does anyone here have Border Terriers? come tell me about them... Please

[catstolemypants]

we are looking to get one at the end of the summer, and are about to start contacting breeders. Iv known terriers in the past but never owned one i am well aware of there traits both desirable and not so. We are an active family with three dc 5, 7, and 13 and are looking for a small tough dog i work from home most days so have time to give it plenty of exercise but it will have to left alone at some point. Im just looking for other people experiences and knowledge and some advice to. Thank you

[fanoftheinvisibleman]

Absolutely amazing and fabulous little dogs for an active family.

Ours is 18 months old and such a little personality. They have all the lust for life, independence and zest of a terrier but are also loving and cuddly. I would say terriers aren't for everyone (you need to be a fly by the seat of your pants type) but you will know that if you know terriers! He isn't destructive or anything, just thinks he is 10 dogs and so hurtles from one stunt to the other at speed!

They do need a good amount of exercise (mine needs about 1 and 1/4 hrs as a bare minimum. But he loves it so much and we all enjoy it too.

Mine doesn't have a high prey drive except birds but some do. He does however love leaping into rivers ans mud with gusto.

He is very playful and loves a game of tug and football. Mine is fine to be left though we don't often. He just goes to sleep. They are a little rough and ready as tiny pups though. Ours was bitey for a good month so bear that in mind with younger dc. They are tough little buts but very quick to learn and seem to respond well to clicker training and high energy quick reward things like agility.

The only downside.to mine so far is his overwhelming love of attention (he is an outrageous flirt!) so recall is poor in the face of any attention from.people.or dogs.

But overall, I think they are perfect little dogs if you like the go getting terrier personality.

There are some pics of my furry face on my profile if the above isn't tempting enough

[catstolemypants]

thanks for the reply, iv explained to dh that they are nor 'easy' dogs they require training (and respond well to it) they will bark but if controlled it shouldnt be excessive um right yes? ;-) I just cant wait to get my scruffy ted. im reckoning my dog will prob get 2hrs to 6miles of walks a day as I run 3-6 miles 5days a week so am looking forward to having a running buddy, their stamina is one of the traits I looked for :-)

[catstolemypants]

one thing id like to know is do they travel well? im hoping to do dog orriantated hols inc camping and caravaning does anyone have any experiences with this? xxx

[catstolemypants]

your pup is beautifull by the way :-)

[HolidayArmadillo]

My family always had borders growing up, they used to come caravanning and yachting with us. Well travelled dogs!

[fanoftheinvisibleman]

Thankyou

Ours is just finding his voice really. He isn't really bad but does bark if perched in window and sees sonething. But I take him out and tell him no! He does a minute of old man back chat grumbling and then slinks off! He can bark playing ball but again not bad or for long.

Ours travels well and is very easy going and adaptable. We are in Yorkshire but he has been as far north as Holy Island and as far down as Dover...not bad for a pup! He travels well and just snoozes and makes himself right at home whether with dog owning family or.caravanning.

In some ways they are hard (if with the wrong type of family) as they are full on and willful but they tend to be well tempered happy dogs. I don't consider mine difficult as long as exercised. You sound like that won't be an issue.

[DIddled]

I have two!!! Great travellers, love exercise but don't need loads. Stubborn and wilful at times- but enormous fun. Mine are left while we work and they mostly sleep. A breed that rarely ails- long living so plan on them being around for 20 years. Can let you know anything and everything you want to know, supply pics etc etc.

I run with one of mine he absolutely loves it- the other is a lazy slob. Don't run a puppy hard though as you risk joint problems in later life- I am not an expert but think they need to be over 1 to run as you do.

Welcome to the club!!!!

[catstolemypants]

DIddled thanks for the information, i wasn't planning on running with the pup but building it up to that once its mature enough (something id probably chat with my vet about). Were in east anglia and im having trouble finding pups they don't seem to be a very popular breed though i have know idea why, i do have contact details for some local breeders off the Kennel club website so im going to contact them. Id like to get a book in preparation for getting the pup something that can be used as a reference throughout its life but also one with lots of puppy info i don't know if you can recommend any?
Also if i can be nosy how much would you say one costs per month? i have a friend with a terrier 'mut' she pays about £7pm insurance and £16pm dry food then of course worming and fleas and toys???? i thinking that initial outlay will be approx £1000 for dog, injections, toys, bed/crate, collar, lead, tag and chipping does this sound about right?

[fanoftheinvisibleman]

I would expect 1000 to cover the initial stuff and pup. It did for us including probably neutering and puppy class course.

