Fun Border Terrier Facts For Kids

If you are looking for an affectionate dog who will not seek too much attention at all times, if you don't want a couch potato, but a dog who loves to play a lot, then border terriers are perfect for you. These dogs are usually healthy, but they have some health conditions which might lessen their life span.

So, you should keep an eye out for diseases. But these dogs have a double coat which is both weather and dirt resistant.

These dogs used to be guard dogs which helps with the fact that they are intelligent enough that when in danger, they will make the right decisions by themselves.

They are also good with kids if they have had a proper habit of interacting with people from a very young age. Read on to know more of these fascinating border terrier information and facts.

If you like this article, then check out Staffordshire bull terrier and mini bernedoodle.

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Border Terrier Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a border terrier?

Border terriers are a breed of dog that are serious workers yet very affectionate playmates.

What class of animal does a border terrier belong to?

The border terrier belongs to the Mammalia class of animals.

How many border terriers are there in the world?

Border terriers were first bred in England and they are still popular there. The number in the UK in 2019 was somewhere around 4,400. The number of border terriers worldwide is not known.

Where does a border terrier live?

These dogs were first bred somewhere near the countryside of the England and Scotland border. The farmers wanted an agile dog that was tall enough that it could run fast to chase the predators away.

But it also needed to be small enough so that it could get into the dens of the predators to lure them out. Border terriers came into the world being the solution to their problem.

Slowly they started spreading through the country and got the reputation of fox-hunters, mainly in the northern part of the country. But now they are favorites of people of all kinds, all over the UK.

They even got registered with American Kennel Club in the 1930s. So, they have been in America as a favorite for a long time too.

What is a border terrier's habitat?

Border terriers were bred to help out the farmers and the shepherds. Their ancestors worked tirelessly for their owners. They were loyal and efficient at their job.

Hence with time, their popularity just rose and more people throughout the country started taking them home. These dogs have been a part of their owner's households from the beginning of their time.

Since then, till now they are kept as pets at homes. They had the coat fur that could endure any kind of harsh weather. Although it has been observed that some among the border terrier dog breed are a bit less tolerant to hot weather, still, for the most part, they can live in almost all kinds of climates.

Who do border terriers live with?

These dogs were bred to be guards for the flocks of sheep and livestock. They have since lived in households and they are very compassionate in the sense that they can get along very easily with their owners and everyone else in the house.

Unlike others of the terrier dog breed, these dogs can get along with other animals too but they have been living with humans since they were bred.

How long does a border terrier live?

For the dogs that are mainly kept as pets in the households, the main threats to their longevity and life span are injuries they get during training or playing and diseases. Border terriers are generally quite a healthy breed of dog other than a few diseases which are common for all the dogs of the breed.

So, their life span is about 12 - 15 years.

How do they reproduce?

These dogs usually stay at home with their owners or stay at the breeder's home. So, their reproduction usually depends on the humans they stay with.

If you decide to breed the dogs, some things need to be looked out for very well before the breeding. Both the males and females need to be tested for any genetic health issues that they may have or you should get to know their medical history and the other thing is if they have any temperament issues.

If they are fit on both fronts, they can be bred.

A female dog has her first heat cycle at about the age of six to ten months and it lasts about 21 days. The female reaches sexual maturity at one and a half  - two years when she has had about three to four heat cycles.

The Border Terrier Club Of America's advised rule is to not breed until both the dogs are at least two years of age. The average litter size of border terrier is about two - eight puppies.

What is their conservation status?

The dog breed has stayed a favorite in England and later in the United States. They stay in households or with the breeders and their breeding is also controlled by their owners. So, the exact numbers and their conservation status are unknown.

Border Terrier Fun Facts

What do Border Terriers look like?

The border terrier has quite a unique look. These are rather small-sized dogs. Their distinctive features are mainly their small otter-like heads and long legs which other small dogs of the Terrier breed don't have.

They have short muzzles and their ears are generally droopy. These dogs have double coat fur.

The undercoat is short, dense while the overcoat is rather longer, dirt-resistant and it's such that they can endure the harshest of weather. The colors vary from red, grizzle and tan, blue and tan, and wheaten. Overall their look speaks of their sweetness yet toughness too.

How cute are they?

These Border Terrier dog breeds can seem really cute owing to their otter-like head and short dog characteristics. The features of their face also make them look quite wise.

The fact that Border Terrier is an intelligent breed only makes them seem wiser. They are loyal, friendly, and have a very high level of energy of the terrier breed, which makes them quite playful. These features combined make this breed cuter than they already look.3

How do they communicate?

Every dog has a common language of communication through body language. You can learn these to understand what they try to say.

If you see your dog sitting or standing relaxed, wagging their tail that usually means they are happy and friendly. If they seem very tense, their body cowering, trembling or barking, that usually means that they are very much stressed and worried.

Your dog might just bite if they feel too threatened at this point. For especially the Border Terrier, they are not very vocal.

They won't bark as much but they would let you know the moment they realize that someone is at the door. As these dogs used to be guard dogs, they will alert you when they sense danger.

How big is a border terrier?

Border Terriers are small dogs. They are agile, can work hard but they are rather small.

They are about 11 - 16 in (27.9 cm - 40.5 cm) tall when standing. The average size of a small dog is about 5.9 in - 43.3 in (15 cm - 110 cm) in height when they are standing. So, these dogs are perfect in size for small dogs.

