A little look at life together.
Getting to know the Border Terrier
The Border Terrier is a small, agile working terrier with a harsh outer coat over a softer undercoat. Ask about hand-stripping and give their curiosity a safe outlet through walks and scent-based games.
An everyday routine
Plan a daily mix of walks, play, and rest. The amount that works for a particular dog depends on age, fitness, experience, and temperament.
Coat care to plan for
Set aside time each week for coat care, checking through the hair rather than only brushing the surface. Shedding periods or longer furnishings may need extra attention.
Before deciding, meet the individual dog and ask about their history, handling preferences, and current routine. Breed tendencies are a starting point, not a promise about personality.
Border Terrier questions
Do Border Terriers shed?
Yes, though grooming keeps it down. The coat is a hard, wiry outer layer over a soft undercoat, and any double-coated dog sheds. The shedding is seasonal, with a quick brushing every week or two enough for most of the year.
Do Border Terriers need to be hand-stripped?
It is the usual way to care for the coat. A Border is typically hand-stripped twice a year, which means pulling out the dead outer coat by hand or with a stripping tool, plus weekly brushing. Clipping is not recommended. Clippers cut the dead hair short without taking it out, and the coat can end up softer, paler and more prone to shedding.
Are Border Terriers hypoallergenic?
Do not count on it. The double coat can shed dander, and some people react to saliva as well. If anyone in the home has pet allergies, spend time around Border Terriers before getting one.
How big does a full-grown Border Terrier get?
Adults stand 12 to 15 inches tall, with males weighing 13 to 15.5 pounds and females 11.5 to 14 pounds. The build is moderate and fairly narrow, so a person should be able to span the dog with two hands behind the shoulders.
How long do Border Terriers live?
The typical life expectancy is 12 to 15 years, and that is also the average. That is a breed-wide figure, not a prediction for one dog.
Do Border Terriers bark a lot?
Most are not yappy. They tend to keep watch and let you know when someone is at the door or passing by. A dog of any breed may bark when bored, left alone too much or short on exercise.
Can a Border Terrier be trusted off leash?
Not outside a securely fenced area. A Border is an instinctive hunter that cannot be trusted off leash or in an unfenced area, because a rabbit or squirrel is enough to send it running. Terriers also dig, so yard fencing ideally extends at least 18 inches underground.
Are Border Terriers good with children and other pets?
The breed is very sociable and a potentially excellent companion for a child, with close supervision of rough play around children under 7 or 8. Borders were bred to run alongside foxhounds and generally get along with other dogs. Small caged pets such as hamsters, rabbits and birds are likely to be seen as prey.
