Border Terrier
About Border Terrier
If you're looking for a spirited companion with a zest for life, the Border Terrier might just be your perfect match. Sporting a wiry, low-shedding coat that gives them a ruggedly charming appearance, these small but sturdy dogs are known for their affectionate and friendly nature. They are wonderful with kids and fit seamlessly into family life, often getting along well with other pets too. With their high energy levels, Border Terriers thrive on at least 60 minutes of exercise a day, whether it's brisk walks, playful fetch sessions, or adventurous hikes.
Grooming involves regular brushing with a slicker brush to keep their coat neat and occasional hand-stripping. While they are eager to please, Border Terriers respond best to positive reinforcement training, although their independent streak might require a little patience. Keep an eye on their health with regular vet check-ups, as these active pups can be prone to certain breed-specific issues. Weighing between 11.
5 to 15.5 pounds and standing 10 to 11 inches tall, Border Terriers are a manageable size with a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. Their moderate barking tendency and trainability make them a delightful addition to any home, ready to fill your days with laughter and love.
Interesting Facts
Border Terriers were initially bred for fox hunting and were specifically designed to be able to keep up with horses while still being small enough to flush foxes out of their dens. They were historically used by farmers to help control the fox population in the border region between England and Scotland - hence their name!
Unlike many other small dogs, Border Terriers are excellent swimmers. This skill likely developed as a result of their hunting background, where they often had to swim across streams or rivers during the chase.
Border Terriers have a unique “otter” shaped head, which is unique to this breed. This distinctive shape, along with their keen and intelligent expression, is one of the key features dog show judges look for in this breed.
Baxter the Border Terrier, who starred in the popular British movie 'Anchorman', is likely the most famous dog of this breed. Despite his cute appearance, Baxter’s character is quite feisty and brave - character traits the Border Terrier is known for in real life too!
Despite their small size, Border Terriers have a surprisingly gruff and deep bark. This loud voice isn't just for scaring off potential predators, but historically it was used by hunters to locate their dogs when they had chased a fox into its burrow.
Bred along the England–Scotland border to control foxes, Border Terriers kept pace with horses and foxhounds, yet squeezed underground to bolt quarry.
Their hallmark otter-like head and unusually loose, thick pelt protected them from bites; show judges still check that protective skin by hand.
A harsh, weatherproof double coat comes in grizzle-and-tan, blue-and-tan, red, or wheaten; traditional hand-stripping preserves texture better than clipping.
The breed can develop canine epileptoid cramping syndrome (CECS), a paroxysmal movement disorder; some respond dramatically to gluten-free diets under veterinary guidance.
More biddable than many terriers, Border Terriers remain cheerful workers, excelling in earthdog, barn hunt, agility, and scent games when properly exercised.
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