Border Terrier Dogs and Puppies Canada
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11.5 - 14 pounds (female)
Border Terrier Breed History:
It is believed that the Border Terrier is one of Britain’s oldest terriers with its roots dating back to the 1700’s. Originally, the Border Terrier was bred to keep nuisance foxes out of farmer’s fields along the border of England and Scotland. This of course, is where the Border Terrier earned it name. The exact progeny of the Border Terrier is unknown, but it is believed that a Dandie Dinmont Terrier is an ancestor.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Border Terrier held a vital role in the success of English farms. Besides dispatching foxes, the Border Terrier held ratting duties as well. So, the Border Terrier had to be nimble enough to fit into a rat hole and fox’s den, yet fast enough to keep up with horses.
By 1870, the Border Terrier has risen from its utilitarian roots to stand proudly among the gentry’s elegant foxhunts. Its role as a blue collar breed lessened as its popularity as a pet and show dog rose. By 1930, the Border Terrier was recognized by the American Kennel Club.
Border Terrier Appearance:
The Border Terrier is far from a prissy, bow-on-the-head-type dog. Although small in stature, it is a tough, no-nonsense breed with physical attributes well suited for its working class roots.
The Border Terrier’s head has been described as otter-like, rounded with sleek, short hair. The Border Terrier’s body is long and narrow with powerful hind legs designed for quick bursts of speed. The tail is short, tapered and carried high, but never curled. This breed of terrier has a double coat, with an outer coat that is thick and wiry. It can be unruly, but it is weather and dirt resistant which seems a reasonable compromise. This breed has few adornments in the way of flashy facial hair or feathery manes. Instead, the Border Terrier’s modest demeanour and kindly temperament make this a beautiful dog.
Border Terrier Temperament:
The Border Terrier is one of the most amiable breeds. They are even tempered with people and other pets, unless the pet happens to be a rodent or rabbit, in which case, run for your life! On rare occasions, a Border Terrier can take an unusual and mystifying dislike to another dog and a fight can ensue. But this is the exception rather than the rule. In contrast, the Border Terrier’s calm nature has made this breed a popular therapy dog for children and for the elderly.
The Border Terrier is a task-oriented breed. They can be trained to seek and retrieve virtually anything and they have a startling affinity for jumping. Border Terriers are highly intelligent and are keen to please, however, they have moments of wilfulness. But, if your Border Terrier is left to his own devices he will roam with abandon, punctuated by periods when he will sit for hours, just watching the world go by. Your Border Terrier will happily amuse himself until a task presents itself. But do be warned, sometimes Border Terriers amuse themselves with digging, so to avoid this, give him plenty of your time.
Border Terrier Exercise Information:
The Border Terrier’s exercise requirements are reasonable. He loves being busy and has a penchant for long, off-the-leash expeditions. There is one caveat; Border Terriers can hightail-it with glee into uncharted territory. So be sure your Border Terrier is well trained to respond to the heel command.
If city living precludes a country romp, a good 5 kilometre leashed walk through the neighbourhood will do. And, don’t be surprised if your Border Terrier decides to take an unexpected break. Border Terriers love to relax amid chaos and take-in the show. In fact, he may be reluctant to continue the walk. Even on short walks, Border Terriers will take breaks in favour of observing the world around him. To the casual observer, the Border Terrier has a highly civilized outlook on life.
Border Terrier Grooming Needs:
The grooming needs of the Border Terrier are reasonable but their coats are wiry, so some effort is needed. If you keep your Border Terrier’s coat short, it will look tidy, but don’t expect glamour. Left to grow, the Border Terrier’s coat will be comically, but charmingly bushy. This latter choice will mean a greater commitment to daily brushing.
Biannual stripping of the Border Terrier’s coat will prevent the thickening undercoat that clipping can cause. But make no mistake, some owners prefer this humble, ragged look for their family pet. This style coat is susceptible to matting, but selective stripping can ease this.
Border Terrier Training
If there is a way to disguise training as hunting, then you’ve hit the jackpot with the Border Terrier. This is their ilk and they simply love it. Unfortunately, this instinct can trump a command in Border Terriers with late training. So, the prudent Border Terrier owner starts training early and is unfailingly consistent.
Housebreaking your Border Terrier is straightforward using the tried-and-true crate method. Simply bring your Border Terrier outside immediately after naps and meals and your Border Terrier will soon establish a bathroom routine.
While Border Terriers are agile dogs and are highly trainable, they don’t seem to enjoy simple, pointless tricks. Perhaps this is a throwback to their worker roots, or perhaps the Border Terrier deems these tricks futile. Either way, your Border Terrier will perform them, but he won’t like it. He will clearly prefer anything even vaguely related to his heritage; hunting, retrieving, digging.
