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Border Terriers have short, wiry hair and usually get by with minimal grooming. In fact, brushing a Border Terrier's coat too often can ruin its thick overcoat, according to the Terrier Grooming website. There are other ways to groom a Border Terrier's coat -- don't just brush your dog and call it a day. Combing will keep its fur healthier than brushing will. Hand stripping, which involves pulling out the dead hairs, is even healthier for the dog than brushing or combing. In addition, a little trimming of the head and neck will make him look quite dapper.
Originally prized as fox hunters, border terriers are treasured by many families today for their cheerful and affectionate natures, intelligence and obedience. Although border terriers' short, wiry coats don't shed much fur, they do experience a gradual build up of overgrown dead hair that experts suggest should be removed about twice a year. Because the hair is dead, owners can pull it without causing their pets any significant discomfort.
The Border Terrier was originally bred in the Cheviot Hills area near the border between England and Scotland to help farmers drive predatory foxes from their dens and kill them. Despite being a small breed and having short legs, this sturdy little dog has enough speed and stamina to match a horse at full gallop without much trouble. The Border Terrier was very effective at hunting small mammals, and was often used to run down foxes for sporting hunts. Because of their friendly and loving personality, this breed has since gained popularity as a household pet.
Border terriers are bright, energetic, mild mannered little dogs. Although they are good hunters, they are not very aggressive and don't make very good guard dogs. They get along with other breeds, but you shouldn't leave them alone with other small pets such as hamsters, mice, rabbits or birds. Border terriers require only monthly general grooming and full a grooming every 8 to 10 weeks.
The sturdy border terrier has a plain appearance and doesn't call much attention to itself. It is an even-tempered, social dog that sheds very little. If you need to care for a border terrier, you're in luck as this breed has very few specific grooming and discipline needs.