ABOUT BORDER TERRIERS
by Ronnie Irving and Bob Hand
Originally produced: November 2000 - updated for website: May 2003THIS ARTICLE IS NOT TO BE COPIED OR REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR PART THEREOF, IN ANY FORM (PUBLICATION, LEAFLET OR INTERNET), OTHER THAN FOR PERSONAL USE, WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN AND SIGNED AUTHORISATION OF THE AUTHORS (16th May 2003)
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"Essentially a working terrier". These four words are the first four words of the official Breed Standard of the Border Terrier published by The Kennel Club in London. It is not by chance that these words are used - or that they take the prime position in the official standard for the breed. They are the key to the whole of the rest of the standard and have been dictated by the breed's origins and purpose. It is only by having an understanding of what these words mean that one can do the breed justice.
ORIGINS
The Border Terrier originates from the rough, and at times bleak, hill country which can be found in the areas which sit on both sides of the border between England and Scotland. This is sometimes known as 'The Border Country'. The breed was developed by the farmers and shepherds of the area, who used terriers to help contain the local fox population. Foxes were, and still are in The Border Country, a predatory animal of particular concern to sheep farmers whose flocks wander relatively free over many thousands of hectares of heath and heather covered land. In the 19th century when foxhunting developed into the sport we know today, the breed began to be used as part of the more formal foxhunting scene. Its purpose was (and is) to 'bolt' foxes when they 'go to ground'. In other words when foxhounds and the field (horse-riders) in pursuit of the fox stop because the fox has gone into one of its underground lairs, the Border Terrier has to go underground and either 'bolt' (chase out) the fox or stay with it and bark. This is to indicate to those above ground where the fox is located so that they can dig down to their quarry. The Border should not be too forward in attacking the fox underground. Rather he should threaten him and preferably chase him out.Index Next
PURPOSE AND BREED STANDARD
These activities, and the particular terrain in which they have to be conducted, dictate how the breed should look and behave as required by the official British Breed Standard. Almost all of the requirements in the Breed Standard are specifically chosen to make the breed able to do the job of work for which it has been designed. For example the next words used in the standard are "Capable of following a horse, combining activity with gameness." Self-explanatory statements - but they also dictate the fact that the breed should be built for endurance and a certain amount of speed - but not for sprinting or excessive speed. "Capable of being spanned by both hands behind the shoulder" is another sentence in the breed standard and is there for a purpose. The Border Terrier should be able to go to ground and follow a fox into any space into which it could go. The foxes found in Border Country are not large and can get into fairly small spaces. Borders have to be able to do likewise. Yet another aspect of the breed dictated by its purpose, is that though it has to be 'game' underground, it must emphatically not be aggressive with other dogs. A trouble making Border that has to integrate with a pack of hounds would not last very long before the hounds put him in his place - or worse!
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HEAD AND EXPRESSION
Perhaps it is the distinct features of the head of the Border, which make it unique among the terrier breeds. It should have the appearance of the "head
of an otter with a moderately broad skull and a short strong muzzle." The proportions of skull to muzzle should be about three to two and it should not have a particularly well defined stop. The underjaw too should be strong. All of these features go to make the breed better able to do its job of work. The breed should have a normal scissors bite but a level bite is acceptable. The teeth should be as large as possible and an undershot or
overshot mouth is a major fault and is "highly undesirable".
The ears of the breed should be "small, V-shaped; of moderate thickness, and
dropping forward close to the cheek" and the eyes should be "dark with keen expression." Light eyes tend to spoil the entire expression of the breed
and the eyes should not be too prominent or large; otherwise the keen
expression will be lost and they will be more vulnerable to damage when
working underground.
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QUARTERS AND BODY
The forequarters of the Border Terrier should be "Straight but not too heavy in bone". This very brief statement may not seem to be particularly helpful but if it is read in the knowledge of the breed's purpose it is descriptive enough. The breed should not have the showily dramatic front of a Wire Fox Terrier whose upper arm may be quite short. The Border should have well laid back shoulders and a fairly long upper arm - not much shorter than the
shoulder blade itself. This means that the forelegs should be carried well
under the dog. The body should be "Deep, narrow and fairly long with ribs
carried well back but not oversprung" - again for self evident working
reasons. Though the length is defined as "fairly long" this does not mean
"long". As an illustration, the American Breed Standard asks, quite
correctly, for the Border to have proportions so that "the height at the
withers should be slightly greater than the distance from the withers to the
tail".
