Border Terrier

Personality

Border Terriers are cheerful, tough little dogs with big personalities. The AKC calls them affectionate, happy and plucky. They were bred to keep up with horses and hounds in rough country, and they still carry that no-nonsense working attitude. Yet at home, they are good-tempered and eager for family time.

Borders are famously independent. The breed club has described the Border as a dog bred to think for itself, which is both endearing and frustrating. Ask for a stay and you may get a stay for as long as the dog thinks reasonable. PetMD quotes the breed club in calling the breed "a 2-year-old in a dog suit", a fair summary of the mix of charm and mischief.

With children, Borders are excellent playmates; the AKC rates them at the top of its scale for good with young kids. They tend to get along with other dogs, but hunting instincts kick in when squirrels or other small animals dash past.

After a good run, PetMD says Borders are affectionate and enjoy cuddling.

History

The Border Terrier comes from the hilly country along the border between England and Scotland. Farmers and shepherds there needed terriers that could chase and bolt the large hill fox, a predator that stole sheep. That job demanded a dog with legs long enough to keep up with horses and foxhounds, but small enough to follow a fox into its lair and drive it out into the open.

The result was an energetic, tireless terrier with a weatherproof wiry coat. Early names included Reedwater Terrier, Ullswater Terrier and Coquetdale Terrier, all taken from places in northern England. The breed earned its reputation in Northumberland, working alongside hounds, which is part of why Borders still get along well with other dogs. Border hunts were practical working-class affairs meant to protect flocks, not the pageantry of country-estate foxhunting.

The Kennel Club in England recognized the Border Terrier in 1920, and the AKC followed in 1930. The AKC notes that in the United Kingdom, the breed remains a popular choice for people looking for a spirited, low-maintenance companion.

Appearance, coat & colors

Border Terriers are small, narrow-bodied terriers with a head shape fanciers call the "otter head": a moderately broad, flat skull with a short muzzle and strong teeth. The AKC says they are longer in the leg than most small terriers, which helped them keep pace with horses and hounds.

Size is modest. The AKC lists a height of 12 to 15 in (30 to 38 cm), with males weighing about 13 to 15.5 lb (5.9 to 7 kg) and females about 11.5 to 14 lb (5.2 to 6.4 kg).

The hard, wiry outer coat sits over a soft, fluffy undercoat. Colors include red, wheaten, grizzle and tan, and blue and tan. The coat is weatherproof, as it needed to be in the damp border hills.

The overall impression is of a scruffy, workmanlike dog that is ready to go. The expression is alert, and the V-shaped ears fold forward close to the cheeks.

Training

Borders are smart and want to please, but they were bred to think for themselves. The AKC calls early socialization and puppy classes a must for the breed. The breed club notes quoted on the AKC site say that harsh punishment will break the dog's spirit, and that anyone who wants a dog that is always obedient should pick another breed.

Use rewards, short sessions and plenty of variety. PetMD says Borders respond best to short, fun sessions built on positive reinforcement, and that their willful streak calls for patient guidance. Expect selective hearing when a squirrel is involved.

Recall deserves special attention. The AKC says Borders cannot resist a chase and should only be off-leash in securely fenced areas. Practice come, wait and leave it in low-distraction spaces first, then add challenges gradually.

Dog sports channel the breed's drive. The AKC says Borders enjoy tracking, lure coursing, agility, earthdog and flyball. Our guide to crate training a puppy can help with early routines.

Exercise

Borders are active dogs, and the AKC says they need plenty of exercise every day. A brisk half-hour walk or play session with a ball or flying disc is typically enough to keep a Border healthy and happy. PetMD says the breed needs substantial exercise and mental stimulation, and that without them, Borders may dig or chew.

Always use a leash outside. The AKC says the instinct to chase small animals is so strong that play sessions must happen in a fenced yard or other secure area. Terriers are diggers, so the AKC recommends fencing that extends underground for at least 18 in (46 cm).

Heat can be a problem. The AKC says some Borders seem less tolerant of hot weather, and suggests keeping outdoor exercise to a minimum when the temperature climbs above 85°F (29°C).

Our guide to how much exercise a dog needs can help you tailor activity to your dog's age and health. Mental games like puzzle feeders and scent hunts help on rainy days.

Grooming

The Border's coat is a good low-maintenance choice. The AKC says a quick brush every week or two is usually enough, and the outer coat repels dirt. Frequent baths work against that ability, so most muddy Borders can be cleaned with a towel and a brush.

