"If the Border Terrier were human, the elbows of his tweed jacket would be patched with leather, and he would spend his evenings reading hunting diaries in a smelly armchair. His appearance would be stocky, twinkly, whiskery and rural. He would be kind to children, but brook no nonsense from them; he would be an uncomplaining foot soldier, but he might be tricky to manage if denied intellectual stimulation." (Country Life. 2012)
The Border Terrier is the essential working terrier according to Anne Roslin-Williams. Bred on the borders between England and Scotland, and used to go to ground after foxes. They are one of the oldest terrier breeds, and the Border retains the game character and rough & ready appearance which has endeared it to dog lovers worldwide. (Anne Roslin-Williams. 1996)
‘I call them the thinking-man’s terrier,’ says Prof Dean (past Chairman UK Kennel club). ‘They’re a big dog in a small package. A chap can feel happy walking a Border down the road because he won’t be laughed at. Borders don’t know they’re little.’
Border Terriers have grown in popularity worldwide in the last few years according to Anne Roslin-Williams, mainly because they are a handy size, they have the natural appearance of a normal unexaggerated dog, their tails are not docked, they have an attractive head and, most importantly, they have an equable temperament. Equally importantly as a breed they are a very healthy dog with few of the inherited problems that can trouble some breeds.
Sadly however some people just think they are an attractive dog without realising they are a terrier. The breed standard states "The Border Terrier is a working terrier" and it is vital to remember this. They are great companions, good with children, will happily walk for miles with energetic owners but can be equally happy pottering around home with you. However, they do have attitude. There’s a little built-in corner of their brain you can’t change, however well you train them. If their hunting instinct is aroused, there’s nothing you can do. As the UK Border Terrier Club states "He is inclined to chase small critters, and it is not always easy to train him to distinguish between the rat you would like despatched and your child’s pet hamster!"
Bring them up and train them correctly and you will have a devoted companion for life. Most people once they have had a Border Terrier stick with them for life. We're hooked on them!
REFERENCES:
The joys of the Border Terrier. Country Life magazine, August 21, 2012.
(to read the full article click on the link below)
Border Terriers Today. Anne Roslin-Williams, 1996, Howell Book House
The Border Terrier Club. www.theborderterrierclub.co.uk
(see their Brief Guide to the BT link below)