The small-sized Border Terrier is a versatile English terrier indeed tough, strong, determined at work, and immensely affectionate at home. Their otter-like head and long legs make them stand apart from most other terriers, particularly the smaller ones with rounded or flat heads and shorter legs. These steady fox-hunters of the past have a reputation for alertness and courage reflected through their expressions brought to prominence by their dark, hazel eyes and small v-shaped ears falling close to their cheeks.
Its wiry coat, covering its body just like a tight jacket, makes it easy to maintain, thus a perfect choice for owners desiring to save themselves from the hassles of extensive grooming. These good-tempered terriers are great playmates for kids, also mingling with other dogs of the family. It’s only the sight of those smaller pets, be it squirrels or your feline friend, that could transform these easy-going canines into fierce chasers.
Early evidence of the breed’s existence, obtained through Arthur Wentworth’s paintings
The name “Border Terrier” for these dogs came into prominence
Registration of the first Border Terrier “The Mass Trooper” under the Kennel Club’s Any Other Variety category
Officially recognized the Kennel Club of England
Recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC)
Foundation of the Border Terrier Club of America
Ranked 81st among the AKC-registered breeds
Ranked 8th of all the breeds registered by the Kennel Club of the United Kingdom
Like most other terriers, these too need their daily dose of exercise for overall fitness. A half-an-hour walk per day teamed with outdoor and indoor games like a ball session would suffice. Don’t miss out the leash while taking them out, keeping their chasing instincts in mind. If you have a yard, add proper fencing since these escape artists are massive diggers and could sneak away at the slightest available opportunity.
You wouldn’t have to work too hard to groom them all because of their wiry outer coat and fluffy undercoat. Brushing once or twice a week using a slicker brush would perhaps help keep their coat clean and remove dead hairs, if any. Your task could double a little during the shedding season when you might have to toil a lot to pluck out the dead hairs manually or by using a stripping tool. You could even take a professional groomer’s help if you find the task difficult.
You don’t need to bathe it often, perhaps just once a month or on occasions when it has got miserably dirty. Else, a clean-up session with a towel and brush would be fine on days when has got a little messier after a play session.
Besides these, do not miss out on the routine grooming schedules like brushing your dog’s teeth twice or thrice a week and trimming its nails at least two times a month. Not following appropriate oral hygiene could cause your Border Terrier’s mouth to smell bad.
Border Terriers need a proper protein and carbohydrate diet, consisting of a blend of vegetables and meat. You could prepare their food at home after consulting a veterinarian. Avoid giving them too much of your table food in the form of treats that would do less good and more harm. If giving them store-bought food, you can opt for brands like Orijen and Natural Balance.
They have all the attributes, from eagerness-to-please to intelligence that makes them a trainer’s delight. However, it is their stubbornness that could come in the way making these dogs a little difficult to handle, especially when they are in a mood to chase. Teaching the Border terrier to follow basic commands like ‘stop’ or ‘stay’ since their puppyhood might help to a certain extent.
Early socialization would further help polish its already pleasing personality. Also teach them to wear a leash; the sooner, the better.
Some could even display a few behavioral issues common in most dogs, like jumping upon visitors out of excitement. Adapting positive reinforcement techniques in the form of a reward for every good behavior might help tackle this concern.
Never leave them alone, as they get the most destructive then, and even avoid being harsh during a training session.
Howling is a kind of communication method they opted for during hunting. Present-day Border terriers certainly don’t indulge in hardcore hunting like in the past times. However, sensing any small prey near them could make them emit a howl.
