I posted a thread some weeks backs about wanting a Border Terrier.

We have found some available and we can go and view them next weekend. They are advertised an the Kennel Club web site but not accredited breeders.

We are in contact via email but I want to be sure they are right for us as we will be travelling some way to see them, so, what sort of questions should I be asking the breeder and what should I be looking out for?

Thanks in advance and feel free to post pictures of you dogs, especially red grizzle ones. 😀

If the dogs have little old man faces they are right.

Best.
Dog.
Ever.

😆

Nah, seriously, check if they’ve been reared around kids. Well handled. Socialised. Meet the bitch. Is she friendly? Can you get any contact of previous clients who have had puppies? Etc.

Plenty of advice on the web. How come they can advertise on the KC website without accreditation?

Borders don’t have any real recognised physical problems (our pet insurer has done very well over the 13years we’ve had our two) unlike alot of other breeds.

Just check they are sound.

Getting a dog that has had alot of human contact and making sure it’s well socialised is the most important thing. They can be little physcokillers (cats, small mammalis, other dogs, bull elephants……not too clever either in this respect) so make sure you train them well.

Great dogs.

A good breeder should also be asking you questions , to see if you are a suitable owner for one of there dogs.
We had to be recommended, then interviewed just to get on waiting list .
our breeder has since retired . [Stanley is now 8 ] and is the best friendliest most non aggressive dog ever..
Cant workout how to post pics Dohh

Check the strain, Wheaton, Red Grizzle or Black and Tan. I prefer Red Grizzles myself more like the ‘traditional border’.

Breading lines I’m well out of touch now use to Dandy Howe was the one to look for but as I say not sure any more.

They’re fantastic dogs but very independent so perceiver with the training, even then they can completely obedient but if they get an idea in their head they won’t listen to word you say.

They’re intelligent to so they do learn very quickly but it depends if they want to learn too. Real characters who are afraid of nothing, the bigger the thing trying to scare them they see as a challenge.

Brilliant with kids too as they just love to play and run around, exercise they’ll go all day but will be happy with just a short walk too.

[/url] Jake Alnmouth South Beach by Lee Collis, on Flickr[/img]

Jake’s a beaut!!

Cheers he’s great a right little character and soft of clarts too loves a bit cuddle but tough when has to be.

You want to see the parents.
You want to see the rest of the litter.
You want to see the area they were brought up in ie the kennel.
You want to see other dogs they have bred if possible.
You want a couple of phone numbers of people who have bought from them.

Neighbours of my parents bought from a ‘puppy farm’ despite the above advice. The ‘breeder’ is now inside for animal cruelty charges. You want personal recommendations rather than replying to adverts – IMHO of course. Working dogs like borders are great, but there are some shocking breeders out there.

I would ask about the parentage. I think it makes a difference if the dogs came from working stock or pets. IMHO the working strains tend to be more scent driven and chase after all vermin esp. squirrels and rabbits and are very difficult to train not to run off all the time….That said, they are absolutely lovely dogs and brilliant with kids cos they have a wonderful character. AFAIK there are no genetic in-breeding problems beacuse the gene pool is too big. Should go on for 15 years. The only other consideration is their fur which needs stripping or cuttign every so often but its no drama…enjoy.