• High spirited
• Independent thinkers
• Good tempered
• Affectionate
• Obedient
• Easily trained

Traits you'd look for in your best friend? If so, that's what you get when you bring home a Border Terrier.

Unlike other breeds that listen and follow rules and commands without thinking about them, Borders were bred to think for themselves while underground and facing a badger, fox, raccoon, or other quarry, but had to be amiable enough to live in a pack and have a partnership with their owners.

Because they are such independent thinkers, Border Terriers can be very creative. For example, fellow breeder Trish Clute tells of her Border named Badger, who likes to put his stuffed bone toy under the stove so the other dogs can't get it. Of course, he can't get it, either, so he must go to his owner to retrieve it with a yardstick. One day, when his owner was ignoring his pleas for retrieval, he decided to take matters into his own paws by trotting to the closet and trying to open the door. Thinking that there was a mouse inside, his owner opened the door, whereupon Badger ran to the back of the closet, grabbed the yardstick, and dragged it into the kitchen!

Even puppies solve problems creatively. A fellow breeder witnessed her six-week pups tip over a cardboard box and scoot it to the edge of the x-pen and hop up on it to make a daring escape!

Border Terriers are friendlier and less feisty than most other terriers. Because they are considered "soft" dogs, positive training methods -- rewarding good behavior rather than punishing bad behavior -- achieve the best results with this breed. Harsh training methods can break their spirits and create a dog that is impossible to live with.

Borders have a weather-resistant coat, consisting of a wiry outer coat and soft undercoat. It is important to note that the coat will only remain wiry if groomed by stripping. If clippered, the coat will be neither wiry nor weatherproof.

Too Good to Be True?

In spite of their wonderful characteristics, Border Terriers are not for everyone. Behind that scruffy, lovable face is an independent (some say bull-headed) mind that is all terrier. They have a strong prey drive, and require a fenced yard. I have had to pick up dead rodents, birds, and rabbits from backyard Aardehond Border Terriers hunts ... not to mention the unfortunate mouse that Reggie bagged in the house last winter!

Although you may have heard differently, Borders DO shed and must be groomed regularly to maintain their wiry coats. My conformation dogs are groomed every week when we are showing. My non-show dogs are typically groomed every three weeks or so to keep them in a decent coat that does not get "blown."

Border Terrier History

British shepherds of the Cheviot Hills -- the Border Country -- required excellent working terriers, capable of protecting livestock by driving off fox. The dogs had to be strong and persistent, with "all weather" coats to withstand the elements. Border Terriers were also used by farmers for vermin control. And unlike our pampered pets today, farm Borders were expected to find their own food, so they learned how to hunt efficiently. Centuries of fine breeding resulted in the traits that we see today.

The Border Terrier was first recognized by the English Kennel Club in 1920; the first registration with the American Kennel Club occurred in 1930.