Border Terrier

[rainingdogs1977]

we are the waiting list to get a Border Terrier puppy , with a breeder who isn't charging ridiculous prices.

So I'v done a lot of research into this breed and Iv already got all the equipment we would need ( I'm very organised ).

Iv got the easy peasy puppy squeazy book, Iv also bought a book on the border terrier breed.

I have two children 8 and 10 who won't be having any responsibility for the dog and is purely mine and my husband's responsibility, we live in 4 bedroom semi detached with a large garden .

I work school hours 3 days a week and on those day I'm planning for the dog to go to doggy daycare , and have plenty of family /friends who are willing to cover any holidays .

What I would like to know is peoples real life experiences with a Border Terrier?

Thank you .

I’ve met 3, and they were all vicious bitey little things. I know terriers are often difficult family pets, but a lot of people claim that border terriers are the least terrier like terriers. I guess like all dogs, socialisation from early on is key, especially with dogs that are likely to be barky or chase things.

We have just had to say good bye to our gorgeous boy and we are completely heartbroken. He was the most loving, loyal companion. Had him from a puppy when my son was 4 and they have been the best of friends, he was always so gentle and patient with my son growing up.
From our experience he was a typical terrier in the way of instinctively chasing rabbits, cats etc but absolutely not a vicious bitey dog!!
I’ve always heard great things about borders, great family pets and amazing with children.
He has left the biggest hole in our home and hearts.

Close family have one.
A great character and very affectionate, but they can never relax. He digs his way out of the garden. He digs up the garden. He is well trained and obedient only until he spots something to chase and then he is beyond all influence except the chase and in the past has been fine for miles / days, so can never be let off a lead on walks.

Ours is the best dog anyone in our extended family have ever had. Others do comment on that. He's friendly and not at all bitey. He did go through the usual puppy gnawing at feet hands ankles jumper tassels but grew out of it like most of them do.

He's incredibly lazy when we are home and no one is paying him but has spurts of energy for playing and is always up for playing if someone starts it off.

He does do the BT thing of paws up as a greeting to people and other dogs, he's too old for us to train that out of him. Other breeds don't like it but if you get some borders together they do it to each other.
He thinks he's bigger than he is. Is fine off lead if he doesn't catch scent/sight of a rabbit/squirrel/any animal if he does then he's off so we don't let him off much.

He's a grazer for food so we measure kibble and it's left out all day.

He's a bit barky in the dark or when he hears a siren.

He's the best.

A former neighbour had one, I'd say it was feisty and companionable, loved being with the children. (Going back a bit here, I thought Jumble was an unusual name, she said it was Just William's dog's name).
Yes, training must be key. The ones I meet on walks now are well out of puppyhood and seem good-natured but obviously have a high prey drive as you'd expect. Not as barky as local JRTs or dachshunds.

Sorry to hear of your loss, Mrswhirley

We have a vizsla but always fancied a border terrier (I'd call him Ned). Full of charm, not yappy like other small dogs, coat easy to maintain, can handle longer walks, all look like you could share a cuppa & cake with them My favourite round here is Basil the Border. Absolute gent. Sorry I can't give you any constructive help!

@Mrswhirley

We have just had to say good bye to our gorgeous boy and we are completely heartbroken. He was the most loving, loyal companion. Had him from a puppy when my son was 4 and they have been the best of friends, he was always so gentle and patient with my son growing up. From our experience he was a typical terrier in the way of instinctively chasing rabbits, cats etc but absolutely not a vicious bitey dog!! I’ve always heard great things about borders, great family pets and amazing with children. He has left the biggest hole in our home and hearts.

Sorry for your loss .

Thank you . That's one of my concerns is the prey factor , although training will start day one on recall. The dog will be well socialised in all different situations . Spending 3 days at doggy day care will help with that too.

Border terriers very popular in my area. They all seem quite nice and friendly - my staffie likes them all. In fact, I've been so impressed that I thought I would consider one myself if ever in a position to be looking for a dog again (but I won't because I think I need to take a rescue that no-one wants!).

Love mine. Never walk her off lead because of prey drive/taking against another dog (only twice in seven years but still)/general bolshiness aka independence of thought. I walk her before school so can’t spend all morning chasing her. However, we have a good back yard so can throw treats around for further exercise.

She will bark but if something outside becomes regular, I have put her on her lead and taken her out for an inspection or to meet the work men and that works well.

She lives on school hours- activity in the morning, sleeps the day away, active in the afternoon and then sleeps all night. We have a routine led house and she thrives. She even obeys 1-2-3-Magic, I’ve found!

