my wife and i are planning on getting a new dog soon and really like border terriers. however, we have never owned one and hear they can be a handful. we have a fairly small apartment, are very active/outdoorsy people, and would prefer something small that can serve well as an indoor or outdoor companion. I have experience with beagles and love them but do not want to get them as I fear their tendency to roam too much. we would also like something small, say less than 9 kilograms/20 lbs
border terrier or...
- Thread starter REZA
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My friend at work has a Border Terrier. We even took an obedience class together with our dogs. She's an experienced dog owner, and I certainly don't hear any unusual stories about little Harley. I've been to their house, and he seems like a well mannered little guy. They have a lot of room, and their dogs seldom go anyplace else, except for groomers and vets. So, she probably in the opposite position of you.
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/borderterrier.htm
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/norfolkterrier.htm
Have you already seen those?
I think they're adorable looking but it looks like they do require a fair amount of exercise. And being Terriers can definitely be a little on the persistant side. LOL. But I think these guys are cute. It looks like you'd have to really be on top of the house training right off the bat.
For a dog as a good companion, I love the Chihuahua. Mine go hiking with me right along with the Doberman and the other bigger mix. They're tough enough. But they don't have quite that persistant, terrier thing I don't think. I mean, they're not diggers because they weren't bred to hunt vermin or anything. They were bred to be companions, period. But they will tend to suffer seperation anxiety if left alone as will many dogs. But Chi's seem pretty sensative to that. They are very easy in many ways.
Have you had dogs before? What made you think of Border Terrier? I'm just curious because I'm sort of smitten with them too or the little Norfolk or Norwitch. Cute, cute, cute.
Well...good for you for doing the research and thinking long and hard before jumping into anything. I recommend some books too and learning some training tips before you get a pup, if you need to, that is. Raising a puppy you can live with is one which comes highly recommended. There's Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson as my top recommendation. The power of Positive Training, Pat Miller. There are others too that are great.
Good luck!
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/norfolkterrier.htm
Have you already seen those?
I think they're adorable looking but it looks like they do require a fair amount of exercise. And being Terriers can definitely be a little on the persistant side. LOL. But I think these guys are cute. It looks like you'd have to really be on top of the house training right off the bat.
For a dog as a good companion, I love the Chihuahua. Mine go hiking with me right along with the Doberman and the other bigger mix. They're tough enough. But they don't have quite that persistant, terrier thing I don't think. I mean, they're not diggers because they weren't bred to hunt vermin or anything. They were bred to be companions, period. But they will tend to suffer seperation anxiety if left alone as will many dogs. But Chi's seem pretty sensative to that. They are very easy in many ways.
Have you had dogs before? What made you think of Border Terrier? I'm just curious because I'm sort of smitten with them too or the little Norfolk or Norwitch. Cute, cute, cute.
Well...good for you for doing the research and thinking long and hard before jumping into anything. I recommend some books too and learning some training tips before you get a pup, if you need to, that is. Raising a puppy you can live with is one which comes highly recommended. There's Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson as my top recommendation. The power of Positive Training, Pat Miller. There are others too that are great.
Good luck!
i currently have a border terrier who is about 1 year old, he is truly an amazing dog and has a character unlike any dog i have ever met,
he is full of energy and fun, he loves cuddles but he NEEDS atleast a 1-1&1/2 hour walk a day otherwise he has zoomies round the house for ages.
They can develop nipping at a young age so you will have to be careful about getting them out of that habit, even from the best of lines, its just a trait of the breed.
They need to be stripped atleast 4 times a year, this can take up to 7hours at a time, or over a week for 1 hour a day with baths, but this only needs to be done every 3 months.
After they have been stripped, the shedding is almost non-existent.
Harley hates water apart from the sea, but this may be from an accident when he fell in our pool as a adult.
Harley excelled at obediance, but after he had learned the commands he knew them but he doesnt like obediance for more than a hour.
Its extremely important you dont motivate them with food as this will not help with nipping, toys and praise are the best motivation for this breed.
In about half a year when harleys bones are fully developed we plan on starting agility. We have been practising in the garden and it is a great way to channel his energy into a competative sport.
Harley is from working lines so that may be a reason for his energy and the fact that he will chase any animal he sees (rodent, cat), its safe to say he has a strong prey drive.
Harley is completely the opposite of dog aggressive though, he loves strangers and dogs, he is not shy at all.
He is very independant so training the 'come' command from very early on is a must.
If you go for show lines than its more than likely that the dog is gonna have a more relaxed temperament as the prey drive will have been lost with breeding for strict show lines, even though i would never buy a dog from a breeder that does just showing as i believe the dogs should be able to do what they were originally bred for.
Terriers, especially the borders were bred for hunting out rats and small vermin so its highly likely they will chase small animals, but even this behaviour can belost if you train him from very young
i cant remember what i've missed but if you have any other questions i will be happy to answer them if i know the answer.
he is full of energy and fun, he loves cuddles but he NEEDS atleast a 1-1&1/2 hour walk a day otherwise he has zoomies round the house for ages.
They can develop nipping at a young age so you will have to be careful about getting them out of that habit, even from the best of lines, its just a trait of the breed.
They need to be stripped atleast 4 times a year, this can take up to 7hours at a time, or over a week for 1 hour a day with baths, but this only needs to be done every 3 months.
After they have been stripped, the shedding is almost non-existent.
Harley hates water apart from the sea, but this may be from an accident when he fell in our pool as a adult.
Harley excelled at obediance, but after he had learned the commands he knew them but he doesnt like obediance for more than a hour.
Its extremely important you dont motivate them with food as this will not help with nipping, toys and praise are the best motivation for this breed.
In about half a year when harleys bones are fully developed we plan on starting agility. We have been practising in the garden and it is a great way to channel his energy into a competative sport.
Harley is from working lines so that may be a reason for his energy and the fact that he will chase any animal he sees (rodent, cat), its safe to say he has a strong prey drive.
Harley is completely the opposite of dog aggressive though, he loves strangers and dogs, he is not shy at all.
He is very independant so training the 'come' command from very early on is a must.
If you go for show lines than its more than likely that the dog is gonna have a more relaxed temperament as the prey drive will have been lost with breeding for strict show lines, even though i would never buy a dog from a breeder that does just showing as i believe the dogs should be able to do what they were originally bred for.
Terriers, especially the borders were bred for hunting out rats and small vermin so its highly likely they will chase small animals, but even this behaviour can belost if you train him from very young
i cant remember what i've missed but if you have any other questions i will be happy to answer them if i know the answer.
I think border terriers are awfully cute. I think they are tough dogs to own in some ways though. Terriers are independent and I think training one can be humbling to say the least. Terriers can also be reactive and dog-dog aggressive. They don't always turn out to be dogs you can take to an off leash park etc. When you think of what they were originally bred for- they're intended to be very feisty, independent (read-they please themselves not you), tenacious dogs. I love that about them but it's not what I want to own for MY life right now that's for sure. I just prefer a dog that wants to work with me, that I can train to have a rock solid recall and is good with dogs, kids, cats etc Personally of the terrier world, I have a soft spot for the Norfolk / Norwich as well as certain lines of Jacks.