BORDER TERRIER

The Border Terrier is the smallest of the working terriers. It is a natural breed that evolved in the Border counties of England and Scotland, where its task was to worry foxes from their lair. It is a hardy, unspoilt dog with an equable temperament, and it usually gets on well with other animals.

Origin and history

The Border Terrier was derived in the Border counties of England and Scotland in the middle of the nineteenth century, when it was the practice to produce a terrier tailormade for the task it would perform. Sportsmen wanted a hardy dog able to run with hounds and bolt the fox from its lair.

The Border Terrier with its otterlike head still works with hounds and has been less changed to meet the dictates of the show ring than almost any other breed. It was first recognized by the Kennel Club in 1920.

Border Terrier Puppies

Good points

Good natured
Handy size
Hardy
Reliable
Sporty working dog
Unspoilt breed

Take heed

Needs space for exercise

Size

Weight dog 13-15V21b (5.9-7kg); bitch 11112-14Ib (5.2-6.4kg).

Exercise

The Border Terrier has immense vitality and is able to keep pace with a horse. It is unfair to keep one unless you can give it adequate exercise.

Border Terrier Information

Colour

Red, wheaten, grizzle and tan or blue and tan.

Head and skull

Head like that of an otter, moderately broad skull, with a short, strong muzzle. A black nose is preferable but a liver or flesh-coloured one is not a serious fault.

Tail

Moderately short and fairly thick at the base, then tapering; set high and carried gaily but not curled over the back.

Feet

Small with thick pads. The feet should be compact.

Border Terrier Feeding & Grooming

Grooming

The coat needs a little trimming to tidy up for the show ring but otherwise requires the minimum of grooming.

Feeding

Recommended would be 6-130z (170-369g) of a branded, meaty product with biscuit added in equal part by volume, or 1112 cups of a dry food, complete diet, mixed in the proportion of 1 cup of feed to 112 cup of hot or cold water. Increase rations if the terrier is in hard exercise.