Active and loving, these pups get along with everyone from strangers to other animals. Find out if this breed is the right fit for you.
Hailing from northeast England, the Border Terrier breed was made to hunt the foxes that plagued English farmlands. Their high energy levels make them excellent playmates for other dogs and children, and they’re affectionate with everyone they meet.
Borders come with a quirky set of antics, though, and they aren’t always the best fit for first-time dog owners. But if you can give them plenty of space and attention to exercise and play hard, they’ll love you even harder!
Before shopping around for a sweet Border at a breeder, check out a local shelter or rescue for a pup in need!
Why We Love the Border Terrier Breed
- Border Terrier dogs are highly intelligent and loving — the urge to please their owners makes them fairly easy to train!
- Borders do well with other dogs and family cats, so they’re a great addition to any household!
- The small but mighty pups are highly active, and they love to go for walks and play with you in the yard.
Things to Consider
- Border Terriers are natural escape artists! They’ve been known to dig under, and even climb over, some fences, so a secure yard is a necessity.
- Due to their energy levels, these dogs are very bouncy! They love jumping up to greet guests, so if you’re looking for more personal space, this might not be the pup for you.
- Borders have a tendency to chew, and while many grow out of this in their older age, you’ll need to give them plenty of toys to occupy their time!
Why Rescue?
Because of their small size, loving personality and whip-smart intelligence, Border Terriers are a target for irresponsible breeding. Unfortunately, bad breeding practices tend to cause a number of health issues to appear in these pint-sized pups, including seizures, hypothyroidism (leading to weight gain) and patellar luxation (which causes lameness and leg problems).
