The new puppy’s breeder decides whether or not it has dewclaws. Some people do not remove them until the pups are a few days old.
Food and Diet
Feed your border terrier premium, nutritionally sound dog food, and always have fresh water on hand. Most owners give their animals two metered meals a day. Depending on your age, amount of exercise, and other circumstances, the kind and quantity of your food may change.
To ensure you’re giving your pet the proper nutrients, talk this over with your veterinarian. To prevent overheating, don’t forget to account for treats and any additional food in your dog’s regular diet.
Border Terriers who are fully developed should consume one to two cups of premium dog chow daily. For advice on how to feed your Border Terrier, it is recommended to speak with a veterinarian because it will depend on the dog’s size and sex.
Divide the dog food into two portions daily, one for breakfast and one for dinner.
Given too much food, Border Terriers will overeat, so it’s crucial to look out for obesity symptoms.
A Border Terrier should get three meals every day if it is younger than six months old. It’s also important to be cautious when giving puppies “people food” because it might lead to an unbalanced diet.
Feeding
One and a half to one and a third cups of premium dog food each day, split into two meals, is advised. Your adult dog’s size, age, structure, metabolism, and level of exercise all affect how much food he eats. Like people, each dog is unique, so they don’t all require the same quantity of food.
An active dog will require more than a dog that likes to lounge about the house, which should practically go without saying. It also matters what dog food you buy; the better the food, the better it will nourish your dog, and the less frequently you will need to shake it into the bowl.
Instead of putting food out all the time, ensure your Border Terrier gets two meals a day by weighing out his food. If you’re unsure whether he’s fat, have him undergo eye and hand exams.
Look down at him first. There should be a waist visible. Then, with your fingers extended and thumbs down his spine, lay your hands on his back. Without exerting considerable pressure, you should be able to feel his ribs, but you won’t see them. He needs less food and more activity if you can’t
Training
Border terriers are intelligent and eager to please. They are, therefore, skilled at picking up compliance commands. But they are also capable of being stubborn about who they want to follow and being independent thinkers.
Start your border terrier’s training as soon as possible because it’s typically simpler to instill good behaviors in pups than eradicate negative ones in adults. As soon as you can, start with a puppy obedience class.
Always employ positive teaching techniques; punishing a dog severely might make it lose interest in learning. Being consistent with your instructions is also important.
Starting as early as feasible, expose your dog to a variety of people, pets, and situations. Particularly if they had had favorable experiences when they were young, these dogs are often flexible and receptive to meeting humans and even other dogs.
They may not make good companions for other home pets, like cats, due to their high hunting drive.
The Border Terrier is a fast learner who is intelligent, receptive, and eager to please. He is extremely responsive to his owner’s voice; therefore, only positive, gentle training techniques should be used to bring out the best in him.
Border terrier Exercise
Although you have numerous options for how to help a Border Terrier burn off that excess energy, they still need quite a bit of exercise every day. A fantastic alternative is a 30-minute walk twice a day, hikes, or a game of fetch outside. Your dog must get adequate exercise, regardless of how they exercise.
Border collies can become destructive and pick up bad behaviors if they aren’t given enough opportunities to exercise and burn off some energy or grow too bored.
How Much Exercise Should You Give Your Border Terrier?
Every dog is unique, and the quantity of exercise they require will vary depending on their health, age, size, and degree of fitness. It’s crucial to remember that Border Terriers are prone to weight gain if they don’t get enough exercise. Additionally, they may get bored, which leads to destructive behaviors.
Why not download the PitPat app to understand better what is suitable for your Border Terrier? You may acquire an activity target specific to their age and weight by entering their information. For most Border Terriers in good health, this will be about 60 minutes daily.
What kind of physical activity are best for Border Terriers?
Little Border Terrier puppies have a lot of energy and are clever and lively. This indicates that they require a lot of exercise throughout the day to keep them cognitively and physically stimulated.
Try to include some intentional play, such as tug-of-war, fetch, or frisbee, and bring them for walks. Because it requires more effort, this activity may be performed in shorter spurts while providing your dog with beneficial exercise.
This, together with enrichment activities like puzzle toys, scent games, or simple hide-and-seek, will ensure your Border Terrier’s happiness and health.
How Often Should You Walk Your Border Terrier?
Dogs enjoy walks, as we all know, and Border Terriers adore even more. They will cheerfully travel for as long and as far as your schedule permits and regular exposure to the outdoors is essential.
For the majority of dogs, two daily walks are ideal and far preferable to conserving all your walking for the weekend.
How much playtime does a puppy Border Terrier need?
You won’t be surprised to find that a Border Terrier puppy’s demands are very different from those of an adult. It’s crucial to avoid overworking them while they still have a lot of energy since this might injure their developing joints while they are still growing.
Instead, direct their attention to playing with toys made for puppies and possibly arrange a playdate with another dog. In addition to keeping kids healthy, this is a fantastic approach to supporting their social skill development.
As they become older, you may start introducing short walks and gradually increase the time and distance while keeping them on a lead at first.
Border terrier Facts
The Border Terrier has longer legs than most other terrier breeds since they were developed to run alongside hounds, and they are also more sociable than others.
Due to the reputation of this breed as escape artists, you must ensure that your garden is safe to keep in.
Border Terriers are skilled diggers, but you may avoid torn-up flower beds by giving them a dedicated area to dig, like a sandbox.
They are often not yappy, but if they become bored, they may start barking incessantly.
Since Border Terriers have a strong propensity for hunting, they shouldn’t be housed alongside other small animals like rabbits or guinea pigs.
Conclusion
The Border Terrier is a small but formidable breed that is brimming with excitement and energy. These dogs are excellent for agility training and sporting events since they are extremely quick runners. Due to their devotion and friendliness, they also make wonderful companions.
However, in order to remain content and healthy, they require a lot of mental and physical stimulation. Your dog will be able to maintain their level of activity for the whole of their life with the appropriate quantity of exercise that is customized just for them.
So the Border Terrier could well be the ideal choice if you’re searching for a dog that can keep up with your active lifestyle!