Border Terrier dog breed

Border Terriers might be small in size, but they’re big in appetite. They’ll continue to eat and eat and eat if given the chance. This means they can easily become overweight. It’s best to split your dog’s daily food into two or three meals. If they have multiple mealtimes, it will keep them feeling full throughout the day.

Border Terrier puppies should be fed small amounts three or four times a day. Ask the breeder what dog food they have been using and continue to feed your puppy the same food while the adjust to life with you. Make sure you weigh the food to prevent over or underfeeding your dog.

The Border Terrier has a short, rough, double coat. It sheds minimally but the loose hair will need to be hand stripped every six to eight weeks to help it fall out. This can be done using your fingers to pull the loose fur out, or you can use a shedding brush or glove. Weekly brushing is also recommended. 

Their coat is weather resistant meaning that your dog won’t get soaking wet in mist or rain. The water will run off their coat rather than seeping in. This is good news for you because it means your dog won’t need washing often and can be towel dried without the need for a bath. You will only need to bath your Border Terrier when they start to get a bit smelly or are very dirty. Bathing them too often will soften their rough coat, which will reduce its weather and dirt resistance.

A Border Terrier will need an hour of exercise a day. Their high energy levels need to be burned off with a good run around off the lead in a secure area. 

Thanks to their playful nature, you can also incorporate some tug-of-war or fetch into their exercise routine. But keep an eye on this breed when letting them roam free in open spaces. Border Terriers are natural escape artists and may go on a solo adventure if left unsupervised.

Exercise is an important part of your dog’s health as it provides both physical and mental stimulation. Dogs who don’t get enough exercise can become depressed.

Through training, Border Terriers can learn to be obedient dogs, but they’re stubborn so you’ll need to be patient. They’re also incredibly independent and are prone to wandering off, so it’s worth spending some extra time on recall training.

Use their love of food to your advantage. During training, use small treats as rewards. One useful training tip is to start toilet training straight away when your dog is young, so they get used to going outside. 

Ultimately, Border Terriers are quick learners that respond best to positive reinforcement. Encourage them and switch up your training techniques to keep them stimulated. 

Also known as ‘Retinal pigment epithelial dystrophy (RPED)’. This hereditary condition affects the dog’s vision, causing loss of sight in the central field of vision. The condition starts to have an effect at three to four months old. There is no treatment for this condition, but the progression can be slowed down with supplements. The dog can still have a good quality life and is unlikely to become completely blind.

A heart murmur is an abnormal “whooshing” sound caused by a disturbance to the blood flow in the heart. Not all affected dogs show signs of a heart murmur, but your vet can detect the sound during health checks. Signs that you can look out for include coughing, rapid breathing, tiredness, collapsing or reluctance to go for a walk.

Treatment depends on the cause of the heart murmur. In some cases, it is a result of heartworm disease or a congenital condition. Surgery and/or medication may be needed to help improve your Border Terrier’s quality of life and lifespan. If there is no sign of heart disease, your vet will monitor your dog to make sure no signs occur.

This form of cataracts clouds the lens of the eye and can cause blindless in dogs. It can develop in one eye (unilateral) or both eyes (bilateral) as a result of injury, underlying diseases or ageing. As the name suggests, juvenile hereditary cataracts is caused by a genetic defect and can be seen within the first few months of a dog’s life.

Treatment depends on the underlying cause, but vets may treat the inflammation in the eye or work to correct nutritional deficiencies that caused the cataracts. The most effective treatment for cataracts is surgery. If you suspect your Border Terrier has cataracts, speak to your vet immediately.

The most common cause of repeated seizures in Border Terriers is idiopathic epilepsy. Seizures can last between one and three minutes - some dogs can have several seizures a day, while others have one every few months or years.

Idiopathic epilepsy is a genetic lifelong condition that can affect dogs between six months and six years old. While there is unfortunately no cure, in most cases it can be well managed with medication.

Like humans, certain dogs are also prone to allergies. Pollen, mould or dust can ruffle a dog’s fur, causing their skin to itch. This skin allergy is known as atopy and is common in Border Terriers. Symptoms can start between the ages of one and three, and can potentially worsen over time.

Luckily, there are many treatment options available for atopy, helping your dog to live a good quality of life.