The Border Terrier is an unassuming dog in appearance, but what he lacks in pizzazz he makes up for in personality. Loving and affectionate with adults and children alike, he generally loves to please. With strangers he is bouncy and enthusiastic. In contrast, when he is working (hunting), he is courageous and without fear. This duality in temperament is prized by those who own the breed.
Unlike many other terriers, the Border is generally not aggressive to other dogs. This has to do with his history of hunting in packs, particularly with Foxhounds. Hunters needed to be assured that a dog fight would not break loose during a hunt, and so Borders were bred to be amiable with other dogs. This separates the breed from many other terriers, and makes him much easier to own for those with multiple dogs. He also gets along with indoor-only cats (outdoor cats might trigger his prey drive). Smaller pets, like birds or small rodents, will need to be kept clear of the Border Terrier’s reach.
When it comes to ease of training, the Border is considered moderate overall, although easier than most terriers. This has to do with his love of people and his willingness to please. A trainer should realize that the Border is often a sensitive breed and should never use overly harsh corrections – instead, should focus on building him up. Treats work great but watch the calories – Borders can gain weight quickly! When trained properly, this breed is quite smart and very observant. As a trainer, it’s important to watch the cues you are giving to this breed because he might just pick up subtle details – whether you want him to or not – and create his own variation of the commands! Furthermore, he must be trained extensively in distraction-work, as distractions will often get the best of him.
The Border Terrier is an active little dog who needs both regular exercise as well as plenty of interaction with his owner. For a breed that loves people so much, he shouldn’t be owned by those who are never home. Nonetheless, he is not overly needy either, often content just to lay at your side – provided that he is at least 2-3 years old. Puppies and young adolescents have more energy than mature adults and will demand more attention. Mature adults are hardly lethargic, but are able to have calm time interspersed with active time.
A fenced yard is a must for this breed, and since many Borders are escape artists the fence must be secure. Like other terriers, they are fantastic diggers and can be out of their yards in a short period of time. Running fence underground can help with this problem, as can supervising him closely when outside. Similarly, this breed should be kept on leash whenever being taken for a walk – especially if they have not had off-leash training.
Unless he is given little to no stimulation, the Border doesn’t bark constantly and for no reason. However, he might find reason to alert his owner about any change in the environment – from a car driving by to someone at the door. Because of this, his range of barking often depends on the type of home he is living in. A quiet place in the country might elicit less sound from him than if he were living in a busy city environment.
Perhaps more than other dogs, Border Terriers like to chew. Many will tear apart stuffed toys in wild abandon and therefore require one of the more indestructible toys on the market. Some Borders are more destructive than others and will also go after their owner’s furniture and possessions. If you don’t have the time to devote to training, a crate is an almost definite necessity (although training will yield a much happier life with your dog).
This is a healthy and generally long-lived breed, many living upwards of 15 years. If considering owning a Border, make sure you can commit to this long period! Looking for a dog trainer for your Border Terrier? If you are in Travis or Hays county, TX give us a call today!