I pay 15 p/m on insurance. Flea and worming was cheaper for 6 month package last time so paid 48 for 6 months. I raw feed and spend anywhere from 15 and 30 monthly on food depending on whether I want to do the leg work (15!) or have a delivery van turn up with a gourmet raw meal parcel (30).

I also spend 9.99 on a vet plan that gives unlimited consults (normally 27 each), nurse clinic, heath checks, vaccinations. This is obviously entirely optional but has saved us a little in the first year with visits for minor things (we had lots of bad tummy upsets prior to going raw).

[fanoftheinvisibleman]

Not sure why my pound signs are question marks there!

[catstolemypants]

Thanks, my vets also do a plan like that also covers stick incidents, accidents all worming flea and jabs will have to look into it. So really £50 per month should cover it (i dont think i'll being doing raw im too lazy)

[fanoftheinvisibleman]

It should do yes .

Now you just have to promise to come back with baby border pics when you get yours!

[LadyTurmoil]

Perhaps you could contact Border Terrier Rescue They may be able to recommend good breeders

[catstolemypants]

thank you i have sent them an e-mail and am about to draft one that i can send out to all the breeders i have found locally hopefully one will be having a litter around the time we want to get one

[EasyToEatTiger]

My mum had bts. We got to call them the Terrierists. The local hunt came once to dig them out of a hole. The eldest got into an argument with a badger in a different hole and came out with half her face missing. They were known cat killers. They are not a breed I would chose unless they had a specific job to do. Saying that, a lot of people keep them and adore them.

[DIddled]

Just be bloody careful who you get one from, I have had a very bad experience with one of mine. Don't buy any books, I have one that I can send you- I will dig it out might be a day or two to find it. My insurance is about 14 a month each- mine eat Ardern Grange dry food about £28.00 for a big bag.Wormers I buy online or at costco as cheaper.

Where do you live- I might be able to help out with breeders? One of mine i had a nightmare with (not from a breeder my own fault), the other is a 'bastard child' of two home reared borders who got it on in an unplanned manner :) , he is a true border in every sense of the word!!! But both have been done as breeding was never my intention.

[catstolemypants]

I'll pm u my details later (im on my phone) thanks, yes like I say iv gone through the KC to find breeders and given ourselves 6-8 months to research, meet with some re meet with them etc. im keen to hear as many experiences as possible good and bad

[fanoftheinvisibleman]

Join some of the FB border terrier groups. Largely pretty pictures but also people swapping stories and advice and asking for help with the tricky puppy stages. It will at least give you a flavour of the breed.

I love terriers but I think Borders make great pets for a family who can occupy it. If you wanted a dog that lays in its bed all days and pootles slowly round the block twice a day then they are not for you but I love their cheeky slightly wayward nature. But as DIddled points out, no two are the same! Mine will do up mountain and down dale all day long as 100 miles an hour.

Have your dc ever read Jeremy Strongs 100 mile an hour dog? I think Streaker should have been a BT

[catstolemypants]

fanoftheinvisibleman iv done just that now im inundated with such cute pictures all over my wall
DIddled i have pm'd you with postage details thank you so much.
Iv just got an email from the rescue organisation with some local breeder details so am going to follow them up. Now i need to get to work to make some money the pay for our little chap

[catstolemypants]

Ok so would any of you mind telling me how much your pups cost? i have looked and was thinking it would probably be £400 but iv now looked again to see that some are as much as £650!!! iv just heard back from a lovely local lady who is KC registered who is intending a litter later this year and has invited us to meet the mum to be and grandparents and now im thinking holy s**t i dont know if i can do £650 for just the pup though my heart wants to (am i being naive?) im worried im going to go along and she's going to say yes well each pup will be around £800 or something silly and just blow dh and myself out of the water

[fanoftheinvisibleman]

450. He is KC registered but they weren't show dogs. Working on one side if I remember correctly but that clearly skipped mine as the hamster takes carrots off him

[catstolemypants]

pmsl at your hamster taking carrots from your border you need to get that on camera (fingers crossed mine will be as tolerable) Iv heard back from two breeders now so thats great both planning pups around the time we want and both want us to come and meet the bitches and grandparents so all good signs

[PantsOnYourHead]

I have a BT. He works and is a fab ratter but has been trained and is very obedient. He is very friendly and to be honest does like too much exercise (DH takes the dogs running in the morning and BT goes most of the way then sits and waits to be collected on the return leg). I do love him.

[fanoftheinvisibleman]

Am I the only BT owner with a dog who wants his mileage come hell or high water? Grrr mine is like the duracell bunny!

[DIddled]

Omg I want all details! Grizzle/ blue and tan? So exciting!!!