BORDER TERRIER Breed Standards
The Border Terrier takes its name from the area where it first developed, among the Cheviot Hills that form the border between Scotland and England, and is among the oldest terriers in Britain. Its forebears have been lost in the mists of time, but some conjecture that the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a close relative. The first recorded evidence of the Border Terrier appeared in the 18th century, though it is almost certainly older than that. The breed was developed by border shepherds, farmers and hunters, and was employed primarily as a fox bolter and ratter. A combination of long legs and a narrow, compact frame allowed the Border Terrier to keep pace with horses and also follow foxes into their holes. Eventually, the Border Terrier would become an integral part of the highly ceremonious English foxhunt, working with the larger Foxhounds and horses.
For most of its existence, the Border Terrier has been a strictly working terrier, but by 1870 it had mad its way into English show rings. Around this time the dog’s name was changed from Coquetdale Terrier to Border Terrier and the breed was introduced to the United States. The Border Terrier was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1930, and today can be seen in the ring, on the hunt, or running around the house.
SKILLS: Hunting dog and family pet. He is an active terrier of medium bone, strongly put together, suggesting endurance and agility, but rather narrow in shoulder, body and quarter. The body is covered with a somewhat broken though close-fitting and intensely wiry jacket. The characteristic "otter" head with its keen eye, combined with a body poise which is "at the alert," gives a look of fearless and implacable determination characteristic of the breed. Since the Border Terrier is a working terrier of a size to go to ground and able, within reason, to follow a horse, his conformation should be such that he be ideally built to do his job. No deviations from this ideal conformation should be permitted, which would impair his usefulness in running his quarry to earth and in bolting it therefrom. For this work he must be alert, active and agile, and capable of squeezing through narrow apertures and rapidly traversing any kind of terrain. His head, "like that of an otter," is distinctive, and his temperament ideally exemplifies that of a terrier. By nature he is good-tempered, affectionate, obedient, and easily trained. In the field he is hard as nails "game as they come" and driving in attack. It should be the aim of Border Terrier breeders to avoid such over emphasis of any point in the Standard as might lead to unbalanced exaggeration.
SIZE: The shoulder-height is approximately 35cm (13 1/2in). For dogs the weight is permitted to be 5.9 - 7.1kg (13 - 15 1/2 lb); the weight for bitches is between 5.1 - 6.4kg (11 1/4 - 14lb).
COAT: The hard coat is thick with a dense under coat. The recognized colors are red, wheat, and grey with grey markings.
CARE REQUIRED: Groom these dogs thoroughly at least once a week. Depending upon the condition of the coat, the Border Terrier's coat may need plucking occasionally but it most never be trimmed. Plucking by hand removes old and excess hair.
CHARACTER: The Border Terrier is a tenacious, brave, equable, stubborn, lively dog which is sportive and untiring. This breed can take a blow and is not sensitive to pain. It is loyal to its handler, patient with children, and adaptable.
TRAINING: Training is relatively easy because the Border Terrier learns so quickly
SOCIAL BEHAVIOR: This dog gets on well with children. If you want it also to get on with other dogs, cats and other household animals, then it is essential to introduce them when it is young.
EXERCISE: It has been said of the Border Terrier that it can keep a horse under control which may or may not be true. It is true that these dogs love to run and play outdoors. A Border Terrier restricted to three short outings per day and spending the rest of its time indoors will adapt to this life but at the expense of some of its natural zest for life. Border Terriers are suitable for sports such as catch and playing with frisbees. They also enjoy tests of agility.
