28/08/2026
🐾 BREED OF THE WEEK: BORDER TERRIER 🐾
Never met one? Think small, scruffy, brave and absolutely convinced they’re ten feet tall. 😂
Border Terriers were developed in the border country between England and Scotland as working dogs. They needed to be small enough to follow foxes underground, but also tough and athletic enough to keep up with horses and hounds across rough country all day.
Their job was to help control foxes and other vermin, which explains a lot about the breed today — they’re clever, determined, energetic, adventurous and usually very interested in anything that moves, squeaks or disappears into a hole. 😄
They’re also known for being affectionate and people-focused, and compared with some terriers, they were bred to work alongside other dogs, so they can be quite sociable too.
Their coat is another big part of the breed. Border Terriers have a harsh, wiry outer coat with a softer undercoat, and traditionally that coat is maintained by handstripping rather than clipping. Handstripping removes the dead outer coat and helps preserve the natural texture, colour and weather-resistant finish.
Health-wise, they’re generally a hardy breed, but like all breeds they can be prone to certain issues, including patella problems, eye conditions, heart issues and some neurological conditions.
Small dog. Big personality. Proper little working terrier. 🐾💛
