The personality of a Border Terrier and the characteristics that can be observed in them are dependent on a range of factors like their owner, who they are with, where they are, and the things they are surrounded by. Border Terriers are sensitive dogs and their character traits adjust based on their environment and the treatment they are receiving.
Many people will describe Border Terriers as trainable, patient, smart, affectionate, agile, alert, sensitive, and fearless dogs. Borders have a super cute personality that it’s almost impossible to not love this breed.
Border Terrier Personality And Characteristics
Let us find out more on Border Terrier personality and characteristics by answering some of the popular questions people ask about this breed of dogs.
The questions and answers will help us understand more what Border terriers can do, and as such know more into their characters and personality as a pet dog.
Also Read: What Happens if you Don’t Strip a Border Terrier Dog?
Are Border Terriers Cuddly?
Even though borders are not as prone to separation anxiety as other dogs, they do not do so well when left alone for a long period. Though they are not clingy, they love situations that put them in a position to be at the giving as well as the receiving end of love and affection. They love to cuddle and spend time with their human owners, especially children.
Border Terriers never miss opportunities to please people they have grown fond of. If you are looking for the right breed that would meet your affectionate nature halfway, Terriers are your best shot. However, it may take a while to cultivate such a loving relationship. Terriers love to take their time, some breeds are faster to adapt while others are not.
The cuddly nature of terriers becomes more obvious as they grow older and lose bits of the restiveness that came with being young. In their old age, they find succor and peace culled up on the laps or the arms of their favorite humans! Border Terriers are mushy lovers of love and everything in between.
Are Border Terriers Good Pets?
Border Terriers make wonderful family pets. They will grow fond of everyone in the family. Most border terriers however do not live past their fifteenth year but in those fifteen years, they will sow lots of love seeds in the hearts of everyone in the family.
Compared with the cost, time, and energy required in raising other dog breeds, borders tend to be low maintenance if you can successfully train them. Due to their natural desire to please, they do not stress their owners and are well-behaved when raised right.
They are one of the most obedient dogs and they listen and follow commands quite well after mastering them. Borders are patient with themselves so owners must be patient with them as well.
They are mostly of their best behavior around children and can be trusted to be with children but this should still be with supervision. They are also well-behaved around seniors, well-intentioned strangers, and other dogs.
Border terriers make good pets but they have to be raised right to exhibit appropriate behaviour in certain environments.
Are Border Terriers Good With Cats?
Border Terriers are okay with cats and other household pets in general. You may have heard people complain of their terriers growing wild around cats and even other household pets. The thing is, borders can be so energetic that they sometimes do not know what to do with all of their energy. Also, owing to their peculiar trait of chasing smaller animals, this behaviour is understandable. But, most times, borders terriers do not grow wild because they are borders.
Border Terriers require training and exposure to the right way of comporting themselves. When they do not get adequate training, they may exhibit predatory characteristics around cats and smaller animals.
However, it should be noted that adult borders should not be left with cats especially when they had no training on how to behave with other animals prior. The desire to chase is likely to kick in and such a border can become quite wild.
Border Terriers are one of the few dog breeds that get on well with cats and other pets but this can only be achieved when the border was exposed to such a lifestyle when younger.
Are Border Terriers Easy To Train?
Easy is relative and would differ from person to person. If you tend to be a little impatient, you will disagree with the current consensus that border terriers are easy to train because they would stretch your limit.
While borders are considered to be trainable, they are also a host of other things like smart, calculated, very intelligent, and independent-minded. Understanding and accepting commands would take a while to sink.
And, understanding commands is one thing while obeying them is another. Borders are big on their love for reward and reciprocity. While teaching your border different commands, they must be properly rewarded for them to continue to obey commands when pronounced.
So, border terriers can be easy to train depending on the approach and expectation. Be patient with your terrier and do not set your hopes high too early. Also, rewards should not be taken lightly.
An alternative to navigating border training is sending your border to a school for borders or hiring an expert to help with proper grooming.
Also Read: More Information On Border Terrier Training
Are Border Terriers Aggressive?
Border terriers are calm and peace loving. They may be restless dogs but on average, they are nowhere near aggressive. Aggressive displays by a border is most often not due to its nature but rather, an underlying difficulty.
As said earlier, borders are very sensitive and when its caretakers mistreat it, it is likely to show its disapproval of their behaviour through aggression, either towards other humans or other animals.
Borders can also become aggressive when they are treated with disrespect by other dogs. They tend to demand their respect via subtle aggression. For instance, you could be out on a walk with your border and it encounters another dog that acts disrespectful, your border may start to chase the other dog recklessly demanding that it shows some level of respect. Borders terriers are soft and sensitive and big on respectful treatment.
There are other reasons why a border terrier may become aggressive but aggression with no underlying reason is a trait seldom associated with borders.
Are Border Terriers Smart?
Border Terriers are very smart and intelligent dogs. They do well in activities that require brain work and analytical skills like hunting and searching. In their learning phase, they pick up directions and trails very quickly. If you go out with your border via a certain route, it most likely has managed to take mental notes of the buildings on the way or objects along the path so by the time you will be returning via the route, it knows it’s way around.
When borders are restless and act like they are filled with too much energy, experts advise making them do something engaging as a way to get rid of the excess energy. They find stimulating exercises fulfilling.
Borders tend to play invaluable roles on occasions where something or someone needs to be found. They pick up the faintest of trails and are good at tracing their path to targets.
Are Border Terriers Affectionate?
If you are looking for someone who would notice the smallest change in your mood, try to cheer you up and be your cheerleader when you need one, look no further. Your border terrier can fill these shoes and still be left with so much loving energy. Border terriers are often described as charming and their charm is their affectionate nature. There’s almost no one who would resist the pure love that borders offer.
They love to cuddle and you can trust them to fill your love tanks with lots of sweet hugs and kisses. And the beautiful part is despite being so affectionate, they are not clingy at least not like other dogs.
As much as border terriers love to show their affection in every possible way, they also love receiving affection in the form of cuddles, praises and positive words. Do not starve them of this. They are super loyal and protective. They will practically become your second shadow if you need them to be and will always have your back, often thinking steps ahead, just to guarantee your safety.
Are Border Terriers Dangerous?
Border terriers despite being gentle dogs are dangerous especially when they become aggressive. This trait is sometimes overlooked which can have very harmful effects. Borders have sharp teeth that they put to use when they become aggressive. They are capable of biting and injuring other dogs, smaller animals like cats and even humans and children. However, they do not become dangerous without first showing signs of aggression so you can watch out for these signs and pay attention to their concerns.
Also Read: Border Terrier Behaviour Problems, Temperament & Aggression
Are Border Terriers Good With Other Dogs?
Border Terriers are good with other dogs and can live in harmony with other breeds provided it is being respected and not being bullied by the others. Borders are quite capable of shifting behaviours if they notice they are being slighted. They can become pretty aggressive in a matter of minutes.
Owing to their sociable nature, they equally bond well with other dogs and even grow fond of their company.
Before allowing your border terrier to be in close proximity with other dogs, ensure it has been trained properly because with borders, things can escalate really fast. And, regardless of how well trained your border terrier is, they should not be left with very few animals like mice because they tend to run after these animals irrespective of training received.
Conclusion On Border Terrier Personality & Characteristics
Let us highlight some points again about border terrier personality and characteristics. Border terriers are fun, charming, excellent pets but they are also easily misunderstood. Most of the grooming a border terrier receives should come during its formative years as this is when its personality is shaped. Borders can be handled with ease if they are understood and if their needs are respected and tended to.
