Border Terrier

This alert and plucky dog was developed especially to catch the foxes that caused so much damage to farmers' chickens and livestock. He was bred to have longer legs than most terriers. This dog is also adaptable to city life, provided he gets plenty of exercise. He's most interested in being with his owner, and is a good-natured and loving companion.

Border Terrier breed facts

The formation of the Border Terrier Club was 1920 with the English Kennel Club.

The Border Terrier has a weather resistant coat with a hard, wiry outercoat and soft undercoat repels most dirt.

The Border Terrier loves children and is friendly, affectionate, alert, sensible and a sensitive member of the family.

Information you should know before owning a Border Terrier

The coat requires regular brushing to keep the Border Terrier's appearance neat and tidy.

In the field he is "hard as nails;" as a family companion he is good-tempered, affectionate, obedient, and easily trained.

The Border Terrier is not aggressive and gets along with other dogs, household pets and horses. It cannot take physical punishment without it ruining the bond of trust.

As its name suggests, the Border has its origin on either side of the Cheviot Hills which form the Border country, and may be regarded as one of the oldest kinds of terriers in Great Britain. Border farmers, shepherds, and sportsmen for generations preserved a particular strain of Border that was a purely "working terrier," expertly trained at following fox tirelessly in all-weather environments to protect stock.

The Border farmer and shepherd required a game terrier with length of leg sufficient to follow a horse, yet small enough to follow a fox to ground. The dogs had to be active, strong, tireless; they had to have weather-resistant coats in order to withstand prolonged exposure to the elements.

Until the English Kennel Club recognition was given, the Border Terrier was unknown to the great majority, but he was always exhibited in considerable numbers at most of the Agricultural Societies' shows in the Border country. Following recognition by the English Kennel Club and the formation of the Border Terrier Club in 1920, the breed has been catered to at many of the important shows in the British Isles, and the first registration of the breed with the AKC was in 1930.

Is this a vulnerable breed? Yes, No	No
What size is this dog? Small, Medium, Large	Small
How much excercise is required? 30 mins a day, 1 hour a day, Over 2 hours a day	1 hour a day
How long is this dog's coat? Short, Medium, Long	Short
How much grooming is required? Once a week, More than once a week, Every day	More than once a week
Does this dog shed? Does shed, Does not shed	Does shed
What area is this dog best suited to? Town, Country, Either	Either
What size house is required for this breed? Flat/Apartment, Small House, Large House	Flat
What size of garden is required? Small Garden, Large Garden, No Garden	Small garden

	General Appearance Essentially a working terrier.
	Characteristics Capable of following a horse, combining activity with gameness.
	Temperament Active and game as previously stated.
	Eyes Dark with a keen expression.
	Mouth Scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Level bite acceptable. Undershot or overshot a major fault and highly undesirable.
	Neck Of moderate length.
	Forequarters Forelegs straight, not too heavy in bone.
	Body Deep, narrow, fairly long. Ribs carried well back, but not oversprung, as a terrier should be capable of being spanned by both hands behind the shoulder. Loins strong.
	Hindquarters Racy.
	Feet Small with thick pads.
	Tail Moderately short; fairly thick at base, then tapering. Set high, carried gaily, but not curled over back.
	Gait / Movement Essentially a working terrier.
	Coat Harsh and dense; with close undercoat. Skin must be thick.
	Colour Red, wheaten, grizzle and tan, or blue and tan.
	Size Weight: dogs: 6-7 kgs (13-151/2 lbs); bitches: 5-6.5 kgs (111/2 -14 lbs).