Border Terrier insurance

Border terriers are known for being affectionate and intelligent. Bursting with personality and energy, they love being outdoors and staying active.

These good-natured little dogs can make a great addition to the family and are happy around slightly older kids. They play hard (getting up to all sorts of antics in the process) but will love you even harder.

With an inquisitive nature and great agility, they adore playing games. As enthusiastic as they are endearing, these plucky, playful pups have a real sense of adventure and make great companions. They do require a fair amount of exercise and can get easily bored.

If you think a Border terrier might be the kind of dog you’d like to welcome into your home, this guide is full of useful information about how to look after your new pet. From common health problems to finding the best Border terrier insurance policy for your new pooch, we’ve got it covered.

Is a Border terrier the right pet for you?

The Border terrier was originally used on fox hunts, working alongside fox hounds to chase foxes above ground. So are Border terriers high maintenance? Not necessarily.

These days this pure breed is more commonly found in family homes, giving their humans a whole lot of love and affection. In fact, a Border terrier is a good first pet if you don’t have young children and have the time to dedicate to an energetic, enthusiastic pooch.

Here are some facts about this fun-loving breed of dog.

Vital stats

Size: Border terriers are small dogs standing at between 28cm to 40cm

Weight: 5kg to 7kg

Coat: Wiry, rough, medium length coat; moderate grooming needs

Colours: Red; Grizzle and tan; Blue and tan; Wheat

Exercise: 1 hour a day

Features: Floppy ears (naturally)

Border terrier life span: 12 to 15 years

Temperament: Good-tempered, affectionate, and obedient

Tendency to bark: Medium to high

Tendency to dig: High

Social/attention needs: Moderate

Bred for: Fox bolting; Ratting

Price: £1000-£2,500

Interesting facts about Border terriers

• The Border terrier dog breed originated on the England-Scotland border
• Celebrity owners of these dogs include Elton John, Andy Murray and David Walliams
• Because of their slightly scruffy appearance, Border terriers often play the role of a ‘mutt’ in TV shows and films
• A Border terrier has a head shaped like an otter
• They are skilled escape artists and are easily bored, so you need to keep them occupied

Personality traits

Independent

Known for their plucky independence this breed is less prone to separation anxiety than other breeds due to their self-assured nature. Spending extra time on recall training is useful as their driven nature means they are apt to wonder off.

Intelligent

Eager to please and intelligent. They quickly learn house rules and other important dog etiquette such as housetraining, walking on leash, and greeting people politely (although they may never give up the habit of jumping up).

Friendly

Border Terriers love company. This breed is an affectionate little dog with a lot of personality, Border Terriers make a great family pet. Of even temperament this dog gets along great with children as well as other dogs and even cats!

Border Terriers at home

Despite their small size, Border Terriers are cheeky, independent, and extremely active little dogs and adults need at least one hour of exercise daily.

Border Terriers are considered one of the dog world’s most trainable breeds. Their eagerness to please, love of learning and high intelligence is the perfect combination for training. Border Terriers are known to excel in activities such as agility and obedience training and respond very well to positive reinforcement methods.

Borders are not a high-maintenance breed. They do not require frequent bathing and towelling off is enough they are wet and dirty. Too many baths tend to soften the harsh coat that is a natural dirt repellent, and they do not normally have strong odour.

Top care tips

• Border terriers don't need a lot of space and are perfectly happy living in apartments, so long as you meet their exercise requirements.
• Despite their petite size, they can be both high jumpers and single-minded diggers, so if you plan to leave your dog in the yard unattended, you'll need to account for those issues.
• when they have their seasonal shed, you'll need to brush daily (and might want to use a special brush that can help minimise shedding). 
• Since they gain weight easily, care should be taken to match food intake with proper exercise.

Common health problems in Border terrier dogs

Generally speaking, Border terriers are a hardy breed of dog and there aren’t too many health conditions associated with them. However, they are adventurous souls that love to explore (increasing their risk of injury - and your need for a comprehensive dog insurance policy).

As a responsible owner, you should take them for regular visits to the vet and have an insurance policy for your dog in place to help you pay for any treatment (following an accidental injury or a health diagnosis) they require.

Here are some of the common health problems you’ll find in the Border terrier breed.

Diabetes

As a breed, Border terriers can be prone to diabetes. This occurs when the body struggles to produce enough (if any) insulin. The good news is that diabetes in dogs is easy to treat – as long as the condition is diagnosed and treatment starts early.

Signs that your dog may be developing diabetes are extreme thirst, unexplained weight loss, fatigue and excessive urination. If you have any concerns about your dog’s health, you should seek advice from your vet.

