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The Complete Guide to Border Terriers

Border Terrier - A Complete Guide | Your Happy Puppy | Pinterest | Border terrier, Terrier and Dogs

This will help to tell if a reaction will occur. Some people react to saliva and some BTs love to kiss , so your reaction to a licky dog should also be considered. The BT is a very sociable breed, and can make an excellent companion for a child. However, their high energy level and rather rough play require constant supervision, especially when puppies are playing with younger children under 7 or 8. This is not only for the child's safety, but the puppy's since some young children may unintentionally harm a puppy. Never get a dog with the intention of teaching a child responsibility.

Both children and puppies need an adult caretaker and parents need to accept this before getting a dog. They will take several years of maturity and training to develop into the steady, devoted family member you are hoping for. The greatest concern with children and dogs is that children tend to leave doors and gates open, and the dog may get out and get lost or hit by a car. Strict rules must be enforced to insure that gates and doors are always kept closed to protect your dog.

The BT is a willing breed who wishes to please. This makes it easy to train basic house manners such as housebreaking, walking on a leash, leaving garbage alone, leaving clothes and kids' toys alone, not jumping on people or furniture, sitting and staying and coming when called, barring the presence of a squirrel or rabbit.

If your ambitions are to compete in AKC obedience trials, training becomes more challenging, though very rewarding. It is imperative that you search for an instructor who understands terriers, and BTs in particular. Harsh training methods can destroy their will to please and make future training much more difficult. BTs respond best to positive motivational methods using praise, treats and toys. Most good breeders consider ALL of their puppies to be companion puppies, and Border Terrier people will tell you that Borders can do it all-obedience, agility, earthdog, tracking, flyball, therapy dog, etc..

A conformation show puppy is one whose physical characteristics and temperament meet or exceed the requirements of the breed standard. This should be the best specimen of the breed you can find - one with obvious potential. Keep in mind that showing is very time consuming and expensive. Don't be forced into showing if you are not really interested in the hobby. Breeding is an enormous responsibility, costly, and often heartbreaking.

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Good breeders make a life-time commitment to each and every puppy they whelp. For most of us, it is best to leave breeding to others and simply enjoy the multitude of pleasures available with our dogs. It is strongly suggested that puppies or dogs that are not going to be shown be spayed or neutered. Spaying or neutering also makes them less prone to certain afflictions associated with their sexuality later in life; for example, mammary tumors or prostate disease. Spayed and neutered dogs can compete in all performance events and trials under AKC rules. Border Terrier breeders should supply a contract with each puppy or dog sold.

The contract should state whether the puppy is being sold as a pet with a limited registration or as a show puppy, with any requirements pertaining to the new owner's show responsibilities outlined therein. A new puppy owner should read the contract fully to know what they can expect of the breeder and what is required of them as the new owner. You should not enter into a contract with which you are uncomfortable. The following is excerpted from the B.

The BTCA recommends any transfer of ownership of a Border Terrier be accompanied by a written agreement as protection for both the breeder and the new owner. By outlining what is expected of each party, such a contract should help prevent future misunderstandings. Responsible breeders include in the written agreement a clause that any time the owner cannot keep the dog, the dog is to be returned to the breeder or placed or sold with the breeder's approval of the new owner.

As a breed, BTs are generally healthy. A good diet, proper weight, plenty of exercise, regular grooming and routine veterinary care should keep a BT in good health. One of the reasons the BT is a fairly healthy breed is years of concerned, responsible breeding. Conscientious breeders screen for hip dysplasia and eye problems. Other genetic problems that may occur are heart defects, hypothyroidism, seizures, allergies, malocclusions, luxating patellas and undescended testicles. These defects have not become widespread, however, because of careful, selective breeding by Border Terrier breeders.

Border Terriers are active dogs with a high energy level.

Frequently Asked Questions about Border Terriers

This should be considered when thinking about a Border and children. Plenty of play and exercise is a necessity for BTs. A long walk or vigorous play within the yard for minutes a day will keep your BT happy and fit. Borders also enjoy various activities such as flyball, agility, earthdog tests, tracking and obedience classes. Above all else, your BT likes being with you. Generally, the BT should get along with other dogs. If you are making a Border your second dog, it is best to get the opposite sex to the dog you currently own.

