How much exercise does a Border Terrier need?
Daily exercise minutes, the activities a Border Terrier enjoys and signs of too much or too little.
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.
Their prey drive is the main safety issue. Recall can be excellent at home and fail the moment a squirrel moves, so use a long line in unfenced areas until you know your dog well. Gardens need to be checked for gaps at the base of fences, because a Border can dig or squeeze through spaces that look far too small. A bored Border tends to dig, bark and chew.
Border Terrier exercise in numbers
Activity ranges are editorial planning estimates. The five-minutes-per-month puppy rule lacks scientific evidence. Adapt activity to the individual and seek advice for pain or exercise difficulty. PDSA puppy exercise guidance.
Editorial activity estimate
90 to 120 min
Puppy activity
Individual plan
adapt to age, health and development
Senior activity
Individual plan
adapt to comfort and ability
Size
small
5 to 7 kg
Energy level
Playfulness
Handles heat
Handles cold