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Border Terrier Dog Breed Introduction
Border Terrier is a small-sized Terrier that originated from the area of Anglo-Scottish border. Originally, they were used for fox-hunting. As of now, they are popularly kept as family pets and companions in town and up-country. Border Terriers are known for their distinctive otter head and longer legs than other small terriers. This breed loves exploring outdoors and make fine childhood playmates. However, this is not a pet for a busy parent who is in need of a part-time pet. Border Terriers love playing games, being active, and fit well into a busy family life as well as singles and seniors who are active.
Border Terrier Origin | History
A Border Terrier was developed near the Scottish English Border by ancient shepherds and farmers to help in hunting a sheep-stealing predator, hill fox. Therefore, the farmers developed a terrier that was small enough to dig into the fox’s hideout and force them out, but also had long legs to run with foxhounds and huntsmen on horseback. The progenitors of modern Border Terriers were tireless, strong, energetic, with a wiry waterproof coat to protect them against mist, rain, and the notorious tough terrain of the borderland.
Initially, this breed was known as Redesdale Terrier or Coquetdale Terrier from the area in which the breed evolved. Border Terriers share its ancestry with the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Bedlington Terrier. This breed was also used to kill rodents. Border Terriers have also be used in hunting badgers and otters. They were recognized by the Kennel Club(England) in 1920 followed by AKC in 1930.
Border Terrier Lifespan
According to the American Kennel Club, Border Terriers have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years.
Border Terrier Grooming
A Border Terrier has a double-layered coat consisting of a hard wiry coat and a soft, fluffy undercoat. The coat needs a brushing once a week or every two weeks using a slicker brush to remove dirt, loose hair, and prevent matting or tangling. Border Terriers don’t lose quantities of hair seasonally like many breeds, although there is a certain amount of hair shed. This breed is not able to shed off the dead hair completely without help. Therefore, the coat is hand stripped twice a year using a stripping knife. After stripping, the new coat grows in after a period of 8 to 10 weeks.
Generally, Border Terriers don’t require frequent bathing unless they roll in a cowpat or in something stinky. When this happens, use warm water to wash the coat. If the warm water cannot get rid of the odor, only then use a shampoo designed for wiry coated breeds. If the dog has visible dirt, use a damp wash cloth to wipe the coat followed by slicker brushing when the coat is dry. Regular baths tends to make the wiry coat soft that is naturally dirt repellant. Once the top coat is soft, it will no longer be water resistant and will also pick up dirt far more easily.
Wipe the eye corners on a daily basis using a clean damp washcloth or unscented canine wipes. Trim the nails every 3 to 5 weeks using a nail clipper to prevent overgrowth, splitting, or cracking. Overly grown nails are painful for a Border Terrier while walking or running. Brush the teeth of a Border Terrier at least twice a week if not daily using a dog-formulated toothpaste and toothbrush to remove tartar buildup. Clean the ears on a weekly basis to remove debris and wax using an ear cleanser solution and cotton balls. While cleaning the ears, check out for signs of ear infection such as redness, odor, or a dark discharge. The genital and anal areas should be kept free of hair for sanitary purposes.
Border Terrier Haircut
A Border Terrier needs to be hand stripped twice a year to get rid of the dead hair. However, some owners may opt to clip the coat. Clipping is not recommended for wiry-coated breeds. This is because it only removes shortens the dead hair but does not remove it. A Border Terrier that has a clipped coat will lose the texture and color of its natural protective coat. Before choosing clipping as a means to maintain the coat, parents are urged to discuss it with the breeder and an experienced Border Terrier person. Clipped coats can be restored in two or three hand stripping, although is a hard task. Senior Border Terriers are maintained by clipping for their comfort.
Border Terrier Shedding
Border Terriers shed at minimal levels all-year round and a bit of hair seasonally ( in Spring and Fall) but not as much as other double-coated breeds. During the seasonal shedding period, Border Terriers don’t shed off the dead hair completely and requires hand stripping to promote new hair growth.
Border Terrier Coat
A Border Terrier is a double-coated breed that has a dense and thick undercoat and a wiry topcoat that is somehow broken. The top coat lies closely but it should never show any tendency to wave or curl.
Border Terrier Hypoallergenic
Border Terriers are not among one of the breeds listed by AKC as nearly hypoallergenic. However, they have a wiry coat that sheds at minimal levels all-year round and sheds a bit of hair seasonally but not as much as other double coated breeds. Therefore, some consider them to be allergy friendly. Although, there is no truly 100% hypoallergenic crossbreed or pure breed. Owners should hence spend lots of time with a particular dog before adopting to ensure it does not aggravate their allergies.
Border Terrier Training
A Border Terrier is an intelligent breed that is quick to learn but sometimes slow to obey if confronted with something else that they would rather do such as chewing a wallet full of money, three piece suite, or your best pair of shoe. These dogs may be inclined to chasing small critters and it may not always be easy to train them to distinguish between the rat you would like dispatched and a pet hamster for your child. However, if socialized from an early age, Border Terriers and cats can live together quite happily.
