Breed Information

The Border terrier as a pet from our own experiences

Border Terriers make great house pets; they thrive on being with people and need to be included in family life. 

They love exercise, whether it’s a walk in the park, a hike in the mountains, a jog or running along beside a bike. They make great agility dogs and will fetch a ball. At the same time they are quite happy curled up on a couch or in front of the fire. 

They maintain the keen hardworking characteristics of a terrier, but they are quite happy to be a lapdog as well.

They are easy to train with treats as they are very food orientated and eager to please. 

They love people, especially children, and join in fun and games with great enthusiasm.

They will alert you to visitors arriving at your door, before the bell goes, but they are not yappy dogs in general.

They can be greedy, so their food needs to be controlled.

They get on with the family cat if they are introduced when the puppy is young, but I wouldn’t trust them with a cat they don’t know or any other furry creatures.

 In our experience the dogs are much more laid back than the bitches, but whatever your preference is either with make a great addition to your life.

They are very hardy “big” dogs in a little dogs body and don’t like to show any pain, so you need to watch out for any signs of illness or discomfort.

Some Borders like to dig, so if you are green fingered, you will need to give them their own area, that they can dig in.

If you do make the decision to get one of these fantastic little companions, you’re sure not to be disappointed.  They tend to live into their mid to late teens and remain youthful and mischievous throughout their life.