I don't have any experience with a border, but I went from a Golden Retriever to a Bedlington Terrier and the difference in nature is substantial. What breed was your previous friend?
Having come to terms with the loss of our last dog at Christmas, we are both seriously thinking about dog ownership again.
I'm quite keen on getting Border Terrier and my initial research suggests they are friendly with people despite their appearance and don't really suffer too much from genetic defects. However there's nothing like getting some input from owners.
I'm certain there must be some border owners on TZ so would welcome their experience of the breed please
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I don't have any experience with a border, but I went from a Golden Retriever to a Bedlington Terrier and the difference in nature is substantial. What breed was your previous friend?
My border lated 16 years, with no bother at all... Except he never liked bigger dogs... He was a red grizzle and very friendly and intelligent... Great temperment
Lovely dogs
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Got a 12 year old Border 'Otto'
Great temprament if not a little barmy! Still thinks he's two. Borders can suffer with stomach problems but soon come round again. Just goes off his food for a meal or two. Can be a bit noisy (this is what they are bred for) and are quite stubborn but you can train this out of them.
This fella's slowing down a bit now but is great company.
My wife used to be a child minder from home and he was great with kids.
Good breed
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I have a Border / Pug cross.
Lovely dog but f*cking mental! That said, great with our young children and likes a cuddle when they've gone to bed and calm returns to the house.
Mines only about 18 months old so I'm hoping he'll calm down a bit. The only advice I can give is make sure your garden is secure. He is like Hairy Houdini...
We have two, and think they are superb.
Ours are 11 and 12. One was the runt of the litter and had a few minor tummy problems.
They adore people, but don’t like most other animals.
Incredily huge and loving characters, and every BT owner seems to worship their own terrors! Lol
Don’t think I would ever consider any other breed.
All terriers need a firm hand....they'll try you, but so rewarding.
Little Fizzy RIP with Taffy the smooth Fox Terrier who at 12 plus is still going strong. Fizz went to 14, brain tumour.
I’ve had two Borders in the past and they’re great dogs. If I were to have another dog it would be another Border. They do take a lot of walking and never seem to tire. My dog Jasper was like my best buddy, he followed me everywhere and walked easily without the lead. I bought a bitch, Millie, when he was around two to toughen him up, he was timid round other dogs. It worked and protected her immediately.
They’re easy to train in my opinion, giddy they are and it’s quiet common to see borders bounce in excitement. They do have to have their coats stripped (twice a year if I remember correctly) but you can learn to do this yourself. Just writing this fills me with great memories and makes me want another but they’re so demanding and tying. Maybe in a few years I’ll get another.
This is Scamp roaring!
Ok, it was actually a yawn.
They are known to us as Border Terriorists. Only met a couple that have been friendly. Mind you we do have a German Sherpherd and most little dogs give her sh*t
Nipper is now 14, a Fell Terrier that stole our hearts many years ago, blind now but loved no less.
Fell, Lakeland or Border for us, nothing comes close.
"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action."
'Populism, the last refuge of a Tory scoundrel'.
I’ll try and dig out a photo of mine, love seeing pictures of others. They’re so photogenic
Yep, keep the BT photos coming folks, this is great
We look after a friend’s Border, very loving but as is usual with terriers she doesn’t like big dogs. Boundless energy.
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Brilliant ^^^ thanks.
I’m just home from work, and my two are already fast asleep in bed.
My bed!!!!
Our BT, Ted is 7 years old. We got him when he just over one and a half years old. Great with people and children, but can be unpredicable around other dogs, especially bigger dogs (previous owner said he can get a bit feisty...and she was right!). Great dogs but would suggest that they need to be socialised properly when they're young.
One of my favourite breeds. Ages ago we used to stay for Christmas at a rural guest house in Snowdonia and one of the owners border terriers spent almost every evening either on my lap or waiting for a mouse to come out of a wall crack, bless..
Fas est ab hoste doceri
We have a border terrier and he’s now 12 years old and although all the dogs we previously owned ( Rotties ) were unique in their own way this fella is something else .
The BT was the only small breed I’d have at the time as they just have that something about them , character mischievous and great with kids and fit in great with family life and I can’t think of life without him as we all love the bones off him .
Do some research take your time and trust me you’ll have a friend for life ,I’m in the process of trying to talk my mum into getting another as she lost hers 2 years ago .
Thanks to everyone for their responses. Its been great seeing your dogs and definitely hasn't put me off. It confirms my view that they are a typical terrier. A friendly but no nonsense and loyal breed.