A well-socialized Border Terrier is well-mannered, well-adjusted dog. This training starts from the age of 3 weeks while the pup is with the breeder until the age of 16 weeks after a Border has already settled in its new home. Although, this training may be a long-life process to ensure the pet has an all-rounded temperament. Usually, owners take their pets home from the age of 8 weeks. To socialize a Border expose it to a wide variety of people, animals, surfaces, sight, places, smell, situations, experiences, and sounds such as baby crying sounds, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, whistles, lawn mowers, and sirens.
Enrolling a Border Terrier in a puppy class will also serve as a form of socialization. The classes create a controlled environment where canines interact. Puppy classes are also beneficial for the owners. They enable them to not only identify and correct bad habits but also have access to training information and assistance. If Border Terriers are not socialized from an early age, some may become aggressive towards other dogs. Border Terriers were also bred to think for themselves which can be both endearing and frustrating. This breed cannot resist a chase. Therefore, it should be exercised and trained in a safely secured yard or on a leash to protect it from itself.
A Border thrives on positive reinforcements methods such as the use of toys, treats, petting, verbal praise, and play time. However, use of harsh correction methods such as yelling, shoving, kicking, beating or use of prong collars is counterproductive with this breed. Keep the training sessions short, fun, and challenging for a span of at least 5 minutes distributed throughout the day to avoid boredom and distraction. Start teaching basic commands that are potentially life saving such as come, sit, stay, lie down, wait, heel, leave it, etc. until the puppy is well-acquainted.
Although, responding to issued command words may be quite a challenge for Borders especially for the ‘stay’ command which he does for what he considers enough time then goes off to his own business. However, patience and consistency is key. Pet owners are cautioned against issuing a command word while too frustrated or excited since it does not sound the same for their pets. Effectively, house break a Border Terrier by creating a feeding schedule, potty training, crate training, and teaching the chewable and non-chewable items around the house.
While potty training, a crate is regarded an indispensable tool. It allows the owners to closely monitor the dog for signs that it wants to eliminate such as sniffing, whining, squatting, circling, restlessness, and trying to lift a leg against the crate door. Get positive results while potty training by taking a Border Terrier to the designated toilet area immediately it wakes up, 20 minutes after meals and drinks, every 2 to 3 hours, after naptime, following an exciting activity such as playtime, and before bedtime. The bladder and bowel muscles of a pup strengthens as it matures. Therefore, a Border Terrier should go for potty breaks after every 6 to 8 hours after the age of 8 months.
Border Terrier Personality | Temperament | Traits
- Affectionate.
- Easily trainable.
- Good-tempered.
- Obedient.
- Energetic.
- Active.
- Playful.
- Friendly.
- Independent.
- Relentless and fearless when chasing a prey.
Border Terrier Exercise
These are activity dogs that need plenty of exercise in form of ball or disc flying, half-hour walk, and a play session with the owner. Border Terriers also enjoy participating in agility, earthdog, flyball, lure coursing, and tracking. This breed has an instinct to chase after small animals and must always exercise in a secured area and go for walks while on a leash. Border Terriers are also diggers, hence ideally any backyard fencing should extend underground for at least 18 inches ( approx. 46 cm ).
Border Terrier Barking
This is not a vocal breed. However, a Border Terrier will alert the parent of anybody coming to the door by barking. Excessive barking may be due to separation anxiety and pent-up energy due to improper physical and mental stimulation.
Border Terrier Height
Border Terriers have a height of 12 to 15 inches ( approx. 30 to 38 cm ).
Border Terrier Weight
A Female Border has a weight of 11.5 to 14 pounds ( 5 to 6.5 kg ) while a male Border has a weight of 13 to 15.5 pounds ( approx. 6 to 7 kg ).
Border Terriers | Terrier Size
A Border Terrier is a small-sized breed that has a height of 12 to 15 inches ( approx. 30 to 38 cm ). Although, Male Border Terriers are slightly heavier as compared to their female counterparts. Male Border Terriers have a weight of 13 to 15.5 pounds ( approx. 6 to 7 kg ) while female Border Terriers have a weight of 11.5 to 14 pounds ( 5 to 6.5 kg ).
Border Terrier Health Issues
Border Terriers are relatively health breeds that live up to the age of 15 years. However, they suffer from certain health issues including eye problems like progressive retinal atrophy and juvenile cataracts, hip dysplasia, seizures, allergies, heart problems, Perthes disease, and Canine epileptoid cramping syndrome.
Border Terrier Names
A Border parent may decide to find a name for the pet before it joins them home from the breeder or a few days later after the puppy has joined them home to understand better the personality of a particular dog. Parents may get name inspiration from the heritage of the breed, coat color, personality of the dog, celebrity Border Terriers, movies, books, songs, food, nature, and historical figures.
Regardless of where they source the name, owners should ensure that the name chosen freely rolls off their tongue and will not make them embarrassed when uttered out loud in parks. If a parent settles with a long name, he or she should find a cute nickname for the Border.
