LittlePawz.com
Your Online Guide to Small Dogs

Border Terrier

BORDER TERRIER

Good Points

• Good-natured
• Handy size
• Hardy
• Reliable
• Sporty working dog
• Unspoilt breed
• Fine guard dog

Take Heed

• Needs space for exercise

The Border Terrier is a hardy, unspoilt dog with an equable temperament, and usually gets on well with other animals.

Size
Weight: Dog: 13 – 15 lbs. (5.9 – 7 kg); Bitch: 11.5 – 14 lbs. (5.2 – 6.4 kg)

Coat and Colour
A short and dense undercoat covered with a very wiry and somewhat broken topcoat which should lie closely, but it must not show any tendency to curl or wave. With such a coat a Border should be able to be exhibited almost in his natural state, nothing more in the way of trimming being needed than a tidying-up of the head, neck, and feet. The hide is very thick and loose fitting. Colour red, grizzle and tan, blue and tan, or wheaten. A small amount of white may be allowed on the chest but white on the feet should be penalized.

Exercise
The Border Terrier has immense vitality and is able to keep pace with a horse. It is unfair to keep one unless you can give it adequate exercise.

Grooming
The coat needs a little trimming to tidy up for the show ring, but otherwise requires the minimum of grooming.

Feeding
Recommended would be 1/2 – 1 can name-brand dog food (13.3 oz 376 g size), with a biscuit, or 1 – 1 1/2 cups dry dog food. Always ensure that your Border Terrier has an ample supply of fresh water.

Origin and History
The Border Terrier was derived in the Border counties of England and Scotland in the middle of the 19^th century, when it was the practice to produce a terrier tailor-made for the task it would perform. Sportsmen wanted a hardy dog able to run with hounds and bolt the fox from its lair.

The Border Terrier, with its otter-like head, still works with hounds, and has been less changed to meet the dictates of the show ring than almost any other breed. It was recognized by the British Kennel Club in 1920.

Read more about the Border Terrier.