Border Terrier shows some attitude

Border Terrier Insurance, Care and Health Advice

The Border Terrier is a go-getter in every sense. These small dogs are lively, determined and inquisitive little guys, and love nothing better than to explore and sniff around. But along with their terrier instincts there’s also a softer side: they’re generally affectionate, loyal - and above all else, fun! They’re always down to play if you are - so are you ready to welcome a Border Terrier into your home?

Border Terrier Facts

Dog breed type icon
Type
Terrier
Dog breed lifespan icon
Lifespan
12 - 15 years
Dog breed size icon
Size
Small
Dog breed weight icon
Weight
5.1 - 7.1 kg
Dog breed height icon
Height
28 - 40 cm
Dog breed temperament icon
Temperament
Clever, fearless, stubborn
Dog breed exercise icon
Exercise
60 mins per day
groom icon
Grooming
Low maintenance

Is a Border Terrier Right for Me?

Looking for a relaxed, good-humoured pup? A Border Terrier can be a perfect new addition for active families. These are smart dogs and they're definitely trainable, although they can have a stubborn streak - so aren’t necessarily the best choice if you’re completely new to dog ownership.

Most Borders are more than happy to curl up on your lap - and if you’re up for half an hour or more of exercise each day, this breed will suit you fine. At home, they’re usually down for some rough and tumble with the kids, and most Border Terriers get on fine with other dogs in the house. If there are cats about however, this might not be the best breed choice. Their high prey drive means they love to chase anything small and furry!

Border Terrier puppy

What Are Border Terrier Puppies Like?

Border Terrier puppies are cheeky and always getting up to mischief. They’re quick to chase, so keep an eye on them when you start letting them off the lead. They have a hunting instinct and will be off like a shot if they catch a whiff of an interesting scent.

It doesn’t take them long to find their voice, they are lively and bossy and will make sure they get the attention that they want from you.

Border Terrier lying in the grass

Life with a Border Terrier

This friendly dog breed will easily fit in with a family household. They love the attention of humans and are also good with children - they love to play and have lots of energy. They’re not keen on other dogs but if raised with one from a young age they will get along just fine.

While they’re less “yappy” than many terriers, excessive barking can sometimes be an issue with Borders. This is more likely if they’re left alone without enough stimulation while you’re at work. These guys love to dig, so if you leave your buddy alone with free run of the garden you could come home to find they’ve been burrowing their way out!

Caring for Your Border Terrier

Border Terriers are known for being greedy; they enjoy their food and can easily become overweight. You should weigh your dog’s food to ensure they are getting the right amount. Feeding guidelines are printed on the back of food packaging, or you can ask your vet for advice.

To keep your dog feeling full and to prevent stomach issues, it is best to split your dog’s food into 2 meals, or 3-4 if they’re a puppy.

They can be possessive of their food and will attempt to steal others, so it is best to feed them separately to any other pets.
 

Border Terriers have a double coat, but a weekly brush is usually all that’s needed to keep your buddy’s fur in good condition. The hair doesn’t usually need clipping - but should be hand-stripped around once or twice a year, which involves getting rid of the old dead hair the root so the new coat can grow.

If you’re new hand stripping and want to get the technique right, it’s definitely worth getting a professional groomer to help you out and give you some pointers on how to do it yourself. 
 

Border Terriers are intelligent, which helps a lot when it comes to training. But at the same time they can be independent and strong minded, so don’t be too surprised if they ignore you and run off to do their own thing if something interesting catches their eye.

Scolding and shouting won’t really help you. With all training it’s about positive reinforcement, and early socialisation is important to help your buddy grow into a confident and friendly dog. Basic commands to focus on include Sit, Heel, Come, Leave, Down and Bed.

You can work with your Border Terrier’s natural energy and inquisitiveness to give a good mind and body workout. A game of hide and seek, and lots of fetch, can fit the bill perfectly. Agility training, including specialist courses for earth dogs can also be a good call if your pooch is up for a new challenge.
 

