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

[Jayne05]

Awww she’s fab, so adorable 🥰

[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!

[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

[TheoriginalLEM]

Look at him though 😍😍😍

[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!

[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!).

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[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

[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