Border Terrier: dog breed appearance, character, training, care, health


Dog breed Border terrier, has a character sympathetic, courageous and strong, mixed with a behaviour active but calm. Since it was a puppy, it has been a dog with great physical characteristics. At Petlifey, we explain everything about the border terrier.


Characteristics of the Border Terrier breed

One of the signs more features and distinctive of the border terrier (or terrier border ) is its head, which is unlike that of any other terrier.

In fact, it somewhat resembles that of an otter, with a moderately wide and flat skull, and eyes set widely apart.

Its coat is also peculiar, as it is characterized by being double and having a short and dense undercoat that is not noticeable with the naked eye, since the outer coat is short, very hard and close to the body.

This type of hair protects it equally from inclement weather, from water, from rubbing and bumps produced during work and even from scratches or scrapes caused by its rivals.

The border terrier has a vigorous, agile, active and extremely energetic demeanour. It is a brave and courageous animal, but it is not very combative, unless the situation requires it. With the family it is docile, obedient and very affectionate.

Let’s see in detail its physical characteristics and what its character is like :

Physical characteristics of the Border Terrier

  • General Appearance: Compact, rustic, and muscular, the Border Terrier is a typical working dog.
  • Size: medium.
  • Height at the withers : 40 cm (Male) and 36 cm (Female).
  • Weight : 6-7 kg (Male) and 5-6.5 kg (Female).
  • Origin: United Kingdom.
  • Body: with a slightly rectangular body structure, the length of the body is greater than the height at the withers. It is a strong and resistant dog, but rather light, with a small and wide head, and covered with short and hard hair, very rustic.
  • Head: it is rather broad and short, similar to that of an otter. It has a short and robust muzzle, with the nose almost always black and with very powerful jaws.
  • Skull: it is moderately wide.
  • Muzzle: it is short and robust.
  • Nose: It is usually always black, but there are some specimens that have a liver or red color.
  • Eyes: they are small and bright. Its look, typical of a terrier, is very expressive, as it denotes liveliness, intelligence and an always alert attitude.
  • Ears: well covered with hair, they are small, in the shape of a “V” and are folded, with a moderate thickness. The dog usually wears them down towards the front, well attached to the cheeks.
  • Nose-frontal depression (stop):
  • Jaws: they are strong and with a perfect scissor bite. Eyes: Dark in color, they have a very lively and alert expression.
  • Neck: it has a moderate length.
  • Chest: The ribs are fairly sloped back, but not too arched.
  • Back: the loin is strong.
  • Forelimbs: they are straight and have rather light bones.
  • Hind limbs: well developed.
  • Feet: they are small, very straight and rather short legs, equipped with light bones, the border terrier’s feet are small and compact, and have thick foot pads.
  • Tail: it is moderately short and quite thick, especially at the base, as it gradually tapers towards the tip. Set high, the dog happily wears it upright, but not curled over the back. It is not too long and is quite thick at the base, although it gradually tapers towards the tip.
  • Skin: it is characterized by being thick.
  • Hair: the whole body is covered with a layer of coarse and dense hair, not very long. It also has a good, thick undercoat. The coat is double-layered, has a thick undercoat and a coarse, dense coat of hair.
  • Color: The specimens of this breed can be red, black, brownish and tan, or blue and tan.
  • Movement: This dog’s progress is strong and resistant. In fact, the border terrier is able to keep up with a horse.
  • Classification: FCI # 10, FCI CLASSIFICATION GROUP 3 Terriers. Section 1 – Large and Medium Size Terriers.

Character of the Border Terrier

If there is something that really distinguishes the border terrier, it is its temperament, as it has a very special character that perfectly mixes the friendliness, courage and strength of an active dog with the serenity and temperance sometimes so unbecoming of terriers.

Certainly, many of the breeds in this group stand out for their very combative behavior and fierceness.

Qualities that are very suitable when it comes to successfully facing the confrontation with their enemies, especially if it occurs in a terrain as hostile as a burrow, underground, in the dark and with very little space in which to move. In addition to the impossibility of avoiding combat due to the absence of loopholes.

But since the border terrier does not attack in the burrow but rather works accompanying the hounds in the pack, it should not be fierce but rather carry out its function quietly and without interfering with the work of its canine companions.

Being a kind of “supporting actor” during the hunt, the breeders looked to them that, although it had a courageous appearance and a lot of determination, Its natural temperament was a little less aggressive than usual in a terrier.

  • Energy: high level. You need to exercise every day – long walks on the leash and some outdoor outings so you can relax, run and play to your heart’s content.
  • Temperament: Hard-working, energetic and courageous, it is kind, temperate, affectionate, loyal and obedient. It learns easily and is sensitive.
  • Adaptability: It can live anywhere, but as long as it is surrounded by Its family, on whom it is very dependent.
  • Sociability: Its temperate and friendly character makes them very sociable. It gets along very well with other dogs and strangers, and adores children.
  • Health: There is no special incidence of any serious pathology associated with the race. It tends to get fat.
  • Longevity: Live for 15 years or more.
  • Utility: Versatile. Hunting and companion dog, it also excels in disciplines such as agility, flyball, obedience or dancing with dogs. Lately it has been assigned to location and rescue in disasters.
  • Use: hunting and company.