Shedding is seasonal. During the shedding season, the AKC says owners can expect to spend about a half-hour daily stripping dead hair out by hand or with a rake or stripping tool. PetMD, citing the breed club, says the coat should be hand-stripped about twice a year, by a groomer or by an owner who learns the method, and notes that clipping changes the coat's texture.

Check the ears regularly, since PetMD notes that the folded ears make infections more likely than in dogs with upright ears. Brush teeth often and trim nails regularly.

A weekly brush also helps you catch ticks, burrs and skin issues after country walks.

Feeding

Feed a high-quality complete and balanced diet suited to your dog's age. The AKC says commercial and vet-supervised home-prepared diets can both work. Some dogs are prone to getting overweight, so watch calorie intake, measure meals and count treats in the daily total.

Training treats add up fast in a small dog. At 13 to 15 lb, a few extra bites each day make a real difference to body condition. Use our dog food calculator for a starting estimate, and check body condition by feeling for the ribs under a thin layer of padding.

Two health conditions can affect diet decisions. PetMD says gallbladder mucocele, a buildup of mucus in the gallbladder, can sometimes be caught early by ultrasound and managed with a diet change. It also says some cases of canine epileptoid cramping syndrome (CECS) may improve with a special diet. In both cases, talk to your vet before changing foods.

Provide fresh water at all times.

Health

Border Terriers are generally healthy, and the AKC says responsible breeders screen for hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, juvenile cataracts, seizures, heart problems and allergies. The Border Terrier Club of America adds testing for the patella (kneecap) and a DNA test for SLEM, an inherited condition in which puppies develop uncontrollable shaking in the back legs when they first walk.

PetMD lists a few more conditions. Gallbladder mucocele is a buildup of mucus in the gallbladder. Cushing's disease, an overproduction of the stress hormone cortisol in older dogs, shows up as increased thirst and appetite, hair loss and skin infections. CECS is a genetic condition that causes cramping episodes lasting seconds to about half an hour, usually beginning between ages 2 and 6. Cataracts, a clouding of the eye lens, are another concern.

If your dog has increased thirst, repeated vomiting, a swollen belly, cramping or any seizure, call your vet. Life expectancy is 12 to 15 years.

Health conditions to know about

• Canine epileptoid cramping syndrome (CECS) — Genetic condition causing cramping episodes, usually starting between ages 2 and 6.
• SLEM (shaking puppy syndrome) — Inherited disorder with uncontrollable shaking in young puppies; a DNA test is available.
• Gallbladder mucocele — Mucus buildup in the gallbladder; early detection by ultrasound can help.
• Cataracts and other eye problems — Clouding of the lens can reduce vision; regular eye exams catch changes early.
• Heart conditions — Breeders should have hearts checked; puppies with murmurs may need an echocardiogram.

Health tests to ask a breeder about

• Hip evaluation
• Patella evaluation
• Cardiac exam (echocardiogram recommended)
• Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist
• SLEM DNA test

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 30, 2026. Editorial policy

Living with a Border Terrier

Borders adapt well to many homes. The AKC says they were bred to be country dogs but adapt well to city life as long as they get plenty of exercise. A small apartment can work if you walk daily and provide company and games.

The yard needs to be escape-proof. Terriers dig, so check fences and gates regularly. They should not be off-leash in unfenced areas, because the chase instinct can overrule their affection for you.

PetMD notes that under-exercised Borders may dig or chew, so make sure your dog has burned off energy before you leave it on its own.

They usually do well with kids and dogs, but the AKC warns that hunting instincts can flare up around small animals. If you have rodents or other small pets, keep them in secure enclosures out of the dog's reach.

The coat is easy, the size is manageable and the personality is large, which is why Borders are popular in town and country.

Puppies, breeders & rescue

A Border Terrier puppy should come from a breeder who tests breeding stock. The Border Terrier Club of America recommends hip, eye, patella and heart evaluations for breeding dogs, and a DNA test for SLEM. The AKC lists the same screenings. Ask for results and make sure the breeder submits them to the OFA database.

The breed club also suggests that dogs not be bred before age two, so that all health results are available, and recommends a pediatric exam, with cardiac auscultation, before puppies go home. Puppies with a heart murmur at 15 weeks should have an echocardiogram.

Look for breeders who raise puppies in the home, let you meet the mother, supply a written contract and take the dog back at any age. Prices vary widely, so use the health paperwork as your guide, not the price tag.

Adult Borders sometimes turn up in rescue. Our breed selector can help you compare.