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Border Terrier Dog Breed Information

Your Online Guide to Facts About Border Terrier Dogs and Puppies

Border Terrier Dogs Information

Written by: Susan Elliott

Copyright 1997 to 2010 Dogs and Puppies Central
All rights reserved.

Alternate Names: Coquetdale Terrier

Common Misspellings: Border Terrior, Border Terior, Border Terier, Borderterrier, Border-terrier

Learn all about Border Terrier Dogs and Puppies through our indepth guide to the Border Terrier dog breed. You'll find solid information about Border Terrier dog history, Border Terrier life expectancy Border Terrier dog appearance, Border Terrier temperament and personality, Border Terrier health problems, Border Terrier puppy care, training Border Terrier puppy dogs and more. Also includes important information about choosing a responsible Border Terrier dog breeder.

The Border Terrier is has come a long way from its roots along the border of England and Scotland. He was, by all accounts, an extraordinary fox hunter and general working dog. After years of ratting and dispatching foxes, the Border Terrier has made its way into more gentile company and has grown steadily as a show dog and pet. Although this elevation is akin to Eliza Doolittle; he’s there, he's just bewildered as to how it happened.

The Border Terrier is roguishly handsome, bold and alert. He most certainly isn’t what springs to mind when one thinks of a show dog, but make no mistake, the Border Terrier is well established in the ring. He is a capable watchdog, a tireless playmate and a gentle soul.

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Border Terrier Facts

The Border Terrier Dog Breed In Brief

Country of Origin: United Kingdom

Border Terrier Height: 10 - 11 inches

Border Terrier Weight: 13 - 15.5 pounds (male)
11.5 - 14 pounds (female)

Border Terrier Color Variations: Red Border Terrier
Grizzle and Tan Border Terrier
Blue and Tan Border Terrier
Wheaten Border Terrier

Border Terrier Size Variations:

Border Terrier Exercise Needs: Reasonable

Border Terrier Grooming Demands: Reasonable

Border Terrier Trainability: Easy

Border Terrier Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years

Average Border Terrier Prices: $750 to $2500, depending on Pedigree

Good With Children: Yes

Good With Other Pets: Usually

Breed Group: Terrier

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Border Terrier Dog History

It is believed that the Border Terrier is one of Britain’s oldest terriers with its roots dating back to the 1700’s. Originally, the Border Terrier was bred to keep nuisance foxes out of farmer’s fields along the border of England and Scotland. This of course, is where the Border Terrier earned it name. The exact progeny of the Border Terrier is unknown, but it is believed that a Dandie Dinmont Terrier is an ancestor.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Border Terrier held a vital role in the success of English farms. Besides dispatching foxes, the Border Terrier held ratting duties as well. So, the Border Terrier had to be nimble enough to fit into a rat hole and fox’s den, yet fast enough to keep up with horses.

By 1870, the Border Terrier has risen from its utilitarian roots to stand proudly among the gentry’s elegant foxhunts. Its role as a blue collar breed lessened as its popularity as a pet and show dog rose. By 1930, the Border Terrier was recognized by the American Kennel Club.

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Border Terrier Dog Appearance

The Border Terrier is far from a prissy, bow-on-the-head-type dog. Although small in stature, it is a tough, no-nonsense breed with physical attributes well suited for its working class roots.

The Border Terrier’s head has been described as otter-like, rounded with sleek, short hair. The Border Terrier’s body is long and narrow with powerful hind legs designed for quick bursts of speed. The tail is short, tapered and carried high, but never curled. This breed of terrier has a double coat, with an outer coat that is thick and wiry. It can be unruly, but it is weather and dirt resistant which seems a reasonable compromise. This breed has few adornments in the way of flashy facial hair or feathery manes. Instead, the Border Terrier’s modest demeanor and kindly temperament make this a beautiful dog.

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Border Terrier Grooming

The grooming needs of the Border Terrier are reasonable but their coats are wiry, so some effort is needed. If you keep your Border Terrier’s coat short, it will look tidy, but don’t expect glamor. Left to grow, the Border Terrier’s coat will be comically, but charmingly bushy. This latter choice will mean a greater commitment to daily brushing.

Biannual stripping of the Border Terrier’s coat will prevent the thickening undercoat that clipping can cause. But make no mistake, some owners prefer this humble, ragged look for their family pet. This style coat is susceptible to matting, but selective stripping can ease this.

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Border Terrier Exercise Needs

The Border Terrier’s exercise requirements are reasonable. He loves being busy and has a penchant for long, off-the-leash expeditions. There is one caveat; Border Terriers can hightail-it with glee into uncharted territory. So be sure your Border Terrier is well trained to respond to the heel command.

If city living precludes a country romp, a good 5 kilometre leashed walk through the neighborhood will do. And, don’t be surprised if your Border Terrier decides to take an unexpected break. Border Terriers love to relax amid chaos and take-in the show. In fact, he may be reluctant to continue the walk. Even on short walks, Border Terriers will take breaks in favour of observing the world around him. To the casual observer, the Border Terrier has a highly civilized outlook on life.