Epilepsy

Border terriers can suffer from epilepsy - a condition that some dogs can inherit. Seizures will usually start between six months and three years of age. If your dog does have a seizure, it is important that you do what you can to prevent them from injuring themselves, but don’t try to control their mouth or tongue. However, with a timely diagnosis, lifelong medication will keep the condition under control.

Heart problems

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in older Border terriers. It is caused by a weakening of a heart valve and often goes hand in hand with a heart murmur.

Not all dogs will show signs of having a heart murmur, but your vet will be able to pick up any potential symptoms during a routine check-up. Signs that your Border terrier may have a heart murmur include coughing, quickened breathing, collapsing and lethargy. In order to improve your dog’s quality of life and lifespan, treatment may be required. Treatment options include surgery and/or medication.

Hip dysplasia

This is a condition that affects the development of the hip joint. As a Border terrier puppy gets older, abnormal growth can result in swelling, plain and arthritis. You may notice lameness in their legs or that they struggle to stand up after lying down. An X-ray can help diagnose this problem early on and surgery can help in severe cases.

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a hereditary condition that affects a dog’s vision. It causes sight loss and it will often affect a dog when they are aged between three and four months. There is no treatment for the condition, but it can be slowed down, so a dog may not go completely blind.

Hypothyroidism

Occurs when the body can't maintain sufficient levels of thyroid hormones. Signs include weight gain, thinning coat, dry skin, slow heart rate, and sensitivity to cold. As hypothyroidism is a progressive condition, if you notice any of these signs, have your dog checked by your vet. Hypothyroidism is easily managed with daily medication, which must continue throughout the dog's life.

Malocclusions

Meaning the dog's jaws don't fit together correctly, are sometimes found in Border Terriers. There are three different types of incorrect bites. In some cases, puppies grow out of these incorrect bites, but if the bite hasn't become normal by the time the puppy is 10 months old, it may need to be corrected surgically. 

Want to find out more about our Border Terrier/Dog Insurance Product? 

We’ve listed our key benefits below and you can also take a look at our cover levels, customer reviews and awards.

Ready to get started? Click here to get a quote.

How to care for your pet

Looking after your pet is a big responsibility. It is important that you make sure your Border terrier eats the right foods, gets enough exercise, and stays looking and feeling healthy.

Here are a few tips on how to get the balance right.

Feeding your dog

Border terriers are greedy – if there’s food in front of them, they’ll eat it. For that reason, it’s important not to overfeed a Border terrier because they can quickly become overweight (which automatically puts them at a high risk of all sorts of medical problems).

Try to feed your dog two to three meals a day. Splitting their daily food allowance over the course of the day will help them to feel fuller for longer.

Remember, your dog’s metabolism will change as they get older. Puppies tend to eat around four times a day (little and often). But by the time they enter their golden years, their metabolism will start to slow down, meaning they don’t need as much food.

You can find advice about how much food you should be feeding your dog on the packaging. It’s best to weigh out the food each meal time. If you are unsure about anything, just ask your vet.

Grooming your dog

Border terriers have short, coarse coats which can look quite straggly. But while they might look a bit rough around the edges, they do have fairly low-maintenance grooming needs.

Like most other double coat breeds, a Border terrier will shed with the seasons. For most of the year, you can just give their coat a quick brush once a fortnight – even once a month – to keep their coats in great condition. However, when they start shedding, it’s worth spending a bit longer on grooming. Roughly 30 minutes every day while they are shedding will help remove excess hair. You might find that a shedding glove or brush is a good investment.

Another benefit of their double coat is that it is weather resistant – rain will run off, rather than soak into, it. If they do get wet, a quick towel dry will be fine. Only give them a bath when they are really dirty or start to smell. Too much bathing will reduce their coat’s resistance to the elements.

Exercising your dog

A Border terrier might only be small, but they have plenty of energy – meaning you need to exercise border terriers more than you think.

Taking them out for a couple of 30 minute walks or a longer hour-long walk each day will help them burn off excess energy. You can let them run off the lead in an enclosed park – they love to play fetch and other games. However, when you are walking them near roads or busier areas, it’s best to keep them on their lead. Any whiff of a scent, their hunting instincts will kick in and they’ll be off. And make no mistake – these dogs can move pretty fast!

Training your dog

As a breed of dog, terriers are known for being determined little creatures. If they put their mind to something, they don’t give up easily. They have a strong urge to hunt and dig – and are always keen to practise their escape artistry skills at any given moment. Make sure your garden is secure and give them plenty of stimulation to avoid boredom kicking in.

