Family-friendly:4/5Exercise needs:5/5Easy to train:3/5Tolerates being alone:1/5Likes other pets:2/5Energy level:4/5Grooming needs:3/5Shedding:3/5

Border Terrier

One of the most popular terrier breeds, Border Terriers are small to medium-sized terriers with characteristic otter-like heads. Originally bred to help Foxhounds with hunting, these dogs are fast, love to dig, and have a high prey drive.

Border Terriers are ready to go running or playing games at any time of the day given their energetic nature so they would be best paired with someone who has the time to give them plenty of physical and mental stimulation.

border terrier standing straight on the lawn

Lifespan

12–15 years

Weight

5–7kg

Height

28–30.5cm

Colours

Border Terriers have a harsh, dense coat that comes in a variety of colours including red; wheaten; grizzle and tan or blue and tan

Size

Small

Kennel Club group

Terriers

The need-to-know

Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
Extra training required
Generally healthy breed
Enjoys active walks
Enjoys one to two hours of walking a day

Small dog
Minimum drool
Requires grooming once a week
Chatty and vocal dog
Barks and alerts to visitors/anything unusual

Generally friendly with other dogs
May need additional training to live with other pets
May need additional supervision to live with children
Needs a small garden
Can happily live in the city

Can be left occasionally with training

Generally healthy breed

The Border Terrier breed can suffer from:
- Canine Epileptoid Cramping Syndrome, which is where muscle spasms, cramps and seizures that can affect all or part of the body.
- Atopy where the skin reacts to allergens in the environment and becomes sore and itchy.
- Spongiform leucoencephalomyelopathy, also known as shaky puppy syndrome, which is an inherited condition that affects the nervous system causing tremors often affects growth and development.
- Canine gallbladder mucocoele, which is where the gall bladder doesn't empty properly.

Priority Kennel Club health schemes and testing:
None but there are several recommended schemes that the Kennel Club recommends which can be found here.

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Border Terrier Appearance

Boasting a short and dense undercoat with a wiry topcoat, the Border Terrier is and looks alert and courageous. They also have a thick but loose skin that protects them from bites, a characteristic that would have come in handy during their fox-hunting days. As for the Border Terrier colours, they can be red, grizzle and tan, blue and tan, or wheaten.

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Border Terrier Personality

The Border Terrier breed is an affectionate, fun-loving one. They are brave, adaptable, and good with people, especially with children. Generally easy-going, they have an independent nature and like to make their own decisions. The Border loves to chase rabbits and squirrels but will live in harmony with other household pets, if socialised and introduced carefully. This dog is equally at home in town or country.

The Border Terrier would suit an active owner who loves the ‘big dog in a small body’ attitude of a terrier but who prefers a softer, less feisty — and more social — version.

Vet Rating

Family-friendly:	4/5
Exercise needs:	5/5
Easy to train:	3/5
Tolerates being alone:	1/5
Likes other pets:	2/5
Energy level:	4/5
Grooming needs:	3/5
Shedding:	3/5

History and Origins

The Border Terrier dog breed first appeared in the 18th century and has changed little since. They were used as working terriers in the Scottish Borders, hunting foxes which preyed on livestock. They needed to be fast enough to run with the hounds but small enough to flush the fox out of their den. In Border Terrier origin history, they were known as Reedwater Terriers and Coquetdale Terriers but nowadays are referred to as Border Terriers. They are still occasionally working terriers in the countryside but now are mainly family companions.

Ideal Owner

Great for the first-time terrier owner, the Border Terrier needs someone who is a quick thinker, who enjoys training and devising clever ways to motivate and engage with their dog. The Border can be a great friend for older children if you understand their terrier traits and can meet those needs with appropriate games and activities.

Exercise Needs

The Border Terrier dog breed is very active, bred to follow the hunt and with keen hunting instincts. They need a minimum of an hour's exercise on a daily basis, but will enjoy more. They may chase any small creature that takes their fancy regardless of the situation. This can lead them into trouble, but an owner who is aware of this and starts appropriate training at an early age will find they can be trained to a high standard.

Space Requirements

The Border Terrier can be happy as either an urban or a rural companion as long as they have plenty of exercise, but they enjoy countryside walks and exploring the sights and scents of the great outdoors so they do need to get time out in nature.

Nutrition and Feeding

Small dogs have a fast metabolism, meaning they burn energy at a high rate, although their small stomachs mean that they must eat little and often. Small-breed foods are specifically designed with appropriate levels of key nutrients and smaller kibble sizes to suit smaller mouths. This also encourages chewing and improves digestion. Proper nutrition along with care can contribute to a Border Terrier lifespan reaching 15 years.

Grooming Border Terriers

Given the Border Terrier size and their short, dense coat, the grooming requirements are undemanding. Brushing will clean debris gathered during forays into the undergrowth from the coat and they may benefit from stripping occasionally. The Border Terrier grooming process can be a breeze if done at least a few minutes a day.

Training Border Terriers

The Border Terrier is one of the easier Terriers to train as they are both clever and biddable and have a softer temperament than some of the others. They enjoy learning basic obedience and some have even found success in dog sports such as mini agility and heelwork to music. They also love interactive enrichment toys and are surprisingly skilled at these.

Are Border Terriers Good Family Dogs?

The Border Terrier is one of the better terriers when it comes to living with children as they are active and robust, enjoy getting involved in family activities and outings, and have more patience than many. Even still, they are better with slightly older, sensible children. 

While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with, respect each other and be safe together. Dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.

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Border Terrier Fun Facts

As the Border Terrier was bred to run with the hounds, they are longer legged than many of the other terrier breeds and are more social than most too!  
This breed is known for being escape artists, so you’ll need to make sure you have a secure garden to prevent them from getting out.
Border Terriers are keen diggers; however, you can prevent ripped up flower beds by providing them with their own space to dig such as a sandbox.

They’re usually not yappy but if bored, they may resort to nuisance barking.
Border Terriers shouldn’t be kept with small furries such as rabbits, guinea pigs, etc as their hunting instinct is too strong.

FAQs

Do Border Terriers have a good temperament?

Yes, they are loving, loyal, and have a good-natured temperament. They are known for being social and full of energy, but you can also count on them for occasional cuddles.

Do Border Terriers shed?

The shedding will be minimal for a Border Terrier and as long as their coat is brushed frequently, you will see very few hairs around your house.

Are Border Terriers intelligent?

Border Terriers have been bred for jobs that require concentration and decision making so their intelligence is higher than average.

Are Border Terriers okay to be left alone?

Border Terriers form very strong bonds with their owners so they might become anxious when left alone. However, with training, they could be taught to be by themselves for a few hours a day.