Page 254 - Showsight April 2013

Life with Border terriers
By Annette Neff
Wildwood Border Terriers T he Border Terrier is a
hardy, determined little
dog that originated
in the Cheviot Hills
of the Border country
between England and
Scotland. The farmers and shepherds in
this area had to contend with foxes so they
depended on small, long-legged terriers to
drive them out of the brush and thicket
too dense for large hounds. Forced into the
open, the game could be pursued by the
hounds. Often quarry took refuge under-
ground. But the Border Terriers’ talents in
the undergrowth are equally matched by
its skills under the earth. Vermin caught
in the Border’s sights learned quickly that
a den is not a refuge when a Border Terrier
is at the door.
The development and preservation of
the working qualities of the modern-day
Border Terrier is credited to two families
whose history with hunt terriers dates to
the 16th century—the Robsons and the
Dodds. In the US, JoAnn Frier-Murza ded-
icates much of her life to making certain
that owners appreciate the working talents
of the Border Terrier. She began hunting
with hers in 1971 and attended her first
American Working Terrier Association tri-
al in 1972—she fell in love with the sport.
JoAnn pioneered the Earthdog movement
in the United States. In 1993 and again in
2003, she worked with the AKC advisory
panel to develop and update the earthdog
testing program. JoAnn’s Village Green
Farm Earthdog Center is the site of many
events, and her training, practice and
nationwide seminars are very popular.
A hunt terrier by definition, the Bor-
der had to possess sufficient leg to follow
a horse, yet be small enough to pursue a
fox underground. Today’s Border Terrier
is structurally well suited for these tasks.
Moreover, they have a weather-resistant
coat that requires stripping to withstand
prolonged exposure to drenching rains,
mists and other environmental challeng-
es, including the occasional storm drain.
There are many stories about Border Terri-
ers that have survived prolonged periods of
time underground or in drains when their
quarry retreated there.
The Border Terrier’s combination of
courage and good sense has always been its
best asset. This terrier is lively but wise, brave
but not foolhardy, and quick to learn though
inclined to think for itself. Its equable tem-
perament, which is unusual amongst terri-
ers, stems from its original work. The Bor-
der Terrier was expected to run peacefully
with Foxhounds. Therefore, they should not
exhibit the dog-aggressive attitude of some
terriers that hunt primarily alone.
The Robson-Dodds terriers were agile,
lean and fast, and their stamina is the
hallmark of the breed. Today’s Border is
exceedingly versatile. If there is any chal-
lenge a Border is not up to meeting, it cer-
tainly isn’t for lack of persistence of trying.
The Border is a hunter, Earthdog, show
dog and obedience and rally dog, out-
standing at agility trials and therapy work,
a master ratter and has an excellent nose
for tracking. There’s not much little this
terrier can’t do!
There are many qualities of the Bor-
der Terrier—courage, boldness and a
fun-loving spirit—that may make them
somewhat difficult to live with. Hunt ter-
riers were bred to work independently of
people, roaming their owners’ property
on their own, seeking out and killing rats
and assorted vermin. They were expected
to work without human intervention and
to make their own decisions. The Border
Terrier may, in fact, see their people as nui-
sances that are interfere with their work!
It’s impossible to make any terrier do
something it doesn’t want to do. Com-
mands are easily taught to Border Terriers,
but, to show independence, they are not
254 • ShowSight Magazine, April 2013