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History
The Border Terrier was originally bred in the Cheviot Hills area near the border between England and Scotland to help farmers drive predatory foxes from their dens and kill them. This sturdy little fellow has long enough legs and enough stamina to keep up with a horse, even though he is quite small. The bold little Border Terrier has also been used to hunt marten, otter and the fierce badger. Due to his winning personality, adaptability and friendliness, the breed is highly esteemed as a companion dog today, yet he can still serve as a fine farm dog, helping to control vermin. The Border Terrier was officially recognized by the British Kennel Club in 1920 and by the AKC in 1930.
Description
A small spunky terrier with a coarse, wiry double coat. He has dark lively eyes, a short muzzle, black nose and small ears which fold forward into a "V" shape. The tail is relatively short and tapers from a thicker base to the tip. It is carried level with the back unless the dog is very excited. The Border Terrier comes in red, blue and tan, and grizzle and tan. White on the feet is not allowed, but small patches of white are permissible on the chest. The coat usually needs stripping twice a year. The AKC standard weights are 5,9 to 7 kg (male) and 5,2 to 6,35 kg (female), however most Border Terriers, even show dogs, are heavier, falling into the ranges given in the data at the top of this page.
Talents
Hunting, tracking, watchdog, agility, competitive obedience, and performing tricks.
Personality
Alert and lively, but mild-mannered. Loves children. Wants to please, so is relatively easy to train. A hardy, scruffy little terrier and a bold hunter. Socialize well and get puppies used to loud noises and city situations while still young to avoid excessive timidity. Will bark, but is not aggressive. Might even go home with the burglar! Puppies are very active, but they mellow as adults.
Behavior
Children: Excellent with children.
Friendliness: Loves everyone.
Trainability: Easy to train.
Independence: Needs people a lot.
Dominance: Low.
Other Pets: Generally good with other dogs; do not trust with non-canine pets.
Combativeness: Not generally dog-aggressive.
Noise: Average barker.
Notes
Economical to feed, thriving on about a cup of dry dog food per day. Sheds very lightly; needs weekly brushing and 2X year professional grooming. Border Terriers like to dig, and must be securely fenced in. Many owners use free-standing dog runs or additional reinforcement along the bottoms of their fences. Border Terriers may get themselves stuck in tight holes, though they can usually wriggle their way out. Not trustworthy with rats, hamsters, rabbits, or birds, but will generally get along with other dogs. If you have two Border Terriers, it is best to have a male and a female. This breed does not do well when left alone all day. If the puppy is raised with cats, family cats will not generally be a problem. The dog should not be trusted with other people's cats however. The Border Terrier is relatively insensitive to pain and shows few signs of illness, so the owner should watch this breed's health carefully.
Grooming
Grooming: A little grooming needed.
Trimming & Stripping: Some trimming or stripping (little skill required).
Coat: Short coat.
Shedding: Very light.
Exercise: Moderate exercise needed.
Jogging: A good jogging companion.
Indoors: Moderately active indoors.
Apartments: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised.
Outdoor Space: A small yard is sufficient.
Climate: Does well in most climates.
Owner: Good for novice owners.
Longevity: Long (15 or more years).
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