Are Border Terriers easily trained?
This question should be "Are Borders good at training their owners?"
And the answer to that is "YES"!
They are very intelligent and will quickly learn how to get what
they want from their owner. I know a Border who has trained
his owner's friend to reward him for pooping in the park. When he
poops, he goes to the friend and sits in front of her so she has to
give him a treat. He does this when the other dogs poop too.
Another Border will pretend she is about to swallow small bits of
plastic but will drop them instantly as soon as a treat appears.
Do Border Terrier dogs make good guard dogs?
You are joking? Borders are excellent WATCHdogs,
but are too friendly to be guard dogs. Of course, being
a watchdog is a job which most Borders take very seriously
so if you want a dog which never barks, don't have a Border.
Do Border Terriers get on with cats or other small furry pets?
It might get on with cats if they are already living in the house
when you get your puppy but extreme caution is needed
if your Border is an adult and you plan to introduce a cat
or kitten to the household. As for rabbits and other small
pets, they will be regarded by your Border as a tasty addition
to their diet.
Do Border Terriers get on with children?
They can like them TOO much. Some Borders are
so fond of children that they won't leave them alone.
If your child does not mind having a dog on his lap
or gazing into his eyes while he is trying to watch the
tv, or play a game, then get a Border.
Border Terriers are often said to have a 'low maintenance' coat
and that they do not shed. Is this true?
This is not true. They have a wiry top coat and a soft
undercoat and although it does not tangle or matt,
they need to be stripped twice a year.
If this is not done you will have a dog which while it
looks very cute, looks nothing at all like a Border Terrier.
If you don't mind people asking if you got your mutt from
the local dogs' home, then leave their coat to grow shaggy.
The hair is supposed to be pulled out by hand and this is
not painful to the dog, but it does take a fair amount
of skill to do it. It is said that using electric clippers will spoil the coat, but this is often the easiest way to do it.
Some dogs shed more than others, but they do all shed to some degree.
of skill to do it. It is said that using electric clippers will spoil the coat, but this is often the easiest way to do it.
Some dogs shed more than others, but they do all shed to some degree.