Border Terriers are energetic, playful, clever dogs that are devoted to their favorite person or family. Like many terriers, they tend to have dominant personalities, but this attitude can be trained out with early obedience training. These active little dogs excel in most dog sporting events, including Agility, Obedience, Flyball, and Earthdog trials. They respond well to positive reinforcement training and are famous for their love of food, so food treats are an excellent way to reinforce good behavior. Perhaps not the best choice for the youngest of children, Border Terriers are nevertheless excellent companions for families if trained properly.
Border Terriers enjoy a long history as hunting dogs. Particularly adept in underground hunting, these dogs were developed for use in hunting fox, as well as vermin found in and around farms. Although they are not always thought of as hunting dogs, their popularity in this field is growing and more hunters of smaller burrowing animals are training Border Terriers as their companions.
Here are some more interesting facts about Border Terriers:
Border Terriers were developed by the Robson family in Northumberland in the 1860's.
John Robson founded the Border Hunt, around the border area between England and Scotland, which gave the terriers their name.
The Border Terrier was rejected from kennel club recognition in Great Britain in 1914, but it was accepted in 1920.
The Border Terrier was first registered by the American Kennel Club in 1930.
While Border Terriers are good in many dog sporting events, they really excel in Earthdog trials. More Border Terriers have won titles in this event than any other breed.
Today, Border Terriers are used in the hunting of rabbits, foxes, groundhogs, raccoons, possums, and other animals that burrow underground.
Border Terriers have a double coat. The overcoat is wiry and longer while the undercoat is short and soft and helps to repel dirt. This double coat helps make the dog water resistant.
Border Terriers are not a good choice if you already own pets such as hamsters, gerbils, or rabbits. They were developed for hunting these small creatures; having one in their own home may be too tempting!
It is sometimes assumed that because of their double coats, Border Terriers do not shed and are a good choice for those with allergies. In fact, Border Terriers do shed, but this can be lessened with proper grooming, and anyone with allergies should spend time with a Border Terrier to see how their allergies react to their presence.
Some famous Border Terriers include Puffy from the movie "There's Something About Mary," Baxter in the movie "Anchorman : The Legend of Ron Burgandy," and Eccles on the popular British soap opera "Coronation Street."
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