Border Terrier Insurance

Border Terriers are bundles of fun and full of a natural energy that can need some keeping up with. Now while Border Terrier insurance can’t cover you for bumps and bruises, we can look after your Border. Everypaw’s Lifetime Dog Insurance comes in a variety of cover levels and all with a range of benefits to keep your pup on all four paws.

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Common Border Terrier Health Problems by Vetstream

Border Terriers are relatively healthy; there aren’t many health conditions that are linked to them - phew! But to keep you in the know, we’ve teamed up with vet experts Vetstream to lay out some of the most common conditions that you should keep an eye out for.

This hereditary health condition is also known as ‘Retinal pigment epithelial dystrophy (RPED)’. It causes loss of sight to the central field of vision, with signs of the condition showing at 3-4 months old.

Unfortunately, there is no treatment for this condition, but supplements can be given to slow down the progression. Dogs with reduced vision can still have a good quality of life and it is unlikely that affected dogs will become completely blind.

A heart murmur is a disturbance to the blood flow. A vet will be able to detect a heart murmur by the “whooshing” sound it creates, as opposed to the normal “lub” and “dub”.

Not all affected dogs show signs of a problem, but others may suffer from coughing, rapid breathing, reluctance to walk, tiredness or they may collapse.

Treatment depends on the cause of the heart murmur, which can be the result of heartworm disease or a congenital condition. Medication and/or surgery may be required to improve the quality of the dog’s life. 
 

CECS is a condition with Paroxysmal Dyskinesia (PD). Paroxysmal refers to normal behaviour with periodical signs of the disease, and dyskinesia is the involuntary movement of the body. Affected dogs will appear normal but then have episodes where their body will cramp or tremor. First attacks may occur from as young as 6 weeks or up to 7 years of age.

Recent research has found a link between gluten sensitivity and PD. It is also suspected that there may be a genetic abnormality, but this is still being researched.

A gluten-free diet is the most effective management of CECS. Affected dogs should not be bred from and there is a blood test that can be done to confirm the diagnosis.
 

This is an autosomal-recessive gene, meaning that the puppy will have inherited two copies of the abnormal gene (one from each parent). First signs are visible when the puppy begins to stand and walk, they display an uncontrollable shake of the hind limbs. As the puppy grows, this shaking will progress to the rest of their body and they will have poor coordination. It is caused by problems with development in the brain and spinal cord, resulting in holes that give the tissue a spongy appearance.

Unfortunately, most puppies are put to sleep due to a poor quality of life. DNA testing is available for this condition - affected dogs should not be bred from.  
 

Quick Border Terrier Q&A

Border Terriers have a life expectancy of 12-15 years if they live a healthy lifestyle with plenty of exercise, regular health checks and a good diet. Their lifestyle can play a large role in how long Border Terriers live.

Yes, they do shed in order to allow their new coat to grow, but not as much as other dog breeds. You will need to hand strip your Border Terrier to help remove the loose hair. You will also need to groom your dog weekly to keep their coat healthy and clean.

Hand stripping a Border Terrier can be done using your fingers or a stripping tool. To use your fingers, grasp the hair between your thumb and forefinger and pull in the direction of the growth.

You will not need to apply too much pressure. Hold the skin from in front of where you are pulling to prevent discomfort for your dog. Alternatively, you can use a stripping tool.

Border Terriers are considered to be hypoallergenic; most wire-haired dogs are because they don’t moult as much as other breeds.

That’s All You Need to Know About Border Terriers

This cheeky little breed is cute and cuddly and will easily fit in with a family household. They do have a stubborn streak though which means they can be tricky to train. They can also be a bit yappy, but if they’re kept occupied and have plenty of company this shouldn’t be too much of a problem. And they’re generally a healthy breed so there aren’t many health conditions you need to worry about.

Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.
 

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