Border Terrier

The Border Terrier originated in the hilly countryside of the Scottish-English border sometimes in the 18th century. The Border Terrier was bred to hunt hill foxes, an infamous predator of sheep. Extreme stamina and perseverance were selected for in the development of the breed. Their wiry coat also allowed them to zoom through thickets without getting snagged. The Border Terrier gained a reputation throughout the region as being a skilled foxhunter as well as hunter of other small game. The foxhunts that Border Terriers took part in were very different from the traditional British fox hunts where noblemen took part in the affair solely for sport, setting off on their estates with a pack of foxhounds. Rather, these northern county fox hunts were a matter of necessity for farmers, protecting their livelihood from livestock predators.