Border Terrier Breed Information and Pet Insurance coverage
Introduction to Border Terriers
Border terriers are glad and affectionate canine with a small measurement and versatile temperament. They’re powerful pups that make wonderful working canine and love exploring the outside. However they’re additionally fantastic family canine that adapt properly to a metropolis way of life and revel in taking part in with youngsters.
This breed originated from the UK and is vulnerable to chasing small prey, digging within the dust, and infrequently being vocal. Studying extra in regards to the border terrier breed earlier than deciding to deliver considered one of these canine into your family is a great concept. Our pet consultants at Wholesome Paws are happy to share this canine breed information with you that can assist you make the most effective choice on a brand new pet!
Dimension of Border Terriers
Male border terriers weigh 13 to fifteen.5 kilos when absolutely grown, and females weigh 11.5 to 14 kilos. Grownup canine stand between 12 and 15 inches tall. Most border terriers attain their remaining grownup weight when they’re round 10 to 12 months outdated.
Right here’s how large you’ll be able to count on your border terrier to get because the canine grows from puppyhood to maturity:
| Weight Chart | 3 months | 6 months | 8 months | 12 months |
| Male border terriers | 6.5-9 lbs. | 10.5-13 lbs. | 11.5-14 lbs. | 13-15.5 lbs. |
| Feminine border terriers | 6-8 lbs. | 9.5-11.5 lbs. | 10-12.5 lbs. | 11.5-14 lbs. |
Traits of Border Terriers
Essentially the most excellent traits of the border terrier are pleasant, perky, full of life, and strong-willed. They’re trainable and have enjoyable personalities and an clever demeanor.
Border terriers are superb canine however not the most effective breed for everybody. Some folks discover their digging, climbing, chasing, and simply bored antics to be irritating. Pet dad and mom shouldn’t depart a border terrier alone for lengthy intervals of time as a result of the canine might grow to be simply bored, damaging, and noisy.
As you get to know a border terrier’s character, right here’s what you’ll be able to count on primarily based on the breed traits:
| Breed Attribute | Degree (Excessive, Medium, Low) |
| Affectionate with Folks | Excessive |
| Good with Children | Excessive |
| Good with Pets | Medium |
| Want for Train | Medium |
| Vitality Degree | Medium |
| Intelligence Degree | Excessive |
| In a position to Be Educated | Excessive |
| Quantity of Barking | Medium |
| Quantity of Shedding | Medium |
Historical past of Border Terriers
Border terriers initially got here from northeast England and close to the Scottish border within the 18th century. Farmers and hunters needed a canine breed that would get foxes out of their hiding locations and run together with horses throughout foxhunts. The border terrier was bred to have a protracted, slim physique to squeeze into tight spots and lengthy sufficient legs to maintain up a fast tempo. They have been additionally bred to have weather-resistant coats and thick pores and skin that would face up to just a little resistance from foxes they have been pursuing.
The kennel membership in England acknowledged the border terrier as a breed in 1920, and the primary border terrier within the U.S. was registered in 1930. Border terriers are nonetheless reasonably common in the UK and the US right this moment.
Border Terrier Normal Info
With nice endurance and agility, the border terrier is an lively canine with slim shoulders, an otter-like head, and an alert expression. These working canine are in comparison with an official commonplace when competing at canine reveals.
Right here is an summary of the breed commonplace data for border terriers:
Head:
- Otter-shaped head
- Darkish hazel, clever eyes
- Small, V-shaped ears
- Brief and well-filled muzzle
- Scissors chunk with sturdy tooth
- Black nostril
Neck, Topline, Physique:
- Clear, muscular, and balanced neck
- Deep, slim physique
- Reasonably brief tail that’s thicker on the base
Forequarters:
- Shoulders are properly laid again and of fine size
- Forelegs are straight and never too bone-heavy
- Toes are small and compact
- Toes level ahead and are reasonably arched with thick pads
Hindquarters:
- Thighs are lengthy and properly molded
- Stifles are properly bent, and hocks properly let down
- Toes are the identical as in entrance
Coat:
- Brief and dense undercoat with a wiry and considerably damaged topcoat
- Topcoat doesn’t curl or wave
- Minimal trimming solely to tidy up the toes, neck, and head
- Cover is thick and loose-fitting
Colour:
- Pink, tan and grizzle, blue and tan, or wheaten colours
- A small quantity of white is permissible on the chest
- No white on the toes
- Muzzle is darkish
Gait:
- Straight and rhythmical motion
- Good size of stride
- Free, agile, and fast gait with a handler
Caring for Border Terriers
Border terriers are loads of enjoyable to be round, however in addition they take vital work as a pet mother or father. For instance, it’s vital to be aware of how a lot train and playtime these pups want day by day.
