The Breed Basics:
The Border terrier got its name from the area called Cheviot Hills, which is actually near the border of England and Scotland. This is where these dogs were made to attack and terminate predatory foxes. They have wiry coat that is why they normally appear as scruffy. However, this scruffiness is an attention-grabber that is why owners do not forget to hug their little ball of energy.
Category: Terrier
Living Environment: indoors and/or outdoors (fenced yard)
Coat: wiry and short; double coated
Colors: tan, red, grizzle and tan, and/or blue andtan
Height: between 11 and 16 inches
Weight: between 11 and 16 pounds
Temperament:
Naturally,
- they are scruffy, hardy and bold hunters
- they are active as puppies but mellow down as they mature
- they are not friendly with rabbits, rats, hamsters, & even birds
- they are economical to feed
- they really love to please people especially their owners
- Reliable, easy going, sensitive, affectionate, friendly, Independent, sensible, long-lived
- they are not a high strung, pesky or yappy dog. The breed has two instincts in this regard—to keep silent while stalking its prey, and to bark when in view of the quarry underground.
Care and Exercise:
- The Border is shown as a natural dog. It needs the absolute minimum of grooming. A weekly brushing and tidying up is usually sufficient, even for the show ring. Heavy-coated adults need to have their dead outer coat plucked away (aka hand stripped) twice a year, but no professional trimming is required. Clipping is not a recommended method of grooming since it does not remove the dead hair, but merely shortens it, softening the texture, fading the color, and encouraging noticeable shedding.
- They should bathe only when necessary since they shed little to no hair.
- Borders have the nice combination of being active out-of-doors, and generally inactive indoors. They do need a moderate amount of out-side exercise every day to avoid becoming overweight and bored. A Border makes an excellent jogging companion. At minimum, they need a good long walk every day, or better, a free run in a safe area, far away from traffic.
- Borders are hunters. The family cat is safe, but beware stray cats, squirrels and rabbits in the family yard. Chickens usually are too much of a temptation. Borders are absolutely not to be trusted with pet rats, gerbils, etc.
Origin/History:
The Border Terrier descends from the ancient hunting terrier stock found along the border between England and Scotland. Border farmers, shepherds, and sportsmen for generations preserved a particular strain of working terrier. The breed finally was named in the 19th Century for its work with the Border Foxhound pack.
This “natural dog” has never been over-bred. It retains its rugged health as an outdoor dog and its keen instincts as a hunter of foxes and barnyard varmints..
The Borders have been used as hunters of rabbits and hares. They can even keep up with running horses with their short yet sturdy legs. They were also used by farmers to lure predatory foxes into their dens before killing them.
They were also trained to hunt otters, marten, and even fierce badgers. Like most terriers that were once molded as hunters, they also evolved as pets and became lovely, friendly, and loyal companion dogs. They also take part in dog shows and they can easily grab their audience attention with their agility, appearance, and bright disposition.
The breed was registered by the British Kennel Club in 1920 and by the American Club ten yearsafter.
At present, Borders are highly favored as companion dogs and pets due to their adaptability, friendliness, and winning personality. Nonetheless, they can be reliable when it comes to tracking down vermin. In fact, some of their esteemed talents include hunting, guarding the family, and performing tricks and sports that require competitive obedience.
Like most terriers, you can be rest assured to have a loyal and bright companion dogs if you give your attention and affection to a Border. You can be sure that they can definitely drive away boredom!