The hindquarters should be "Racy". This too leaves a great deal to the
imagination but coupled with the statement that the breed should be able to
"follow a horse" - it can be seen that moderately well bent (though not overly
bent) stifles are required and that the hock joints should be well let down.
Straight stifles or hocks turning either in or out would constitute faults
in the breed - as they would in most 'normal' breeds.
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OTHER ASPECTS
The feet should be "small with thick pads" - again so that they will stand
up to the distances and the terrain in which the breed must work.
The tail of the Border should be "Moderately short; fairly thick at base,
then tapering. Set high, carried gaily, but not curled over the back." The
tail should not be long and whippy. Instead it should be carrot like and
straight and should, for perfection be carried at an angle of between one
o'clock and three o'clock .
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COAT AND COLOUR
The coat should be "harsh and dense with close undercoat" and the "skin must be thick". These features too are dictated by the fact that the Border Terrier when at work must be able to spend long periods in the cold damp weather during the winter hunting season in Border Country. The coat and skin or 'pelt' as it is often described must also provide protection underground in case the terrier comes into contact with an aggressive fox. Colour in the Breed Standard is described as "Red, wheaten, grizzle and tan or blue and tan" In fact these or any variations of these colours are acceptable. Blue and tans should be a bluish colour over the back and sides - not black. But in Border Terriers the saying that 'a good dog cannot be a bad colour' is even truer than it is in some other breeds as colour has little influence over the breed's working abilities. In the American Breed Standard dark ears are "preferred" but no such preference exists in the British Standard.
Photo: A Gregory
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SIZE
There is no height standard for the breed but weights are described as "Dogs 5.9 - 7.1 kilos - Bitches 5.1 - 6.4 kilos." Most present day Borders are at the top end of (even in some cases rather greater than) the required standard weight. Again the breed should have enough length of leg to "be able to follow a horse" and a small and narrow enough body to go to ground after the fox. These requirements are more important than exact weight or height limits.Index Next
GENERAL
Taken all in all, the most important points about the breed's appearance and temperament are almost entirely dependent on its ability to do the job
required of it. In fact all U.K. Breed Standards published by The Kennel
Club state "Faults : Any departure from the foregoing points should be
considered as a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be
regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree". The Border Terrier
Standard is the only one which has the following additional words added
".and its effect on the terrier's ability to work."
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THE BORDER TERRIER INTERNATIONALLY
The Border Terrier today is popular in many countries - some of its most ardent supporters might say "over popular" for its own good. Apart from the
United Kingdom which still has the largest population of Border Terriers,
other European Countries such as Sweden, Finland, Denmark and The
Netherlands have taken the breed on board and treated it with care. These countries have all made strenuous and successful efforts to stick firmly to
the working aspects and the required appearance of the breed in its native
land. In the United States also, many breeders have done likewise but there
the breed today may be said to be standing at the crossroads. Many American
enthusiasts are passionately interested in both the working and the show
features of the breed but there is a danger that the showing aspects will
take over and that true Border Terrier type might be lost. So far this has
not happened but the danger exists.
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EXERCISE
Little and often is better than long and infrequent! Because the Border is a working terrier it has an active and inquisitive mind. At home the Border is often very relaxed and gentle - but don't be deceived! In the field and outdoors, the dog will become very motivated by sights and smells. It is for this reason that the importance of keeping a Border under control (on a lead) in busy areas and near roads cannot be understated. The sight or smell of a cat or fox (or most small 'interesting' animals) will generate great excitement as soon as they are detected. Borders can be trained very well but they are more of a challenge than many other breeds. Although most Border owners do not work their dogs in the true sense of the word, it is important that the dog has quality time at certain times during the day to exercise not just it's body but also it's mind; this can be through a good walk in the morning and evening, a fulfilling run in the countryside, through training and even agility. A combination of interaction between owner and dog, funtime for the Border and then relaxation at other times will make for a contented and rewarding companion. The Border is very adaptable and once it has worked out the pattern of it's owners lifestyle, will adapt it's waking and sleeping routine to suit. Generally, it is not good practice to leave any dog at home alone for more than 4 hours or so.