Listed here are some common suggestions for taking the most effective care of a border terrier:
Greatest Dwelling Environments:
- Energetic canine that do greatest with lively households
- Residences are effective so long as the canine is exercised properly day by day
- Yard fences ideally ought to lengthen underground 18 inches as a result of digging tendencies
- Solely enable off-leash in secured fencing areas
Sort of Train:
- 30-to-60-minute walks and play classes
- Video games with balls and flying discs
- All the time stroll on a leash as a result of excessive prey drive
- Hikes with relations
Psychological Enrichment:
- Canine sports activities, reminiscent of flyball
- Lure coursing
- Monitoring
- Agility programs
Coaching Methods:
- Keen-to-please canine that may simply study instructions
- But they’re unbiased canine which will select after they wish to obey
- Use constructive coaching strategies and be constant
- Introduce the canine to totally different folks, different animals, and plenty of environments from an early age
Grooming Suggestions:
- Brush each week or two
- Put together for seasonal shedding
- Throughout shedding season, spend about half an hour day by day eradicating lifeless hair together with your arms or a stripping device
- Trim the nails about as soon as per 30 days
- Examine ears for particles each week
- Brush tooth day by day
- Bathe solely as wanted
Frequent Well being Issues of Border Terriers
The common life expectancy of a border terrier is 12 to fifteen years, however you’ll be able to assist your canine reside the longest and happiest life doable by paying shut consideration to its well being. If you are going to buy your border terrier from a breeder, make sure the breeder has screened breeding canine for the related well being circumstances, reminiscent of coronary heart issues, seizures, cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, and hip dysplasia. The nationwide breed membership for border terriers recommends the next well being checks: hip analysis, patella analysis, spongiform leukoencephalomyelopathy DNA take a look at, cardiac examination, and ophthalmologist analysis.
Well being points that may be a priority with border terriers embody:
- Coronary heart illness
- Hip dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Juvenile cataracts
- Seizures
- Spongiform leukoencephalomyelopathy (SLEM or shaking pet)
- Paroxysmal gluten-sensitive dyskinesia (PGSD)
- Gall bladder mucocele
- Cruciate ligament ruptures
- Allergy symptoms
Weight loss plan and Diet for Border Terriers
Most grownup border terriers will thrive when consuming a high-quality, nutritionally full and balanced grownup pet food. Puppies ought to eat pet meals till they’re round 10 to 12 months outdated. These small canine must eat extra often than large canine to forestall their blood sugar ranges from dropping, notably as puppies. Due to this fact, you might must feed your border terrier pet 4 to 5 small meals per day to forestall hypoglycemia (low blood sugar ranges). Adults typically do properly with two to 3 meals a day. In case you feed your border terrier selfmade pet food, be sure you are working from a recipe that’s designed by a veterinary nutritionist and that’s applicable on your canine’s age and well being standing.
Border terriers are extra inclined than many different canine to grow to be chubby, so discussing portion sizes and meals manufacturers together with your veterinarian is crucial. Feed the quantity of pet food wanted to maintain your pet slim. You need to be capable to see your canine’s waist and really feel (however not see) their ribs with out having to press too exhausting. Generally, puppies want extra energy per day than do adults, however a canine’s wants will fluctuate with their exercise degree and different elements.
Speak to your veterinarian you probably have any questions on your border terrier’s weight-reduction plan or well being.
The place to Undertake or Buy Border Terriers
In case you want to buy a pure border terrier from a breeder, one place to begin your search is the Border Terrier Membership of America. This nationwide breed membership affords a breeder listing and common details about the breed. There’s additionally the North American Border Terrier Welfare Rescue, a volunteer-run group that helps folks undertake a rescue canine of this breed and match canine with new adoptive houses. It has an adoption kind to finish to begin the rescue course of and a Fb web page with adoption updates and alternatives to donate to assist border terriers in want of help.
Associated Breeds
The border terrier is only one of many several types of terriers, so that you may wish to study extra in regards to the numerous breeds earlier than deciding on a brand new pet.
Listed here are some related and associated breeds to the border terrier:
- Norwich terrier
- Dandie Dinmont terrier
- Cairn terrier
- Bedlington terrier
Pet Insurance coverage for Border Terriers
Whether or not you undertake or buy a pet, senior canine, or any pup in between, Wholesome Paws is right here that can assist you take the most effective care of your border terrier. Wholesome Paws affords border terrier medical health insurance plans that allow you to go to any licensed veterinarian you belief and one easy-to-understand insurance coverage coverage with no pricey add-ons. Pet insurance coverage turns out to be useful when your border terrier is injured as a result of working or taking part in too exhausting or in case your pup all of the sudden turns into in poor health and receives a prognosis of most cancers, a genetic situation, or a breed-specific situation.
At Wholesome Paws, we course of most claims inside two days, and there are not any most annual or lifetime payouts for border terriers. Please share a couple of particulars with us about your border terrier, and we shall be glad to ship you an on-line pet insurance coverage quote so to make the appropriate choice for your loved ones.