General Appearance

The Border Terrier is a good-tempered, affectionate, obedient dog breed. It’s a small, spunky terrier with a coarse, wiry double coat, dark lively eyes, a short muzzle, black nose and small ears, which fold forward into a "V". The Border Terrier is a muscular, well-balanced, alert, active and agile working dog. Its head, "like that of an otter," is distinctive, and its temperament ideally exemplifies that of a terrier. It is very intelligent and eager to please. Especially affectionate with children and wants to please, so it is relatively easy to train. The Border Terrier makes an excellent family dog. This plucky dog needs plenty of exercise.

Temperament

The Border Terrier is lively and alert, but mild-mannered. It’s a hardy, scruffy little terrier and a bold hunter. Early socialization is a must. To avoid excessive timidity you need to get your puppy accustomed to loud noises and city situations. It tends to bark, but it is not aggressive. As a puppy it is very active, but it will mellow as an adult. It makes a wonderful companion to children. The Border Terrier likes to dig and must be securely fenced in. If the puppy is raised with cats, family cats will not generally be a problem, but it shouldn't be trusted with other people's cats however. Generally it gets along with other dogs, but it is not trustworthy with hamsters, rabbits, rats or birds. This dog doesn’t like to be left alone; it needs to be with people. If you have two Border Terriers, it is best to have a male and a female.

Height

Dogs 13-16 inches (33-41cm)
Bitches 11-14 inches (28-36cm)

Weight

Dogs 13-16 pounds (6-7kg)
Bitches 11-14 pounds (5-6kg)

Colour

Red, grizzle and tan, blue and tan, or wheaten. A small amount of white may be allowed on the chest but white on the feet should be penalized. A dark muzzle is characteristic and desirable.

Coat

The Border Terrier has a short and dense undercoat covered with a very wiry and somewhat broken topcoat which should lie closely, but it must not show any tendency to curl or wave. The coat needs weekly brushings and a twice a year professional grooming. The Border Terrier sheds little to no hair and is good for allergy sufferers. Bathe only when necessary.

Health Issues

The Border Terrier is prone to dislocated kneecaps. It is relatively insensitive to pain and shows few signs of illness, so the owner should watch this breed's health carefully.