The word terrier comes from ‘terra’, meaning ‘earth’; accurate since these dogs were bred to control vermin and hunt small animals by pursuing them below ground. They tend to be fun but feisty, and love to chase!
Facts & advice
Border Terrier
A cheeky and independent family friend who’s always full of fun
Vital stats
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| Size: | Small to medium |
| Coat: | Double coat, groom weekly, hand strip |
| Exercise | 1+ hours a day for a adult dogs |
| Life span: | 12+ years |
| Breed group: | Terrier |
| Temperament: | Smart, loving, cheeky |
Border Terrier temperament & personality
Sociable, playful, affectionate and cheeky Border Terriers are great family dogs for active households with lots going on. Originally bred to work alongside horses and hounds, the Border Terrier tends to get on with people and animals alike.
- Border Terriers are known for their plucky independence and they tend to be self-assured and less prone to separation anxiety than other breeds although this can make them a little stubborn.
- Terriers were originally bred to chase and drive out small animals and have a high prey drive. This is an important consideration for cat or other small animal owners as Border Terriers are prone to chase.
- The self-assured Border Terrier is unlikely to back down if challenged, so extra care should be taken when introducing them to other animals.
- Like all terriers, this breed has a loud bark and can be very vocal.
Border Terrier training & exercise
Borders are quick learners and easy to train, provided training starts at a young age as their intelligence can also make them stubborn.
Training tips
- Keep a tasty, low-calorie treat on hand to convince a feisty Border that you’re worth listening to.
- It’s impossible to override Border Terriers’ high prey drive completely, but early socialisation is essential to avoid unwanted behaviour such as chasing and aggression.
- Spend extra time on recall training as their independent and driven nature means they’re apt to wander off.
- Border Terriers can be sensitive and respond best to positive reinforcement.
Exercise
- Adult Border Terriers need at least one hour of physical exercise per day.
- This intelligent breed also needs plenty of mental stimulation so make time for lots of games.
Keeping them happy
- Bred to find their way into tiny underground warrens, the Border Terrier is a skilled escape artist so needs a secure outdoor space to explore.
- Border Terriers are excitable well into their teens, so are best suited to owners who can give them lots of exercise and attention.
- They can also be prone to dog aggression if they aren’t given lots of proper introductions as puppies, so start training from 8 weeks old.
Game ideas
- If you feed dry kibble try spreading their meals between hiding places across the garden and let them hunt out their dinner.
- Border Terriers love to chase so ball games are a great way to make recall training fun.
Common Border Terrier health conditions
There are certain health conditions that affect Border Terriers more frequently than other dogs. In this section, we’ve outlined some of our recent data to help you understand some of the health issues we receive more claims for in Border Terriers than in other dog breeds. If you’re buying a puppy, you can increase your chances of having a happy and healthy dog by choosing a reputable Border Terrier breeder.
Cushing's disease occurs when an excessive amount of cortisol (or 'steroid') builds up in a dog's body. This can happen naturally or as a side-effect of the long-term use of corticosteroid medication. Either way, the ongoing increase of this hormone leads to a significant disruption in normal metabolism. Cushing's can be managed and controlled using medication, allowing the dog to continue to live a normal life.
Border Terriers generally are more prone to developing diabetes than other dogs, but can also develop it as a result of other conditions such as being overweight, inflammation of the pancreas or taking other drugs that interfere with insulin production. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin which is required to regulate body sugar and fat metabolism. Without the regulation of sugars much like humans this can cause various issues such as cataracts and other organ damage. Signs of diabetes in dogs are also similar to humans; excessive thirst, increased urination and weight loss are all potential signs so speak to your vet if you're concerned. Diabetes can be successfully managed but is a long term condition requiring an injection of insulin once or twice a day, along with regulated feeding routines.
Border Terriers can suffer from neurological conditions that affect the brain, spine and nerves. Epilepsy is a brain disorder that results in seizures or fits, which may begin in Border Terriers as young as six months old. Epileptic seizures look painful, but generally aren’t, although they do need attention. Depending on the severity, these fits may need to be controlled with daily medication so the dog can lead a happy, normal life.
Border Terriers, like all dogs, can suffer from problems affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The GI tract is a long, winding tube that starts at the mouth and ends at the anus, with various twists and turns along the way. Conditions such as gastroenteritis or an obstruction within the bowel (due to the dog to eating stones, cloth or string, for example) commonly cause vomiting and/or diarrhoea. Treatment depends on the exact cause, but prompt intervention usually results in a full recovery.
