Border Terriers have short, coarse coats with a close undercoat which means they are quite easy maintenance in the grooming department. However, a weekly brush is necessary to get rid of any loose hair and it's important to make sure their paws are kept nice and tidy too. As with other breeds, the Border Terrier sheds the most during the Spring time and then again in the Autumn when more grooming may be necessary to keep on top of things. It's also a good idea to have a Border Terrier hand stripped from time to time which is another way of controlling their shedding and it makes keeping their coats looking good that much easier too.
These little terriers do not need a lot of bathing, but because they like to go down burrows, they may get a bit muddy from time to time which could mean they need to be given a bath. However, it's important not to overdo bathing a Border Terrier because it could result in upsetting the natural PH balance of their skin which could lead to an irritation. It's also important to always use a dog-specific shampoo when you bath them too for the same reason.
Border Terriers need to be given lots of exercise, but they also need to have a tremendous amount of mental stimulation to be truly happy, well-balanced dogs. They are the ideal choice of pet for people who enjoy spending as much of their free time in the great outdoors with a canine companion. However, these little terriers would not be happy if stuck indoors for great lengths of time. One thing a Border Terrier is not, it's a couch potato although once they've been out for a nice long and interesting walk, they are quite happy to chill out on a sofa with you.
They also need to be given lots of mental stimulation which involves playing fun and interesting interactive games with them as often as possible. As previously mentioned, there's nothing these little dogs enjoy more than playing Flyball and other doggy sporting activities.
Border Terriers are not fussy or finicky when it comes to their food. In fact, quite the opposite is true, they are known to like their food a little too much which can often lead to obesity. However, it's not necessary to feed these little dogs a diet that's high in protein, but it is important to feed them good quality dog food that contains all the nutrients they need to remain healthy.
If you've decided to pet a Border Terrier puppy, the breeder would let you know the sort of diet they have been on and you would need to continue feeding them the same food to avoid a puppy from developing any tummy upsets through a change of diet. Puppies need to be fed at regular intervals throughout the day and ideally this needs to be either 3 or 4 times a day. You can change their diet gradually over a period of a couple of week without risking any digestive upsets when the time is right and if you have any concerns, it's best to discuss things with your vet before you do anything.
Older Border Terriers, as previously mentioned will eat until they burst if allowed to, so it's important to gauge the amount of food they are given in relation to the amount of daily exercise they get. Like this, a dog won't be at risk of putting on too much weight which can put stress on their limbs, joints and hearts. It is now known that when dogs carry too much weight, it can shorten their life spans by several years.
