Border Terrier behavior behavior

Border Terriers are friendly and playful, and can make good family pets as they are generally good with children. They are best kept by people who have had dogs before and know how to maintain human social dominance over them. They are highly energetic dogs, and so unless a lot of time can be devoted to them, they are generally best kept with other dogs of similar temperament. Ideal companions would be other Border Terriers, Collies, and most Spaniels.

Border Terriers are relatively easily trained, although they can develop a cat-like independence and when kept as part of a group of dogs, can have difficulty recognising that each dog has a different name (they occasionally respond to them all). Some members of the breed make a highly effective alternative to a doorbell, due to their sharp hearing and the distinctive frenzied barking that results when they hear someone approaching the door. They are best kept in pairs or small groups, or with dogs of other breeds. Their dominant personalities can be used to the advantage of the owner if larger dogs are also kept as, like all terriers, they will generally occupy a high position in the 'pack', subordinate to the owner. This is especially true if a Border Terrier is an adult and the larger dog a puppy when introduced. However if a large dog comes into the family, although it is already an adult one, the Border Terrier starts to "test" his new companion, and if there's no objection from the side of the larger dog, maintains his leadership. This can need firm handling as fights can break out- a squirt from a water gun often does the trick.

Border Terriers are generally unsuitable for homes where there are rabbits, cats (except Maine Coons), smaller breeds of dogs, or other similar pets, as they will attack and kill all animals smaller than themselves; they were bred for this purpose. Exceptions to this are where the Terrier was introduced to the other animal as a puppy. Despite this instinct, they are generally amicable with other dogs, and often develop strong friendships with dogs they meet frequently. Nevertheless, in case they don't like another dog, they don't hesitate to start a fight and, as it is the case with most terriers, it's not easy to stop them. One has to train the Border Terrier carefully from the beginning so that he learns a correct social behaviour with other dogs (especially with dogs that are of bigger size!).

Any toy given to a Border Terrier needs to be virtually indestructible. Solid, tough rubber toys such as rubber rings are suitable; however, certain individuals might have a fascination for other objects found in their environment, some of which the owner might not have wanted to be dog toys.