Border Terrier: temperament, size, care and health

About the Border Terrier

The Border Terrier is a small, narrow-bodied terrier with a distinctive otter-like head, a broad skull, a short muzzle, and small V-shaped ears that fold forward. The rough coat is weather-resistant and comes in red, wheaten, grizzle and tan, or blue and tan. Adults stand roughly a foot to a foot and a half at the shoulder and weigh just over a dozen pounds.

The breed was made for the hill country on the border of England and Scotland, where it had to keep up with horses and follow foxes to ground. It is long-legged enough to run and small enough to dig, and that practical build gives it a reputation for endurance.

Temperament and family life

Border Terriers are often described as the friendliest of the working terriers. They enjoy being with people, are tolerant of children, and rarely show the sharpness some terriers do. They tend to be companions rather than lap dogs, happiest following their people around the house and the yard.

With strangers they are polite and curious. They bark when something happens but are not usually noisy. Many get along with other dogs, though they are still terriers, and cats and small pets can be chased. A Border left alone for long hours can become destructive. A secure fence is important, since the dog can climb and dig with skill.

Exercise and training

Borders need a daily walk of reasonable length, plus play. They are happy on long country hikes and can keep going all day, but they also settle quietly indoors after exercise. They enjoy earthdog trials, agility, and tracking.

Training is easier than with most terriers. The breed responds to praise and food, and it wants to please its owners, though it can still be independent when scent or movement catches its attention. Off-leash reliability should not be assumed. Early socialization and a calm, steady approach produce the best results.

Grooming and shedding

The coat is low-maintenance but not no-maintenance. Brush weekly, and have the coat hand-stripped once or twice a year to remove the dead outer hair. Without stripping, the coat gets thick, loses color, and sheds more. Clipping is an option for pets but changes the texture.

Baths are rarely necessary. Check the ears, keep the nails trimmed, and brush the teeth. Borders shed lightly year-round, mostly during seasonal changes.

Health

Border Terriers are a hardy breed with a long lifespan. Canine epileptoid cramping syndrome, sometimes called Spike's disease, causes episodes of muscle cramping and digestive upset. Heart disease, cataracts, and hip and knee problems are also reported. Some males have an undescended testicle. Responsible breeders screen hips, hearts, and eyes, and the breed clubs support research into the cramping syndrome.

These notes are general information, and a veterinarian can advise on the health of a specific Border Terrier.

History

The Border Terrier is generally traced to the border country of England and Scotland, where hunters needed a terrier that could follow a fox to ground. The breed was once called the Coquetdale or Redesdale Terrier after the area where it evolved. The Kennel Club in Britain recognized it in 1920.

Is the Border Terrier right for you?

A Border Terrier suits families who want a small, affectionate dog that enjoys walks and games but is not overwhelmingly demanding. It is a sensible first terrier. The breed is not a good match for people who want a dog to stay off the grass and out of holes, or for owners who cannot give daily company.

The Norfolk Terrier is smaller and a little more portable, while the Cairn Terrier is similar in sturdiness and spirit. A Lakeland Terrier has a more intense personality.