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Border Terriers are known for being affectionate and intelligent. Bursting with personality and energy, they love being outdoors and staying active.
These good-natured little dogs can make a great addition to the family and are happy around slightly older kids. They play hard (getting up to all sorts of antics in the process) but will love you even harder.
With an inquisitive nature and great agility, they adore playing games. As enthusiastic as they are endearing, these plucky, playful pups have a real sense of adventure and make great companions. They do require a fair amount of exercise and can get easily bored.
If you think a Border Terrier might be the kind of dog you’d like to welcome into your home, this guide provides comprehensive breed information for dog owners considering a Border Terrier. From common health problems to finding the Border Terrier insurance policy for your new pooch, we’ve got it covered. Border Terrier insurance can be started as early as eight weeks old and can continue for the dog's full lifespan.
Is a Border Terrier the right pet for you?
The Border Terrier was originally used on fox hunts, working alongside fox hounds to chase foxes above ground. So are Border terriers high maintenance? Not necessarily.
These days this pure breed is more commonly found in family homes, giving their humans a whole lot of love and affection. In fact, a Border terrier is a good first pet if you don’t have young children and have the time to dedicate to an energetic, enthusiastic pooch.
Here are some facts about this fun-loving breed of dog.
Vital stats
Size: Border terriers are small dogs standing at between 28cm to 40cm
Weight: 5kg to 7kg
Coat: Wiry, rough, medium length coat; moderate grooming needs
Colours: Red; Grizzle and tan; Blue and tan; Wheat
Exercise: 1 hour a day
Features: Floppy ears (naturally)
Border Terrier life span: 12 to 15 years
Temperament: Good-tempered, affectionate, and obedient
Tendency to bark: Medium to high
Tendency to dig: High
Social/attention needs: Moderate
Originally bred for: Fox bolting; Ratting
Price: £1000-£2,500
Interesting facts about Border Terriers
- The Border Terrier dog breed originated on the England-Scotland border
- Celebrity owners of these dogs include Elton John, Andy Murray and David Walliams
- Because of their slightly scruffy appearance, Border Terriers often play the role of a ‘mutt’ in TV shows and films
- A Border Terrier has a head shaped like an otter
- They are skilled escape artists and are easily bored, so you need to keep them occupied
Personality traits
Independent
Known for their plucky independence this breed is less prone to separation anxiety than other breeds due to their self-assured nature. Spending extra time on recall training is useful as their driven nature means they are apt to wonder off.
Intelligent
Eager to please and intelligent. They quickly learn house rules and other important dog etiquette such as housetraining, walking on leash, and greeting people politely (although they may never give up the habit of jumping up).
Friendly
Border Terriers love company. This breed is an affectionate little dog with a lot of personality, Border Terriers make a great family pet. Of even temperament this dog gets along great with children as well as other dogs and even cats!
Border Terriers at home
Despite their small size, Border Terriers are cheeky, independent, and extremely active little dogs and adults need at least one hour of exercise daily. It is important to provide enough exercise to keep them healthy and happy, as insufficient activity can lead to lethargy or depression.
Border Terriers are considered one of the dog world’s most trainable breeds. Their eagerness to please, love of learning and high intelligence is the perfect combination for training. Border Terriers are known to excel in activities such as agility and obedience training and respond very well to positive reinforcement methods.
Tug of war is a great play activity for Border Terriers, offering both physical exercise and mental stimulation. An enclosed park is an ideal place for Border Terriers to run and play safely off-lead, allowing them to burn off energy while staying secure.
Borders are not a high-maintenance breed. They don’t need bathing very often — just a quick towel-off when they’re wet or dirty. Too many baths tend to soften the harsh coat that is a natural dirt repellent, and they do not normally have strong odour.
Top care tips
- Border Terriers don't need a lot of space and are perfectly happy living in apartments, so long as you meet their exercise requirements.
- Despite their petite size, they can be both high jumpers and single-minded diggers, so if you plan to leave your dog in the yard unattended, you'll need to account for those issues.
- when they have their seasonal shed, you'll need to brush daily (and might want to use a special brush that can help minimise shedding).
- Since they gain weight easily, care should be taken to match food intake with proper exercise.
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Common health problems in Border Terrier dogs
Generally speaking, Border Terriers are a hardy breed of dog and there aren’t too many health conditions pre-disposed with them. However, they are adventurous souls that love to explore (increasing their risk of injury - and your need for a comprehensive dog insurance policy).
As a responsible owner, you should take them for regular visits to the vet and have an insurance policy for your dog in place to help you pay for any treatment (following an accidental injury or a health diagnosis) they require.
Here are some of the common health problems you’ll find in the Border Terrier breed.
Diabetes
As a breed, Border Terriers can be prone to diabetes. This occurs when the body struggles to produce enough (if any) insulin. The good news is that diabetes in dogs is easy to treat – as long as the condition is diagnosed and treatment starts early.
Signs that your dog may be developing diabetes are extreme thirst, unexplained weight loss, fatigue and excessive urination. If you have any concerns about your dog’s health, you should seek advice from your vet.
Epilepsy
Border Terriers can suffer from epilepsy - a condition that some dogs can inherit. Border Terriers can also experience canine epileptoid cramping syndrome, a seizure-like disorder that may require ongoing management. Seizures will usually start between six months and three years of age.
Epilepsy and Paroxysmal Gluten Sensitive Dyskinesia (Spike's Disease) are neurological issues seen in Border Terriers. If your dog does have a seizure, it is important that you do what you can to prevent them from injuring themselves, but don’t try to control their mouth or tongue. However, with a timely diagnosis, lifelong medication will keep the condition under control.