With the right amount of training, a border terrier can be a very well-behaved pet - especially if you start training them early. As puppies, they can be fairly high-octane, and owners can sometimes wonder at what age do Border terriers calm down?  Just so you know, they will usually start to settle down aged around two years.

As with any pet, house training your Border terrier may take some time. Fortunately, they are eager to please, and with consistency on your part, they should get it relatively quickly

Gentle training methods tend to work best. They do have a stubborn streak, so it might take some time and patience, but you’ll get there in the end.

Plus, their love of food can be a real advantage in training. Use treats as a reward system when they get things right – just keep an eye on how many treats you’re dishing out and adjust their meal intake accordingly.

The Purely Pet Promise

At Purely, we’re here to support you. That’s why we offer a 24 Hour Vet Helpline free of charge to all of our customers. Our easy to use online portal ‘Manage My Policy’, enables you to access to your policy 24hrs a day. This provides greater flexibility, allowing you to manage your policy at a time that suits you, so that you can spend more time with your furry friends, and less time managing your insurance. Get a quote

What type of dog insurance is available for my Border terrier?

Depending on the level of cover you require for your pet, there are different types of dog insurance to choose from. The main policies for dogs include:

Lifetime pet insurance:

This is the most comprehensive policy on offer and will cover a range of conditions over the course of a year. There is a per-condition pet insurance limit on how much you can spend on treatment each year. However, if you continue to renew the same policy, this figure will reset every 12 months.

Maximum benefit pet insurance:

This offers a set amount you can spend on treatment for a particular condition. Once that limit has been reached, you cannot make any further claims for the condition – even if you renew the policy.

Time limited pet insurance:

This policy covers your pet for 12 months only. If you reach the policy limit sooner than that, your pet will no longer be covered. And if you need treatment for more than 12 months, you will not be able to claim against the policy.

Accident only pet insurance:

With accident-only pet insurance, your pet will be covered if they are injured in an accident. However, they will not be covered if they develop an illness or medical condition. If they do, you will have to pay for any treatment.

The lowdown on Border terrier insurance

Pet ownership in the UK has increased sharply since 2020. So too has the cost of veterinary treatment. According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), the average pet insurance claim is now £848.

Be sure to do your research, comparing different levels of cover from different insurance providers. When deciding on what type of cover to take out, always keep the welfare of your pet at the front of your mind.

A lifetime policy might be more expensive than other options, but it also offers the best cover for long-term health conditions. If you decide a lifetime policy is right for you, Purely Pets has a range of lifetime options available, allowing you to claim for vets fees from £1,000 to £15,000.

How much does Border terrier insurance cost?

When you own a pet, there are a number of costs to consider. It’s not just the cost of buying a puppy (although you might find adopting a pup from an animal shelter is a more cost-effective option).

There are also ongoing vet’s costs, such as vaccinations and neutering, plus regular check-ups. Most pet insurance policies do not include the cost of preventative treatments (such as jabs, worming and neutering) in a policy, so you will have to cover those costs yourself.

Other costs include equipment (lead, collar, bed, grooming brush, toys and doggy toothpaste and toothbrushes), food, boarding kennels (if you go away on holiday and can’t take your dog with you), training, and doggy day care (e.g. if you’re unable to walk your pet as much as needed).

So, how much does it cost to own a Border terrier? The costs quickly add up - and that’s before you’ve factored in Border terrier pet insurance.

If your pooch needs medical attention or treatment, vet’s bills can quickly mount up. Because they are a fairly hardy breed of dog, a border terrier falls into the lower-risk category for pet insurance, which means they are cheaper to insure than other breeds. Do plenty of research before getting a Border terrier quote for pet insurance.

There are also ways you can reduce the cost of your pet insurance premiums. These include:

Increasing your excess: The higher the excess, the lower the premiums.

Choosing multi-pet insurance: If you have more than one pet, a multi-pet policy could save you money compared to insuring each one individually

Getting your pet microchipped: A microchipped pet could be cheaper to insure

Looking for Border terrier insurance?

Across the UK, dog owners want to give their dogs the protection they deserve. And at Purely Pets, we want Border terrier owners to know that they’re covered if something should happen to their beloved pooch.

Depending on the level of cover you choose, you can be covered for accident, illness or both up to a certain amount. You may also benefit from added extras, such as the cost of dental issues, the loss of your pet, third party liability, and overseas travel.

Get in touch with the team to find pet insurance for your dog. Get your free quote today.

Customer reviews

We’re committed to improving our Pet Insurance products wherever possible, which is why feedback from our customers is so important to us. We’re incredibly proud of our Excellent Trustpilot rating and you can read the latest reviews from our fantastic customers below.

Find out more

You can find out more about our Dog Insurance product below and there’s more help available on our FAQs page.