The Border Terrier is the best of both worlds when it comes to a sturdy, intelligent working dog. Described as “hard as nails” when it comes to working on rural estates, these dogs are affectionate, doting family members at home. But just what is the Border Terrier –– and what’s its relation to the similarly named Border Collie?
Here, we break down 12 interesting facts about the spunky Border Terrier, a rugged dog with a big personality.
1. Border Terrier: A Small, Wire-Haired Dog
The Border Terrier measures 12 to 15 inches at the withers, seldom weighing more than 15 pounds. As opposed to other terrier breeds, the Border Terrier has long legs, along with a wiry coat that repels dirt. These dogs come in 12 colors, although only four are accepted as the breed standard by the American Kennel Club (AKC). These include:
- Blue & Tan
- Grizzle & Tan
- Red
- Wheaten
Like the Brussels Griffon, the Border Terrier has folded ears and a mustache that adds to its determined, spirited nature. They do not have docked tails like some working dog breeds; they have a medium-sized tail that’s “moderately short, thick at the base, then tapering.” It may stick straight out or relax between its back legs.
2. Border Terriers Hail from the England/Scotland Border
The Border Terrier’s story begins in the rugged countryside of northern England, around the same region where Border Collies originated. Here, farmers had a problem: sneaky hill foxes. These large predators were routinely making meals out of livestock, hurting farmers’ profits and families. Enter the Border Terrier––small enough to enter a fox’s lair but ferocious enough to scare them into the open. The idea was the Border Terrier would lure foxes from their holes, where hunters would shoot them.
Later, the Border Terrier was adapted for the sport of foxhunting, where they ran alongside Foxhounds to achieve a similar purpose: capturing fox for sport. While foxhunting today is largely nonexistent, the Border Terrier has found its home in the world of breed-specific sports, as they’re a tenacious, high-energy dog.
3. Border Terriers Belong to the Terrier Group
The AKC currently recognizes seven dog “groups” when it comes to competing in dog shows. These dogs are categorized based on their original use and other characteristics. For instance, German Shepherds belong to the Working Group because of their roles as police dogs, shepherds, and search-and-rescue dogs. Italian Greyhounds belong to the Toy Group because of their petite size.
As the name suggests, the Border Terrier belongs to the Terrier Group because of its role hunting fox and chasing vermin. It joins other terrier breeds such as the:
- Kerry Blue Terrier
- Airedale Terrier
- Scottish Terrier
- Irish Terrier
- Wire Fox Terrier
- Manchester Terrier
- Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
The dogs in this group are generally intelligent, opinionated canines that enjoy a task. While these dogs do well with families, they need lots of stimulation to avoid problem behaviors, such as destructive chewing and excessive barking.
4. Border Terriers Aren’t Exactly Popular
Breeders and longtime lovers of Border Terriers both agree that these dogs are “slept on” by the dog world. Today, they rank 94 out of the 201 dog breeds recognized by the AKC. For reference, spot #95 goes to the American Staffordshire Terrier, and spot #96 goes to the Standard Schnauzer.
The Border Terrier was originally recognized by the AKC in 1930. Trends show that the Border Terrier’s popularity has remained fairly consistent over the past nine years, although there was a slight dip in AKC registrations in 2020.
5. They Have Some Group Wins at Westminster
The Westminster Kennel Dog Show is the world’s second-longest continuous televised sporting event in the country. Each year, thousands of dogs compete for the title of Best in Show, the highest honor in the world of conformation sports. The Border Terrier has never won Best in Show at this event. But, it has secured some group wins, meaning that when competing against other dogs in the Terrier Group, Border Terriers have won second and third-place awards.
For a Border Terrier to win Best in Show, it would first be compared against other Border Terriers. Then, if chosen, it would compete against other dog breeds in the Terrier Group. If selected as Best of the Terrier group, it would show down with six other dogs that also won best in their group.
Preparing to compete in dog shows is a big commitment that takes time, patience, and lots of practice. But who knows? Maybe a Border Terrier will snag the Best in Show ribbon soon.
