Border terriers

[Pumpkin5piced]

Tell me everything please..

Can they ever be off lead? For reference I live in a busy city so will see lots of dogs on walks and in parks

How are they with other dogs? Children? (I hear good with children, not so much dogs)

Do they bark excessively?

Are they clingy? Can they be left at home?

I was looking at companion type breeds so I guess a terrier will be less clingy and prone to SA than them

My mum has one. He is a brill little fella. He goes off lead but needs to go back on when there are other dogs. Sometimes he's fine, sometimes he is not. He gets on fine with dogs he knows.

He lives with a cat and likes one of mine, the one we had before him but he would without doubt kill my other 2 and would kill a strange cat if he got hold of it.

He barks a lot. Really loud too.

He loves people and loves kids and he is really steady.

I have a collie and they have their good and bad points too

Being left, sorry. Yes in the day he gets left when my mum goes to work but he starts to bark as soon as it goes dark (neighbours are retired. Never hear him in the day, but do at night)

Never had one so couldn’t tell you anything about exercise requirements, children etc but the majority of border terriers (not all) that I’ve seen out and about have been pretty dog aggressive, as in lunging, growling, snarling at the end of lead on spotting another dog aggressive.

Known a few, all have been absolutely gorgeous, fun loving little dogs

I've had two.

Our vet would regularly recommend them for first timers.

Not as 'terrier-ish' as some other terrier breeds. Affectionate, quite 'tough' little characters, stoic and uncomplaining (although they can sulk!).

Our first was great with people including kids, had her from 8 weeks and well socialised. Current one came to us at 5 months and has been more of a challenge. He's not keen on our grandchildren, though loves adults once they're safely in the house and obviously no threat (he's VERY territorial, though our first wasn't especially).

First one practically never barked, current one barks quite a lot.

First one not keen on other dogs, current one loves the company of dogs he knows but we are very careful with introductions and build up slowly. We've done loads of recall with him and he can go off lead but I am very careful to watch for things (esp dogs) on the horizon. Terriers do tend to bolt if they see something they're interested in.

Neither of ours have been particularly clingy.

Both of mine liked a walk but it didn't have to be hours and hours. In fact the one we've got now is pretty lazy really.

I would wholeheartedly recommend them as a great family pet, but do put in the hours when they're young with socialisation and training (although that should apply to any breed, TBH).

Here's our boy.

The ones I know are often quite dog aggressive. (Girls worse?)
Need hand stripping.

I know two who are cheeky wee boys but always off lead in our wee local area- so sometimes they prioritise trying to get a cuddle over following the owner's instructions ! My friend many years ago has one that's a barky sod tho. She bought one of those collars that spray a lemon scent when they bark. It wasnt a deterrent but she used to sniff him when she got home to find out how much chocolate she had to buy the neighbours to say sorry....

He was a lovely boy too tho. I've a collie cross but grew up with big terriers and would defiitely consider a border in the future.

Growing up we had 2

The first was from 'show' stock, and was the perfect dog. Rarely barked, only had to be on the lead when legally required, could take her anywhere, very loving, enjoyed walks but could be left.

The second was from farm/ working stock and whilst we loved her to bits she was very highly strung and barked a lot. Generally needed to be on a lead, but not aggressive. She was very intelligent and loving though.

They will always be my favourite dog, but definitely check their background!

All the ones I know were older than 6 or 7 by the time i met them and were very well socialised with children, different adults and dogs as young dogs due to family set ups which I imagine has helped them

Mine is the best dog ever. We worked with a trainer from day dot, she's good off lead, she walks to heel she's so friendly and lovely. She adores balls and plays with random shit all the time.

If I'm in the bath she'll bring me a loo roll holder just because but we've taught her to take them downstairs and put them in the recycling box

She buries things in the garden but she's amazing.

She's 5kg of amazing, she could do 20 miles easy but she's happy to sleep on my knee as well. She's learnt to use Amazon dog buttons so presses it to go out and ask for her tea

You do need to have them stripped 2 x a year but it only costs £30 for us. The long hair needs to be plucked out and they feel so soft!!

You have to put the work in Initially as they're extremely driven and will happily give themselves a job if you don't!

Off lead: yes, definitely, though getting one to come back when he has spotted a squirrel can be a problem sometimes.

Generally fine with other dogs, though my male border sometimes takes against younger, bigger, un-neutered males - he feels threatened, so gets in first with a growl. He has never caused an actual fight but will snarl at them to go away.

Not good with cats, but that may be different if they grow up with cats in the house.

Excellent with children - ignores toddlers, plays nicely with older kids, very patient and tolerant (obviously a lot of this is socialisation, exposure and training when young).

Barking: generally only at cats/foxes/squirrels, or briefly if he gets excited when someone comes home. Doesn't do random yapping.

Clingy - hard to say. He is very attached to me, as his main person, and has got clingier during Covid because I have been around more, but I can still go out and leave him for four hours or so, occasionally a little longer if necessary.

I would definitely recommend borders as a relatively low-maintenance, fun to have around kind of dog. The puppy stage is quite hard work, but that's true of all dogs.