The skin is the largest organ of a dog’s body and can be affected by a number of disorders. Like many other breeds, Border Terriers can suffer from allergies that lead to dermatitis (skin inflammation). Allergies can be caused by many different items, including things that are inhaled (such as pollen or dust mites), items that are eaten (for example, wheat), items that the dog comes into contact with (for example, washing powders), or bites from parasites such as fleas. As allergies cannot be cured, treatment may be required for life, but is usually effective enough to ensure that the dog can enjoy a happy, normal existence.
Border Terrier grooming
Border Terrier coats are thick and hardy to offer protection in the sometimes harsh climate of the border between Scotland and England.
- Border Terrier coats come in four colour varieties; dark, light, blue or tan.
- Their double coat sheds all year round and requires weekly grooming.
- Border Terrier coats are hypoallergenic and may be better suited to owners with allergies.
- Clipping Border Terriers is generally not recommended because this will cause the coat to lose its colour and texture. Instead their coats tend to be hand-stripped, a process which is best carried out by professional groomers.
Border Terrier nutrition
For little dogs Border Terriers have big appetites and can be greedy, so it’s important to monitor their food intake carefully.
- Your Border Terrier’s food needs to have enough energy to fuel their active lives, but without overfeeding.
- As this breed can be prone to developing diabetes a careful feeding regime and regular exercise are essential.
- When switching food as your dog ages, changes should be made gradually, with a feed that caters to Border Terriers’ unique needs.
What to know before you buy or rehome a Border Terrier
Thinking about welcoming a fun but feisty terrier into your household? Before you find a puppy or adopt a Border Terrier, here are a few important things to remember.
- Despite their small size, Border Terriers are cheeky, independent and extremely active little dogs and adults need at least one hour of exercise daily.
- Remember to think about the kind of dog you want. It’s important to assess the temperament of the parents (Lucy’s Law dictates that potential owners must be able to see puppies with their mum) and what breeding lines they are from. For example, a puppy bred from showing stock might be calmer and easier to manage than one descended from working dogs.
- Border Terriers are natural hunters with a high prey drive and will instinctively chase cats and other small animals unless they are introduced carefully from a young age.
- Border Terriers are escape artists and need a large, secure space to exercise in and lots of training.
- Health problems like epilepsy and otitis tend to be more common in Border Terriers. So it’s important to choose a pet insurance policy that will cover the cost of any veterinary treatment they need and ensure your pet gets the very best care.
Border Terrier frequently asked questions
Border Terriers’ shorter coats are considered low shedding and thus may be better for those who suffer from allergies. However, they’ll need to be handstripped regularly by a professional groomer to maintain their allergy-friendly qualities. It’s important to remember that no dog breed is truly hypoallergenic, but some breeds are better for those with allergies than others.
Yes! Originally bred to pursue their quarry wherever it may take them, Border Terriers are strong swimmers. Their water-repellent coats, small build and strong legs make them adept swimmers and this can be a great form of exercise for older dogs or those with joint conditions.
Dogs in general are loyal pets who love the company of their “pack”, but some breeds are more independent than others. Unlike other terrier breeds, who are happy to be independent, Border Terriers prefer to be part of a pack. This means they form strong bonds with their owners and can be prone to separation anxiety if left alone for too long.
Border Terriers tend to get on well with other pets in the household, including cats. However, Border Terriers have a strong prey drive and may be prone to chase cats, which could cause them distress. Proper introductions from a young age will help ensure your Border Terrier and cat get along.
In general, Border Terriers are energetic, even-tempered and eager to please, making them a good choice for a family pet. They get along well with children and other pets provided they are introduced properly. As with all dogs, you should always supervise playtime between your Border Terrier and children or other animals to make sure everyone is safe and happy.
Border Terriers are considered one of the dog world’s most trainable breeds. Their eagerness to please, love of learning and high intelligence are the perfect combination for training. Border Terriers are known to excel in activities such as agility and obedience training and respond very well to positive reinforcement methods.
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Border Terrier insurance considerations
Borders can sometimes suffer from epilepsy and other neurological problems, as well as common health issues like skin allergies and otitis. It’s important that when choosing dog insurance you check for limits in your policy and find one that suits what you need. Petplan's Covered For Life® plans allow you to continue to claim for ongoing conditions for life provided there's no break in cover as well as covering diagnostic tools like MRI scans as standard.
We always offer these things as standard:
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy & pet therapies
Along with physiotherapy, which is covered within the Vet Bills benefit, we also cover Pet Therapies like herbal medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture. You can also claim for hydrotherapy, up to £500 per illness/injury in dogs and cats (no additional limit for rabbits).
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