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Border Terrier Temperament

The Border Terrier is one of the most amiable breeds. They are even tempered with people and other pets, unless the pet happens to be a rodent or rabbit, in which case, run for your life! On rare occasions, a Border Terrier can take an unusual and mystifying dislike to another dog and a fight can ensue. But this is the exception rather than the rule. In contrast, the Border Terrier’s calm nature has made this breed a popular therapy dog for children and for the elderly.

The Border Terrier is a task-oriented breed. They can be trained to seek and retrieve virtually anything and they have a startling affinity for jumping. Border Terriers are highly intelligent and are keen to please, however, they have moments of wilfulness. But, if your Border Terrier is left to his own devices he will roam with abandon, punctuated by periods when he will sit for hours, just watching the world go by. Your Border Terrier will happily amuse himself until a task presents itself. But do be warned, sometimes Border Terriers amuse themselves with digging, so to avoid this, give him plenty of your time.

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Border Terrier Training

If there is a way to disguise training as hunting, then you’ve hit the jackpot with the Border Terrier. This is their ilk and they simply love it. Unfortunately, this instinct can trump a command in Border Terriers with late training. So, the prudent Border Terrier owner starts training early and is unfailingly consistent.

Housebreaking your Border Terrier is straightforward using the tried-and-true crate method. Simply bring your Border Terrier outside immediately after naps and meals and your Border Terrier will soon establish a bathroom routine.

While Border Terriers are agile dogs and are highly trainable, they don’t seem to enjoy simple, pointless tricks. Perhaps this is a throwback to their worker roots, or perhaps the Border Terrier deems these tricks futile. Either way, your Border Terrier will perform them, but he won’t like it. He will clearly prefer anything even vaguely related to his heritage; hunting, retrieving, digging.

Border Terrier Health

Common health concerns for your Border Terrier include; patellar luxation, CHD and heart defects.

Also of note is the Border Terriers occasional dalliance with consuming small, captured animals such as mice and shrews. While this many not always cause stomach upset, plastic toys mistaken for prey and then eaten certainly will. This can cause your Border Terrier to have symptoms including lethargy, sleeplessness and a withdrawal from normal activity levels. If you suspect you Border Terrier has eaten a toy, seek veterinary attention for him at once.

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Is the Border Terrier Right For You?

The Border Terrier is a lovely pet. He is an unfussy, agreeable dog with equal measures of energy and repose. Border Terriers are have sweet temperaments and are an excellent choice for families with children. City dwellers will be pleased with this breed’s undemanding exercise requirements. Do be cautious however, when leaving your Border Terrier alone for long periods in a yard. Border Terriers can tunnel their way to freedom in remarkably quick fashion. For rural folks, the Border Terrier also makes an amiable pet; minding his own business along with anything else that needs minding.

As with purchasing any dog, resist the urge to purchase a Border Terrier inexpensively from a pet store or from an advertisement in a newspaper. You may unwittingly buy a mal-adjusted, sick, puppy mill dog. This is to be avoided at all costs.

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Border Terrier Prices

Average Border Terrier Price: $750 - $1000

Price always varies when it comes to the purchase of a quality, home-raised healthy Border Terrier dog or puppy. It's of utmost importance that you place the most weight on acquiring a great Border Terrier puppy from a highly responsible, reputable breeder, and put the price as a secondary concern in making your decision.

Buying a Border Terrier dog or puppy at a cheap price from a breeder of questionable reputation can be a one-way ticket to heartbreak and great additional expense throughout the dog's life, should your Border Terrier puppy have hereditary health problems or behavior and temperament issues (which very often is the case with cheap-priced puppies). Buying from a highly reputable Border Terrier breeder is your best insurance for acquiring a well socialized, healthy puppy of stable temperament.

Border Terrier prices also will vary according to the puppy's conformation; puppies placed as pets and companions will generally be less expensive as show-quality Border Terrier puppies intended to be shown in conformation.

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Finding Border Terrier Puppies For Sale By Reputable Breeders

If you are ready to add an adorable Border Terrier puppy to your family, be sure to check out Dogs and Puppies Central's directory of Border Terrier Puppies For Sale, where you will find photos and information posted by reputable Border Terrier breeders. We actively screen Border Terrier breeders who wish to advertise on our service by asking that they meet and follow our Guidelines For Responsible Dog Breeders. We also ask for - and check - three references from each breeder.

By performing an initial dog breeder screening, it is our hope that we can help put you in touch with a caring, responsible Border Terrier breeder near you. We cannot physically inspect the premises and dogs owned by breeders advertising with us, so you need to be responsible for doing the final inspection and interview.

Let's stop the cruelty of puppy mills. Please help us keep money out of the hands of puppy mills, back yard breeders and pet stores. Buy your Border Terrier puppy only from a responsible, caring hobby breeder that raises their dogs and puppies in a loving home environment.

When you locate that perfect Border Terrier puppy - please be sure to send us some photos to be included in our growing gallery of Border Terrier dog and puppy pictures!

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