Border terrier

Border terrier is a small, roughly inscribed square, a dog with a characteristic, wide head called “otter’s head”. Busy, with a great hunting drive, he is also a great human companion, cheerful, willing to play.

Nature

The border terrier may not seem very impressive, but it is just because of its natural look. Although “ordinary”, Border has its own distinctive features.

It is impossible to confuse him with any other race. The biggest distinguishing feature is the head with short, protruding hair, resembling the shape of an otter’s head. The natural look is complemented by a tail that is never cut off in this breed.

Border terrier is durable, resistant to weather conditions, persistent and active. Because he was bred to work in a group, he is not aggressive or feisty about other dogs. This differs from some terriers working once alone.

However, one cannot forget that he is a terrier and although he usually doesn’t get stuck as the first one, he won’t blow his groats. Therefore, it is not recommended to keep two males of this breed at home.

Border is energetic, he likes movement very much. However, if he has the opportunity to run, he will adapt even to block life. Chasing the ball is great fun for the burger, as well as looking for hidden toys or treats. Their advantage is that they are not barking, although they signal the presence of strangers.

Skills

Border terriers are excellent athletes. They work very well in agility and flyball, they can also take part in burrows and coursing competitions.

Training and education

In relation to people, border terrier is gentle and emotional. I need close contact with people. He is smart, learns well and willingly works with people, although he is stubborn. Unlike other terriers, it doesn’t cause any problems in training.

Who is this race for?

Suitable for the first dog for a beginner owner, provided that this man understands certain features of the terrier’s psyche. Border terriers get along very well with older children who know how to handle dogs.

Advantages and disadvantages

Disadvantages

• sometimes stubborn
• may get in conflict with other dogs
• requires movement and some kind of activity
• has a strong hunting instinct

Advantages

• less feisty about dogs than other terriers
• susceptible to training
• you can do dog sports with him
• good hunter’s helper
• healthy and resilient

Health

Border terrier is healthy and resistant. He is rarely affected by genetic diseases. Occasional knee dislocation.

Feeding

Border terrier is not particularly demanding in terms of nutrition. Because these dogs usually have a very good appetite, be careful that they do not become clogged.

Border-terrier. Care

The coat of this terrier does not require complicated care, only manual trimming two or three times a year. Border terrier molts moderately, and the amount of hair falling out can be reduced just by trimming.

History

Border terrier comes from the English-Scottish borderland. Hence its name: “border” in English means border. Several utility terrier breeds were bred in this area. It is believed that border terrier, Bedlington terrier and dandie dinmont terrier had a common ancestor. Working terriers hunted foxes, otters and exterminated rodents.

Already eighteenth-century paintings of hunting scenes you can see border terrier dogs. They accompanied the horse hunter hunting with hounds. They were also kept by shepherds, farmers and poachers. As a separate breed, they were shown at agricultural exhibitions at the end of the 19th century. The British Kennel Club officially recognized the breed in 1920.

While most breeds changed their appearance when they began to be bred for exhibitions, the border terrier remained unchanged. Breeders and lovers of the breed from the beginning were very keen to maintain the original type, health and psyche of the working dog.

Border-terrier. Template

Border terrier – group III FCI, section 1, reference number 10

• Country of origin: Great Britain
• Character: Active, with the features of a working terrier
• Weight: Dogs 6-7 kg, females 5-6.5 kg
• Coat: Rough, dense, quite short, with undercoat
• Color: Red, wheat, grizzly (mixed hair, black and red) with tan, blue with tan
• Lifespan: 12-14 years
• Vulnerability to training: Large, but sometimes stubborn
• Activity: Needs a lot of movement, but can run after the ball.
• Resistance/susceptibility to diseases: Very healthy and resistant

Interesting facts

In 2006, the border terrier took tenth place in the ranking of the most popular dog breeds in Great Britain. Border terriers appeared quite often in films and series, including female Tansy, appeared as Toto in the film Return to the Land of Oz from 1985.