Border terriers

[BingoLarge]

Hello

Any border terrier owners here? We are thinking of getting a pup and I wondered whether you could give me some advice on suitability.

We are an active family with adult children living at home. Lots of space. Looking for a dog who enjoys long walks and (hopefully) swims as we live near the sea. Have never had a terrier before- only whippets- and I would really like a dog who enjoys a cuddle on the sofa like my old whippet used to.

Would be v grateful for any views on the pros and cons.

Most border terriers I know need to be on a lead due to their high prey drive. I think I would prefer a labrador, most of them love the water and have good recall.

I've had several, and imo they make amazing family pets. Like any dog, they have their pros and cons. They are the happiest dog I've ever had.

Few health issues but make sure your breeder has them checked for CECS which is inherited

They are terriers through and through so like to dig and chase. They are escape artists too so a secure garden is a must.

They love humans and will happily sit on a sofa all day being loved. Equally they will walk up mountains all day, or run marathons with their owners.

Stoic, hardy little creatures, that don't need pampering, no need for jackets, but will need hand stripping a few times a year. Don't need bathing, actually it's bad for their coats. They do moult a little, but if kept hand stripped not much.

They are intelligent so easy to train, but can be really stubborn if they feel slighted. Very food oriented (great for training) so we have to weight ours food, otherwise she'll put too much weight on. Recall isn't a given no matter how much you train them, if ours gets a smell she's off, once lost her down a fox hole which was awful as I've know BT's get stuck in holes. We now keep ours on a lead. They can also be reactive towards other dogs, but you can train this out of them.

Huge personality in a small brown dog. A proper dog imo.

I always recommend them for family pets as they are great with kids.

I've had two and they are chalk and cheese. Neither liked swimming but would walk all day across all terrains in all weathers. My last male wasn't a lap dog, but would sit with you. My latest bitch is practically velcro until she finds other dogs to play with. Brilliant fun , but slightly exasperating.

Thank you so much everyone, gorgeous xx

You won't get my BT to go above her knees in the water.
She likes a good walk but on her own terms . If she's had enough she won't budge.
She's an easy dog, loves sleeping, never desperate for a walk.
Loves people, a bit fussy about other dogs. Likes some, not others, no rhyme or reason.
She is adorable.

I’ve had two and would love to have another at some point. Both of mine have been fine with other dogs and good with children, very food focussed and stubborn. One of mine lived with a cat but would chase rabbits, squirrels etc while out for a walk but luckily never caught anything. Neither of mine liked water.

We have two, an eight year old and a 15-month-old. Both bitches.they are delightful, trying, and the puppy is mad as a box of frogs they are both fine with our five month old kittens, travel well, and have lovely temperaments However, it's like having a pair of toddlers, but we wouldn't have it any other way. Put your seat belt on and enjoy the ride is all I can say

I've a 14 month old BT boy, he's a total darling!
All of the above traits, can be stubborn, loves a fuss and a cuddle and he's a funny little bugger that makes me laugh daily. Has a penchant for socks. Moults more than I thought his breed would.
His recall is selective but overall better than I was expecting. I wouldn't say he's the fondest of water, but I've had him on the paddle board a few times with no issue. Loves being outside on long walks, loves people and every single dog he meets!
Travels well in the car too.
My little pocket rocket 💙

I love a lot of the borders I know but I would check out the parents' temperaments, as I have come across a couple who are not friendly with other dogs ( one recently tried to land a bite on one of my two, unprovoked).

Be aware that some are still bred to work and will be likely to have higher prey drive than the ones who aren't. I've had a working line JRT who was a fab little dog but you had to keep tabs on her or she was off.

