How to Identify a Border Terrier

Last Updated: July 13, 2021 References

Border Terriers are small-sized dogs and are a member of the terrier group.^{[1]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source} Borders have been described as 'hard as a nail' when working, but at home they're affectionate, good-tempered and trainable.^{[2]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source} Border Terriers share some traits with other dogs, but by recognising their key traits, Borders can be more easily identified. This wikiHow will help you know whether or not a dog is a Border Terrier.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Taking Notice of Body Structure

1
Check the dog's size. Border Terriers are fairly small dogs. They are only 12–15 inches (30.5–38.1 cm) tall and males weigh 13–15 pounds (5.9–6.8 kg) whilst females weigh 11.5–14 pounds (5.2–6.4 kg).^{[3]
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Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source}
2
Look at the eyes. Borders have dark hazel coloured eyes which are full of fire and intelligence. The eyes are medium sized and not too prominent or beady.^{[4]
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3
Notice the ears. A Border Terrier has small V-shaped ears which are medium in size and generally darker coloured. The ears aren't set high on the head, but more to the sides of the head.^{[5]
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4
Inspect the muzzle. Borders usually have rather short muzzles that are darker coloured. A few short whiskers are natural. They have a good-sized, black nose, and a bite which is large in proportion to the dog.^{[6]
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5
View the tail. Border Terriers have moderately short tails which are thick at the base. The tail isn't set too high, but it is carried brightly when the dog is alert.^{[7]
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6
Examine the overall structure. Border Terriers have a deep, fairly narrow body which has enough length to be agile. The shoulder blades are well laid back, meeting the withers gradually. The dog has muscular and racy hind legs with long thighs, and the feet in front.^{[8]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Recognising the Coat

1
Check the coat's texture and appearance. Border Terriers have a short dense undercoat which is covered by a wiry, somewhat broken topcoat.^{[9]
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Research source} The wiry coat is weatherproof, and tough which protects the dog from rain, mist and rough terrain.^{[10]
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Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source}
2
Notice the colour of the coat. Borders have a range of colours that they can be, however there are 4 different colors that are standard and approved as purebred. Any of these colours that the dog can be may have a small amount of white markings on the chest.^{[11]
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- The acceptable purebred coat colours for Border Terriers are red, grizzle and tan, blue and tan and wheaten.^{[12]
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  American Kennel Club
  The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
  Go to source}
- Other more unusual (and not recognized as purebred) coat colours include black and red, black and tan, black grizzle, blue grizzle, grizzle, red grizzle, red grizzle and tan, and red wheaten.^{[13]
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  Trustworthy Source
  American Kennel Club
  The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
  Go to source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Identifying Temperament

1
Notice how playful the dog is. Border Terriers are very playful dogs, and are energetic and athletic.^{[14]
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Research source} They tend to play rough and prefer vigorous exercise and interactive games.^{[16]
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2
Look for independence. Borders are independent in many ways, and may also be stubborn.^{[17]
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Research source} The dog will want to escape any back yards or places they're in, to explore the outside world. This curiosity is something that helps them learn new tricks.
3
Watch for how social the dog is. Most Border Terriers are social dogs with both humans and other dogs. They'll usually want to greet strangers with bounciness, and will get along alright with other dogs.^{[18]
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4
Check the dog's reaction to other animals. Borders get along with animals they've been raised with, but any animals they might consider prey (including smaller dog breeds, like those in the toy group^{[19]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source}) are out of the question.^{[20]
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Research source} They'll feel compelled to run and harass anything that moves quickly.^{[21]
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Research source} Border Terriers also have a hunting background, and this will often come into play if a cat crosses their path.^{[22]
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Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source}

Did you know? Borders on the farm in the 18th century were expected to find their own food, so they had to be good hunters to survive.^{[23]
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Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source}