My neighbour got a Border terrier puppy during lockdown (cliche I know). We live in a gated development in central London. Puppy went everywhere with my neighbour. All the neighbours love him. He was very well socialised as a result from an early age. Still very friendly and affectionate with everyone. He's an adult now. Never heard him bark even once nor have I ever seen him on a lead. He trots along next to his owner through busy streets (and it's very busy where we live), sits by the football pitch in the park while my neighbour is playing, sits happily in his car etc. It really is a classic story of man and his best friend. Quite lovely to see actually.

Big little dogs. Big personalities and full of character but a nice compact size that makes them easy to live with.

My old boy isn't great with other dogs, especially bigger ones but he's mellowed with age a bit, can be prone to barking at times but he's a dog and that's generally what they do. I love the bones of him.

I have 2 Borders, they are the best.

They run all over the woods, every day off the lead, great recall now but took time.

Great with other dogs, great with people, have been fabulous companions for my kids since they were toddlers, live happily with my 2 cats.

They bark, when someone knocks on the door or comes in, when they want a ball thrown and when they play together but they are never aggressive in their barking.

They can happily be left home for the day, mine don't have any separation anxiety. They stay at the PILs happily when we go away.

Mine get a 2 hour walk every morning but are equally happy to stay in bed till lunchtime and have a half hour walk round the block.

They are adaptable and resilient little dogs, they are affectionate and loving too. Amazing family pets.

Best. Dogs. Ever!

Mine is 12, great with kids even though he's never lived with any he just seems to "get" them. Comical, loving, fun, adaptable little dog with a huge personality. Clearly has favourites in the family, especially my Dad, and he's the one who doesn't absolutely spoil him!

Barks when someone comes to the door and sometimes when playing but is not a barky dog. No separation anxiety at all, wants us to go out because he gets a puzzle toy with treats in! Not allowed upstairs and doesn't even try, has an extremely strong "leave" command.

Better off lead now he's older but we don't generally let him off, although that is more our fault for being crap when we first got him and not training him off lead, I have a friend who is in her 60's who has had borders consistently since she was 5 and never used a lead, she starts training them as soon as they come home as very young pups.

Hates cats, can spot them a mile off 😂is ok with some dogs but again that's more our fault for rubbish socialisation and he got attacked by a three legged Labrador as a 4 month old and has never forgiven the entire breed. I know borders who have grown up with cats and adore them. Will leg it after a squirrel.

Their little brown faces and teddy bear noses are adorable. Our little guy will leave a huge hole when the inevitable eventually happens, he is quite simply the dog of a lifetime!

I've always wanted one - there are quite a few round here, some are a bit standoffish but others are just lovely and sociable - none of the ones I come across have been dog aggressive (unlike the JRTs!)

I've had two. They are fab little dogs. Our current one is fearful of other dogs he doesn't know but loves people.
Loving and affectionate- will curl up on your knee.

I have one!! She's great, but a bit of a rascal! Very friendly - loves all people, children and other dogs (to the extent that she gets quite miffed if they ignore her and just walk past). Barks when someone comes to the door or someone walks past our garden gate, but quiet the rest of the time. Loves cuddles and tummy rubs and snoozing by the fire. Also loves chewing shoes, socks, tissues, the kids' toys, toilet paper, tea towels, slippers, plastic bags, disposable masks etc!! We have to tidy things away or they get destroyed and we've taught her 'drop' when she picks up some litter out on a walk. She's only 1 so we hope she will become less mischievous in time...

If we take her to a forest or beach or a country walk she goes off lead, or wears a long line if there are livestock in fields. Recall mostly ok, but this has taken a lot of work. And we need to remember high value treats (tube of primula cheese or bits of sausage) as normal treats aren't tempting enough when off lead. She LOVES other dogs so we put her on an extendable lead if we are somewhere busy as otherwise we'd never get her back!

We love her very much but the first few months were really tough, but I think they are with any kind of puppy.

I’ve had two and neither have been aggressive with other dogs, my second dog was a bit of a barker and hated being groomed but I would have another one in a heartbeat. I have a JRT at the moment and she can be reactive with other dogs . I do think Borders are less terrierish than other terriers

I have a border terrier who is just over a year old. She's the best dog I have ever had (spaniels, collies and jack russells). Very social - loves people and children. Not 100% on her recall yet but better than any of my previous dogs at this age. Happy with 2 short walks or can walk for hours - we've just come back from Scotland where she was out for three hours or more. Travels well and also walks very well on lead.

Easy to toilet train - picked it up very quickly and sleeps from 9 until 7 ish.

Very loving and will cuddle next to me o the sofa but slepps downstairs on her own. Minimal chewing as a puppy

Will bark at people outside so I just shut the blind

Also very submissive with other dogs and loves to play with them. Have not heard her growl or snap at all

Another thing to mention is that they are quite hardy dogs, I don't think they have too many health issues. I didn't choose a BT, he came with the boyfriend and I can honestly say the breed have won me over.