|
Border Terrier |
|
Breed Portrait |
|
|
|
|
The Border Terriers
original home and also the origin of the breeds name is the border country
between England and Scotland. In Northumberland and Roxburgshire, mainly in the
districts Reedewater, North Tyne and Coquet, the breeding of the families of the
Masters of Hounds created a working terrier that, during the traditional
horseback hunting, accompanied the Foxhound- and Otter-hound packs over long
distances to finally catch the fox or otter in its burrow. |
|
The
first breeders did not care for looks much; the demands of the hunt in the
rough mountain- and hill landscapes of the border country with its
oftentimes harsh weather conditions were enough of a selection criterion. Thus it
does not astonish that when the English Kennel Club recognized the race in
1920 many of the physical and psychological characteristics that were
important for the hunt were laid down as a basis for the standard and are
still valid today.
|
 |
|
|
The Border Terrier with
its vitality, its urge to be active and its natural appearance is not only a
excellent hunting dog, but also a great family dog for people who enjoy nature
and like to take long walks, since it is good-natured, well-balanced and
child-loving. Due to its activeness it has been used for dog sports (agility,
obedience and
tracking) and as a rescue dog more and more often during the last
years. |
|
One characteristic of the
Border Terrier is the otter-like, rather flat skull with a well-filled, short
strong muzzle and all around soft lines, that noticeably sets it apart from
other terriers. |
|
|
|
Border Terriers do not
require a lot of grooming; they have a weather-resistant double-layered fur coat
with hard top hair and thick bottom hair. They need to be stripped at least
twice per year.
Border Terriers come in
four colours: red, grizzle and tan, blue and tan, wheaten (rare). |
|
|
|
Conclusion: The Border
Terrier is a sturdy, healthy dog, and makes a loyal companion for its owner for
about fifteen years. |
|
Border Terrier |
|
Breed Standard |
|
|
General
appearence: |
Essentially a working terrier. |
|
Characteristics: |
Capable of following a horse, combining activity with
gameness. |
|
Temperament: |
Active and game – as previously stated. |
|
Head and
Skull: |
Head like that of an otter. Moderately broad in skull,
with short strong muzzle. Black nose preferable,
but
liver or flesh coloured one not a serious fault. |
|
Eyes: |
Dark with a keen expression. |
|
Ears: |
Small, V-shaped; of moderate thickness, and dropping
forward
close to the cheek. |
|
Mouth: |
Scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower
teeth
and set square to the jaws. Level bite
acceptable.
Undershot or overshot a major fault and
highly undesirable. |
|
Neck: |
Of moderate lengh. |
|
Forequarters: |
Forelegs straight, not too heavy in bone |
|
Body: |
Deep, narrow, fairly long. Ribs carried well back;
but not oversprung, as a Border Terrier should be capable
of being spanned by both hands behind the
shoulder.
Loins strong. |
|
Hindquarters: |
Racy. |
|
Feet: |
Small with thick pads. |
|
Tail: |
Moderately short; fairly thick at base, then tapering.
Set high,
carried gaily, but not curled over the back. |
|
Gait: |
Has the soundness to follow a horse. |
|
Coat: |
Harsh and dense; with close undercoat.
Skin must be
thick. |
|
Colour: |
Red, wheaten, grizzle and tan or blue and tan. |
|
Size: |
Dogs:
5,9 – 7,1 kg (13-15,5 lb.)
Bitches:
5,1 – 6,4 kg (11,5-14 lb.) |
|
Faults: |
Any
deaparture from the foregoing points should be
considered a
fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should
be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect on the Border
Terrier’s ability to
work, and the health and welfare of the dog. |
|
Note: |
Male Border Terriers should have two apparently normale
testicles fully descended into the scrotum. |
|
| |
|