6. Border Terriers Thrive with Activity
The Border Terrier is not the type of dog to laze around your apartment all day. They need regular exercise and walking sessions to remain content. The AKC notes that these dogs thrive with a brisk, 30-minute walk, along with games of ball and frisbee. As with any dog, you should never let your Border Terrier off a leash. Not only is this dangerous, but these dogs have a very strong prey drive. They could take off in hot pursuit after spotting a cat or squirrel!
Because of their origins as vermin-hunters, these dogs love to dig. As an activity, you could fill up a sandbox, then bury a high-value treat or toy. Then, sit back and watch as your Border Terrier digs up a storm, searching for the item!
7. Border Terriers Are Little Athletes
If you’re looking to strengthen your bond with a Border Terrier, you may enjoy partaking in some breed-specific sports. For example, these dogs love earthdog challenges, where the dog navigates a series of underground tunnels searching for a caged rat. This mimics the job a Border Terrier would have on a farm (and don’t worry; the rat is safe!).
Border Terriers also excel at:
- Agility competitions
- Obedience training
- Lure coursing
- Tracking
- Flyball
Border Terriers are also strong swimmers, so they may enjoy dock-diving, too. Be warned: for whatever reason, Border Terriers are less heat-tolerant than some other breeds. Outdoor activity should be kept to a minimum when temperatures exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
8. Training These Terriers Calls for Patience
If you’re looking for a dog that obeys your every command without hesitation, the Border Terrier is not for you. These intelligent dogs were bred to think independently while tracking fox and other pests. They’re also sensitive to harsh punishment; yelling, scolding, or withholding food “breaks their spirit,” which is counterintuitive to this tenacious, hard-working dog.
Positive reinforcement and socialization at an early age are key to ensuring that your Border Terrier adheres to basic commands and lives peacefully in your household. Correct common behavioral problems with love and a sense of humor, and throw out any ideas you have about alpha theory or dominance training. Both have been debunked by years of research and only strain the relationship between dog and owner.
9. Border Terriers Do “Okay” With Other Dogs
The AKC rates each dog breed on a scale of one to five based on how well they get along with other dogs. The Border Terrier sits in the middle of this scale with a solid three. But why?
While Border Terriers aren’t aggressive or mean to cause harm, they answer to the almighty prey drive. In their eyes, small dogs are moving targets meant to be captured. The same applies to cats; a Border Terrier would need a lot of desensitization to coexist with a feline.
Border Terriers may fare well in households with gentle giant breeds that don’t mind a high-spirited roommate. Of course, be sure to supervise interactions between your dogs to ensure that nobody is stressed out. Correct overbearingness in your Border Terrier by redirecting their chasing instincts, and don’t be afraid of giving gentle but firm time-outs.
10. Border Terriers Enjoy Long, Healthy Lives
As with many small dogs, Border Terriers enjoy long lives well into their teen years. With a well-balanced diet and routine veterinary care, these dogs can live anywhere from 12 to 15 years. Here’s some more good news: well-bred dogs avoid many common health conditions. Still, the AKC recommends some basic testing throughout a dog’s life to ensure happy tails. These include testing for luxating patella, hip dysplasia, and any heart conditions.
11. Border Terriers Are Hypoallergenic
The Border Terrier has a grizzly, wiry coat. It’s not exactly plush to the touch, but it’s hypoallergenic, meaning that these dogs are great choices for many people with allergies. Sporting a double coat, these dogs have an outer coat that repels debris, along with a softer coat underneath that provides insulation.
These dogs shed seasonally twice a year, although regular weekly brushing can mitigate this. You may also need to hand-strip their coat, which removes any dead hairs. A small raking tool can make this process both faster and easier for everyone involved.
12. Border Terriers Share Traits with Other Breeds
The Border Terrier has some ancestral ties to the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Bedlington Terrier, two breeds hailing from the border region near England and Scotland. All three of these dogs enjoy chasing small animals, exercising, and voicing their opinions.
If you’re looking for a Border Terrier, it’s always best to only conduct business with reputable breeders. These professionals screen their dogs for any diseases, ensuring that puppies conform to the breed standard and are free of congenital illnesses. With research and patience, you can ensure you find a dog that’s right for your lifestyle, whether it be a Border Terrier or another companion.
