Border Terrier or Border Terrier cross

[Jayne05]

Hi, after losing our beloved cocker spaniel 6 months ago me and my husband have now decided we can’t live without a dog in our lives and would love another puppy.
We were 100% decided on a border terrier but I’ve recently read a few articles that say border crosses are a better choice, particularly jack Russell cross.
If anyone has any experience or advice I’d be very grateful. I’d be at home with the dog for 95% of the day and it would only be left for a maximum of 2 hours 3 or 4 times a week. I’ve got a 6 year old niece who I see very regularly so would want a dog that’s good with kids but we don’t have any of our own. Long walks every day and a love of camping optional lol!
Thanks in advance x

[Alicewond]

Personalities are so different, my first border cross was not good with other dogs, my new baby loves everything but can be quite scared if they bark. Both however have been awful at recall but if you are happy to keep on a leash it’s all good. Both have been amazing with children and people in general though, they have an amazing personality and adore attention. I would highly recommend

[Jayne05]

Oh LEM he’s gorgeous! Thanks all, you’ve helped confirm what I really already knew. Think it’s time to start looking for a pup!x

[GrimDamnFanjo]

We went from spaniel owner to border owner last year!
We decided we wanted a small but smart dog with a working temperament.
We went for a Border as they have less of the annoying terrier traits apparently...
Differences I have noticed are:
Our Border is more vocal than our spaniel was to be fair spaniel barely ever barked
He's very cuddly like a cat
Just as energetic as they were bred to keep up with hounds
Recall is dodgy but he's very food oriented

[userxx]

@upthewolves Really interesting, as the BT I know hates black labs and bigger dogs, not fused about anything smaller than himself. Maybe a BT quirk.

[exexpat]

Just to add - ours is one of the rare borders that just sheds fur all year round, so we don't have to strip him but do need a good hoover.

[exexpat]

Another happy border terrier owner here.

Ours is nearly 11, so slowing down a bit, but will still walk for a couple of hours if we are up for it, though it is normally more like 45 mins a day. He is great with people, including children (DC were primary age when we got him); barks at cats and foxes, chases squirrels and growls at large unneutered male dogs (he is neutered), but is fine with most other dogs, horses, cattle etc. He is very happy to spend a lot of the day asleep on the sofa.

[MrsBertBibby]

I work in an office with a bt. I don't much like dogs, and they generally hate me, but this old chap is a little sweetheart. So chilled! He just lies about and mugs passers by for scritches. Patrols us at lunch time for crumbs, snoozes in the warm spots, and snores his head off. Lovely little dog.

[Milicentbystander72]

Omg. BT's are the best. Since getting my boy I've met lots of BT's. As many PP have said you won't be disappointed.

We go for a mixture of hand stripping and scissoring for our BT. He's very shaggy and he's gets uncomfortable if he's too overgrown. He's a big boy though. Very tall with a huge ribcage. Most of his mates can be easily picked up. He's a gentle sole, loves other dogs and people, but also quite passive aggressive (ie bright enough to emotionally manipulate us!).

[User24689]

LEM 😂 He's adorable. But yeah I have to psyche myself up for vet visits with mine too. Basically taking him into a room full of things he would love to chase, while in a state of anxiety. It's a bloody nightmare!

[TheoriginalLEM]

Look at him though 😍😍😍

[TheoriginalLEM]

I have a border terrier cross. I love him to pieces but he is by far the most difficult dog ive ever owned. Literally no recall. Bastard with other dogs - so cannot be off lead at all. He is a total demon in the vets - im a vet nurse and my colleagues call him Satan!!! I can't even get near him to.muzxle him yetat home and with everyone he meets he is the most affectionate dog ive ever met! So loving.

I love him. Id never be without him.

Wouĺd i get another one - ummm only when hell freezes over

[User24689]

@heavenstotenby That is very interesting, because my BT hates black labs, I cross the road to avoid them! He dislikes large dogs in general. He's absolutely fine with most small dogs. He gets sent mad by greyhounds/ lurcher types that run fast. After 11 years we've gotten to know what sets him off! It's a shame really as it means I do have to be completely vigilant when on walks with the DC so I don't end up having to try and get him back under control while wrangling a 3 and 1 year old! People don't believe when I tell them this as he is such a quiet peaceful boy at home!