If Its family or owners do not provide them with the proper care, it becomes bored and can become a destructive , sad, apathetic, depressed animal and lacking the necessary incentives to lead a full life.

In short, the border terrier has proven to be a very versatile dog. With a little training and attention from its owners, it can become the ideal companion for the whole family in any activity that it undertakes, since the animal learns with great ease and is always friendly, faithful and cheerful in its Family nucleus.


Puppies of the Border Terrier breed

If you are thinking of buying a border terrier puppy, or better yet, if you want to adopt a border terrier, you should know that from a very young age it is very active (almost hyperactive), cheerful, outgoing and extraordinarily affectionate.

It gives and demands almost equal parts pampering, and Its desire to please can be confused with nervousness or anxiety.

The border terrier plays and is entertained with other specimens of its breed, as they get along very well with each other, but it is a social animal and also needs permanent contact with its master and the rest of the family.

In the same way, you must be aware that being a very energetic and active dog, it must be provided with a way to do physical activity such as games and long and intense walks.

Therefore, if you are not a very active person and who likes to walk outside, it is not the right breed of dog for you to have as a pet.


Border Terrier education and training

When it comes home, the Border Terrier seems more like a stuffed animal, small, affectionate and friendly, than an active and sporty dog, but its education should not be neglected for this reason.

It is not advisable to wait, for example, until the nice puppy grows up before starting the educational process, because perhaps then it will be too late and “aggressive” methods will have to be used.

In reality, the two fundamental weapons to train a specimen of this breed are affection and patience, since expeditious systems or excessively harsh corrections do not work with it.

Very intelligent and intuitive, it is very sensitive to noise, sound, the intonation of the voice and the touch with which it is spoken. All this, which at some point can become a problem, the owner or trainer must learn to use it as a weapon in their favour. It is enough to know how to modulate the commands so that the dog understands when something is being demanded of them, when it is being corrected and when it is being rewarded.

And something similar is what should be done with the hands, using them as a reward, as a gift, when stroking the dog after a goal has been achieved, or as a correction mechanism, without the need, of course, to ever arrive. to the use of force.

With this can all corrections must be made immediately, clearly and concisely, and it is highly recommended to establish specific routines, so that the animal can be able to predict what is going to be done at any time and still show itself. more predisposed to it. This way of acting, which is essential with the adult dog, should be marked from the beginning with the puppy.

All the time that is invested in the education of the puppy will be very rewarded later, because this is an active, healthy and long-lived breed that can share with its family up to 15 years or more, which can be of absolute understanding and understanding if you change is only a little work in the early stages.

As a good terrier, the border is an active dog, so its owners must ensure that it gets exercise on a daily basis. The basic routine consists of taking long walks on a leash and moments of recreation and play in a confined and safe area.

Likewise, since it is very easily trainable and that it enjoys doing a specific activity, especially if it is with Its family, it can be used in hunting or enrolled in a sport such as agility, obedience or flyball.


Feeding the Border Terrier

In order to have a Border Terrier in excellent health, it is essential to offer it a balanced diet.

It must be rich in nutrients and above all, good quality fats and proteins. This is why it is very important to buy high quality dog ​​food .

You should know that a good diet is the best method to prevent possible health problems in a dog.

Nowadays it is very easy to find a wide variety of good quality food, either buying online or in specialized pet stores. There is even specific food for each type of dog breed.


Border Terrier health and diseases

The best preventive health measure for a Border Terrier is to get an adequate amount of exercise, without straining its joints or muscles, especially as a puppy.

In the same way, maintain with them some simple but constant hygiene routines, and make routine visits to the vet.

Precisely, it should be responsible for applying a health plan in medium and long steps that incorporates a program of vaccinations, deworming, and a periodic examination of the state of the ears, eyes and mouth, as well as supervising Its hair, state of Its skin and its weight.

Like many other breeds, and despite being a dog that enjoys good health, it is true that some specimens may present some ailments.

Possible border terrier diseases can be:

  • Allergies
  • Waterfalls.
  • Hip dysplasia.
  • Autoimmune problems
  • Thyroid disorders.
  • Patella luxation.
  • Neurological problems
  • Heart problems.

With these simple border terrier care and a simple aesthetic arrangement, you can have a vigorous, fun, active and very healthy pet. In this way you can delight all members of the family (including children), since one of the greatest wishes of this dog is to always feel like one of the family nucleus.


Caring for the Border Terrier

Primitive working dogs used to not need any repair, as their excess dead hair was getting caught on rocks and tree trunks.

Perhaps for this reason, at present this breed constitutes one of the wire-haired terriers with a less sophisticated grooming that does not require any type of aesthetic preparation.

All you have to do is pluck out the dead hair with your fingers to keep the rest of the coat in good condition, shaping the figure a bit to make it look better.


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