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Border Terrier
The Kennel Club Breed Standard
©The Kennel Club. Published with kind permission from The Kennel Club.
The Kennel Club Photo Library - © David Dalton
General Appearance
Essentially a working terrier.
Characteristics
Capable of following a horse, combining activity with gameness.
Temperament
Active and game as previously stated.
Head and Skull
Head like that of an otter moderately broad in skull, with short strong muzzle. Black nose preferable, liver- or flesh-coloured one not a serious fault.
Eyes
Dark with a keen expression.
Ears
Small, V-shaped; of moderate thickness, and dropping forward close to the cheek.
Mouth
Scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Level bite acceptable. Undershot or overshot a major fault and highly undesirable.
Neck
Of moderate length.
Forequarters
Forelegs straight, not too heavy in bone.
Body
Deep, narrow, fairly long. Ribs carried well back, but not oversprung, as a terrier should be capable of being spanned by both hands behind the shoulder. Loins strong.
Hindquarters
Racy.
Feet
Small with thick pads.
Tail
Moderately short; fairly thick at base, then tapering. Set high, carried gaily, but not curled over back.
Gait/Movement
Has the soundness to follow a horse.
Coat
Harsh and dense; with close undercoat. Skin must be thick.
Colour
Red, wheaten, grizzle and tan, or blue and tan.
Size
Weight: dogs: 6-7 kgs (13-15½ lbs); bitches: 5-6.5 kgs (11½-14 lbs).
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect on the terrier’s ability to work.
Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
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