Other than the coat stripping mentioned I take it they don't require a lot of grooming and aren't too bad with moulting ?
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That is correct. Some people hand strip themselves, but we have always left it to the professionals.
They do leave a few hairs, but relatively little.
Even when not out with our BT’s, I have always found Border owners very friendly (and their BT of course!). Next time you see one, stop for a chat. I have been stopped countless times by strangers wanting to know about our two bundles of joy.
Our neighbour has two and they are very, very yappy, especially when said neighbour goes out. Nice enough dogs when you are with them but they have put me off the breed.
If if we get another dog it will be a spaniel or lab.
Last edited by -Ally-; 16th August 2018 at 07:43.
Resurrecting an old thread.
After looking after a friend's border Terrier for a few days I'm now thinking about getting one myself. They have strong characters and are great company.
Are there any current owners on here?
Last edited by Rocket Man; 19th October 2023 at 18:34.
My daughter had one that recently passed away. He was a very loyal yapping little bugger that was great fun.
As he got olde the needed operations on his back hip joint/ legs. We were advised this is common with the breed and it’s prudent to insure them for it.
Lakeland, the second we've had, loyal, tons of character, yappy err not really,
"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action."
'Populism, the last refuge of a Tory scoundrel'.
Neighbour has two, noisy little shits when let out first in the morning, also hate other dogs-were desperate to get at my Airedale, 4 times their size- so walked at odd times, seem to be the exception to most others I know, maybe fault lies with training.
Terrier Song
There’s many a song about hunting, huntsmen are honoured by name,
But there’s never a song about terriers, that in Lakeland have gained lasting fame,
No pedigrees have these brave warriors, their colours no rules can define,
They’re bred for pluck and spirit, with a heart as big as a lion.
Chorus:
So always remember your terriers, protect them from wet and from cold,
For the love of a tyke for it’s master, can never be measured in gold.
Whether he’s rough or smooth coated, he’ll tackle badger, otter or fox,
Run a drain or creep into a soil hole, or squeeze through a grike in the rocks,
Whether it’s Trixie or Nellie, Rock, Jock or Turk it’s the same,
One quality you’ll find amongst them and dalesfolk call it “dead game”.
He’ll yield not one inch though they maul him, he’ll fight to the death on his own.
Though sometimes he’ll be imprisoned by a rushing of soil or of stone,
Then the brave lad’s of the vallies, to save him will toil day and night,
And join in a halloa of gladness as he blinks back to god’s blessed light.
At Crufts famous show down in London, they’ve terriers there not worth their name,
If you show them a fox or an otter, they’ll fly for their lives without shame,
They’re not built to creep or do battle, but to sit on a chair in a house,
And they do say that one recent champion was chased down the road by a mouse.
So here’s to our gallant la’al workers, not beauties perhaps but they’ll do,
For with gameness and also affection they’ll make you a pal good and true,
And when your terrier in old age is dying, and things around you seem sad,
Just a lick on the hand will console you for a better friend man never had.
Chorus:
So always remember your terriers, protect them from wet and from cold,
For the love of a tyke for it’s master, can never be measured in gold.
"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action."
'Populism, the last refuge of a Tory scoundrel'.
Had borders as a kid. Wonderful dogs - hardy and fun.
Have a wire haired patterdale now, much stockier but equally great.
"Bite my shiny metal ass."
- Bender Bending Rodríguez
Yes, we have a 3 year old border terrier, Monty. He’s an absolutely brilliant family dog. Great with kids, can walk and run for miles with us on the moors. No trouble at all and really affectionate.
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Great pics of the BTs they are lovely dogs. I love terriers our Westie died this year aged 16.5 years we miss her so much
I went for the runt too, he’s a lovely dog and has plenty of energy. Very rarely barks and incredibly friendly with other dogs and children. He’s 2 and a half years old now and a proper character and like others have said he has intermittent tummy issues.
Untitled by Alex L, on Flickr
Untitled by Alex L, on Flickr
Untitled by Alex L, on Flickr
What are these like energy wise? Do they need a lot of exercise? Our Frenchie just basically sleeps most of the day!
"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action."
'Populism, the last refuge of a Tory scoundrel'.
We walk ours twice a day, one of which will typically be off lead either fell running (with me,eg on a weekend) or socialising with other dogs (when it’s the dog walker, weekdays). Or once a day if it is a few hours long - he will happily come for a 2 hour run on the moors with me. Once he’s had that much exercise he’ll sleep or laze the rest of the time at home.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/s441qeKqdqJjQgMm9
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Last edited by benshep; 22nd October 2023 at 07:42.