There are some puppies that we have a look at and we can just see the wheels turning as they say; Border Terrier puppies definitely have this amazing quality, some dogs are just more anthropomorphic than others, and these particular dogs certainly are that.

They were bred to be smart, independent, and when looking into their faces they just seem, well, rational, they’re careful and highly intelligent dogs, very alert and attentive; they have v-shaped whiskers and otter shaped heads.

These are not the only Terriers, there are a good many breeds of Terriers in Great Britain, and many of them originated in Scotland.

The Border Terrier is no different, they were created from the Scottie or Scottish Terrier.  It all gets a little confusing, so much so that a lot of us just sometimes want to throw up our hands and leave all these minor distinctions up to the Kennel Clubs, that’s what they’re there for anyway.  Just realize that there are many different Terriers and there are folks that like to scrutinize them very carefully.

If you’re curious, the Border Terrier was officially recognized by the Kennel Club of England in 1920 as its own distinct breed.  The original Kennel Club (the English one) has been officially recognizing new breeds for many years, however there are similar clubs in Canada, Australia, and the U.S as well.

These terriers were originally used (like most Terriers) to flush foxes from their dens.  And while that may seem cruel to us today, we have to look at things from the farmer’s view, the farmer from a few generations ago whose chickens, piglets, and eggs were raided by the local fox population, their livelihoods depended on “taking care of” these wily predators.

In addition to flushing foxes, these terriers where also used to get rid of rats and even badgers in some cases.  So, it’s safe to say that these little guys are tough.  They aren’t very big (11 – 15 pounds) but they are often lively beyond all reason.

They have a very rough outer coat, and a soft under coat; this double coat is very common among dog breeds that evolved in colder climates.  It’s these double coats that have allowed them to survive  through bitter cold weather through the many generations.

Because of their rough coats they need to be hand stripped for proper grooming.  Those outer coats are dense and rough and this type of grooming is very beneficial for the dog.  Of course, it pays to be gentle, but the coat is so rough and thick that the dogs don’t really feel this stripping very much.

Finding Border Terrier puppies at the local rescue or shelter would be difficult, as you’ll find mostly older dogs there.  The best way to locate and purchase a puppy of this breed is to get in touch with a few good breeders and the best way to do that is to network with other Terrier owners online and in your neighborhood.