Border Terrier
About the Border Terrier
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Small (10-25 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 12-15" |
| Weight | 11-16 lbs |
| Coat Type | Wire |
| Coat Length | Short |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
Moderate (30-60 min/day)
45 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,000-$2,000 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,100/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Border Terriers may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Apartment Living
- First-Time Owners
- Active Owners
May Not Be Ideal For
- Long Work Hours Away
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Border Terrier
The story behind the Border Terrier
Farmers and hunt servants along the Cheviot hills between England and Scotland developed this terrier through the 1700s and 1800s to protect sheep flocks from foxes. The dog needed legs enough to follow mounted hunts across rough country and a body narrow and flexible enough to go to ground after quarry when the fox went in. Selection was purely functional, favouring stamina, courage, a weatherproof coat and a manageable size. Local names varied before the Border Terrier name settled, taken from the Border Hunt. British recognition came in the early 1900s after some resistance from those who feared show breeding would soften the working dog. It remains popular in Britain as a companion, still works with some hunts, and is uncommon elsewhere.
Originally bred for: Hunting, Vermin control, Companion. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Border Terrier
A compact working terrier suits measured portions of quality small-breed food, since this is an efficient keeper that gains weight quickly when exercise drops off. A dense harsh coat hides a thickening waist, so check ribs by hand and count training treats.
Watch for: Terrier-type skin reactions, with itching, paw chewing and ear irritation, are the pattern most commonly reported. Border Terriers are also noted for enthusiastic scavenging on walks, which causes many apparent food upsets. Work through any suspected intolerance with a veterinarian rather than alone.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for small breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Border Terrier
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a comfortable no-pull harness.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.