How fast can a border terrier run?

The border terrier was bred keeping in mind that the shepherds and farmers needed a dog that was small enough yet had long enough legs so they could run around chase off predators like foxes. Hence, these dogs can run pretty well.

In fact, we should keep a lookout for your Border Terrier as it has a high drive for chasing small animals.

If there is any small animal like, cats, squirrels, or guinea pigs around, chances are high that it will run off chasing it to even a great distance. So, leash training will also be very necessary for your pup from a young age.

How much does a border terrier weigh?

The border terrier is a small-sized dog with a body that is built to be able to run around. The small breed of dogs usually weighs less than 20 lb - 22 lb (9 kg - 10 kg).

For the border terrier, the females of the species weigh about 11 lb - 14 lb (5 kg - 6.3 kg) and the males of the species weigh about 13 lb - 15 lb (5.9 kg - 6.8 kg). So, look for the weight of your dog in this range.

What are their male and female names of the species?

The male of the species is called a dog and the female is called a bitch.

What would you call a baby Border Terrier?

A baby of a dog is called a puppy. Hence, a baby of the border terrier would be called a border terrier puppy.

What do they eat?

All dogs should be given food according to their age, size, activity and energy level. Border Terrier has high amount of energy which requires high levels of activities and exercise.

They are small sized dogs and all dogs go through puppy, adult and senior phase in terms of age. So, they should be given food according to these characteristics.

It is always advisable that you give your dog high-quality dog food. If you want to consult with your vet about giving them tailor-made food for a dog, then protein, fat and carbohydrates should be balanced. As they grow up, their food habit should be two times a day but there should not be a 12-hour gap.

Treats can be given as a way of rewarding but it should not be too much as these dogs have a little habit of overeating. So, keep an eye out for that.

Are they slobbery?

A Border Terrier doesn't drool a lot. They have a low tendency of drooling but unlike others of the Terrier dog breed, these dogs can get friendly with new people and can get affectionate and kiss you. They also have dirt-resistant coats which means, chances are they won't be the reason for your house being a mess.

Would they make a good pet?

Border Terrier makes pretty good pets. Compared to the others from the Terrier dog breed, they are quite different.

They can be affectionate with their owners and even with new people. They are rather friendly. These dogs are also good with kids but try not to keep them with too small kids as they unintentionally might hurt them.

These dogs are good with animals but not with small animals. The ancestors of these dogs used to chase away predators to guard the flocks of livestock.

So, they have a high prey drive and chances are they will run away chasing some small animal. Hence, leash training will be a necessity for this dog.

But, that's also easy with Border Terrier as they can be pretty easily trained. These dogs also have a high level of energy, so if you want a dog who is going to be a couch potato, then this dog is not for you.

They need plenty of exercise. So, border terriers are perfect for families with kids as they will have people to play with. They also don't bark too much or drool too much and they have dirt and weather-resistant coats.

So, you will have a clean house too. All in all, it is pretty evident that they can be pretty excellent pets.

Did you know...

Border terriers were first bred by the Robson family from Northumberland, who found a Border Hunt on the border country of England and Scotland. That's probably how border terrier's name came to be.

They are pretty good at hunting as the ancestors of the dogs had to search for their own food when they went to do their job of guarding the sheep.

They were recognized by the UK Kennel Club in 1920.

They like digging and chasing and running after small animals, so be careful with your fence and check regularly if you are letting them play outside.

They can adjust to the countryside and apartment, any living space as long as they get plenty of exercise.

They are excellent at dog shows and sporting events, especially at the Earthdog trials. This breed has won the most number of titles.

They are bred with other dogs to make good hybrid dogs, like the Alaskan Malamute Border Terrier mix.

Characteristics and health problems

Border Terriers have pretty distinctive characteristics:

Affectionate - Terrier breeds are known to be aloof but Border Terrier is a pretty affectionate breed. At the same time, they also don't seek too much attention.

Intelligent - As they used to be guard dogs, they are used to making decisions on their own when they sense danger. So, they are a pretty intelligent breed. They will learn to understand you pretty quickly.

Highly energetic - They need lots of exercise and playtime. They won't seek too much attention but their behavior can go haywire if they don't get enough activity.

Easily trained - These dogs can be seen as eager to please. So, they are also easily trainable.

But go easy on the treats while training them. As they tend to eat more, which might lead to obesity. It brings us to the health conditions The Border Terrier Club Of America has suggested to test. The conditions are:-

Eye-related, such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy.

Heart-related, such as congenital heart diseases and heart murmurs.

Hip-related, such as hip dysplasia.

Patella-related, such as patella luxation.

Getting your own Border Terrier

Border Terrier can be good for families with kids as they are good with children but it's rather advisable that if your kid is still too small, you don't bring a border terrier home as pets.

Homes with older kids, who can run around playing with these dogs, for them these dogs are perfect, as these dogs require a high amount of activity.

But however much they play outside, their coat probably won't bring dirt into the house.

But, they shed seasonally. Other than weekly brushing, at this season, it takes a bit longer than usual to strip out all the dead hair.

Now, if you want to keep them as pets, we recommend you visit a border terrier rescue center and adopt one. But if you want to go to a breeder, the border terrier puppies cost about $800 - $1200 USD.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals including the Australian terrier, and the toy poodle.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our border terrier coloring pages.