Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Border Terrier: The Coarse Coated Breed From The Scottish-English Borders

By Troy Richardson

The Border Terrier is a terrier breed that originated at the border of Scotland and England primarily as a ratter and a fox hunter. Its ancestors were said to be the Dandie Dinmont Terriers and the Bedlington terriers, which were one of the primary breeds from Scotland. Today, the Border Terrier is a well-loved household companion around the world that it ranked as 81st in AKC registrations and 10th in the UK kennel club.

The name Border Terrier is derived from the fact that it was discovered living in the communities along the Scottish borders. This breed has existed for many centuries but it was only in 1920 that the Kennel Club recognized it as an official breed. Before, however, the Border Terrier would only fall under the "Any Other Variety" category.

The Border Terrier is distinct for its dominant otter-like head wherein its skull is broad and its snout short and strong. The ears of this dog are V-shaped and fall closely to the cheeks. The tail is averagely short and is thick at the base and thins towards the tip.

It has a lean and narrow body which is covered with a dense and short coat. It has a height of 13 to 16 inches at the shoulders. The male weighs 13 to 15.5 pounds while the female weighs 11.5 to 14 pounds.

The coat of this dog is double and the undercoat is soft, short and dense while the topcoat is harsh, wiry and dirt-and-water-proof. The coat sheds twice a year and during these occasions, hand stripping of the coat is necessary in order for the hair to grow back properly. Commonly, the coat colors for this breed are blue and tan, red, wheaten, and grizzle and tan.

It may look rough and aggressive but the truth is the Border Terrier is amiable and gets along well with everybody including other animals. This dog is not wary of strangers and in fact will most likely want to be friends with them. This dog is mildly tempered although at times it can be hard-headed.

Training this dog to perform tasks is a piece of cake because it impressively learns quickly. Surprisingly, it can jump real high and run fast given the size of its legs. However, learning tricks for the Border Terrier is hard labor because it tends to be less biddable in this kind of training.

The Border Terrier as a natural hunter needs daily exercise such as long walks. Additionally, this dog is sensitive to pain and so its health must be closely monitored. The Border Terrier is not very active indoors and so an apartment living will suit him fine.

About the Author:

No comments:

Post a Comment