Breeds / Small
Border Terrier puppies
Alert, curious and affectionate, the Border Terrier was bred to run with hounds and go to ground after foxes, so they are game and hardy rather than delicate. They tolerate hot weather less well than many breeds.
The facts
- Size class Small
- Country of origin Great Britain
- Adult weight 5.2 to 7 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 11 to 15 lb
- Adult height 30 to 38 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Short wiry
- Shedding Low
- Typical lifespan 12 to 15 years
- Good with children Reliably good
- Good with other dogs Fine with supervision
About the Border Terrier
The Border Terrier comes from the hill country along the border between England and Scotland, where farmers and hunts kept them to run all day with the hounds and then squeeze into a rocky earth after a fox. In build this is a small, narrow bodied dog with a harsh wiry jacket, a thick loose hide and a head often likened to an otter. The temperament is workmanlike rather than sharp: friendly with people, game with other dogs, and endlessly interested in whatever is moving.
A Border wants a brisk walk and a proper play session every day, plus something to occupy their head, or they will invent their own entertainment with a spade. The coat is easy most of the year and needs a brush every week or two, but twice a year the dead hair has to be stripped out by hand or with a rake. Lead work is non negotiable given the chase instinct, and garden fencing needs to run underground. New owners are most often caught out by how badly the breed copes with hot weather.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Border Terrier puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A small breed puppy at eight weeks is light enough to carry everywhere, which is exactly how you get them socialised before the vaccination course finishes. They will still need four meals a day. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Patellar luxation, graded by a veterinary orthopaedic exam
- Hip dysplasia, screened by a hip evaluation of breeding stock
- Spongiform leukoencephalomyelopathy (SLEM), also called shaking puppy syndrome, detectable by DNA test
- Juvenile cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy, screened by an ophthalmologist evaluation
- Heart disease, screened by a cardiac exam
Your Border Terrier puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Small for a Border Terrier.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 5.2 to 7 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 24 inch (24 x 18 x 20 in, 61 x 46 x 51 cm) for an adult of up to 7 kg; chew toys made for small breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other small breeds
More on the Border Terrier
Previous: Border Collie · Next: Bordoodle
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from Border Terrier breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/border-terrier/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: Floris16, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.