Border Terrier vs. Westie

JacksonsMom

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#1
I'm pretty certain I've narrowed my second dog breed choices (that will end up happening within a year or two, probably).

If I don't end up with a Silky or Yorkie (which is still highly possible), it's pretty much between a Border Terrier and a Westie, I think.

Now, I've only met probably two BT's in my life. Lately, I've been meeting a TON of Westies and it's making me want one. But some of them that I meet seem a bit TOO "terrier" for me... From what I've been reading about BT's, their personality is basically like Jackson is. Enough terrier to have fun and be cool but laid back enough to not display much DR/DA and seems to be friendly in general, etc.

Something about BT's is calling me to them but I really wish I could meet a few more of them to get a feel for them first. I met two are the dog park who were really cool.

What would you say is the main difference between a BT and a Westie, if any?

I've been exploring some breeder options. Since BT's are a somewhat more 'rare' breed, I know sometimes the wait lists can take a while so I'd kind of like to find a breeder that I really like and talk to them.

I like this kind of BT... this would be my 'ideal' BT :)

Would this be considered 'grizzle and tan' or 'blue and tan'?
 

SarahHound

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#2
All the BT's I have met have had dog aggression issues, but that is quite likely down to owners/bad breeders (which I know you wouldn't be!). Our family friends have one, he is elderly now, but has always been a lovely friendly dog (except with other dogs, especially greyhounds due to be attacked by one as a puppy). He's very laid back and eager to please. Loads of energy, even now, at nearly 13, he still goes hiking and mountain climbing! BT's seem very common here, litters advertised every week in the paper, and I see them a lot, although not as common as Westie's.

I personally prefer the Westie, but that's just me. There's so many Westie's here, we pretty much fall over them :) but they are all lovely.
 

Fran101

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Pops2

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Sorry Fransheska
but IME those shows spout a lot of nonsense & even outright false information
 

Fran101

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Sorry Fransheska
but IME those shows spout a lot of nonsense & even outright false information
Oh they probably do, and under no circumstance are those shows "real research".. although I've never seen one that was really THAT BAD, i mean, a bit misinformed and vague lol but not downright terrible

but still,I consider videos and those like it a chance to see the dogs in action and at play, it kind of helps you get a feel for the dogs if you can see them in live action instead of just reading about them
 

bjolly

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#6
just curious, have you considered cairn terriers? they seem to be very similar to westies so I was just wondering.
 

Aleron

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#8
Border Terrier seem like they are a bit less "terrier-y" than Westies IME, a bit more oriented to their people and less hard headed. They tend to be pretty well at performance stuff and were pretty popular Flyball dogs at a point (before sport mixes were as widely bred for height dogs). I have one in my Intermediate class right now and she's a really fun little dog. She's kinda squishy (submissive but friendly and sweet) with dogs and people, very devoted to her owner and very smart. And she has an adorable face :)
 

SarahHound

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Border Terrier seem like they are a bit less "terrier-y" than Westies IME, a bit more oriented to their people and less hard headed. They tend to be pretty well at performance stuff and were pretty popular Flyball dogs at a point (before sport mixes were as widely bred for height dogs). I have one in my Intermediate class right now and she's a really fun little dog. She's kinda squishy (submissive but friendly and sweet) with dogs and people, very devoted to her owner and very smart. And she has an adorable face :)
See, I have found the complete opposite! I have never met a terrier-y Westie, yet all the BT's I have met have had a very strong terrier instinct in them.

Maybe its a country thing?
 

MericoX

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#10
If you are looking for a terrier, but don't one on the extreme side I would suggest looking into the Schnauzers as well.
 

Kat09Tails

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#11
I guess my question is what do you want the dog for? A border terrier is still a working breed in some places. A westie is not and likely never was.

I guess the only thing I can think of with westies that might make them more terrier to some is that they do have tenancies towards ocd which while annoying still doesn't make them fit down a hole or particularly adept at varminting.
 

Aleron

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See, I have found the complete opposite! I have never met a terrier-y Westie, yet all the BT's I have met have had a very strong terrier instinct in them.

Maybe its a country thing?

Interesting! Could be though. The only ones I have met are from US breeders, probably mostly show bred. By less "Terrier-ish" I mean that they seem more attentive to their people and less hard headed. They seem to still have plenty of prey drive, enthusiasm and other terrier traits though.

Westies, I have been around a lot more of them. To me, they seem fairly independent and I've known quite a few dog aggressive ones. A lot of the ones that come into the grooming shop are rather spazzy. I haven't known many well bred Westies though. I actually have one of them in the class the BT is in and he is pretty hard for his owner to work with, very distracted by the environment. He's a nice dog but IMO probably not the best match for his owner. I know someone who rehomed their female Westie (one of the few well bred ones I have known actually) because she started picking fights with her female Boxer :yikes:
 

BostonBanker

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#13
The border terriers I've met (and keep in mind, this is single digits of each breed, so by no means a wide range of experiences) have been the better athletes/performance dogs. I like their structure a lot better for sports. As a bit of a leggier, shorter backed breed, I would expect them to hold up better long term when used actively.

