At the page Puppy love I describe Nelson as a puppy... but now he starts getting more grown up. He now is more than 2 years old....

Here I will try to compare Nelson with the breed standard - how well does an everyday Borderterrier live up to it?
Remember though; "The Borderterrier is essentially a working terrier" - that is the most important thing to know. Everything in the characteristic of the breed has it´s origin in this point; it´s character, size and way of dealing with things. Not to say that all Borderterriers must be involved with hunting (working) - but remember - they will always have the instinct to.

Nelson as an adult, temperament:

Nelson has really had the same temperament ever since he first came to us. At the age of 2 he´s as curious, kind, outgoing and unafraid as when he first arrived. A Borderterrier should not be hot-headed, and Nelson really lives up to that. When attact by other dogs - barking and snarling - witch has happened, he just backs off and sits down, showing he´s not interested in any fights. He has never barked or snarled back at any other dog - ever. He has not changed a bit. He´s NOT neutered, but he still get´s along with everyone - dogs and bitches alike - just as a Borderterrier should do!

The breed should not be yappy - that´s also true with Nelson. He barks when someone ´s at the door and sometimes when playing - or running loose and chasing, but otherwise not without a reason (and most of the time not even when he has a reason). He´s not a good guard dog - being just to friendly with everyone - getting overexcited with joy most of the time.
He´s curious at everything that´s different; a person or anything unusual - he often just stops and watches.

He´s as playfull and his feelings are as positive as they were when he was a puppy. The big difference is that ha has a better control over himself now. He´s unbelievebly kind and would never get the idea of biting or snarling at a human beeing.
A Border should be well-behaved and they like to do the right thing, but they do not usually have an instant response to all commands like some other breeds. They should have their own minds and be able to take own initiatives - and all that´s also true with Nelson. He has his own ideas and often he finds his own solutions to a problem. As a Borderterrier should be, he´s sensitive to your voice - and listen most of the time - but not if pursuing an scent, then he sometimes becomes totally deaf.
He´s always been a quick learner - sometimes you get the feeling he understands every word you say. He´s as relaxed indoors as alert outdoors. He likes to cuddle and get cozy in the sofa or keeping an eye on things in the kitchen. But most of all he likes to play and wrestle.

Appearance:

A Borderterrier should not weigh over 7,1 kg. Nelson does not live up to that standard. He weigh a bit over 9 kilo - even though he is not fat. In spite of his weigh he´s not ecspecially big compared to other Borderterriers we meet. It seems that few dogs today lives up yo the weigh standard. The most important thing is not to let your dog get overweight - you should be able to feel the ribs.
His coat does not live up standard either. It should be harsh and dense; with close undercoat. As a blue and tan Border his colour should be more grey (blue) than just black - as he is. He also does not have much of an undercoat. If you should not show your dog, it really doesn´t matter. Many people we meet out on walks actually say that he is the best looking Border they have ever seen - just beccause he´s so black... and we just have to agree of course!

Health:

The Borderterrier is usually physically rubust - that´s true with Nelson to, so far. He does never complain and he is brave about pain. But of course even Borderterriers can get differnt health problems - and Nelson to are effected.

Nelson was about 8 month when we first noticed he had some problems with his right back leg. He started to kick it at times, and after some weeks we went to se a vet. After examination she concluded he had patella luxation. It´s a common problem in smaller breeds, but the Borderterrier are not any of the most afflicted ones. Statistics shows that 4,3 % of the breed Borderterrier are afflicted.
It does not normally show in him just as he run loose or walk along. You have to know what to look for to detect it - and only in special situations. Hopefully it will not get worse. The problem can occur in varying degrees of severity. Nelson does have a milder form, and if we are lucky we might not have to go to surgery - even if it is posible.

When it comes to food and diet we started out as most dog owner do; to give Nelson ordinary dry dog (puppy) food. He soon started to get a small abscess on his chin, witch he was scratching from time to time untill it was bleeding. He also had som iching on his belly. The vet suggested to start giving him just ordinary food; like rice, meet, fish and vegetables. After a week with this new diet he was much better, and in a month all problems were gone. We have understood that he has some sensitivity against some kind of protein, and that there often is to much protein in dry dog food to suit a Borderterrier (and even more in puppy food). A Border should not normaly have more than 20 % protein in his diet.

Other wise Nelson does not have any big health problems, and he has never even been sick. He just have had some smaller health issues that most dogs have from time to time. Hopefully he will stay healthy like most Borders do, up untill they are about 14 - 15 years old. Nelsons Breeder actually has a bitch (not a realative) who are 18 years old - she also has patella luxation (no surgery needed) and are still healthy and kicking - so it is possible.

Another, often severe but not very common, condition a Borderterrier may suffer from is called Spike´s Disease, CECS.

Summary; the best Nelson in the world:

Even though Nelsons character in most cases fits the breed standard, he are not all up to it when it comes to size, coat and health.

Anyway - we would not change him for anyone - of course - he is the best there is!
We also have fallen in love with the breed. And I´ll guess it´s true;
ones a Borderterrier always a Borderterrier!

Click here if you want read a great discription of the breed Borderterrier.