Heart problems
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in older Border Terriers. It is caused by a weakening of a heart valve and often goes hand in hand with a heart murmur.
Not all dogs will show signs of having a heart murmur, but your vet will be able to pick up any potential symptoms during a routine check-up. Signs that your Border Terrier may have a heart murmur include coughing, quickened breathing, collapsing and lethargy. In order to improve your dog’s quality of life and lifespan, treatment may be required. Treatment options include surgery and/or medication.
Hip dysplasia
This is a condition that affects the development of the hip joint. As a Border Terrier puppy gets older, abnormal growth can result in swelling, plain and arthritis. You may notice lameness in their legs or that they struggle to stand up after lying down. An X-ray can help diagnose this problem early on and surgery can help in severe cases.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a hereditary condition that affects a dog’s vision. It causes sight loss and it will often affect a dog when they are aged between three and four months. There is no treatment for the condition, but it can be slowed down, so a dog may not go completely blind.
Hypothyroidism
Occurs when the body can't maintain sufficient levels of thyroid hormones. Signs include weight gain, thinning coat, dry skin, slow heart rate, and sensitivity to cold. As hypothyroidism is a progressive condition, if you notice any of these signs, have your dog checked by your vet. Hypothyroidism is easily managed with daily medication, which must continue throughout the dog's life.
Malocclusions
Meaning the dog's jaws don't fit together correctly, are sometimes found in Border Terriers. There are three different types of incorrect bites. In some cases, puppies grow out of these incorrect bites, but if the bite hasn't become normal by the time the puppy is 10 months old, it may need to be corrected surgically.
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Lifetime Gold
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- Vets fees from £11,000-£15,000
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- Complementary treatment £1,000
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- Death from illness £2,000
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Frequently asked questions
The Border Terrier dog breed originated on the border between England and Scotland. Originally bred for fox bolting and ratting, these dogs were prized for their ability to follow foxes to ground during hunts.
Their small size, agility, and tenacious nature made them ideal for working in narrow burrows and rough terrain. Over time, Border Terriers have transitioned from working dogs to beloved family pets, known for their affectionate nature and lively personality.
Hand stripping is a grooming technique used to maintain the Border Terrier's wiry coat. Unlike regular brushing, hand stripping involves pulling out dead hair by hand or with a stripping tool to encourage new hair growth and preserve the coat's natural texture. This process helps prevent the coat from becoming soft and losing its weather-resistant properties.
Border Terriers are not considered hypoallergenic. While their wiry coat sheds less than some other breeds, they still produce dander, which can trigger allergies in sensitive individuals. Regular grooming and cleaning can help reduce allergens in your home, but if you have severe allergies, it’s best to spend time around the breed before bringing one home.
Border Terriers have a wiry double coat that sheds minimally compared to many other breeds. They experience seasonal shedding, during which more loose hair is released. Regular brushing, especially during shedding season, helps manage the loose hair and keeps their coat healthy. Hand stripping every six to eight weeks is also recommended to maintain the coat’s texture and remove dead hair.
Border Terrier puppies are energetic, curious, and affectionate. They have a playful nature and require plenty of mental stimulation and socialisation to grow into well-rounded adults. These puppies thrive on attention and positive reinforcement training, making early socialisation and consistent routines essential. They can be quite determined and independent, so patience and gentle guidance are key during training.
The cost of a Border Terrier puppy varies depending on the breeder, pedigree, and location.
Training a Border Terrier puppy requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. These intelligent dogs respond well to treats, praise, and interactive play as rewards. Early socialisation with other dogs, people, and environments is important to develop their friendly nature. Because of their independent streak, recall training should start early to prevent wandering. Incorporating mental stimulation and physical exercise into training sessions helps keep puppies engaged and well-behaved.
For young Border Terrier puppies, exercise should be limited to prevent strain on developing joints. A general guideline is about 5 minutes of walking per month of age, twice daily. For example, a 4-month-old puppy can walk approximately 20 minutes twice a day. As they grow older, their walking distance and activity level can gradually increase to meet their higher energy needs.
Puppies should be wormed every two weeks until they reach 12 weeks of age, then monthly until six months old. After this, adult Border Terriers should follow a regular worming and flea prevention schedule as advised by your veterinarian. Regular worming helps protect your puppy from parasites and supports overall health.
Border Terrier puppies are social and thrive on companionship. It’s best not to leave them alone for long periods, especially in their early months. Aim to leave them alone for no more than one to two hours at a time, gradually increasing this as they mature up to a maximum of four hours. Proper crate training and providing toys can help reduce anxiety when alone.
Border Terriers should not be given foods that are toxic to dogs, such as chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, alcohol, caffeine, and anything containing xylitol. Additionally, fatty, salty, or highly processed human foods should be avoided to prevent digestive issues and obesity. Feeding a balanced, high quality dog food appropriate for their age, size, and activity level is essential for their health.
Border Terriers can get along well with cats, especially if introduced properly and socialised from a young age. Their friendly and affectionate nature helps them coexist peacefully with other pets. However, their strong prey drive means supervision is necessary during initial interactions to ensure safety for both animals.
Many Border Terriers enjoy swimming and are capable swimmers, but like all dogs, they should be introduced to water gradually and supervised at all times. Swimming can be a great form of exercise and mental stimulation for this active breed, especially during warmer months. Always ensure water safety to prevent accidents.