Saturday, June 6, 2015

The Scruffy Little Hunter Dog: Border Terrier


The Border terrier got its name from the area called Cheviot Hills, which is actually near the border of England and Scotland. This is where these dogs were made to attack and terminate predatory foxes.

They have wiry coat that is why they normally appear as scruffy. However, this scruffiness is an attention-grabber that is why owners do not forget to hug their little ball of energy.

The following are some of the basic facts breeders would really love to know about Borders:

Category: Terrier

Living Environment: indoors (highly recommended); outdoors (fenced yard)

Coat: wiry and short; double coated

Colors: tan, red, grizzle and tan, and/or blue and tan

Height: between 11 and 16 inches

Weight: between 11 and 16 pounds

Temperament:

Naturally,

they are scruffy, hard and bold hunters
they are active as puppies but mellow down as they mature
they are not friendly with rabbits, rats, hamsters, and even birds
they are economical to feed
their activity die down when left alone all day as they really love to please people especially their owners

When properly trained,

they can get along with the household cats but not with cats in the neighborhood
they may even catch a burglar
they may lose timidity when accustomed to active environments

Breeders should note of the following health issues:

  Canine Epileptoid Cramping Syndrome or CES, also called as "Spike's disease", which is a hereditary, neurological, metabolic and muscle disorder that is sometimes confused with canine epilepsy
  Cataract, or loss of transparency of one or both lenses of the eyes
  Cryptorchidism, wherein testicles do not descend into the scrotum
  Deafness
  Skin problems and a few skin allergies

Care and Exercise:

Their coat needs weekly brushing.
They should be professionally groomed at least twice a year.
They should bathe only when necessary since they shed little to no hair. Their physique requires a regular exercise routine which includes a daily play time while on leash.
They should be on leash while walking in public places because of their hunting instincts.

Origin/History:

The exact origins of Border terriers are obscure but many breeders accepted the story that the variety was developed in the Cheviot Hills area, which is near the border of Scotland and England. The Borders have been use

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