Really doesn’t like the heat so lives rather quietly for four months of the year (we’re in Perth).

And the most gorgeous face to greet you in the morning.

And good at ingenuity.

My friend has one and it hates other dogs so can’t be off the lead. She also has a very high prey drive and can be nippy with humans too

Mines fab but a little neurotic- gets very stressed when left on his own, even for very short periods. Also prone to being fighty so we have to be careful where we walk him (live very remotely so not really an issue for us) . Otherwise a lovely breed I'd say and it's probably possible to nip these issues in the bud with appropriate training so just keep an eye on your pup.

I know 2 border terriers, one is absolutely lovely, gets on well eith all people and other dogs, and is well behaved in the house. His only downfall is that if he's let off lead he doesn't come back!

The other is very aggressive towards dogs and people, it needs to be muzzled when out of the house.

Both have been family pets since 8 weeks of age

Borders are great if they're well socialised.

I do know some however who are extremely dog reactive and sadly it's not a minority.

I have one and she is the best dog ever.
Socialisation from a young age is key. Mine loves everyone and is the soppiest dog.
Her recall can be a bit hit and miss if she sees a squirrel (you can’t take the terrier out of a terrier) but I can let her off in certain areas which I know are squirrel free.
She can walk for miles if needed but is also happy with a plod around the block and once home you will find her asleep on the bed, sofa or a lap.
She is amazing with my toddler and I just love her.
Enjoy your new puppy. They are the only breed I would have.

My mums always had them so I've had the pleasure of growing up with two and she has one now. They can be a bit head strong as is the terrier way but they are lovely little dogs and really good with children. We've always had males and we have had to keep them in check as they can be a bit fiesty but just like other terriers are. They're a great dog as they love being out and about but won't go stir crazy with just a quick garden trip of your busy etc. Xx

My Grandmother had one - he was lively and lovely, especially with children. He got on well with our spaniel and with a local Jack Russell that used to drop in to her garden (without his owners) every now and again.

HIs main downside was an occasional escape for a few nights on the town. No fence was good enough.

He left my grandmother worried and worn but he returned safe each time. (He came in with the air of a very charming dishevelled-drunk... my grandmother compared him to Dean Martin in some of his roles!)

I have two, both from puppies, my older one has okay recall, the younger one has amazing recall, neither like other dogs when on the lead but are fine when off lead.

They live with chickens, a cat and are easy to call off prey.

They love people, they love cuddles and they love the log burner.

You can take them hiking every day or walk them once a week.

They live with young children and they tolerate them as well as the rest of us.

They're bouncy and mad, they love to lick to show affection but most of all they want to cuddle and ours seem to be very attuned to MH.

Possibly not the easiest of puppies but I don't think I could own another breed.

@1WildTeaParty your grandmas dog sounds just like the one we had when I was a child. He'd suddenly decide he'd want a day out and he'd just jump the garden wall and take himself off and then come home around tea time, I've never heard of another breed of dog doing this 😂 my mum just got used to it in the end and didn't even worry about him once he'd gone 😂

Ours is a big softy. My DM calls him a canine Teddy bear. We can't fault his personality.

He's intelligent and very affectionate and friendly. His recall is pretty good unless someone rattles treats (very food focused) but not so good at giving things back. I wouldn't trust him around hamsters or Guinea pigs etc.

He has nipped a couple of times, when he was a puppy. Once was my niece but she did open her fist to reveal a handful of his hair. I wouldn't leave him, or any dog alone with young DC. You can never be 100%.

When he was younger he'd enjoy a long walk if it was on offer but could manage equally well with a street walk. Nowadays he's 12 and more of a fairweather walker.

The downsides are the need to have them hand stripped twice a year and the shedding of hair. Doesn't bother us but might upset someone more houseproud.

He also suffers from a bit of separation anxiety and howls when left alone. Apparently they're quite a vocal breed. Ours thinks he is one of the family ( he is!) so can't believe we leave him behind. One positive of lockdown!

Some of the borders I have known have been lovely, but a couple have been quite dog-aggressive. I think that is something to be aware of when you get one.

We used to have a random-bred farm terrier we hand stripped like a border. We did ourselves once she got to the point of needing it (the fur falls open in a parting along the spine). We'd do it over the course of a couple of evening and finish off with a stripping comb and scissors. You can just leave the coat alone and not strip, but the dog will shed everywhere and look like a mobile coconut - your call!