Border Terrier Breed Guide

What is the history & origin of the Border Terrier?

The Border Terrier was bred somewhere along the Scottish-English border. It is related to the Bedlington terrier and the Dandie Dinmont, which also originated from that location.

19th Century farmers in Scotland and England wanted an intelligent, athletic and loyal dog to protect their flocks and scare off predators. The ideal dog would have long enough legs to keep up with horses but small enough bodies to crawl into fox dens. The popular foxhounds that were found in the region were not considered suitable for their needs.

And so, the Border Terrier was created. These purebred dogs were recognised by the United Kingdom's Kennel Club in 1920, and the Border Terrier Club was formed that same year. The American Kennel Club registered border terriers in 1930.

Today the border terrier is well-loved across the world but still remains popular in the United Kingdom.

Who are Border Terrier dogs best for?

Despite being an active dog, your Border Terrier will cope well in an apartment, as long as it gets enough exercise. Border Terriers are well-suited to active families. Although a 30-minute walk will suffice, they thrive when going for runs or long hikes.

They make good family dogs but can be a little bit nippy around young children and babies. The children and the dog will both have to be trained to respect each other.

Border Terriers get on with other dogs, but their prey instinct might kick in with small animals and other pets.

These scrappy dogs do not enjoy being home alone, and their ability to jump and dig makes them the perfect escape artists if they start getting lonely.

How much grooming does a Border Terrier need?

Border Terriers have a double coat - they have a soft undercoat and a wire-haired outer coat. Their grooming requirements are low. They require weekly brushing to remove dead hair and help distribute natural oils.

Although not big shedders, some dogs do undergo shedding season twice a year. Owners can strip the fur daily using a stripping tool to prevent hair from covering the entire house.

The wiry outer coat of the Border Terrier repels dirt, and frequent baths could remove this ability from the coat. It is best to simply wipe down your terrier with a damp cloth before brushing.

Ears should be checked weekly for dirt, and nails should be checked once a month and trimmed if required. You should also aim to brush your terrier's teeth every day.

Do Border Terrier bark much?

Border Terriers are considered frequent barkers, especially when compared to other dogs.

When comfortable at home, the Border Terrier might not bark for no reason. They tend to bark when they feel threatened or experience a new sight and sound. They will also bark if left home alone for too long to express their loneliness, frustration or boredom.

Even if you are home and you leave your dog outside in the yard, he will bark to let you know he wants to come inside.

Do Border Terrier bite?

Border Terriers were originally bred to flush out and kill foxes, and they have strong jaws. That said, these wonderful companions are not aggressive by nature and will only bite when provoked.

Border Terriers do not always get on well with younger children, and a child that does not know how to properly interact with their Border Terrier risks the chance of getting nipped.

For your Border Terrier to be good with children, it will have to be socialised and trained from a young age. Approach your breed club and find a breeder known for breeding pups with calm temperaments that actively socialise their dogs with people and other dog breeds.

Once you have your Border Terrier puppy, it is up to you to continue its training and positively reinforce good behaviours.

What is the temperament & personality of a Border Terrier?

The temperament of the Border Terrier can be described as bright, dynamic, affectionate and scrappy.

Just like other terriers, Border Terriers are loving and friendly but have a fiercely independent streak. They love to play with other dogs and their family members but will need proper training around small children.

They can be impulsive and intense, making them challenging dogs to walk off-lead (they will chase any animal that crosses their path), but at the same time, they are lively and clever and fairly easy to train.

What is the weight & size of a Border Terrier?

Weight:

• male: 5.9 - 7 kgs

• female: 5.2 - 6.4 kgs

Height:

• 30.5 - 38 cm

How much training does a Border Terrier need?

Border Terriers are bright and highly intelligent. They also love to please their humans, making them fairly easy to train using the right methods. Some individual dogs tend to be stubborn and head-strong, which means if you do not start training from a young age, you may have some trouble later on.

You should consider taking your dog (whether a puppy or adult dog) to obedience classes. These classes will help you to learn positive reinforcement training methods and will also socialise your dog and teach it to interact with dogs and people.

The Border Terrier dog breed is a popular competitor in canine sports due to its athletic abilities, endurance and willingness to please its owners.

One area where you might struggle to train your Border Terrier is to get along with other animals. Their prey drive makes them unsuitable animal companions for cats and other small pets.

What are some of the most common health issues for a Border Terrier?

Generally, a healthy dog breed, Border Terriers are prone to certain genetic health problems that other terrier breeds also struggle with. These health conditions include:

• Hip dysplasia

• Heart disease and heart murmurs

• Juvenile Cataracts

• Progressive retinal atrophy

• Seizures

• Allergic reactions

What is the lifespan of a Border Terrier?

The expected lifespan of the Border Terrier is 12 to 15 years.

How much should you feed a Border Terrier?

Border Terriers should be fed high-quality dog food. This food can be from the store or veterinary office or could be prepared at home. The food should be appropriate for the age of the dog and also suitable for the dog's size.

The type of diet and amount you feed your Border Terrier will depend on the age, level of exercise, and any health conditions it might have.

Border Terriers are food motivated, so if you use treats for training, factor this into the overall feeding schedule of the dog to prevent obesity. Avoid feeding your dog human food or table scraps, as this can also result in an overweight Border Terrier.

Always make sure your terrier has access to clean, fresh water.

What is the price of a Border Terrier in Australia?

Purebred Border Terriers can cost anywhere from $990 to $1,840. Some championship bloodline puppies can cost more than $2,100. The price of the Border Terrier will depend on the bloodline, breeder and age of the dog.