The border terrier is a small dog but with a big personality. Its somewhat rustic appearance and its excellent character make this terrier an ideal pet. Socializing it correctly and dedicating the time it needs, the border terrier is an obedient dog and very affectionate with children, as long as they have been educated to respect animals.
On the other hand, being a dog that barely sheds, if you are one of those who are looking for a pet but hate finding hair everywhere, the border terrier is perfect. Keep reading and discover from the hand of our site the general characteristics of the border terrier, their care, education and possible he alth problems to offer you everything you need.
Origin of the border terrier
The border terrier was developed in the Cheviot Hills area, on the border between England and Scotland. That's where its name comes from, since in Spanish it means "border terrier". It was originally used to hunt foxes, which were a pest for farmers in that area. Its small size allowed it to enter fox burrows and make them flee. But, at the same time, it was big enough to follow the hunters' horses and fight the foxes when necessary.
Today this is a rare breed of dog, but it is not in danger of disappearing. On the contrary, their funny appearance and ease of training have led some border terriers to be part of the cast of some television programs, which has slightly increased their popularity.
In any case, today, the border terrier is more of a companion dog than a hunting dog, even though it is still used in some places as the tough, hard-working dog it once was on the hunt. origins.
Border Terrier Physical Characteristics
Small but athletic, the Border Terrier is a true working dog, and this is reflected in its rustic appearance The main physical characteristic of this dog is his head. It is typical of the breed and, as indicated in the standard, has the shape of an otter. Lively eyes and "V" ears help define the typical Border Terrier appearance.
This dog's legs are long in relation to its height, and this is one of the characteristics that allow it to "be able to follow a horse", as indicated by the official breed standard.
The border terrier has a double coat that provides excellent protection against inclement weather. The undercoat is very dense and provides good protection. For its part, the external coat is dense and rough, a fact that gives this terrier a certain scruffy air. The high-set cola is very thick at the base, gradually tapering towards the tip.
The FCI breed standard does not indicate a certain height. However, males usually have a size that is between 35 and 40 centimeters at the withers, while females are usually between 30 and 35 centimeters at the withers. According to the standard, the ideal weight of males is between 5.9 and 7.1 kilograms. The ideal weight of females is between 5.1 and 6.4 kilos.
Border Terrier Character
The border terrier is a very active and determined dog His strong personality comes through easily, but he doesn't tend to be a dog Strong or aggressive character. On the contrary, it is usually very friendly, both with people and with other dogs. However, it is particularly friendly with children and can therefore be an excellent pet for families with children old enough to understand that the dog is not a toy. It is not appropriate for families with very young children because they can hurt it, since it is a small dog.
Being bred for, among other things, fox hunting, the Border Terrier has a strong prey drive at the same time time he is a sociable dog. Therefore, it usually gets along with other dogs, but it can attack other pets such as cats and rodents. Do not forget that it is a hunting dog.
Border Terrier Education
When it comes to training, the Border Terrier usually learns easily when friendly methods are used. Traditional training methods, based mainly on punishment and negative reinforcement, do not give good results with this breed. However, methods like clicker training are really effective. Keep in mind that positive reinforcement is always the best way to train a dog, so having treats and toys on hand to reward your border terrier every time he does something right is highly recommended.
This dog needs frequent company and plenty of exercise. If bored or anxious, he tends to destroy things and dig in the garden. In addition, it is important to socialize him from puppyhood to overcome possible behavior problems in adulthood. Although he does not tend to be an aggressive dog, this terrier can be shy and somewhat withdrawn if he has not been properly socialized since childhood.
Border terrier care
Coat care is more or less simple, since border terriers do not shed much Brushing twice a week can be enough, although it is better to complement it with "stripping" (manually removing dead hair) two or three times a year, always done by a professional. The dog should be bathed only when necessary.
On the other hand, the border terrier requires a lot of company and is not a dog to be left alone for long periods. Company and a good daily dose of exerciseare items needed for this race.
Border Terrier He alth
In general, the Border Terrier is he althier than many other dog breeds. However, it is good to have routine veterinary checkups because this dog tends not to show symptoms of pain, even when there are physical problems.
Some common border terrier diseases are:
- Waterfalls
- Autoimmune problems
- Patellar dislocation
- Thyroid problems
- Allergies
- Neurological problems
- Heart problems
- Hip dysplasia
Remember that you must keep the border terrier's vaccination schedule up to date, as well as deworm it when indicated by the veterinarian to avoid tick and flea bites, as well as the appearance of other contagious diseases, such as the parvovirus.
