Hi all,

Does anyone have experience with Border Terriers in a family situation. I have one child (nearly 5), who is good with dogs. We want a family dog that we can go everywhere with, on camping holidays etc.

Lots of websites say Borders make good family pets - I would like a terrier, but the other terrier breeds seem a bit snappy to have around kids.

Any advice appreciated.

I dunno about borders but i don't subscribe to the terrier/snappy thing. I have a patterdale who has never snapped at anyone...anyone goes near her and shes more likely to roll over to try and get a quick belly rub. Having said that she her recall is awful cos she gets really easily distracted....I know a couple of cairn owners with the same problem.....

There are groups for all sorts of breeds on Facebook so maybe join one and ask current owners.

You are soooo right....I have 3 cairns and all are very easily distracted off the lead by scents and smells...

There is a website called Terrier Talk that has lots of Border owners on there....maybe join up and ask them ? Lots of them have years of experience

I have had several terrier breeds none were snappy with family, they had various difficulties with small furries, other dogs and one with people but they were cuddle bunnies at home with their own family.

My dog is like the dog in Up....she'll be halfway to coming back and the 'SQUIRREL!'

Her recall in the garden is brilliant but out and about no so much so I find it safer to not let her off the lead when we're out unless there are other dogs about cos she'll stay with them or we're at the beach cos strangely enough she is always really good there...

That is so weird, mine love the beach too are really well behaved there too....strange dogs they are !

Sorry OP for hi-jacking yr thread !

So in short OP, our terriers are soft as sh1t, and can only behave at the seaside! Mine even lives happily with a cat and where one is you will normally find the other,

Good, I'm glad people have had good experiences with Terriers. I was put off buying a Parsons Jack Russell, by comments that they were a bit yappy and could get easily bored.

I did read that Terriers weren't good at recall and could be easily distracted. This puts me off a bit. I had a rescue dog from Dogs Trust who is a terrier cross, try as we may he just doesn't come when called (apart from at home). Lost count of the amount of times we've lost him in the woods somewhere, only to find him sheepishly returning an hour and a half later.

I have a Parson Russell Terrier so can only advise on the 'Terrier' side of things.

I havent children but there are children in the family. Terriers from my observation although each and every dog is very different seem to love children, thrive off their energy and want to be involved in everything they do. They do not however like children that do not respect them and yank at them and get in their face so there has to be a mutual respect taught from early on, this is a must.

Terriers are highly energetic and intelligent breeds, they do need a lot of mental and physical stimulation so whether you have the time to fit this into family life is something you need to discuss. They are eager to learn and please.

Hi

my dad and cousin both have border terriers and got them for that reason and they are lovely well behaved dogs. My cousin has 2 extremely boistrous little boys so her dog is subjected to rough and tumble on a frequent basis and never bats an eye lid. her first border was run over by a car and when she decided to get another dog never hesitated to get another border as he has been so fab with the kids.

HTH

I think they're probably ok as long as you discipline them properly and don't baby them. The border terrier down my road did snap at my leg a couple of years ago for no apparent reason which I found very shocking, but then the owner didn't tell it off for doing it so I consider that to be poor training on the owner's part.

In general though, I think there are more classically child friendly dogs out there. Terriers are ok but I imagine they can be a bit of a handful.

Get a spaniel, these aren't as yappy or or snappy as terriers and are great family pets.

I've had three Scottish Terriers and they've all been excellent family pets, although one did get a bit a bit snappy as he got older. He was 14, blind. deaf and had no teeth so didn't do any damage. On the whole, all the terriers I've met have been smashing little dogs.

I have a Border x Parsons Jack Russell terrier and he adores kids. My granddaughter can do anything with him and he follows her about. He will go to children if he is off the lead as he thinks they all want to play with him. Like all terriers, his recall is rubbish - he'll only come if he has finished hunting in the hedgerow. Having said that, he is as loyal as the day is long and does always come back - eventually!

I too had one before and it was run over. We were devastated and got another one straight away.

