edge terrier are tender petty dogs with a deal of personality . extremely intelligent , this breed excels at legerity and games , and they just love being part of the family . Border terrier are nifty with kids but also a solid selection for anyone who has enough prison term and attention to give them . They need a moderate amount of exercise , but they make great outdoor fellow as long as they ’re keep on a lead . Their terrier history — andhigh fair game drive — means they might chase after smaller animals .
The border terrier ’s wiry coat only requires a light touch every week or two to keep it in great shape , and they are a racy strain that is generally wanton to manage for .
Appearance
brush up out at about 15 pound , the border terrier is asmall , wiry - haired pupwho has a flavour like no other . The breed standard describes him as hold an " otter head , " and it ’s not entirely wrong . Those characteristically teasing eyebrows and backtalk shroud in whiskers have the lovely look of the precious little swimmer ( but without the sense of smell of fish ) .
Border terrierssport a double coatwith harsher wiry hairs on the outdoor and soft flossy hair underneath . Overall , their grooming need are down in the mouth , and they are sluttish to keep look tidy . Theyaren’t big shedder , either .
Border terrier people of colour order from red , grizzle ( a mix of dismal and light hairs ) and tan , wheaten ( or cream ) , and blue and tan . They have deep hazel eye and are experts at giving " puppy bounder eyes " for extra treats and scritches .
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Temperament
Shlomo Frieman , DVM , founder of theAnimal Hospital of Factoriain Bellevue , Wash. , says border terrier are one of his favourite breeds . " They have many of the traditional terrier traits in terms of high intelligence service and energy grade and a tendency to be a bit of a trouble maker , " Frieman says , " But they ’re more put - back [ than some other terriers . ] "
The even temperament of the border terrier imply they ’ll get along great with children and , because they be intimate wager games and being hold open active , will match very well into a meddling family living . That said , they ’re also great for exclusive people and still - participating seniors .
" Border terrier do n’t act like a small dog ; they act likebig firedog . you could take them out and do stuff , and they ’re ready to go 99 percent of the metre , " says Star Ott , former president ofThe Border Terrier Club of America , who has bred and showed these dogs for more than 20 years . " They make reallygood fellow traveler for active families , and for an older person who ’s active , too . "
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Ott say thata long take the air once a dayand playing games inside the house is sufficient practice for this stock , but if you require to do more with them , that ’s awesome .
" forcible exerciseis important , but it ’s also authoritative to arouse their mind , otherwise they can become naughty , " Ott says . " you’re able to do this with games , teaching them fast one — anything where you are interacting with the dog . "
moot a very trainable frankfurter , border terriers are highly sound . Consequently , they make for one of the verybest agility dogsand love to learn . " take them to classes is nifty , but you may also check out YouTube video or online classes too , " Ott says .
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Though they’llalert you to anybody make out to the door , border terriers are generallyfriendly little pupswho get along with other dogs . They can evenget along well with cats , depending onhow they ’ve been socialized . Frieman says because they have the cause of a terrier , proprietor will need to be thrifty about get a border terrier in a theater with kat and other smaller animals . " A lot of it depends on your single border terrier ’s personality , " Frieman say .
Border terriers are great little dogs that would suit most owners , even those without previous dog experience . " If the soul is unforced to put a little clock time in and take the dog topuppy obeisance division , delimitation terrier can be a not bad weenie forfirst - time frankfurter owner , " Ott allege .
Living Needs
borderline terriers do n’t postulate a lot of space and are perfectlyhappy living in apartments , so long as you run across their utilisation requirement . A good walkway for 30 moment a sidereal day may be sufficient . But if you lovelong hikesorruns through the park , you may play that your border terrier will love bounding along beside you . But their strong quarry drive does have in mind that edge terriers are not not bad off - leash companion . " They were earlier breed to go after dodger and Richard Morris Hunt rats , and the problem with that is they do n’t give tending to anything around them when they ’re on the hunt , " Ott says .
Despite their petite size , they can be both high jumpers andsingle - minded diggers , so if you be after to leave your dog in the yard unattended you ’ll need to report for those issues . It ’s well tobuild your fencing highand have it operate late to stop them from fly the coop and running off after a squirrel or rabbit .
Border terriersdo not do well left alonefor longsighted periods of clip and want to be with their owner as much as possible . As much as they love being active , they ’re more than happy to cuddle up on a lap and just frisson , too ( especially as they get old and lose some of their puppy rambunctiousness ) .
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Care
Border terrier grooming is pretty easygoing . Most of the prison term they onlyrequire a brush every weekor so and theoccasional bathto manage for their coat . But when they havetheir seasonal shed , you ’ll require to sweep day by day ( and might want to use a exceptional brush that canhelp minimize shedding ) . In the off - season , border terriers do n’t exuviate a lot .
Socially , boundary line terriers sleep together ship’s company and will want to be with their family , whether that ’s ona trip in the car , for a good long walk , or just hanging out at home . They love a adept caper and tend to play with other dogs just fine .
Ott says that borderline terriers are consider to be one of the most trainable of the terrier mathematical group . preparation is simple withpositive reinforcementand if you find out what motivates your pup .
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" They are the form of dog who says , ' What ’s in it for me ? ' They ’ll easilylearn to sit , abide , and do tricks , but they want to hump where the cookie is at the terminal of it , " she enounce . But even with all the treats in the earth , owners will still need to put in the study to get them to do what you want them to . " This is n’t a firedog you could just keep in your backyard and hope they are a good dog , " Ott says . " Border terriers are fabulously fresh , and if you do n’t keep them fussy they will run rings around you . "
Health
Frieman say that border terriers are robust dogs , although they can be susceptible to some genetic conditions that causeseizures , cataracts , and orthopedic topic such aship dysplasia . " You always want to ask your breeder about how they have screened for these issues , " Frieman order .
Border terrier tend to bide energetic as they age , and run tolive long , fighting life . " As they get elderly , they tend to be less energetic , but that does n’t imply you ca n’t still take them on farseeing walk , " Ott says , adding that she knows people with a 15 - year - old boundary line terrier who still join them for 1- or 2 - Swedish mile hike on a regular fundament .
History
The Border Terrier Club places the origination of the stock in the rugged countryside along the Scottish - English border sometime in the mid-1800s . The click is considered one of the oldest terrier strain and was bred by Fannie Merritt Farmer to hunt the foxes that obliterate their livestock .
Originally , the borderline terrier went by several different names , such as the Coquetdale terrier and the Redesdale terrier , advert for the area of their origin . By the previous 1800s , owing to the breed ’s association with the Border Hunt in Northumberland ( a long - put up fox hunt ) , the name " borderterrier " stuck .
The breed was first recognize by The Kennel Club of the United Kingdom in 1920 , and then by the American Kennel Club 10 years after that .
Fun Facts: Border Terriers
AKC Breed Standard . Border Terrier Club of America .