I've had more exp with borders, though, and only known a few Westies casually. So take it with a big old horse block of salt.
 

JacksonsMom

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#14
All the BT's I have met have had dog aggression issues, but that is quite likely down to owners/bad breeders (which I know you wouldn't be!). Our family friends have one, he is elderly now, but has always been a lovely friendly dog (except with other dogs, especially greyhounds due to be attacked by one as a puppy). He's very laid back and eager to please. Loads of energy, even now, at nearly 13, he still goes hiking and mountain climbing! BT's seem very common here, litters advertised every week in the paper, and I see them a lot, although not as common as Westie's.

I personally prefer the Westie, but that's just me. There's so many Westie's here, we pretty much fall over them :) but they are all lovely.

That's funny! I see Westie's EVERYWHERE and yet never see any BT's. Ha.
 

JacksonsMom

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#15
I guess my question is what do you want the dog for? A border terrier is still a working breed in some places. A westie is not and likely never was.

I guess the only thing I can think of with westies that might make them more terrier to some is that they do have tenancies towards ocd which while annoying still doesn't make them fit down a hole or particularly adept at varminting.
Pet, mainly. I would of course be dabbling into agility and would definitely be interested in getting involved in earth dog and other dog sports but mainly a pet. :) I'm also pretty active with my dogs so we're always doing stuff in general.


The border terriers I've met (and keep in mind, this is single digits of each breed, so by no means a wide range of experiences) have been the better athletes/performance dogs. I like their structure a lot better for sports. As a bit of a leggier, shorter backed breed, I would expect them to hold up better long term when used actively.

I've had more exp with borders, though, and only known a few Westies casually. So take it with a big old horse block of salt.
I like the structure of a BT better from what I've seen. Westie's have that more 'bullet' shaped body and I like a fit trim looking dog.

Interesting! Could be though. The only ones I have met are from US breeders, probably mostly show bred. By less "Terrier-ish" I mean that they seem more attentive to their people and less hard headed. They seem to still have plenty of prey drive, enthusiasm and other terrier traits though.

Westies, I have been around a lot more of them. To me, they seem fairly independent and I've known quite a few dog aggressive ones. A lot of the ones that come into the grooming shop are rather spazzy. I haven't known many well bred Westies though. I actually have one of them in the class the BT is in and he is pretty hard for his owner to work with, very distracted by the environment. He's a nice dog but IMO probably not the best match for his owner. I know someone who rehomed their female Westie (one of the few well bred ones I have known actually) because she started picking fights with her female Boxer :yikes:
This has been my impression of Westies but it's pretty 50/50. About half the ones I've met have been like you described but the other half seem like such GREAT little dogs.
 

JacksonsMom

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#16
just curious, have you considered cairn terriers? they seem to be very similar to westies so I was just wondering.
If you are looking for a terrier, but don't one on the extreme side I would suggest looking into the Schnauzers as well.
I'm definitely looking into all options! I'm pretty sure I'm sticking with the small terriers, as it's what I'm comfortable with... but no JRT's for me, LOL. That's one terrier I've written off from so many bad examples of the breed that I've been subjected to.
 

HayleyMarie

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#17
With Westies I have noticed that there is a wide variety or different temperments. Teagan is very much a terrier, but not as intense as terriers I have had in the past.

My last Westie Maddie was very intense. She was our vermin killer on our farm. That was her job and she lived to do it. She had tons of drive and prey drive. She also was DA and very bossy, especially towards bigger dogs. She though it was her job to make sure they knew she is the boss. She intimidated alot of dogs.

Teagan has an amazing off switch, she knows when its time to relax and when its time to go crazy lol. But recall can be an issue where there is rodents present especially outside. If she sees or smells one there is no getting her attention. Teagan is also somewhat submissive towards bigger dogs, but has no problem telling them off.
 

Dekka

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#18
See, I have found the complete opposite! I have never met a terrier-y Westie, yet all the BT's I have met have had a very strong terrier instinct in them.

Maybe its a country thing?
No, here the BT are far more terrier than westies. Westies haven't been breed for work (ie terrierness) for ever. BT are one of the few terriers that still work (though not as commonly as JRTs, patterdales, lakelands etc)

Though most BT I have met are fairly good with other dogs. They also don't tend to be as 'on' with prey as JRTs (perhaps crazy obsessive is a better way to put JRTs when it comes to working)
 

colliewog

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See, I have found the complete opposite! I have never met a terrier-y Westie, yet all the BT's I have met have had a very strong terrier instinct in them.

Maybe its a country thing?
This is a strong possibility. The only working BTs and Lakelands I've seen were UK imports! Most BTs here are show bred, and even more of the Westies are puppy mill and BYB dogs, thus the higher incidence of dog aggression IMHO.
 

Dekka

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#20
Granted I have only met a handful of working BT (imported, and then bred here). But they seem (and I have been told) they have very low DA. The ones who run agility are also very dog friendly.

Working does not have to equal dog aggressive. They are linked but not in all breeds. I think its more linked to working style, vs working ability.
 

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