Terrier Small size 5-7 kg

Border Terrier

A tough, friendly working terrier that is more trainable than most - a great active-family dog if you can meet its exercise and digging drive.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Small
Size
5-7 kg, 28-40 cm tall
High
Activity
Bred to work; needs daily exercise and play
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Copes with routine but prefers company
High
Trainability
Bright and biddable for a terrier
Low
Coat care
Wiry coat; occasional hand-stripping
Good
Fit with kids
Sturdy and playful with children
Moderate
Other pets
Prey drive; caution with small pets
Light
Health burden
One of the hardier small breeds

The Border Terrier typically weighs 5-7 kg, stands 28-40 cm, and lives 12-15 years.

Consider this breed if…

you want a terrier that actually listens - it is unusually cooperative for the group,
your family is active and wants a small dog for real walks and hikes,
you like a low-shedding wiry coat with simple upkeep,
you want a hardy small dog with a relatively light health load.

Do not consider this breed if…

you keep rabbits, hamsters, or free-roaming cats - the hunting instinct is real,
your garden matters to you more than a dog that digs,
you want a dog that ignores squirrels off leash,
you expect a calm lapdog - this is a working terrier.

A typical day with a Border Terrier

  1. 6:30 · Morning
    30-45 min brisk walk with sniffing time
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Rests contentedly if the morning was real exercise
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Short walk or garden patrol for rodent activity
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Play, fetch, or 10 minutes of training - it enjoys jobs
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Longer family walk or hike; it keeps up easily
  6. 21:00 · Night
    Settles into the family evening without fuss

Temperament and training

Trainability High for a terrier
Prey drive High
Friendliness High
Digging instinct High
Toughness Very high
Vocality Moderate
Common owner mistakes
Trusting recall around squirrels and rabbits · Clipping the wiry coat instead of hand-stripping - it ruins the texture · Underestimating how far a bored Border will dig under a fence

Family and environment

Kids Good
Sturdy and good-natured; one of the best terriers with kids.
Dogs Good
Bred to work alongside hounds; unusually dog-tolerant.
Cats Conditional
Household cats OK if raised together; outdoor cats get chased.
Apartment Conditional
Possible with genuine daily exercise outside.
House with a yard Suitable
Fence must be dig-proof at the base.
City Works
Adaptable and portable; leashed life suits it.
Countryside Ideal
The terrain it was bred for; manage the hunting urge.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Light

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Luxating Patella Kneecap slips; may need surgery
Allergies & Skin Issues Some skin sensitivity
Dental Disease Small-breed dental care needed
Cataracts Can affect vision with age

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Similar size and grit, a bit more independent
Cairn Terrier
A hardy, spirited little earthdog that stays busy and vocal - great for active owners who can handle a strong terrier prey drive.
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Smaller, equally sociable earthdog
Norfolk Terrier
One of the most sociable terriers - small, sturdy, and good-natured, but still a terrier that digs, chases, and needs real daily activity.
View profile →
More intense, higher-octane alternative
Jack Russell Terrier
A small dog with an enormous engine that suits experienced, active owners - the trade-off is relentless energy, strong prey drive, and a low tolerance for boredom.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Border Terrier cost?
US breeders typically charge $1,500-$2,500 for a well-bred puppy. It is one of the cheaper breeds to keep long-term - small, hardy, light health load - but a 12-15 year lifespan still means thousands of dollars in food, routine care, and the occasional surprise like a knee surgery, so budget beyond the sticker price.
Are Border Terriers easy to train?
By terrier standards, yes - they were bred to cooperate with humans and hounds in the field, and it shows. They pick up basics quickly and enjoy having a job. The exception is anything involving prey: no amount of training makes recall reliable when a rabbit breaks cover.
Do Border Terriers shed?
Very little day to day. The wiry double coat instead needs hand-stripping roughly twice a year to remove dead hair; clipping is easier but softens the coat and can worsen shedding and skin issues. Between strippings, a weekly brush is enough.
Can a Border Terrier live with a cat?
Usually yes with the family cat if they grow up together - many Borders share homes with cats peacefully. Unfamiliar or outdoor cats are a different story and will be chased. Smaller pets like rabbits and rodents should never be loose around this breed.