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title: "Border Terrier - temperament, price, health, breeders | Pedibase"
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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+7
Dogs
# The Border Terrier: temperament, price, health, and breeders
United Kingdom
A small rustic terrier, courageous and affectionate, always ready to expend itself.
Size SmallLife expectancy 12–15 yearsBudget ≈ €75/monthPuppy €900 – €1,200
[Find a breeder 15](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-terrier) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=border-terrier)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Very good
Daily exercise needs High
Apartment living Fair
First-time owners Good
Other pets Good
Tolerance of being alone Fair
Guarding instinct Fair
Strengths and weaknesses
- Robust: Its hardy constitution gives it good overall resistance.
- Affectionate: It forms a strong and lasting bond with its owners.
- Athletic: Its stamina makes it a motivated companion for outdoor activities.
- Not very barky: It shows a low tendency to vocalize.
- Strong hunting instinct: Chasing small animals can complicate recall and cohabitation.
- High activity needs: Long daily outings are essential to its balance.
- Does not tolerate being alone well: Prolonged absences can lead to undesirable behaviors.
- Strong-willed temperament: Early, consistent, and patient training is necessary.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Active owners: He readily accompanies people who are available to walk, run and play every day.
- Country living: Wide open spaces naturally meet his need for exploration.
- Families with respectful children: He is affectionate when interactions remain gentle and supervised.
- Dog sports enthusiasts: His energy and intelligence can be put to good use in a variety of activities.
Not recommended for
- Very sedentary people: Its energy level requires more than brief hygienic outings.
- Households with rodents: Its predatory instinct makes this cohabitation risky.
- Owners often absent: It does not like being left alone for long periods.
- Looking for a very docile dog: Its terrier temperament requires consistency and commitment to training.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
37 cmBorder Terrier
- Height at the withers
- 33–40 cm
- Weight
- 5–7 kg
- Coat
- Semi-long, harsh, dense
- FCI group
- 3
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Grooming
- Moderate grooming needs
## Photos and videos
See the Border Terrier in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
The Border Terrier was born in the Borders region, on the historic border between Scotland and England. It is said to come from crosses between several British working terriers, notably the Bedlington Terrier, the Lakeland Terrier and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. Traditionally used for fox hunting alongside hounds such as the Foxhound, it had to be hardy enough to follow the horses and small enough to enter the burrows. It also helped to protect farms and herds. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale definitively recognized the breed on 26 June 1963 under number 10, in group 3 of terriers. The standard mentioned by the source came into force on 24 June 1987.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
Small, light dog but solidly built, the Border Terrier has a fairly long, tall and narrow body, a strong loin and ribs well extended towards the rear without being excessively arched. Its broad head with a short, powerful muzzle recalls that of the otter. Its dark eyes have a lively expression, while its small V-shaped ears fall forward against the cheeks. Its topcoat is harsh, dense and compact, with a close undercoat. Its tail, set on high, is moderately long, thick at the base then tapering. Accepted coat colours include red, wheaten, grizzle and tan, as well as blue and tan.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
Courageous, cheerful and full of energy, the Border Terrier remains very attached to its owners. Its strong-willed temperament can make it stubborn, but its intelligence and good understanding make consistent training easier. Affectionate without being placid, it enjoys family life and can get along well with respectful children. Its hunting instinct remains very pronounced, especially toward rodents and small animals.
Affectionate Playful Intelligent Sociable
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
Enduring and very active, the Border Terrier needs long daily outings, exploration and stimulating activities. He generally prefers the countryside, but can live in an apartment if his needs for running and exercise are truly met. He does not tolerate long periods of solitude well and may then adopt undesirable behaviors. Sociable with humans and generally fine with his fellow dogs, he requires greater caution with small animals due to his predatory instinct.
Training
## Training and socialization
His training must begin early and combine firmness, consistency and positive methods, without brutality. Intelligent and receptive, the Border Terrier quickly memorizes the rules, but his temperament and hunting instinct require working particularly on recall, self-control and leash walking. Early socialization with people, dogs and different environments helps to channel his natural confidence. Short, varied and motivating sessions suit him better than monotonous repetitions.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Border Terrier
The price of a Border Terrier varies depending on the quality of the breeding, the pedigree, the parents' health tests, conformity to the standard, the sex and the puppy's intended purpose. The annual maintenance costs indicated by the source are around 850 to 950 euros.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/border-terrier/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
Despite its small size, the Border Terrier is a hardy and generally robust dog. No hereditary pathology specific to the breed is reported, but regular veterinary monitoring remains necessary to preserve its health over the long term.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/border-terrier/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
The Border Terrier is generally not difficult to feed. A complete, healthy and balanced diet, adapted to its small size and its activity level, helps maintain its vitality and its optimal weight.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/border-terrier/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
The breed’s name comes directly from the Borders, the border region between Scotland and England. Its head, resembling that of an otter, is one of its best-known distinguishing features. Historically, it had to be able to keep up with a horse and then slip underground in pursuit of the fox. A litter generally consists of 2 to 8 puppies.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Border Terrier
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Can the Border Terrier live in an apartment?
Yes, but only if it benefits every day from long outings, opportunities to run and mental activities. The countryside remains its most natural environment.
### Does the Border Terrier get along with children?
It can be a good family companion with respectful children who do not handle it roughly. Interactions with younger children must always be supervised.
### Does the Border Terrier live with cats and small animals?
Living with a cat can be made easier through early socialization, but its very strong hunting instinct makes the presence of rodents and small animals delicate.
### Does the Border Terrier shed a lot?
It generally sheds little, but its harsh coat requires weekly brushing and periodic hand-stripping to retain its protective texture.
## Find a Border Terrier breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Border Terrier breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
[Border Terrier breeders in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes4](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-terrier/auvergne-rhone-alpes) [Border Terrier breeders in Hauts-de-France3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-terrier/hauts-de-france)
### Border Terrier breeders by country
[61 breeders of Border Terrier in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-terrier/germany) [30 breeders of Border Terrier in the United Kingdom](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-terrier/united-kingdom) [16 breeders of Border Terrier in Denmark](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-terrier/denmark) [15 breeders of Border Terrier in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-terrier) [10 breeders of Border Terrier in Italy](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-terrier/italy) [4 breeders of Border Terrier in Austria](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-terrier/austria) [2 breeders of Border Terrier in Finland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-terrier/finland) [2 breeders of Border Terrier in the Netherlands](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-terrier/netherlands) [1 breeder of Border Terrier in Slovakia](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-terrier/slovakia) [1 breeder of Border Terrier in Switzerland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-terrier/switzerland)
[All breeders of Border Terrier in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-terrier)
## Ready to welcome a Border Terrier?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-terrier)
## Discover other breeds
[Lakeland Terrier
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/lakeland-terrier)
[Sealyham Terrier
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/sealyham-terrier)
[Welsh Terrier
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/welsh-terrier)
[Bedlington Terrier
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/bedlington-terrier)
[Cairn Terrier
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/cairn-terrier)
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