BORDER TERRIER
APPEARANCE
Border Terrier is a little dog with a big personality. He has dark lively eyes, a short muzzle, black nose and small ears. A Border Terrier is alert, active and agile. The Border Terrier’s undercoat is dense and short, and is protected by a wiry, rather broken and close lying outer coat. Coloring is red, blue and tan, grizzle and tan, or wheaten. The height of the Border Terrier is around 11-15 inches, and the weight is around 12-20 pounds.
PERSONALITY
The Border Terrier has a charming, lovable, and affectionate character. Border Terrier is an alert and enthusiastic dog, with a good nature, plenty of energy, and lots of determination. This is a responsive dog that is willing and eager to please, but at the same time his high energy levels and spirit may make him better suited to those with some experience of dog ownership and training.
TRAINING
Consistency is a must and dominance must be established early in the relationship. This is done with the help of a good obedience class. They will not respond to harsh or heavy-handed methods that break their spirit and make training more difficult. Training must be done with praise, motivation, reward, respect, patience, and consistency. The Border Terrier displays talent in such areas as tracking, agility, competitive obedience, and hunting.
EXERCISE
Border Terriers are active dogs with a high energy level. Plenty of play and exercise is a necessity for Border Terriers. They benefit from securely leashed walks, family play sessions, and a safely fenced area to romp and run freely. Borders also enjoy various activities such as flyball, agility, earthdog tests, tracking and obedience classes.
SOCIALIZATION
Border Terriers tend to be quite bold in their own surroundings but can also be quite timid in public if not properly socialized at a young age. The Border Terrier is known to get along very well with children, and in most cases will get on with other pets that he is raised with, particularly other dogs. it is also important that a household with small animals such as cats, rabbits or gerbils be raised with the terrier from the very beginning.
LIVING CONDITIONS
This breed will do okay in an apartment dwelling provided they receive sufficient physical exercise and mental stimulation. A fenced-in yard is ideal as its home, although a kennel run will also contain the Border Terrier.
GROOMING
Good brushing two times per week is the most recommended method of care. As with all dogs whose coats consist of dual layers, bathing should only take place when necessary. Since clipping a Border Terrier’s hair can have a negative effect on regrowth, a method called stripping is recommended instead. This is a low shedding dog, and therefore may be suitable for people with allergies providing he is groomed regularly.
HEALTH ISSUES
The life expectancy of the Border Terrier is around 12-15 years. While they are no more or less prone to the average ills that trouble any other canine, a metabolic disorder known as canine epilepoid cramping syndrome, or ‘Spike’s Disease’ is a suspected hereditary disease for Border Terriers. It is often confused with Epilepsy.
HISTORY
The Border Terrier originated on the border of Scotland and England. They were bred to hunt fox that would hunt and kill their owners farm birds. This breed was sometimes used while their owner was on horseback and because of this, the Border Terrier had a good temperament around horses. The Border Terrier was registered with the AKC in 1930.