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HOUSING
The adaptability of the breed comes to the fore again here. Through choice, most Borders will elect for the comforts of living in the house! A well made, sensibly sized and secure kennel will also provide a suitable home. It must never be forgotten that these are working terriers with a good deal of spirit and character; care should always be taken to ensure that situations that could cause fighting are avoided when more than one Border is kept. As a general rule, it is a safer policy not to leave bitches together - a dog and bitch combination works well except when the bitch comes into season when suitable methods of separation for about three weeks will be necessary. As a general rule it is never a good idea to leave more than two terriers alone together for any prolonged time. It is essential that the garden is made absolutely 'Borderproof' to prevent the dog escaping. Many Borders are quite expert at this by jumping, digging and in some instances even climbing! This means enclosing the garden with strong secure fencing and ensuring that no little holes or gaps are left - if they are, be sure the Border will find them at some stage.
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FEEDING
Most well known dogfoods produced for a small to
medium dog are suitable for the Border noting the manufacturers instructions carefully. There is
no requirement in normal circumstances to use high protein dogfoods. A good
reputable suitable dogfood is all that is needed. Similarly a more natural
balanced canine diet such as fresh tripe, cooked beef, fish etc mixed with
a suitable canine biscuit mix is just as suitable. It is important to feed
your dog the right quantity of food however great care should be taken
with this breed not to overfeed. Many Borders will eat with great gusto
far more than they need if given the opportunity and this will quickly be
reflected in the dog's waistline! Don't be taken in by the doleful look
that will be quickly repeated with even more determination if you decide
to share any scraps of your meal with your 'starving' friend who was probably
only fed ten minutes previously anyway!
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GROOMING
A Border needs to be hand stripped on average twice a year to keep it's coat in good condition. This is not as difficult as it sounds and with
practice, a keen owner will quickly learn how to keep their Borders
looking good without expensive trips to grooming parlours. A Border should
never be clipped or scissored (except very carefully on delicate areas such
as the belly) - If a trip to the grooming parlour is chosen, the owner should
ensure that the groomer is able to hand strip a Border Terrier and leave
it looking like a Border terrier at the finish! An excellent book for someone
keen to learn is 'Border Terriers Today' by Anne Roslin-Williams,
published by Ringpress Books (ISBN 1-86054-006-6) - this book contains many
useful photographs detailing the handstripping process for a Border Terrier
from start to finish. Another very useful aid is a video tape presented by Kate
Irving showing how to strip a Border. This can be obtained from Annette
Penny, Penorth, Low Road, Stowbridge, Kings Lynn, PE34 3PE, United Kingdom.
Tel : 44 1366 383723.
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POPULARITY
A s mentioned earlier, the breed has become popular in several countries. Registration statistics in the United Kingdom show a slow and steady rise from 1920 when 111 were registered up until 1993 when 2474 were recorded. Two significant dips occurred during this period, the first during the War years between 1940 and 1945 and the second from 1976 until 1988 when The Kennel Club decided on a new registration system which required only show and breeding stock to be registered. In 1989 when The KC once again reverted to full registration of a complete litter, the figures rose to to 2510. From 2474 registrations in 1993, the figure has risen steeply over the last twelve years to 8338 in 2005 which means that registrations have more than trebled in the last twelve years alone. It is hard to single out one particular reason for this increase in popularity. Certainly the breed is featured more now on TV series, advertisements and films; it's profile has definitely risen. The pace of the recent increase in popularity is worrying for those of us who care about the breed. If commercial breeders are attracted to this breed for the wrong reasons, indiscriminate breeding to make money will result in deterioriation in quality. Also many people who are being attracted to Border Terriers currently, do not seem to know what they are taking on. It is essential that anyone who is attracted to this breed reads up thoroughly on it and does as much homework as possible before taking the next step. This is a big dog with a lot of spirit and character hidden inside a small dog's body. The Border was, and always should remain "essentially a working terrier"
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Page last updated 20 April 2006