Border Terriers

If you love dogs, especially small dogs, then the Border Terrier may be just the right dog for you and your family. Border Terriers are good around children and the whole family. The general features of Border Terriers are dark eyes, small ears that have a “V” shape, and a short muzzle. Border Terriers have coarse hair which does not fall out or shed very much, so grooming or brushing weekly is usually sufficient. They can be found in shades of tan, blue, or red, and are relatively easy to train. The average height of the Border Terrier is ten to eleven inches, and they can weigh up to fifteen pounds. Life expectancy is about fifteen years. Border Terriers are also known for being good watchdogs.

The history of the Border Terrier can be traced back to England and Scotland. Border Terriers were primary bred to aid farmers in driving away foxes. The Border Terrier’s legs are long and they have enough stamina to keep pace with horses. It is a good idea to take them on a long walk daily. In addition to help keeping foxes away, Border Terriers were also trained as hunting dogs. They were first recognized by the British Kennel Club in 1920, and the American Kennel Club in 1930.

Border Terriers are generally pretty healthy dogs; however, caution is warranted because they are usually insensitive to pain and do not often show signs of illness or discomfort. One common problem in Border Terriers is a muscle disorder known as Spike Disease.