Is the Border Terrier a good family dog?
Border Terrier
Border Terriers are small, intelligent and energetic working terriers known for their good-natured temperament, wiry coat and distinctive otter-shaped head. Originally bred to work alongside horses and hounds and pursue foxes underground, they retain strong instincts to chase and dig.
| Recommended for | Active owners who can provide regular exercise, training and secure outdoor spaces |
| Breed Classification | Terriers |
| Other names | Borders |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years |
| Size | Small |
| Temperament | Affectionate, plucky, good natured |
| Intelligence | High: clever, responsive dogs that learn quickly but retain an independent terrier streak |
| Tendency to bark | Moderate: alert and vocal when necessary, but not generally considered an excessive barker |
| Maintenance Level | Medium: everyday grooming is easy, but the wiry coat benefits from periodic hand-stripping |
| Health Risk | Border Terriers are generally hardy and long-lived, but susceptible to several breed-specific neurological, endocrine and gallbladder conditions. |
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Explore the Top 5 health issues claimed for Border Terriers, including highest claims paid and how much pet insurance could help you save on eligible vet bills.
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Border Terrier personality and temperament
Border Terriers are typically affectionate, good-tempered and alert dogs that enjoy being closely involved with their families. Although tough and determined when working, they generally have a sociable companion side and are often considered more cooperative with people and other dogs than some terrier breeds.
Their working heritage remains strong, however. Many Border Terriers have a powerful prey drive and natural enthusiasm for digging, exploring and following movement. Regular exercise, mental stimulation and secure fencing are important, as bored or under-stimulated individuals may become noisy, destructive or attempt to escape.
They can adapt well to apartment living provided their exercise and enrichment needs are consistently met.
Border Terriers with kids and other pets
Well-socialised Border Terriers can make affectionate and playful family companions and often enjoy the company of children. Their energetic play can suit active families, although interactions between dogs and young children should always be supervised.
Because Border Terriers historically worked alongside packs of hounds, many can live successfully with other dogs when appropriately socialised. Their strong prey drive is more significant around cats and smaller pets; some can live with cats they have been raised with, but unfamiliar cats, rodents and other small animals may trigger chasing behaviour.
Border Terrier training and exercise
Border Terriers are energetic, athletic dogs that generally benefit from around 45–60 minutes of daily physical activity, although individual needs vary with age and health. Walks, active play, hiking and dog sports such as agility, tracking, scent work and Earthdog activities can all provide useful outlets for their energy and working instincts.
They are intelligent and generally respond well to short, varied, positive reinforcement-based training sessions. Their instinct to chase small animals can override recall, however, so off-lead exercise is safest in securely fenced areas. Secure fencing is particularly important because Border Terriers can be determined diggers and escape artists.
| Energy level | High: lively working terriers with good stamina |
| Exercise requirements | Medium to high: round 45–60 minutes of daily activity plus play and mental enrichment |
Common health issues for Border Terriers
What do Border Terrier owners claim for the most?
Border Terriers are generally considered a healthy, long-lived breed, but several inherited and acquired conditions occur within the population. Responsible breeders should undertake appropriate breed-specific health screening, including DNA testing for SLEM.
- Spongiform leukoencephalomyelopathy (SLEM), or shaking puppy syndrome, is a severe inherited neurological disorder in Border Terriers. Affected puppies develop tremors and coordination problems from a very young age. The condition is inherited in an autosomal-recessive pattern, and DNA testing can identify clear dogs and carriers before breeding.
- Canine epileptoid cramping syndrome (CECS), also known as paroxysmal dyskinesia, causes episodes of abnormal muscle contractions, cramping or movement while the dog generally remains conscious. The severity and frequency of episodes vary considerably between affected dogs.
- Gallbladder mucocele (GBM) occurs when thick mucus accumulates within the gallbladder, potentially obstructing bile flow or, in severe cases, leading to rupture. Border Terriers have emerged as a breed at increased risk, particularly in middle-aged and older dogs.
- Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocorticism) occurs when the body produces excessive cortisol. Signs can include increased thirst and urination, increased appetite, hair loss, thinning skin, lethargy and a pot-bellied appearance. Border Terrier health monitoring identifies the condition as a breed concern, and it may also increase the risk of gallbladder mucocele.
- Eye conditions, including cataracts, can affect Border Terriers and may result in reduced vision depending on severity.
- Patella luxation may also occur, causing the kneecap to move out of its normal position and potentially leading to intermittent lameness, pain or arthritis.
Not all conditions are covered by Pet Insurance. For details of Bow Wow Meow Pet Insurance cover, refer to the Product Disclosure Statement.
How to choose the right insurance for your Border Terrier
When comparing cover for your Border Terrier, look for:
Cover for common Border Terrier conditions:
Check that the policy covers conditions Border Terriers can be prone to, including common health issues.
