Border Terrier

Border Terriers are very energetic, intelligent, alert and generally friendly dogs. As with many dogs in the Terrier group, they are known for their keen hunting ability and with their high sense of smell, may participate in earthdog trials. Traits derived from the breed's hunting background that can impair a Border Terrier's bonding with family include chasing or hunting small pets (including outdoor cats) or wildlife, also being difficult to disengage from an activity, barking and digging.

Border Terrier History:

The Border Terrier can trace its origins back to the early eighteenth century in the border lands that separate England and Scotland. Farmers were using a scrappy little dog for ratting and to help hunt the hill foxes that preyed on the young lambs in the area. Border Terriers proved to be helpful with the hunting of other animals such as otters, rabbits and badgers. When hunters went after a fox, the Border Terrier would accompany them and would chase the fox down into its den and the tunnels below the ground. Hunters would be able to tell exactly where the Border Terrier was by listening for its bark, which amazingly could be heard above ground even though the dog was underneath. Over time the breed became very popular as a family pet in Europe and more recently America.