What makes the Border a Border and where are his roots?
The Border Terrier really is a wonderful dog no more and no less. He was originally bred as a working terrier, and he still is. Under the canines the Border Terrier is the best companion and friend for his family, but before deciding for a Border Terrier it is very important to be aware of the race, and his typical Terrier manners. A Border Terrier can live successfully in a family, unless they are willing and able to provide for his special needs. He is not a dog for everybody. If you accept the nature and the temperament of the Border Terrier, he will be the best companion for many years, if you just decide for this breed because he looks so sweet and are not prepared to give him enough to do, be it in sports, such as agility, fly ball, obedience etc. and/or long walks, you both are, yourself and your Border, unhappy.
Among the Terriers he is the best with children, he is not aggressive, he is intelligent, brave, courageous.
He is easy to be helt, besides a weekly brush his coat needs trimming only twice a year.

Temperament
The Border Terrier is "by nature good tempered" and very intelligent, without fear, brave and courageous. He learns very quickly and is able to think by himself. But his temperament is different to that of other Terriers. Some Terriers are quite aggressive, but since the Border goes with the fox hounds fighting with other dogs is not his part.
He is friendly to everybody, two-feeter and four-feeter. Even with the normally hated cat he can live, if the cat was first in the house. Yet, he should not be left with guinea pigs, rabbits, hamster or other little animals, but there are also exceptions, as might be seen at GlenMara

Grooming
The Border does not seasonally lose the hair like other races. His hair does not shed out completely without help. Twice a year the hair should be hand stripped. This means pulling out dead outer hair by hand, leaving the dogs "underwear", his soft undercoat. In 8 - 10 weeks the new hair grows. If done correctly it does not inflict pain, and the dead hair comes out easily. Some Borders are kept neat all the time through a process called "rolling", i.e. twice a month the coat is neated.
The harsh coat of the Border is dirt repellant, therefore they do not require bathing, it is sufficient if the coat is cleaned out by brushing once a week, and towelling when whet. Bathing and brushing too often harms the PH consistence of the skin.
However, when walking often on soft surfaces it is necessary to control and clip the nails, if necessary. Furthermore, one should check teeth, and keep the anal and genital areas clean.  

Health
Normally the Border is a robust, healthy race. Good food, sufficient exercise, regular grooming, and routine visits to the veterinary for worm control and vaccination is all he normally needs. His life expectancy is appr. 15 years. Yet, despite his normally being robust and healthy he also can have health problems, such as genetic problems, like allergies, undescended testicles, hip dysplasy (HD), heart disease, cramping syndrome (CECS), retina atrophie (PRA).
Since my Lovely suffered from an inherited HD (grade D) I have studied this problem more closely and was shocked seeing that 4 % out of 1,327 X-rayed Border Terriers have HD, on a race which is said not to have this problem (see OFA ranking). One can say only 4 % have had HD that is not much, that might be correct, but if one also sees that these 4 % showed severe problems and one should not forget that 77 % were not HD-free.

Résumé - Why is a Border not a dog for everyone
A Border Terrier is not for people who want a dog "some of the time". If the Border cannot feel part of the family he will be unhappy. Arrested all day in a kennel can make him to "barkers", and when a Border barks it can be heard over distances, since when working he must be heard from underground. When left alone in the yard, he can start to dig his way through or jump over a fence. For a Border Terrier there is no fence too high and now bank to deep, he either climbs over the fence or he jumps. Cars are not a danger for him, he does not dodge a car, in the contrary he goes towards a car, and because of his size he is easily overseen and run over.
Border Terriers are bred for hunting and the older they get, the braver they become about going off, especially if there two or more of them. They were bred for long distance going with the fox hounds, no distance is too long. They were bred to think themselves, which can be both most endearing, but also most frustrating. Told to stay, he will oblige for what he considers enough time, then go off. Confronted with his doing, he will act sorry, because he wants to please.
Borders are active dogs, who love and need exercise. They do not necessarily come home and lie down quietly. When someone comes, they show an extensive greeting, not only a simple hello and then off in bed. Many even give generous kisses to visitors. They are jumpers, keeping them on their four feet is a steady struggle that many Border owners give up on. If one wants a dog that does not get up on people, the Border is not the right dog.
Border Terriers have very strong jaws and teeth. Chewing is something for them, and there is hardly a toy that is puppy-proof.
In general, Borders get along well with other dogs, even with the family cat, if the cat was first. However, if a stray cat comes into their territory they will chase it and even might kill it.
Off lead Border Terrier are not totally safe they will take every opportunity to bolt after a cat, a squirrel or any other animal, and it is impossible to call him back. Many more Borders are run over by cars than dying on a disease or due to their age.
A Border Terrier is a dog for active people. If the Border is part of the family and understood the way he should be, he will always please. He thinks there are no people like his people. Once a Border Terrier always a Border Terrier - Life is merrier with a Border Terrier !