Border Terrier Health Information:
Common health concerns for your Border Terrier include; patellar luxation, CHD and heart defects.
Also of note is the Border Terriers occasional dalliance with consuming small, captured animals such as mice and shrews. While this many not always cause stomach upset, plastic toys mistaken for prey and then eaten certainly will. This can cause your Border Terrier to have symptoms including lethargy, sleeplessness and a withdrawal from normal activity levels. If you suspect you Border Terrier has eaten a toy, seek veterinary attention for him at once.
Is the Border Terrier The Right Breed For You:
The Border Terrier is a lovely pet. He is an unfussy, agreeable dog with equal measures of energy and repose. Border Terriers are have sweet temperaments and are an excellent choice for families with children. City dwellers will be pleased with this breed’s undemanding exercise requirements. Do be cautious however, when leaving your Border Terrier alone for long periods in a yard. Border Terriers can tunnel their way to freedom in remarkably quick fashion. For rural folks, the Border Terrier also makes an amiable pet; minding his own business along with anything else that needs minding.
As with purchasing any dog, resist the urge to purchase a Border Terrier inexpensively from a pet store or from an advertisement in a newspaper. You may unwittingly buy a mal-adjusted, sick, puppy mill dog. This is to be avoided at all costs.
Border Terrier Puppies
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If you are ready to make a lifelong commitment to that perfect Border Terrier puppy, your next step is to locate the most responsible and reputable Border Terrier dog breeder you can find. We sincerely hope that our Border Terrier dog breed profile will assist you in your search for your new puppy, and help you avoid acquiring a puppy from any source other than a responsible Border Terrier breeder. |
A Responsible Border Terrier Puppy Breeder:
- Is a die-hard dog lover who breeds out of a sincere desire to perpetuate and improve upon the Border Terrier dog breed.
- Is very well educated about the breed(s) they offer and the breed's traits, both desirable and undesirable.
- Adheres to a highly selective breeding program which focuses on health, temperament and conformation.
- Breeds only healthy, conformationally correct dogs with sound temperaments that are registered with the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) or, if from another country, with that country's authorative dog breed registry.
- Treats the dogs in their breeding home as members of the family, and does not constantly confine these dogs to crates, kennels or other pens.
- Has breeding dogs carefully screened for hereditary and other canine disorders prior to breeding.
- Whelps puppies indoors and ensures that puppies are well socialized, given proper nutrition and receive plenty of love and play.
- Offers and stands behind a reasonable health guarantee.
- Has a spay or neuter requirement on all puppies placed in pet homes.
- Is committed to each Border Terrier puppy for life, and will re-home or take back a puppy if you cannot fulfill your commitment for any reason.
- Is happy to answer any questions you may have about the Border Terrier dog breed or their dogs and puppies.
- Carefully screens potential puppy buyers to ensure that Border Terrier puppies are placed only in loving, responsible forever homes.
Avoid Buying Your Border Terrier Puppy From:
- A Pet Store.
- A Newspaper Ad.
- An online classifieds site.
- The side of the road.
- A parking lot.
- A friend or neighbour, unless they are an experienced and responsible Border Terrier dog breeder.
- Any breeder with whom you do not feel 100% comfortable; you will be in contact with this person for the life of your dog or puppy.
Canada, like the US and the UK, has more than it's share of puppy mills. If you do not know what a puppy mill is, then please click here to read about this inhumane industry where dogs are treated as livestock, and puppies as merchandise. In addition to supporting an industry that thrives on the cruel mistreatment of dogs and puppies, by buying a puppy from a pet store, newspaper ad or online classifieds site is setting yourself and your family up for a heap of heartache.
Puppy mill puppies are generally more expensive than puppies from a reputable breeder, and can have numerous health, temperament and behavioural problems as a result of the conditions in which they were conceived, born and raised. Usually this results in taking on a family member with health problems that will cause ongoing additional veterinary costs, behavioural problems that may pose a hazard to your family, friends and neighbours, and, at worst, you may fall in love with a sickly puppy that will eventually need to be humanely euthanized.
The Border Terrier dog breeders that are showcased on Dogs and Puppies Canada have undergone our own screening process, in an effort to ensure that we promote only highly reputable breeders, and keep puppy mills and backyard breeders from advertising with us. These breeders share our philosophy on what is a responsible breeder, and have agreed to abide by these guidelines for conduct.
Click here to View our directory of
Responsible Canadian Border Terrier Dog Breeders
Additional Border Terrier Information Resources
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