Cover for hereditary conditions:
No exclusions for hereditary or congenital conditions⑅.
Flexible cover options:
Options to adjust your annual benefit limit, reimbursement rate and excess.
Bow Wow Meow's Nose-to-Tail Cover offers flexible options for your Border Terrier, with cover for accidental injuries, illnesses and hereditary conditions⑅. Get a quick quote for cover that suits your Border Terrier and your budget.
Border Terrier feeding and nutrition
Border Terriers should be fed a complete and balanced diet appropriate for their age, body condition, health and activity level. They can gain excess weight if overfed, so meals should be measured and treats accounted for when calculating their overall daily intake.
Monitor your Border Terrier’s body condition and adjust portions as needed. Speak to your vet if you have concerns about their diet, weight or changing nutritional requirements.
Border Terrier care and grooming
Border Terriers have relatively straightforward everyday grooming needs, but their harsh double coat requires some specialised care. Regular brushing helps remove loose hair and debris, while the dead outer coat is traditionally hand-stripped approximately twice a year to maintain its characteristic wiry texture. Clipping can cause the coat to grow back softer and may change its colour and texture.
They shed relatively little compared with many breeds, although shedding may become more noticeable seasonally. Bathing is generally only needed when dirty, along with routine nail, dental and ear care. Their folded ears should also be checked regularly for signs of irritation or infection
Size, appearance and coat of Border Terriers
The Border Terrier is a small, narrow and athletic working terrier built to combine stamina with the ability to follow quarry underground. It has a moderately broad, distinctive “otter-shaped” head, a short strong muzzle and small V-shaped ears. Its relatively long legs helped it keep pace with horses and hounds while hunting.
The coat consists of a harsh, dense outer coat over a close undercoat, with thick, loose-fitting skin that historically offered some protection while working underground. Recognised colours are red, wheaten, grizzle and tan, and blue and tan.
| Weight range | Males: 6–7 kg; Females: 5–6.5 kg |
| Height range | Male 33-41 cm, female 28-36 cm |
| Colours | Red, wheaten, grizzle and tan, or blue and tan |
| Coat length | Short |
Breed history of Border Terriers
The Border Terrier developed in the rugged border country between northern England and Scotland as a practical working terrier used by farmers, shepherds and hunts. The dogs needed enough stamina and leg length to keep pace with horses and foxhounds, while remaining narrow and agile enough to follow foxes and other quarry underground.
Before the modern breed name became established, dogs of this type were known by regional names including the Reedwater Terrier and Coquetdale Terrier. The name Border Terrier came into use around the late 19th century, reflecting the breed’s strong association with the Border Foxhounds and the surrounding border country.
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Border Terrier facts!
- Border Terriers were built for two very different jobs at once: keeping pace with horses above ground and squeezing into narrow tunnels after quarry underground.
- Their distinctive head is officially described as resembling an otter’s.
- Their loose-fitting skin helped provide flexibility and some protection from bites and scratches while working underground.
- Border Terriers are often considered more sociable with other dogs than many terriers because they historically had to work peacefully alongside packs of foxhounds.
- The breed has been known by several regional names, including the Reedwater Terrier and Coquetdale Terrier.
Summary
The Border Terrier is a small, good-natured and energetic terrier with a scruffy, wiry coat. Smart, alert and affectionate with its family, it retains strong working instincts and a natural enthusiasm for hunting and digging.
Border Terriers suit active families that enjoy a lively dog with plenty of personality. They need regular exercise, play and secure management, particularly because their curiosity and terrier instincts can encourage chasing, digging and exploring.
FAQs about the Border Terrier
They can be lively, affectionate family companions, particularly for owners who enjoy an energetic, confident terrier personality.
Moderate to high. Daily walks, play and mental enrichment are important, with regular opportunities for more active exercise.
They are intelligent but can be independent or strong-willed, so patient, consistent reward-based training and early socialisation are important.
They are generally low to moderate or moderate barkers, although barking can increase with boredom, excitement, anxiety or unfamiliar activity.
Yes. They generally shed a low to moderate or moderate amount and benefit from routine brushing.
They can adapt to apartment living in the right circumstances, but owners need to meet their daily exercise, enrichment and behavioural needs consistently.
They can live well with respectful children and other dogs, but terrier prey drive may make small pets tempting to chase and dog-to-dog compatibility varies.
Potential health concerns include some neurological disorders, patellar luxation and eye problems.
Hand-stripping removes dead outer hairs from the root and allows the Border Terrier’s characteristic harsh, weather-resistant coat to renew naturally. Regular clipping may soften the coat and alter its texture and colour, so owners who want to maintain the traditional coat usually have it hand-stripped periodically.
Their strong prey drive means even a well-trained Border Terrier may suddenly chase wildlife or another small animal. Off-lead exercise is therefore safest in secure, enclosed areas, and owners should not rely on recall alone where there is a risk of the dog pursuing prey.
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