Border terrier as a family pet?

[Thebeastofsleep]

We've considered getting a dog for a number of years, me more than DH. We have 2 cats and 2 kids 3&6.

My very good friend is a vet. She has the most lovely natured border terrier. Absolute dream of a dog and she's planning to bread from her later this year. It'll be the dogs first and only litter. She's offered me second pick of the litter (she gets first). But I know very little about the breed in real life. My friend has had many breeds of dog and thinks this border is the best of them. I'm much more familiar with labs and collies.

I've researched the breed and it would seem they make good family pets but can anyone with lived experience comment? Particularly about them with kids (yes, the kids would be taught to be dog savvy and the dog wouldn't be alone with them, regardless of breed). My friend has good knowledge of dogs, but doesn't have kids so lacks that real experience with kids & dog.

Thanks.

Bump

I have an adorable, very tolerant border terrier (18 months) but my kids are older (teens). The dog does cope well with being picked up, turned upside down and general roughhousing. And it's probably our failings as owners that mean he doesn't always do as he's asked!😅

Norfolks are nice to apparently.

They're fab little dogs IMO. Like a big dog in a small dogs' body!

All I would say is:
-have a read up on coat care (they need hand-stripping)
-make sure they're very well socialised as they have a tendency to be a bit dog-reactive otherwise.

I know 3 borders and they are all lovely, gentle dogs! One of them can be a bit yappy but no more than loads of other breeds.

I've got a border cross and hes soft as a brush. He loves all people, other dogs and even cats but especially kids, very friendly and playful. The only problem with him is hes very greedy, steals my gsd food and the cats. Hed eat me if I kept still long enough. But temperament wise, hes brilliant

I have a JR border cross and he is great with kids. No concerns at all. A bit bouncy with new ones but no biting.

I love ours!!

They are usually lovely dogs and at the more compliant end of the terrier obstinacy scale.

In terms of having a good start in life, I think it would be hard to beat a pup home-bred by a vet from a beloved pet of known good temperament

We have a one year old border terrier and she is absolutely brilliant with kids. Adores them. We do have to watch for her attempting to great every small child she comes across as that doesn't always go down well obviously. She's also great with all other dogs. Has no idea of her small size. She was born into a family with kids and been very well socialised since then. Lovely dogs. Prey drive is the main issue with them.

The only time she'll complain is if she's got herself comfortable and someone tries to move her. Just a gentle growl is all she's ever done.

What about the cats though? I wanted a border - I am ridiculously touched by their ugly faces and their 'come at me bruv' stance - but we have a cat and I decided that I couldn't risk it.

@WinterDeWinter it's extremely easy to teach a young dog / puppy to ignore cats

Good idea to start recall training as soon as possible too. We used 'Total recall' and she's getting pretty good. She's still chase a squirrel across a road though no doubt.

I thought the idea of a prey drive was that it was instinctive in some breeds esp terriers @QuidditchThroughtheAges and not very trustworthy?

@WinterDeWinter in puppies if you teach don't play with cats from day one it's just what they do.

This is wrong

Border terriers do not have ugly faces.

So there. Just saying.

And they have the neatest paws.

Thanks, this what I was hoping to hear.

I feel the kids are old enough now to learn about appropriate behaviour around dogs now.

My friends dog is absolutely fine with her 2 cats, but yes, I believe prey drive is instinctual. We don't really do closed doors in this house though so the cats always have room to escape (which they do frequently from the noisy kids!).

@TheSandgroper oh No, I didn't mean really ugly, I meant sort of scrappy in a lovely grumpy but kind way

@Rockbottom42 sure okay! I have 3 borders and 2 cats. No fights. Dogs not arsed about cats at all. But if you say so I'll rehome them. Which should go first? Cats?

I have 2 border terriers and they live very happily with my 2 cats.
I had 1 dog pre cats and got 1 when the cats were already established.
They all have a great relationship, bit of chasing in the garden but nothing malicious, if the dog catches up with the cat, he just licks him.
The youngest dog has learned to hunt by watching the cats, it's hilarious to watch him creeping up on things with his bum in the air, cat style!!

They are excellent family dogs IME. Our Border is the best dog in the whole world and extremely gentle around kids.

Friend has a BT, super cute and smart, absolutely fab with her tween kids and their friends but is dog reactive (despite being very well socialised).

My friend has a BT and he is fantastic. Great with kids, very clever and cute. He is a bit greedy but lovely in every other way!