Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Hi and welcome to Terrier Talk!

You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.

Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features.

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
The Border Terrier.; Is this the breed for you?
Topic Started: Jun 30 2005, 10:20 PM (1,098 Views)
BorderDawn
Member Avatar
Moderator
[ *  *  *  * ]
"Essentially a working Terrier", the first line of the breed standard, The Border Terrier, bred in the north of England, a hardy Terrier with endless energy, lets look at what they are all about.

Origins and history.
Border Terriers were bred on the borders of England and Scotland, they were bred to hunt and control Fox (mainly) in the harsh climate and terrain of the Cheviot hills and the beautiful Lake District. The breeds reputaion for getting the job done quickly spread and the breed became a more popular working Terrier all around. Their job was to follow the hunt, be part of the team and "go to ground" when necessary, preferably to bolt the Fox, but sometimes would dispatch its quarry if bolting was not possible. They are very tenacious and resilient, and will stay with their quarry for hours on end, the hallmark of a good Terrier. Some people say Terriers "Yap" well, considering thats what most of them were bred for, its hardly surprising, "Baying" as its known is what keeps the Fox at "bay" and before locator collars and suchlike it was an essential part of a Terrier in order to be found underground.

Posted Image
A Terrier looking locating its quarry.

Temperament.
The Border Terrier has of late become a very popular breed, not least because of its sunny nature and great character, but don't let this fool you. They are VERY strong willed and their hunting instincts will take over in a flash, a Rabbit, Squirrel, anything that moves quickly will spark their instincts and you will be lucky to stop them. They are generally a friendly sociable dog, they like children and get on well with other pets in "their" family, however if it isnt theirs, beware, its fair game!

They need a lot of socialising as puppies, basic obedience is imperative, as with all dogs, the more you do the better in the long run.

Posted Image

Appearance.
The Border has a harsh, tweedy jacket, a real country gent, it requires hand stripping at least twice a year, never clip a Border, the undercoat will be exposed and he will not be weatherproof. Borders come in a few colours, grizzle and tan being the most popular, in varying shades as you see in this profile. Other colours are red, red grizzle and blue and tan, the once common colour "wheaten" has not been seen for many years, a real shame. They should be racy in appearance, narrow in body and their head should be like "that of an Otter" their head is the part that sets them apart from other Terriers, without this, the Border Terrier is nothing.

Posted Image Posted Image
An Otter and my Connor, demonstrating the likeness for the heads.

In general the Border is a healthy breed although there are problems that crop up as with any breed. Buy from a reputable breeder, respect the history and the people that designed this little dog, buy him for the RIGHT reasons, and I guarantee you, you will be as dedicated to them as I am.
Dawn.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
zandd
Member Avatar
Moderator
[ *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Dawn that's one of the best descriptions I've seen! They really are the most amazing little dogs - but as you say they have to be bought for the right reasons.It is a pity people don't look more at the history of a breed before purchasing they would realise that terriers in general are going to chase things,make a noise whilst doing so and will not give up easily! Tenacity and terrier are synonomous! Lovely photo's as usual too.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
BorderDawn
Member Avatar
Moderator
[ *  *  *  * ]
:thanks:
Dawn.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
TracyB
Member Avatar
Chatterbox
[ *  *  *  * ]
Quote:
 
Dawn that's one of the best descriptions I've seen! They really are the most amazing little dogs - but as you say they have to be bought for the right reasons.It is a pity people don't look more at the history of a breed before purchasing they would realise that terriers in general are going to chase things,make a noise whilst doing so and will not give up easily! Tenacity and terrier are synonomous! Lovely photo's as usual too.


couldn't agree more!

Any chance that between us we can post some pictures of all the different colours - a friend of mine has a wheaten, will try to get some pictures of him when I next see him.

TracyB
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
JRT
Member Avatar
Admin
[ *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Go for it! Please feel free to add any of your own comments about Borders onto this thread too :)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
zandd
Member Avatar
Moderator
[ *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Would love to see a wheaten - don't think I have even at the shows I go to.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
BorderDawn
Member Avatar
Moderator
[ *  *  *  * ]
A WHEATEN??????? If it is a true wheaten I would be DELIGHTED to see a photo, NOW!!! They are thought to be extinct, for at least 20yrs or so, go get the pics Tracy!!
Dawn.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
TracyB
Member Avatar
Chatterbox
[ *  *  *  * ]
Will take my camera to agility tonight to try to get some pictures. :lol: Alison has been told that he is a wheaten and they even told her off because she had him neutered. They said he was a blue skinned wheaten (??) which is apparently very rare.

I did think that perhaps Buffy could be a wheaten as her coat is very blond and hasn't darkened since she was stripped, but if they are that rare then maybe not.....

TracyB
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
JRT
Member Avatar
Admin
[ *  *  *  *  *  * ]
How exciting!!! Can't wait for pics!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
BorderDawn
Member Avatar
Moderator
[ *  *  *  * ]
OOOOOOOOO I'm all excited!! Turn back his coat too, and get a few pics like that, and one other thing (cos I'm nosey) ask what his breeding is would you, pm me if you want to.
Dawn.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Hannah-Lily
Member Avatar
Total Gas Bag!
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
great information about BT's, well done!!!!

dont forgot blue grizzles & red grizzles too

are they border terrier colours???
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
BorderDawn
Member Avatar
Moderator
[ *  *  *  * ]
No, Hannah, no red grizzle or blue grizzle in the standard. Thanks for the nice comments. :)
Dawn.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Hannah-Lily
Member Avatar
Total Gas Bag!
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
Your welcome. I'm terrible at BT colors as you have all just found out :blush:.

ha-ha they are wheaten, tan-red, grizzle & blue-tan (just had to look in a book, im sorry)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
borderman
No Avatar
Newbie
[ * ]
:blush: Hi guys up until recently I thought I had a real unusual speciman male border terrier, It's black and tan and was realy proud of him then I find It's a fault, but who cares I'm still very proud of him.He seems to have broke all the rules as he has grown a little leggy as well but he is still a fantastic little pal that good I would love another one exactly the same it would make a fantastic duo for our hour and a half rabbit chasing experditions every morning, rain snow or blow.Tam is just ten months old what a caricter.
Mal

Posted ImagePosted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Halfpint1775
Member Avatar
Chatterbox
[ *  *  *  * ]
Hi Tracy
Did you ever get the pics of the 'wheaten' border??

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · Breed Profiles · Next Topic »
Add Reply