Avoid giving a pooch a name that rhymes with the basic command words or any other command word to avoid confusion. Border Terriers and other dog breeds better understand names that have vowels. If a Border Terrier shares a name with any family member or the guests who frequent your house, it may create confusion. Some of the names that Border Terrier owners give to their pets include:
- Indigo.
- Brownie.
- Butterfly.
- Candy.
- Kiki.
- Emma.
- Kaine.
- Alice.
- Edgar.
- Finn.
- Tate.
- Bacon.
- Annie.
- Tess.
- Willow.
- Sadie, etc.
Border Terrier Food
The amount of food that Border Terriers feed on depend on their age, activity level, metabolism, size, and body build. Border Terriers puppies tend to have a high metabolism rate as compared to adults and seniors. Therefore, puppies eat small portions of food 3 or 4 times a day from when they start weaning until the age of 6 months. From the age of 6 months, Border Terriers feed on a total of two meals in a day for the rest of their lives.
Border Terriers may feed on a raw diet, home made, dry food, or wet food depending on the budget of the owner and the time of preparation needed. Regardless of the food that the pet feeds on, owners should ensure that a Border Terrier feeds on the right amount of proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, fats, amino acids, and fatty acids to maintain a healthy bone structure and weight. Fresh water should be available for your pet at all times. These dogs should not be overfed to prevent obesity.
If the dog is feeding on dry or wet commercial food, owners should ensure that the first three listed ingredients are proteins from a known source. Commercial food should neither have meat by-products, fillers, preservatives, chemicals, additives, nor generic meat products. Feed a Border Terrier with formulated dry or wet food for small-sized puppies, adults, and seniors depending on its age. Check the physique of your pet to tell whether it is underweight or overweight.
The dog is underweight if the ribs are visible. However, if the ribs are not visible but can be felt without pressing hard, a Border Terrier has an ideal weight. Although, if the ribs cannot be felt after pressing, the pooch is overweight and should be exercised. Owners who want to switch to another pet food should gradually do this over a period of one month by mixing old food with new food. As the week progresses, the amount of old food decreases as the amount of the new food increases until the Border Terrier is only feeding on the new food.
Apart from Border Terrier, other dog breeds include:
American Staffordshire Terrier.
Border Terrier Grizzle | Colors
A Border Terrier may either have a blue and tan, wheaten, red, or grizzle and tan coat color. A small spot of white color may be allowed on the chest but on the feet should be penalized.
Border Terrier Black
Blue and tan adult Border Terriers are born with a black and tan coat that later transitions to blue and tan.
Border Terrier Allergies
A Border Terrier is prone to various forms of allergies as discussed below:
Food allergies – Although rare, Border Terriers may sufferer from a true food allergy that causes an immune response. Food allergies are accompanied with a wide range of symptoms including skin issues ( hives, sores, lesions, pruritus, and dermatitis) as well as gastrointestinal stress such as diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, and bloating. Apart from food allergies, a Border may also suffer from food intolerance.
Skin allergies – A Border Terrier is affected by skin allergies due to contact, food, and environmental allergies that manifest on the skin.
Contact allergies – This allergy causes inflammation to the skin of a Border Terrier once it comes in contact with the skin. Some of the contact allergies that affect Border Terriers include plastics, bed linens, latex, carpet cleaning detergents, grooming products, medications, and lawn chemicals.
Environmental allergies – One of the environmental allergies that may affect Borders include flea. This insect usually bites underneath the tail and on the back legs causing flea allergy dermatitis. This allergy makes the dog to scratch excessively around the bite area until the skin is raw. Other environmental allergies that affect Border Terriers include pollen, grass, ragweed, trees, dust and dust mites, and house molds.
Border Terrier Tail
A Border Terrier has a short tail that is thick at the base and tapers towards the end. When the dog is alert, the tail is carried gaily but never over the back. When in repose or at ease, Border Terriers may drop their stern.
Border Terrier Teeth
Border Terriers puppies are whelped with no teeth. However, the deciduous teeth start coming out from the age of 2 to 3 weeks until the age of 6 to 8 weeks while the pup has a set of 28 milk teeth. At the age of 12 weeks, deciduous teeth starts falling out as the permanent teeth erupt beneath them. At the age of 6 to 8 months, Border Terriers should have a total of 42 adult teeth.
Are Border Terrier Hypoallergenic
Border Terriers shed at low levels all-year round and a bit of hair seasonally. For this reason, they are regarded hypoallergenic. However, there is no dog that is truly hypoallergenic. Owners should spend lots of time with the Border Terrier before adopting to ensure the dog does not trigger their allergies.
Do Border Terriers Shed
Yes. Border Terriers shed at minimal levels all-year round and shed a bit of hair seasonally.
Do Border Terriers Bark A Lot
No. Border Terriers are not vocal breeds. They only bark to alert the owner when people are approaching the house.
Border Terriers Quick Facts
- Border Terriers are easy to recognize among other small terriers due to their unique otter head shape.
- They have longer legs as compared with other Terriers.
- Border Terriers make great pets for city dwellers as long as they get plenty of exercise.
