Border terriers!

[AmyD54321]

Hi everyone,
Looking for advice. Husband and I are early 30s, no children or other dogs. We’d love to get a dog but want to make sure we get the right breed for us. From our own research, we love the idea of a border terrier.

A bit of background - we live in a small house with a small secure garden. We both work from home, and this isn’t going to change. We live in a town, so the dog must be happy going to local cafes and the park with us. We are quite active, and enjoy going for long walks on the weekends, and we both run for an hour about 4 times a week (how would a BT cope with joining us for a shorter run occasionally?) Walking with the dog for an hour or so each morning and evening will be no problem. A small breed is essential because we don’t have a lot of space.

What do you all think of a border terrier for us? I’ve met a few and always loved them, but very happy to hear all other suggestions!

@Noworneverever - Ha ha - My youngest BT will bark at helicopters - but in his defence never has a helicopter landed in our teenie tiny garden ( well - they just could not - too small ) but I think youngest BT thinks he is doing a decent job.

@ Memon - yes younger BT will bark at doorbell but then once he knows Ok he shuts up.

They are not yappy dogs & unless you want ultimate recall ( which they will not do ) with training and treats they will come back to their bipeds. Younger one got lost in the park & found his way home. Just sat outside kitchen door until he was let in. Many years ago the older one was shut out by accident because deliveries etc - He just sat there waiting to be be let in - ( I am not a dreadful dog owner - but I did say where is Dog 1 - He was just sitting there waiting to be let in. ( once in 13 years ) I swear he gave me "a look" as he came in. So two instances in 13 years but I think Borders know their family & can be sensible.

Here may amuse some www.countrylife.co.uk/publication/country-life/country-life-14-july-2021

@sangroper - thank you for that - fabulous

That article says it all really, @TheSandgroper!

My lakeland boy had great recall - eventually. It took weeks and weeks.

His recall was reliable in the house and garden very quickly, but not good enough to be a cert when faced with distractions out "in the wild". He also developed the ability to calculate my reach to within a few mill, and come when called but stay just out of reach. Sometimes he close enough for me to reach his beard, but not grab him.

I resorted to going out with my pockets full of a variety of treats, a tennis ball, a tuggy toy, a squeaky toy and anything else that happened to interest him that week. I'd try one thing after another, getting increasingly desperate, until one of them worked.

Thankfully, my second one was the complete opposite, damn near 100% perfect recall in about 3 weeks.

I'd love another terrier, but arthritis means I wouldn't be able to give them the amount of exercise they need. So if anyone hears of a nice, lazy whippet that needs a new home ...

The Country Life article.

We have 1 who works clearing the rats off parents in law farm. She's off the lead all the time and unless released with command word she stays by heel. She's a fabulous pub dog and so friendly

She's so cuddly and friendly but she needs a job

Wonderful little dogs but will definitely find something naughty to do if you allow them to get bored. A strong prey drive too, they're workers after all!

I have an 18 mth old BT. She is the friendliest dog I have ever owned - loves people, children and all other dogs. Her recall is about 90% and she's walked twice a day - 30 mins on lead early morning and about an hour (with some off lead) after lunch. Rest of the time she's either sleeping in front of woodburner, killing her toys or cuddling up to me

Her training has gone well - lead walking, car journeys, etc. She is very eager to please

My BT is the most adorable teddy bear of a dog, doesn't chase a thing, great with children and other dogs and cats and loves a cuddle. He is very clever and quick to learn. I do think he would rather sleep on a sofa though than go out for a jog.

@Hoppinggreen

The ones I know are quite vocal and not very dog friendly.

This. Never met a pleasant one when out walking my own dog. Our dog walker says her heart sinks when she gets an enquiry about walking one at they're often so reactive and vocal. I'm sure a lot comes down to training though.

As the previous posters have said training is critical - we trained as a puppy but didn’t keep it up, ours was a dear boy but zero recall (could never be walked off lead, ever), ok ish with other dogs, wouldn’t trust him around children (but he didn’t grow up around very young children, may have been different if he had). Loads of character though and we loved him dearly. We are thinking of getting another dog and wouldn’t consider a BT as we need a dog that’s good with kids but I do know some BTs who are amazingly well trained and good with kids. Key is in the training where I think we failed!

Should have said above that we had a number of cats and the dog grew up with them, they tolerated him and would give him a box on the nose if he came too close, everyone lived in harmony though never best friends, so can be ok with cats if they grow up together.

Ours obviously hasn’t read the manual!!

He is a Velcro dog, always off lead on walks (obv only in appropriate dog friendly parks etc) and has never run off, loves other dogs, has never dug a hole in his life, loves his walks and his chew toys but in between bursts of activity is a lazy couch potato. Fabulous little dog!

we're on our second BT. They are fantastic pets.
Our first one was VERY easy. Never wandered off, was often walked off lead, we could take her anywhere etc etc.
Our second one, is very …vocal.

Does not like puppies.
Is rarely walked off lead.
However, he can run for miles with DH. He is also the boss of our other dog, a Sprocker Spaniel.

I would go for the calmest, quietist puppy of the litter.