The Border Terrier shares its ancestry with that of the Bedlington Terrier and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and is one of several working terrier breeds to come from the borders of England and Scotland. The breed was developed by farmers and shepherds who used the Terriers to hunt fox, otter and vermin for centuries. The Border's most important characteristics are still those necessary for the performance of his work. His job is to follow his quarry and "go to ground". He must either go underground to chase out the fox ("bolt") or remain with the fox and bark. By barking, the dog is indicating where the fox is located.
The Border Terrier was officially recognized by the Kennel Club (U.K.) in 1920 but history shows that the breed was in existence in the 19th century. In the last few years, the Border has become one of the most popular Terrier breeds registered with the Kennel Club. According to the Border Terrier Club (U.K.), as of 2003, the Border Terrier was listed as the 10th most popular breed in the United Kingdom.
The Border Terrier is good-tempered, affectionate, obedient and easily trained. He is noted for being active and agile. His body posture is "at the alert" and he is determined and fearless. Being a high energy breed, the Border Terrier needs plenty of exercise and enjoys such activities as flyball, agility, tracking, earthdog tests and obedience competitions.
Borders generally get along well with other dogs as well as cats if introduced at a young age. Caution is advised, however, around other small animals such as gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, birds and neighbourhood cats, as they may be viewed as vermin because of the Borders strong hunting instinct.
In colour the Border Terrier may be red, grizzle and tan, blue and tan, or wheaten. All colours usually have a ring of coarse silver based hair about a third of the way from the base of the tail. Most Borders have dark ears and muzzles.
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Health Issues:
The Border Terrier breed is generally healthy; however, like all breeds, genetic problems do occasionally occur. These include:
Other health concerns include heart defects, allergies, bite malocclusion and undescended testicles. Due to selective breeding by conscientious breeders, the incidences of these conditions are limited.
Border Terriers have also been known to have problems with anasthesia because they may be slow to induce. If anasthesia is required for your Border Terrier, you should discuss this matter with your Veterinarian.
Additional Health Resources:
If you are considering the adoption of a Border Terrier puppy, or any breed, it is very important to be selective in choosing a responsible and reputable breeder. Ensure that the prospective puppy's parents have all health clearances. Breeding of any dog should not be done until after they have been proven to be free of evidence of significant hereditary diseases. The BTCA recommends that breeding stock be x-rayed for hip dysplasia and that eyes be examined prior to breeding. (For more information on selecting a breeder, see the articles on the main Breed Listing and Breeders page.)
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Breed Standards:
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AKC Border Terrier Video
22 Min. Video Edition Published by the AKC
Discussion of the breed standard: good structure and movement, acceptable colors, correct head, size. Developed for breeders, exhibitors and judges.
Available from Dogwise.com |
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Grooming the Border Terrier:
Border Terriers are not considered high-maintenance but they do need regular grooming. The Border Terrier has a double coat with a wiry top coat and a soft, downy undercoat. Like all double-coated breeds, Border Terriers do shed but this can be minimized through proper grooming. Thorough brushing should be done weekly and the coat should be stripped twice a year, by hand or with the help of a stripping tool.
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Training Resources:
The Border Terrier is eager to please and this usually helps in basic training. The best training method is to always use positive reinforcement, be patient and consistent.
- Training — For information on training your Border Terrier, see this growing section of Canada's Guide to Dogs for tips, articles, as well as listings of training centres across Canada.
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Additional Information:
- The Border Terrier in Brief — A booklet from The Border Terrier Club of America (BTCA)
- Frequently Asked Questions about Border Terriers
- Clubs, Sports & Activities — The Border Terrier was originally bred to "go to ground" to flush foxes. As an active dog, the Border Terrier also enjoys such activities as Agility. This section of Canada's Guide to Dogs includes information on various dog sports and activities, including Earthdog Den Trials and Agility. Also included in this section are listings of clubs from across Canada. (Note: For Border Terrier specific clubs, see the Breed Clubs section.)
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