This will help avoid possible fighting which occurs more frequently between dogs of the same sex. In the case of cats, if introduced at a young age, they can live together harmoniously, but never trust them with outside cats or neighborhood cats that wander into your yard. A BT will view gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, birds and other small, caged pets, as vermin to be hunted.

Therefore, they really cannot be trusted around such creatures. Make certain that any critter's cages are well out of the reach of a BT. After all, a BT was bred to hunt, making it important to recognize and accept this characteristic if you wish to acquire a BT. Although each puppy is different, most BTs are not yappy.


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This explains why these dogs love digging and start from their earliest days. However, they also have the so-called high prey drive that makes them chase smaller animals.

They will get along with other dogs and even with cats from your household, but it is not a smart thing to leave them alone with a hamster or a canary without having any prior training. Your Border Terrier will get along with your kids right from the start. The Borders are alert animals and even when they are puppies, they will react to sudden movement, sounds, and will bark when something is going on.

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The Border Terrier is a small breed, and sometimes, smaller dogs are more favored than the big ones, so people tend to go easy on them for their size. No wonder why they develop that Small Dog Syndrome and act like they were the biggest beasts in the neighborhood. Imagine a pound dog thinking he owns everything and everyone! To avoid that, your dog needs training and socialization from the earliest of days. It needs to realize that he is not the Alpha dog and that there is a limit to what he is allowed to do.

The bottom line, training and no special treatment and your Border Terrier will grow up to be one cheerful, smart dog that loves its family. In this section, you get to know how big a full grown Border Terrier is, and how long can you expect it to be your faithful companion. A little tip, you are in for many happy memories….

In fact, with an average height of 10 to 11 inches for males, and a few inches shorter for females, the Borders can be placed in the small-dogs group. They are not that heavy as well. For example, Bulldogs tend to be a bit on the heavy side despite their height.

The Border Terrier males, on the other hand, are not that bulky. They have an average of some pounds, while the females tend to be a bit lighter, at pounds. As we hinted above, Border Terriers are in for a longer run. The average lifespan is some 14 years. However, there are many cases where borders, with great care throughout the entire life and plenty of love from the family, lived up to be 18 or 19 years old. So, if you do decide to get this breed, know that the family album is going to be filled with happy memories with your terrier. Okay, you know that the Borders are not huge in size, but did you know that they are huge in the heart?

Also, they are highly intellectual dogs and if used to having company around, they can get along with everyone.

Border Terrier

In fact, there are tons of cases where owners of one Border Terrier decided to get one or more Borders so that they have company. On the other hand, if you already have more animals, but other species, getting your Border pup to meet the other pets as soon as it is welcomed into your home, is a really good idea. As for Borders and kids, there is not a single thing you should worry about.

They simply adore kids and love to play with them for hours. When it comes to how complicated the training of the Border Terrier is, you can relax, they are exceptionally intelligent and love to learn. But, of course, if you give him love and devotion, your Border Terrier pup will gladly wait for you to teach him something new and it will be happy, and so will you. In fact, their love and thirst for learning is the biggest reason why they are often starring in movies and TV shows.

It seems that the Borders simply love obedience training, and they are really devoted. This also makes them a great breed for people with disabilities. Therefore, from the beginning of your training, make sure you let your pup know what he or she can chew on, and what is forbidden. To wrap it up, with an adorable mixture of being lovable, easygoing, and affectionate, the Borders are a great fit for a wide range of families and homes. If you train your pup young and show him, love, you will live to see how it becomes a well-behaved, cheerful dog.

Whichever diet regime you decide to use, just keep in mind that it should be vitamin and mineral rich. This includes high-quality foods such as rice, meat, and vegetables, and even supplements. All dogs need exercise, and when they are as active as Borders, that energy needs to be burned. An hour or two in the park playing fetch and running with other dogs is quite enough for a Border to burn out that excessive energy. To prevent this NO-NO from becoming an annoying habit, include plenty of toys your pup, later a dog, can chew on, toss around, and run with.


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A distraction of a sort, if you will. To get your stone off the chest right away, the Border Terriers are well known for being a robust breed when it comes to their health.