Breed Description
This dog looks like he just crawled out of the hole after another heroic fight with a fox. And this is not an exaggeration. The Border Terrier was bred on the British border between England and Scotland – hence the name. Its purpose was simple: to get in where larger dogs can’t get to, and to get the sly red face out of there. That’s why this terrier is as narrow as a key, as hardy as a mountain goat, and as stubborn as a Scottish farmer.
Outwardly he looks very sincere: compact body, hard to the touch coat, nobly austere look and a small beard, giving him the appearance of a retired philosopher. The weight of an adult Border Terrier – from 5 to 7 kg, growth – about 30 cm. But do not judge by the numbers. Behind this compact construction hides a live motor, capable of walking kilometers, sniffing dozens of odors and keeping full concentration.
The character of the Border Terrier
The Border Terrier is not made to lie on the couch. It is a dog that needs to do things. It is interested in everything from a bird on the horizon to the ball rolled under the closet. They’re smart, savvy and surprisingly friendly – with those they consider their own. They are one of the few hunting terrier breeds that can get along well with other animals if they are used to company from childhood.
But do not confuse friendliness with obedience. Border will obey only when he sees you as a partner, not a commander. Education should be calm, consistent, without rudeness, but with clear boundaries. If you give your Borderer too much freedom, he will quickly turn into an independent partisan with his own mission.
Care
At first glance it seems that grooming Border Terrier does not need at all: the hair is short, not curly, does not fly around the house. But here lies the nuance: their stiff coat can not be cut with a machine. It requires stripping (trimming Border Terrier) – manual plucking of dead hair once every 3-4 months. This is to keep the coat protected, not to lose texture and not to become soft.
You should not bathe your Border Collie often – the coat has a natural defense. Dirt from it, as a rule, falls out of it after a walk. If you do wash it, use delicate shampoos without sulfates. Eyes, ears, claws – the standard scheme: regular checking, claw trimming, ear cleaning if necessary. The biggest problem is not grooming, but lack of exercise. A Border Collie needs long walks, games, tasks where he can “turn his nose up”.
Border terrier puppies
Puppies of this breed are, without exaggeration, explosive. They are interested in everything, they climb everywhere, sniff everything, and have the ability to switch from “sleep” to “attack” in a second. But this is the best time for character building. If you give them freedom within the rules, they grow up to be remarkably poised, fun-loving and obedient – without a spirit of subservience or a lot of affection.
Conclusion
The Border Terrier is a small dog of a large format. It is not visible at first sight, but whoever gets to know this breed more closely discovers a real treasure: a hardy, intelligent, honest dog with an outstanding character. And also – with a coat that requires not so much time as respect for the nature of the breed. Trimming instead of a machine, activity instead of confined space, friendship instead of training – and the Border Terrier will answer you in full.