[Jayne05]

Awww she’s fab, so adorable 🥰

[FreckledNose]

I have a Border Jack. She is very sweet-natured and gentle, although sometimes a bit iffy with other dogs. She’s almost 11, so just needs a short walk (actually more sniffing than walking), but was up for anything in her younger days. Utterly obsessed with her tennis ball and can still pull apart most dog toys in a matter of seconds. Loves a bit of a fuss and cuddle, but happy to be independent and will often take herself off into another room to snooze. A complete joy from the moment we got her.

[pazwaz70]

Border terriers are gorgeous little dogs. It's all we have ever had. Such big personalities for a little dog.
You won't be disappointed.
This is my Ruby.

[Jayne05]

Thanks for all your help 🙂. keepaddingpets, We considered another cocker but I just can’t face the constant comparisons I know I’d make with my amazing boy. They are such lovely dogs but think borders are v. Beautiful too.

[HeavensToTenby]

upthewolves that's so interesting you say that - we also have a BT who is calm and patient, but put him on a lead and he's suddenly very unpredictable towards some dogs, mainly male/black labs. We've had sessions with several trainers over the years but never completely cracked it either, so we keep trying with the training tips and walk him carefully! I'd always assumed it had something to do with an early experience on a lead (he's a rescue) but maybe it's a BT thing?

BTs are brilliant little dogs just as they are - my concern about getting a cross would be the risk of it coming from a puppy farm, or from a backyard breeder who hasn't bothered with health checks or welfare.

[Patchworksack]

I have a BT x JRT, she was a rescue and chosen because her (mad) upbringing and temperament fitted our family. She is very affectionate with everyone but has the feisty terrier character when she's out. She is very active on a walk but actually pretty chilled out and easy going at home. My previous dog was also a JRT x but more of a Heinz variety. I think if you want to have more idea what you are getting and the BT is what you love go for the pure breed, but actually the other factors that determine how the dog turns out are more important - temperament of the parents, how the puppies are raised, how well socialised they are. Training is always a bit of an issue with terriers - my friend who is a dog trainer says if you want an unquestioning obedient dog don't get a terrier - they have been bred to think for themselves. You either like that in a dog or you don't! If I was to buy a pure breed (have never owned a pedigree dog or cat or bought rather than rehomed) I would go for a BT because they are ace! Good luck.

[Fazackerley]

Hand stripping gave my boy an awful skin reaction and he hated it. I clip mine myself. He's very handsome and happy that way.

[Keepaddingpets]

Why not stick with another cocker spaniel? I might be a bit we'll massively biased but you'll only regret not sticking with a spaniel ...

[Bluelonerose]

My dm has a boarder terrier. She's absolutely loopy (dog not my mum) has virtually been brought up with ds2.
Find someone who hand strips them though. Alot of places clipper them instead.
Although I prefer the unkempt look personally.

[Doghorsechicken]

I’ve always walked him off lead though because he loved getting under hedgerows but I can imagine you had that with your spaniel too!

[Doghorsechicken]

I have a border terrier crossed with jack russell. I absolutely adore him, I’ve had him for 17 years and he’s still able to walk 40 mins every day. He’s happy to sit on the sofa all day as long as he gets one walk. If he doesn’t get a walk he can be a bit yappy. He was raised with a cat but will chase any other cats. Plus anything fluffy that moves fast. He’s great around livestock, our hens & my old lizard. He’s only really interested in his family, he’s not bothered about being fussed by anybody else. When he was younger he was happy with a 30 minute walk or a 7 mile walk and anywhere in between (he prefers a good sniff round rather than playing with toys). The only health problems he’s had have started when he turned 12 years old but they were just fatty lumps and warts which is normal for old dogs. He’s been fantastic with my DS who is 10 months old now but I always ask other children to leave him alone to be honest. He doesn’t like it if they’re rough with him (it might be an age thing though). He’s always been great with other dogs on a walk but can be grumpy with them in his own home. I would get a border terrier again and again I think they’re wonderful!

[KittyMcKitty]

I have a border x Lakeland. She is very very sweet natured and great with people and dogs. She is great (terrified and in awe) with our cat but we had the cat before her - she chases any other cats who come into the garden.

She needs a lot of walking otherwise she gets twitchy and bored! She will run for miles when being walked (we are very rural) - I don’t think she would do well as a town dog walking around a park! She is true to her border roots - she fully understands all commands and will obey them if she feels like it and if it fits in with her plans She is a great size and doesn’t moult!

I have a few friends with borders or border crosses and they are fantastic feisty little dogs!

[Fazackerley]

Mine has a strong chase drive which can be a pain but apart from that he's lovely. Sits on my lap like a cat on the evening, lets my younger children hassle him without reacting, isn't greedy. Funny little thing. I'll always have borders.