About

Breed information

 

Length range  : 43-51 cm

Height range  : 28-38

Weight range : 5-7

Coat : Double coat|soft undercoat|harsh dense wiry dirt-resistant outer coat|short dense undercoat|easy-keeping coat

Life expectancy years : 12-15

Colors: red|wheaten|grizzle and tan|blue and tan.

Activitity Level : High

Origin: United Kingdom

Similar Breeds : Jack Russell Terrier|Scottish Terrier|Cairn Terrier|Dandie Dinmont Terrier|Bedlington Terrier

 

History

The Border Terrier first appeared in the 18th century in the Scottish Borders and border country of England and Scotland. It was bred as a working terrier to run with foxhounds and flush foxes from dens , and before Kennel Club recognition only the natural hunters thrived well enough to feed themselves. Earlier names included Reedwater Terrier and Coquetdale Terrier.

 

 

characteristics

Temperament

upbeat, plucky, happy, friendly, rarely aggressive, social for a terrier, can be standoffish with strangers, willful but cuddly after exercise

Personality

affectionate, fun-loving, brave, adaptable, lively, playful, eager to please, independent, spirited, balanced

Needs

daily exercise, mental stimulation, secure fencing, prey-drive management, regular brushing, occasional or twice-yearly stripping , handstripping

Social Needs

good with people and older sensible children, generally friendly with other dogs, may chase cats or small pets unless socialized and introduced carefully, can be left occasionally only with training

Grooming 

brush at least weekly, a few minutes daily may help, handstrip or strip twice a year, professional groomer may be needed for coat texture, clean ears regularly, brush teeth at least three times a week

Nutrition

high-quality food appropriate for age, small-breed foods may suit fast metabolism and smaller mouths, little and often may suit small dogs, keep diet consistent, avoid people food, maintain healthy weight

 

Exercise

minimum of an hour daily and often more, active walks, running, games, hiking, fetch, agility, digging outlets, tracking

Training

positive reinforcement, short fun sessions, basic obedience, interactive enrichment toys, early prey-drive training, patient guidance, extra training required for pets and recall

 

Breed Standard

A small , solid and well-balanced terrier with an otter-like head , V-shaped ears and a harsh dirt-resistant outer coat over a soft undercoat. It should look alert , courageous and capable of running with hounds while remaining small enough to enter dens.

Did you know?

Border Terriers were bred with longer legs than many terriers so they could keep up with hounds , yet their small bodies still allowed them to go to ground after foxes.

HEALTHCARE

Most Common / iconic illnesses 

Hip Dysplasia, Canine Epileptoid Cramping Syndrome, Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Hypothyroidism

 

Symptoms

1. bunny-hopping gait , difficulty rising , exercise intolerance and hind-limb lameness may occur

1. muscle tremors , involuntary cramping , arched back and inability to stand may occur
2. the dog usually remains conscious and responsive during episodes

1. gradual hind-limb limping , muscle wasting and pain when extending the hip joint may occur

1. hesitation in dim lighting , dilated pupils , night blindness and eventual blindness may occur

1. lethargy , weight gain , hair loss , skin infections and cold intolerance may occur

Onset of symptoms

 

Hip Dysplasia

1. typically manifests between 6 months and 2 years of age

Probability Of Onset:

1. moderate

Canine Epileptoid Cramping Syndrome

1. often begins in young adulthood
2. typically between 1 and 4 years of age

Probability Of Onset:

1. breed-specific risk
2. hereditary and specifically associated with the Border Terrier

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

1. typically occurs during the puppy growth phase
2. between 5 and 12 months

Probability Of Onset:

1. moderate
2. a recognized risk in small terrier breeds

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

1. often presents in middle age
2. typically between 3 and 7 years of age

Probability Of Onset:

1. moderate
2. inherited as an autosomal recessive trait

Hypothyroidism

1. typically is diagnosed in middle-aged dogs
2. generally between 4 and 8 years of age

Probability Of Onset:

1. moderate
2. the breed is predisposed to this condition

Reasons

Hip Dysplasia

1. No specific missing chemical is identified in the provided material.
2. The illness is linked to genetic predisposition together with environmental factors such as rapid growth.
3. The text describes abnormal hip development rather than a lacking nutrient or compound.

 

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

1. Normal blood supply to the femoral head is lacking in affected dogs.
2. The provided material links this interruption to bone degradation and joint inflammation.
3. This can make the hip more vulnerable to pain , limping and reduced mobility.

 

Hip Dysplasia

1. No specific missing chemical is identified in the provided material.
2. The illness is linked to genetic predisposition together with environmental factors such as rapid growth.
3. The text describes abnormal hip development rather than a lacking nutrient or compound.

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

1. Normal blood supply to the femoral head is lacking in affected dogs.
2. The provided material links this interruption to bone degradation and joint inflammation.
3. This can make the hip more vulnerable to pain , limping and reduced mobility.

 

Canine Epileptoid Cramping Syndrome

1. No specific missing chemical is identified in the provided material.
2. The condition is linked to suspected genetic neurological dysfunction affecting how muscles receive signals from the nervous system.
3. The text describes abnormal signaling rather than a lacking nutrient or compound.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

1. Normal photoreceptor support is lacking because genetic mutations affect the structure and maintenance of rods and cones.
2. The provided material links this degeneration to progressive retinal damage.
3. This can make affected dogs vulnerable to worsening vision loss and blindness.

Hypothyroidism

  1. 1. Thyroid hormone is lacking because the thyroid gland does not produce enough to maintain a normal metabolic rate.
    2. The provided material links this to immune-mediated destruction of the thyroid gland or idiopathic atrophy.
    3. This can make affected dogs vulnerable to lethargy , weight gain and skin or coat problems.

Normally Treament Methods

Hip Dysplasia

  1. 1. weight management , physical therapy and NSAID-based anti-inflammatory care may help
    2. surgical intervention might be needed in some cases

 

Canine Epileptoid Cramping Syndrome

  1. 1. trigger identification and avoidance may help
    2. diet adjustments might be considered
    3. anticonvulsant medication may be used if episodes are frequent or severe

 

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

  1. 1. surgical removal of the damaged femoral head by femoral head and neck ostectomy may be required to restore mobility

 

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

  1. 1. no curative treatment is available
    2. management may involve a safe and consistent environment as vision declines

 

Hypothyroidism

  1. 1. lifelong daily oral synthetic thyroid hormone may be used to regulate metabolism. Ask professional vets for detailed information.

 

Supplements

Hip Dysplasia

  • 1. glucosamine can,might be helpful for joint support
    2. chondroitin can,might be helpful for cartilage support
    3. omega-3 fatty acids can,might be helpful for anti-inflammatory joint support
    4. green-lipped mussel powder can,might be helpful for joint comfort
recommend product

Canine Epileptoid Cramping Syndrome

  • 1. B-complex vitamins can,might be helpful for neurologic support
    2. omega-3s can,might be helpful for general support
recommend product

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

  • 1. omega-3 fatty acids can,might be helpful for managing joint inflammation and tissue support
recommend product

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

  • 1. vitamin C can,might be helpful for antioxidant ocular support
    2. vitamin E can,might be helpful for antioxidant ocular support
    3. beta-carotene can,might be helpful for retinal support
    4. lutein can,might be helpful for retinal support
recommend product

Hypothyroidism

  • 1. zinc can,might be helpful for supporting skin and coat health
    2. fatty acids can,might be helpful for supporting skin and coat health
recommend product