Never had a border terrier before....But I grew up with 3 Cairn Terriers and a Jack Russell, lovely dogs ....so not all Terriers are snappy...If you want one, go for it .....Also I would LOVE miniature Schnauzer as a pet another lovely terrier breed.

I'm getting a mini schauzner in the next few weeks.

i had a border terrier when i was 4 and when i was 12 he died he was my best mate always ate my veggies under the table he slept at the en of my bed was loyal as anything and when i walked him i didnt need him on a lead as he always stuck to me like glue sure enough wherever i was he was and when i was at school he sat in my bedroom until i got home one of the best dogs ive ever had never went for anyone exept when i got jumped by a few kids when i was about 6 then he set anout them but never touched me or my sisters the family rabbit or cat

now im all grown up and have a family of my own ive got 2 jack russel cross breeds smudge jack crossed with yorkshire terrier yorkie colours but a jacks body and crazyness and ruby is a manchester terrier cross jack black and white small and stocky both are minitures and were the runts of there litters but are great with kids and really loyal.

id say go for it get a boarder or a jack russel as thy are not at all like people seem to think snappy!!!!

Terriers are not snappy dogs at all. They are (with the exception of one type) small dogs who have to demonstrate their feistiness more vocally than larger breeds.

I have a Border Terrier (bitch) called Louise - she's almost 14 now and a better pet and companion I could never have asked for. She is extremely friendly, sociable with other dogs, great with kids and doesn't yap or snap. Only barks when the door bell goes. I have been very fortunate with her - no medical problems at all although she is showing signs of her age now. As an 8 week old puppy she was house trained within 2 weeks. She listens well and although she is seldom off the leash she was easily trained not to chase rabbits of which there are lots around where I live. I have only once seen her show her teeth and that was with just cause! And talking of teeth she still has all of hers and they are in good condition too. As I don't have a car she goes everywhere with me - on the back of my bike or on public transport (bus, tram, train, ferry).
I wouldn't hesitate to get another BT.
However a lot depends on the dog itself and the upbringing. I know of 2 other x Borders in the neighbourhood who are very aggressive and are to be avoided at all costs. Mind you so are their owners!
Good luck in your choice.

This is a good thread to talk about Borders. Mine was house-trained within days as an 8-week old too. Now, at 4 years, he never goes to the loo in the garden. He gets walked three times a day and saves it up till his walk.

To the OP, He loves camping too!

OP, we got Bobby 10 weeks ago and he is now curled up at my feet asleep. He is just over 6 months old and is recovering from the chop on Tuesday but being a border he is extremely hardy and is not bothered. He is loves people and other dogs and allows my 8 year old daughter who has down syndrome to carry him around and generally bossrrd him without complaint (although under supervision) and he is my 10 year old sons best friend. We popped into Keswick today and the place was full of borders and everyone of them was a lovely dog. And next year he will come fell running with me as well so we are all happy. Bobby does come back (well usually) as I give him a treat each time he does as a reward.

Crimsonhobbit, yes spaniels are lovely and Bobbies "best friend" is a cocker but they are just as snappy.

Jealous! ....I would love to adopt one, but I doubt there would ever be any in any rescue centres.

I grew up with border terriers and they were all wonderful. And all quite different too!

Terriers have a reputation for being yappy and snappy but none of our three were. They were very tolerant of little kids (pulling their hair, trying to ride them - one of ours was quite big). They were great with our cats too and even let some of the cats groom them.

They're not all that trainable though. So if you throw a stick it's completely up to them whether they'll go after it and bringing it back to you isn't part of their plan.

We've now got a mongrel rescue dog as it was too sad to get another border. Having Maggie has really shown us what strong personalities the other dogs had! They were more like people in a way!

I have two border terriers, got the first one when my youngest child was 6. They are great family pets, not had any problems - happy to join in with rough and tumble games, no snapping problems at all. Recall not wonderful if there are rabbits or squirrels around, and they tend to pull on the lead unless well trained, but good natured little dogs.

Our Freddy is like that with sticks. If you throw a stick, he'll go and get it but you have to wrestle it off him After a while he'll give up fetching it and look it you as if to say "you threw it, you fetch it"