In fact, they’re bred to be able to cross any wall or scramble through any wire entanglement. Stripping involves plucking the dead hair by hand or removing it with a stripping knife or other stripping tool. It’s the kind of thing you can do while you and your Border are watching a 30-minute television show. Your Border’s breeder can show you how to strip the coat, or you can find a professional groomer who knows how to do it — not all do. You’ll find that by stripping the coat, you’ll have less Border hair decorating your clothing, furniture, and flooring.
Weight gain can lead to other health issues or worsen problems like arthritis. If you’re adopting a puppy, it’s a good idea to find out which genetic illnesses are common to the breed you’re interested in. You may also want to ask if your shelter or rescue has information about the physical health of your potential pup’s parents and other relatives. The alert, good-natured Border Terrier was originally bred to assist in foxhunts by driving foxes out of their hiding places and out into the open for the hounds to chase. Given a regular schedule and plenty of opportunities to go to the bathroom outside, Border Terriers are easy to housetrain. Crate training helps with housetraining and will keep your Border Terrier from chewing things while you’re away.
Like every dog, Border Terriers need early socialization — exposure to many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences — when they’re young. Socialization helps ensure that your Border Terrier puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog. While he was prized in England’s border country for his fearless and implacable nature, the Border Terrier was little known elsewhere. You would certainly have seen him at agricultural shows in Northumberland in the late 19th century, but on the whole dog fanciers took little notice of him until the early 20th century. In 1920, he was recognized by England’s Kennel Club, and a breed club was formed.
The best way to avoid heart defects is to check that the breeder has not used dogs with heart defects in her breeding program. Without enough exercise, these breeds may put on weight and vent their pent-up energy in ways you don’t like, such as barking, chewing, and digging. Breeds that need a lot of exercise are good for outdoorsy, active people, or those interested in training their dog to compete in a high-energy dog sport, such as agility.
Hypothyroidism occurs when the body can’t maintain sufficient levels of thyroid hormones. Signs include weight gain, thinning coat, dry skin, slow heart rate, and sensitivity to cold. As hypothyroidism is a progressive condition, if you notice any of these signs, have your dog checked by your vet. Hypothyroidism is easily managed with daily medication, which must continue throughout the dog’s life.
I am Kraig Wharton, a wildlife conservationist and a television personality. I am 30 years old. I was born and raised in the small town of Marion, Alabama. I have always had a love and respect for nature, which led me to pursue a career in wildlife conservation.
I have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel all over the world, working with some of the most endangered species on the planet. My work has taken me to some of the most remote and dangerous places on earth, including war-torn countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan.
I am passionate about educating people about the importance of conserving our natural resources, and I am committed to doing whatever it takes to protect our planet for future generations.