Border Terrier

A Border Terrier should do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially made or home-prepared under your veterinarian's supervision and approval. Match the diet to the dog's life stage: puppy, adult, or senior. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

Some Borders are prone to putting on weight, so monitor how much you feed and reduce portions if your dog gains. Too many treats on top of regular meals can contribute to weight gain, so keep treats under 10 percent of daily calories. The right amount depends on your dog's weight, health, and activity level.

• Adults: two meals a day, one in the morning and one in the evening
• Puppies: more often as they grow, about three or four times a day

Food packaging gives recommended portions, but talk to your veterinarian for advice tailored to your dog. A well-balanced diet supplies the nutrients a Border Terrier needs, though supplements for the eyes and joints may be helpful additions. Talk to your vet before adding any supplement, and never give one without that conversation.

The Border Terrier has a double coat: a hard, wiry outer coat over a soft undercoat. Like most double-coated breeds, it sheds seasonally. For most of the year a quick brushing every week or two keeps the coat in good shape, while during shedding season you can plan on a daily session of about 30 minutes to strip out dead hair with a rake or stripping tool.

The breed needs handstripping twice a year, a process where a groomer removes hair from the roots by hand instead of clipping. This lets a new coat of wiry hair grow in; clipping leaves the new hair softer and the coat loses its characteristic hard texture. Groomers who handstrip can be hard to find, so many owners learn the method themselves. Between strippings, brush with a slicker brush as needed.

The outer coat repels dirt, and bathing can compromise that, so you can usually skip the bath. A dirty Border cleans up well with a towel and a brush. Trim the nails regularly, since overgrown nails can cause pain or trouble walking.

The breed's floppy ears mean ear infections can develop more easily than in dogs with upright ears. Ask your veterinarian how often to clean the ears with a veterinary-approved cleaner. Watch for cloudiness or changes in the eyes, and talk to your vet if you notice redness, scaliness, hair loss, or discharge on the skin.

Border Terriers are active dogs and need plenty of exercise every day. A brisk half-hour walk or a play session with a ball or flying disc is usually enough to keep one healthy and happy, along with vigorous play and romps in the yard. Because the breed is hardwired to chase small animals, time outside should be on a leash or inside a fenced area.

These are diggers, so backyard fencing should ideally extend underground at least 18 inches. Borders will often dig to free themselves from a fenced yard, so supervise yours whenever they are outside.

They enjoy dog sports such as tracking, lure coursing, agility, earthdog, flyball, rally, and competitive obedience, all of which give their drive a structured outlet. With a reverberating bark and an independent streak, a bored Border has a knack for finding trouble through chewing and digging. The right home is one equipped for a high-energy, intelligent dog, ideally an active family with a job in mind for their Border.

Early socialization and puppy training classes are essential for Border Terriers. The breed is independent and may lose interest in repetitive sessions, so use short, reward-based exercises and set realistic expectations for obedience.

Borders are eager to learn and respond well to reward-based training with their favorite treats. Gentle, positive methods work well; a harsh approach can break their spirit and does not get results. Keep sessions short and fun to hold their interest, since these dogs can grow bored quickly and decide they are done for the day.

Expose your puppy to as many people and situations as possible early on to help it grow into a well-adjusted adult. Well-socialized Border Terriers do well with children and other dogs. Living with cats can be trickier, since a Border may see them as something to chase, but they can get along with feline family members when introductions are made properly.

Border Terriers need substantial attention and patient guidance. Once they have worked out their energy, Border Terriers are affectionate companions that love curling up with you.