Border Terrier Dogs

Breed: Scottish

Height: 11-16 inches

Weight: 11-16 pounds

Coat Type: Rough & dense

The Border terrier is a small sized, rough-coated dog breed that belongs to the terrier group. The dog shares its ancestry with Dandie Dinmont Terriers and Bedlington Terriers. It was originally bred as a fox and vermin hunter. Though the breed is much older, it was able to make it to The Kennel Club in Great Britain in 1920 only and to the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1930 only. In the recent past, Border terrier dogs have also gained some popularity as pets, due to their lively and active disposition and their tendency to be loyal towards their owner. Read on cle to know more about this dog breed.

 

The Border terrier derives its name from the Scottish borders, where it originated. Originally, the dog was used to bolt foxes that had gone to ground. It was even used to eliminate rodents and has also been employed to hunt otters and badgers. While the actual ancestry of this dog breed is not really known, it is believed that Border terrier dogs first appeared in the 18^th century, as working terriers in the border areas of Scotland. During the course of their history, the Border terriers were known as Reedwater Terriers and Coquetdale Terriers. However, today they are more commonly referred to as Border terriers.

 

The Border terrier is a small, medium-boned, sturdy dog. The shoulders and body of the dog is narrow, while the space between the eyes is comparatively wider. The dog has a short and usually dark muzzle, with a slightly moderate broad stop. The nose is black in color and the teeth are strong, with a scissors bite. A Border terrier has v-shaped, small ears, which are set on the side of the head and drop forward closer to the cheeks. The eyes are dark hazel in color and medium-sized. The front legs of the dog are straight and not too heavy. The tail is medium-sized, thicker at the base and tapering down. The short, dense and wiry double-coat of Border terrier dogs comes in red, grizzle and tan, blue and tan or wheatish color. In some of these dogs, white color is also visible on the chest. A dark muzzle is desired for the show dogs amongst Border terriers.

Border terrier dogs are alert and bold hunters. Being very agile, these dogs can squeeze through a narrow space to catch hold of any quarry on the other side. They are lively in nature and enjoy playing with children. Border terriers are easy to train, displaying a tendency to please their owners. They are very affectionate and mild mannered. They also make for a good watchdog and may bark often, though they are not aggressive by nature. It is important for the owner to socialize these dogs in the early stages only. They should be made accustomed to loud noises when young, to prevent excessive timidity. Border terriers mellow down as they age, provided they get plenty of exercise.

The Border terrier is vulnerable to Canine Epileptoid Cramping Syndrome (CECS), which is a hereditary canine disease. Sometimes confused with canine epilepsy, CECS is also considered to be a neurological or muscle disorder.

 

The durable coat of these dogs is to be brushed on a weekly basis and should be professionally groomed twice in a year. This dog breed sheds little or no hair and should be bathed only when it is necessary.