Border Terrier history is just a few centuries old. These dogs emerged at the end of 18th century. Farmers in the northeast regions of England wanted a dog that could control the fox population. The Border Terrier had the stamina, long legs, small head, and narrow body to keep up with the horses and flush the foxes from small hiding places.
Originally called the Coquetdale Terrier and the Redesdale Terrier depending on where the dog was from, the name "Border Terrier" did not come about until the end of the 18th century. They are related to the Bedlington Terriers and Dandie Dinmont Terriers. The Border Terriers worked alongside the Border Foxhounds, and they were a greatly prized pair that was said to be better than any other set of dogs when hunting foxes.
For the next century or so, these dogs remained essentially the same. They were first shown at dog shows toward the end of the 19th century, when they were noted at the Bellingham show. Unfortunately, few records seem to exist and what is available may not be available widely.
By the early 20th century, records and recognition began to emerge. The British Kennel Club registered its first border Terrier in 1913, but it was under a relatively non-descriptive category title "Any Breed or Variety of British, Colonial, or Foreign Dog -- Not Classified." In 1914, an attempt to get a separate breed registry was made but rejected. In 1920, formal recognition was finally attained. That year, the Border Terrier Club was founded.
In Harwick, the Club was formed with a bit of controversy. There were those who believed that forming a club would allow the breed to be ruined for the sake of show conformation. Nonetheless, the two sides managed to draw up a standard. When the Club was accepted into The Kennel Club in September of that year, there were 121 members listed.
