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 prolonged exposure to drenching rains, mists and other environmental challeng- es, including the occasional storm drain. Th ere are many stories about Border Terri- ers that have survived prolonged periods of time underground or in drains when their quarry retreated there.
Scotland. Th e 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. Th e 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 su ffi cient 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
Th e Border Terrier’s combination of courage and good sense has always been its best asset. Th is 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. Th e Bor- der Terrier was expected to run peacefully with Foxhounds. Th erefore, they should not exhibit the dog-aggressive attitude of some terriers that hunt primarily alone. Th e 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. Th e 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. Th ere’s not much little this terrier can’t do! Th ere are many qualities of the Bor- der Terrier—courage, boldness and a fun-loving spirit—that may make them somewhat di ffi cult 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. Th ey were expected to work without human intervention and to make their own decisions. Th e 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
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