The Border Terrier
The Border Terrier
Origins
The Border Terrier breed originates in the border area between England and Scotland and is first acknowledged in the 1910-1920s. They were used to hunt badgers, rodents, foxes, otters.
Appearance
The Border Terrier belongs to the small dog breeds category. This breed has a weight of about 3-6 kg and a height of 24-28 cm at the withers. The body structure is narrowed, proportionate, with medium legs and small paws. The body presents a double coat: the outer coat is wiry and coarse, the undecoat is harsh and soft. The coat color ranges from red and wheaten, blue and tan, grizzle and tan. The head is otter-shaped, with a short and broad skull. The head finishes in a strong and possibly dark muzzle, with sharp teeth. The eyes are round and brown in color, shadowed by the patches of coat that grow on the eyebrow area.
Grooming
The Border Terrier is a low shedder. It requires a weekly brushing and frequent coat clipping every two months or so, especially if it’s a show dog.
Health Facts
The Border Terrier has a lifespan of about 11-14 years, with higher exceptions. They can suffer from various health issues, varying from musculoskeletal problems (perthes disease, hip dysplasia), heart problems, eye problems (cataracts, retinal atrophy), seizures. They can develop a sensitivity to anesthetics and some drugs.
Temperament and Lifestyle
The Border Terrier is an intelligent, obedient and affectionate dog. They like exercising and sometimes they start chasing small animals. Sometimes, they can be very stubborn, but they need constant company. They can listen to human commands and they are task-oriented. When starting a proper dog training process, it’s best to start it at the early young age. This will increase the obedience level, not to mention the fact that it’s required if they dog will be later used to aid deaf or blind people.
More articles on this:
- The Boston Terrier
- The Bedlington Terrier
- The Cairn Terrier
- The Australian Terrier
- The Yorkshire Terrier
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