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Terrier group · England and Scotland (the Border country)

Border Terrier

Also called Border, Coquetdale Terrier

A terrier with legs long enough to keep up with a hunt on horseback and stamina to spare afterwards.

The Border Terrier is a small, rough-coated working terrier of about 5 to 7 kg (11 to 16 lb), bred in the hill country between England and Scotland. It is gentler and more sociable than many terriers, but its drive to run, dig and chase is very much intact.

Original AI-generated breed illustration

Weight

5 to 7 kg

11 to 15 lb

Height

30 to 38 cm

at the shoulder

Life expectancy

12 to 15 yrs

Activity estimate

90 to 120 min

editorial daily planning range

Adult-size estimate

12 months

approximate model input

Life with a Border Terrier

Farmers and shepherds in the Cheviot Hills needed a terrier that could run with the foxhounds for miles, then bolt a fox from rocky cover once the hounds had it marked. Short-legged terriers got left behind, and heavy ones could not fit underground. The Border Terrier was the answer: long enough in the leg to follow horses, narrow enough in the chest to go to ground.

It went by a few local names, including Coquetdale and Reedwater Terrier, before settling on the name of the Border Hunt. The Kennel Club recognized it in 1920, and it is now one of the most popular terriers in Britain.

Living with one means living with a dog that likes to be busy. Borders are friendly with people, usually fine with other dogs, and more affectionate at home than their scruffy look suggests. They are also persistent, curious and fast, and a rabbit hole or an open gate can override everything you have taught them.

What stands out

Exercise

Plan on 60 to 90 minutes of activity a day for an adult. Borders happily cover long country walks, and many enjoy canicross, agility, earthdog trials and scent games. Two walks plus some play in the garden is a realistic minimum.

Read the full exercise guide

Activity planning estimate

90 to 120 min

editorial estimate, not a prescription

Energy

4 / 5

Playfulness 5 / 5

A great match for

active owners who walk in the countryside
families with children who like to play outdoors
people who want a small dog that is not delicate
homes with a secure garden

Think twice if

strong urge to chase cats, squirrels and rabbits
digging and squeezing through fence gaps
scavenging and weight gain
dislike of being left alone for long

Personality and needs at a glance

Living together

Good with children

Good with other dogs

Open with strangers

Apartment friendly

Copes with alone time

Energy and character

Energy level

Playfulness

Easy to train

Barking

5 means very vocal

Care and climate

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Handles cold

Handles heat

How much a Border Terrier eats

Illustrative calculations for neutered adults at midpoint breed weights, with food at 370 kcal per 100 g and 100 g per cup. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Dog	Weight	Calories	Dry food
Female, relaxed lifestyle	6 kg	350 kcal	95 g (1 cups)
Female, typical pet	6 kg	400 kcal	110 g (1 cups)
Male, typical pet	7 kg	460 kcal	125 g (1.3 cups)
Male, very active	7 kg	570 kcal	155 g (1.5 cups)

Full Border Terrier feeding guide Calculate for my dog

Care guides for the Border Terrier

FeedingFew Border Terriers turn down food, and many will open bins, raid bags and eat things found on walks. 5 kg (14 lb) typically needs 100 to 120 g of dry food a day, a little over a cup, split into two meals.Read more Puppy growthBorder puppies reach adult height by about 9 to 10 months and fill out through their first year, sometimes continuing to broaden until 15 months. 5 kg, depending on whether they come from lighter or heavier parents.Read more GroomingThe wiry coat is designed to shed dirt and water, and it stays in good condition with a weekly brush using a hound glove or bristle brush. Two or three times a year the old coat loosens and is pulled out by hand, which is called stripping.Read more TrainingA Border was bred to make decisions underground without a handler, so it listens best when training feels worth its time. Food works very well with this greedy breed, and short, lively sessions keep it engaged.Read more HealthThe breed is usually hardy, but it is known for a few conditions. The best known is canine epileptoid cramping syndrome, sometimes called Spike's disease, which causes episodes of trembling, stiffness or difficulty walking.Read more

Things owners are often surprised by

1The breed standard asks that the chest can be spanned by two hands behind the shoulders
2Named after the Border Hunt in Northumberland
3Recognized by the UK Kennel Club in 1920
4The coat is hand-stripped two or three times a year instead of clipped
5The head is often described as otter-like

Border Terrier questions

Do Border Terriers need hand stripping?

They do not strictly need it, but stripping keeps the coat harsh, weatherproof and true in color. Most Borders are stripped two or three times a year when the coat starts to look open and loose. Clipping is fine for comfort, but the coat will usually turn softer and lighter over time. Many groomers offer stripping, and many owners learn to do it at home.

Are Border Terriers good with cats?

Many live well with a cat they grew up with, especially if introduced as a puppy. Their instinct to chase small animals is strong, though, and it often applies to cats outside the home. Introduce slowly, give the cat escape routes and high places, and supervise until you are confident. Small caged pets are a much bigger risk.

Why does my Border Terrier eat everything?

Borders are well known for their appetite and scavenging. It comes from a tough working dog that ate whatever it could find. Manage it by keeping bins closed, food off counters, and teaching a reliable leave-it and drop cue. If your dog suddenly starts eating non-food items or seems unusually hungry, mention it to your vet.

Can Border Terriers be trusted off lead?

Some can in quiet places, after months of recall practice. The breed's prey drive means even a well-trained Border may bolt after a rabbit or squirrel. Use a long line of 5 to 10 m while you build recall, and pick open spaces away from roads. Many owners keep their dog on lead near woodland and farmland.

What is Spike's disease in Border Terriers?

It is a common name for canine epileptoid cramping syndrome, a condition recognized in the breed that causes episodes of trembling, stiffness, stumbling or cramping, often lasting a few minutes. Only a vet can assess what is behind an episode. If your dog has one, take a video, note what happened before it, and contact your vet.

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