Great dogs have now had 3 .Described as a big dog in a small dogs body to me .
Like any breed have pros and cons
All mine have loved kids, tolerated all my other pets , cats chickens rabbits bearded dragon etc .
Fairly easy to train for a terrier and current ones recall is absolutely solid comes back to a whistle even when she's spotted something much more exciting than me.
Do socialise really well when young as all of mine can dislike a dog on sight .
Only time any of mine has gone more than ankle deep in water was when my first one, who was very much my 8yr old ds pal felt my son needed saved when he went swimming for the first time in front of the dog . Poor dog braved the sea and swam to him .Not sure who got the biggest fright out of us all .
Not sure I'll ever have another breed of dog tbh

I have a three year old BT. I would say your family dynamic and lifestyle sounds pretty perfect for one. There can be pros and cons like with any dog. Mine is very very shall we say spirited! He's a hardy and low maintenance little dog who has lots and lots of personality. He definitely keeps us on our toes but is adorable. Loves a cuddle, loves playing with his toys, loves a long walk (but on a lead due to his strong prey drive). I hand strip him myself a couple of times a year but he doesn't have that perfect look, I like him a little scruffy/rough. He gets a bath roughly twice a year as he doesn't need one, on a walk the dirt just disappears due to his wiry coat. He doesn't smell or moult much.

He has developed an allergy though which we've not been able to get to the bottom of and he's now on tablets probably for the rest of his life but they've made him so much mire comfortable.

I've had easier dogs, but I do think my BT is probably one of the more livelier ones.

You wont regret getting a border but I think you do need to put time in with them. The kids absolutely adore ours and they all love playing together. I've had two BT’s both very similar but my latest is the most snuggly dog I have ever had - we are blessed!
Check your breeder thoroughly;goes without saying.

Our border turned 2 yesterday and he's an absolute gem :) he's slotted right in and is the most loving affectionate pup I've ever known.

He loves his walks but is equally happy chilling at home (ideally on top of someone!). Only thing we're still struggling with a bit is jumping up for the first few minutes when people visit. But generally he took to training really well.

His recall is a bit iffy so generally kept on lead but there are a few dog walking fields found here where can run free.

He's friendly with most other dogs and is brilliant with the kids! Perfect family dog imo

We’ve had two. My vet told me he recommends BTs to people thinking about their first dog, especially good for families. I love them.

Now I'm getting broody for another one. They are the cutest puppies.

Not quite the same but my sister has a BT cross poodle - he looks like neither, he looks more like a scruffy wire haired JRT! A bit bigger than most BTs, longer legs. A very classic terrier of a dog, likes to zoom around with a football, to dig, to shake toys to death and play tug while growling up a storm. Also loves cuddling on the sofa.

I have a two year old from working lines. I wanted a dog who would enjoy learning, agility and anything else. She certainly fits that bill!

She isn't a swimmer. She needs a coat in cold weather unless she's running around. We train agility in an unheated barn and she certainly needs one between runs.

She is cuddly, feisty, smart, sensitive, fun, silly and generally a lovely dog to live with. She is cautious around other dogs generally but no signs of aggression. We had some mild reactivity around her first season which we nipped in the bud with reward based training.

She doesn't have a huge prey drive and is off the lead most of the time. She lives really well with our elderly cat (who lived with our last dog).

I would say that she needs to do stuff with her brain. Walks aren't enough. She also isn't a local park every day dog. She needs enrichment. We do a mix of good walks and also sniffy lead walks on training days.

Health problems are creeping in so research your lines and breeders. CECS, SLEM, patellar problems, HD in some too. The breed standard states they should be working dogs so do bear that in mind. I wouldn't say she has been an easy dog and we have really put the work in and continue to. They are terriers and their temperament can be variable.

Oh grooming I roll the coat on mine. That is taking off the dead hairs every 3 - 4 weeks with a stripping stone. I prefer the 'show coat' look and it is more practical than the big shaggy coat. I do it myself and it takes 30 minutes or so each time. She has been fully stripped by a groomer but she retired and I couldn't find anyone else so I learnt myself. It is really easy. She does look different than all others locally as they are all clipped. So she has a richer darker colour. They go sandy if you clip them as the colour is on the tip of the coat.

They are also not stubborn! You will find them at the highest levels of the sports. Mine is flying in Rally Obedience and so easy to train but they are results driven rather than task driven so it has to be worth their while ;)