Border terriers are one of the most popular of the terrier breeds. This has increased the volume of Border terrier information available both online and through other varieties of print media. These dogs are usually considered to be feisty, intrepid and agile dogs; they have boundless energy that is often seen in places where these dogs reside.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) categorizes dogs into 7 groups:
- herding
- hound
- non-sporting
- sporting
- terrier
- toy
- working
Border terriers are considered to be on a worker dog category. Despite its stature that usually leaves them under the toy dog category, Border terriers were used earlier in the century for hunting out small vermin as well as foxes. This hunter instinct is still apparent to Border terriers nowadays, and that being said, a Border terrier might not delineate the difference between a mouse and ones pet hamster. To avoid this, some Border terrier information suggest an early socialization class in order to let the dog familiarize itself which small animals are pets and which are vermin. That being said, Border terriers are affectionate, mild-mannered, intelligent dogs that often aim to please their owners. This in return, makes them fairly easy to train. They can be effective watchdogs, barking at people they do not recognize, but they are not too aggressive that any new guests would be at the receiving end of their bite, provided their owners have properly socialized their guests with the dog to begin with. As pups, Border terriers are very active dogs, often running around much like children and early adolescent boys and girls would be. As they grow, however, the dogs tend to simmer down on their exuberance. In order to address the dogs need to run about, Border terrier information insists that Border terriers should be walked and be exercised at least once a day. These dogs are notorious diggers, and would likely leave prominent calling cards of their handy work on any unsuspecting yards, including their owners. They can live in households that are small, like an apartment, just as long as they can remain active and have an avenue to release their pent-up energies to exercise. If owners have a lawn, it would be wise to have it fenced and bury the base of the said fences deeply and in a sturdy fashion to prevent the dogs from unearthing and loosening the fence.
Owners of Border terriers often attribute the following for their dog:
- intelligent
- alert
- lively
- loyal
- loving
- smart
- attentive
- easily trainable
- energetic
- fun-loving
- good with children
- playful
- agile
- compact
- scruffy
- mischievous
- proud
- steadfast
- brave
- sheds a little
- good for allergic people
- adventurous
- active
- quirky
- hardy
- spirited
Border terrier history
Border terrier information states that the Border terrier got its name for the way these dogs were used alongside Border Foxhounds. Before that, they were called Reedwater terriers or Coquetdale terriers. Essentially used as worker dogs, Border terriers often hunted small non-canine mammals such as foxes, rodents, otters, badgers and the like. Their stature is very ideal for such pursuits they are small enough to squeeze themselves inside fox holes and chase them out, and big enough to run along with their masters and their masters horses. Some Border terrier information suggest that one method farmers did was to intentionally not feed Border terriers so that their hunting drive and killer instinct would further develop, making hunting for small vermin a necessity for them to survive. They make excellent farm dogs and up to now, farms still use them to keep the vermin in check. The Border terrier is considered to be one of the oldest breeds of dogs in Britain; the British Kennel Club (BKC) recognized their breed in 1920, which was subsequently followed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1930.
A quirky, caring and alert dog
Border terriers are dogs that were bred for the hunt, which translates to them being adaptable to most kinds of living conditions. These hardy dogs are typically medium-sized, with a slender body and shoulders. They typically weigh around thirteen to sixteen pounds and measure around thirteen to sixteen inches. They have powerful jaws that are accompanied by teeth that are aligned in a scissors-like kind of bite. Their eyes are evenly spread on its head, and their ears are placed on the side of the head that drop forward to form a V-shape. Their lifespan is normally twelve to fifteen years, and they have an average of four to five puppies.
Border terriers are intelligent, affectionate and loyal dogs. They make for great pets in a household so long as they are properly socialized.
Border Terrier Training…
