Rated 4.7 Excellent 21,000+ Reviews.io
How to Groom a Border Terrier
One of the oldest terrier breeds in the UK, the Border Terrier originated from the border country—the land between England and Scotland—and was originally bred to hunt vermin. These fun yet feisty dogs are independent but friendly, affectionate, and cheeky, making them the perfect family dog!
TL;DR: The Expert Essentials
Coat Type: Double-coated, wiry, and water-resistant.
Key Requirement: Hand-strip twice a year; never clip (this ruins texture and colour).
Maintenance: Weekly brushing with a slicker brush and undercoat rake.
Bathing: Rare (approx. 2x/year) to preserve natural oils and weatherproofing.
Border Terrier Coat Statistics
Coat Length: Medium
Coat Characteristics: Double coat, wiry
Coat Colours: Dark, light, blue, tan
Coat Grooming Needs: Moderate - groom weekly, hand strip twice a year
Top Coat: Wiry, weather-resistant
Undercoat: Soft and dense
Fun Fact
Border Terriers remain a steadfast favourite in British homes, currently ranking as the sixteenth most popular dog in the UK according to YouGov data.
The Border Terrier Grooming Toolkit
To maintain that heritage-led wiry texture, you need the right tools. We recommend having these on hand before you begin:
1. Hatchwells Chalk Block: Essential for absorbing grease and aiding grip during the stripping process.
2. Show Tech Finger Cots: Protect your fingers and improve precision.
3. Groomers Undercoat Rake: To clear out the soft undercoat fluff without damaging the wiry guard hairs.
4. Groomers Slicker Brush: For daily maintenance and removing debris.
Recommended Products
Groomers
Groomers Signature Evening Primrose Oil Shampoo
£34.95
Groomers
Groomers Simply Naturals Oatmeal & Coconut Shampoo
£24.95
Groomers
Evening Primrose Oil Regular Grade Shampoo
£18.55
Groomers
Groomers Limited Edition Botanical Bliss Shampoo
£19.95
Groomers
Groomers Limited Edition Fluffy Love Shampoo
£19.95
Groomers
Groomers Limited Edition Hello Summer Shampoo 5L
£19.95
Groomers
Groomers Evening Primrose Oil Shampoo 250ml
£7.95
Groomers
Groomers Banana & Mango Dog Shampoo
£15.95
Groomers
Groomers Limited Edition Hocus Pocus Shampoo
£19.95
Groomers
Groomers Caribbean Coconut Dog Shampoo
£15.95
Groomers
Groomers Peach & Apricot Dog Shampoo
£15.95
Groomers
Groomers Performance Puppy Shampoo 250ml - 6 Pack
£26.78
Groomers
Groomers Everyday Fresh Shampoo 2.5L
£14.95
Out of Stock
Groomers
Groomers Crazy Curls 2 in 1 Conditioning Shampoo
£34.95
Groomers
Groomers Powdery & Gentle Dog Shampoo
£15.95
Groomers
Groomers Everyday Floral Shampoo 2.5L
£14.95
Bathing & Hygiene
Those iconic Border coats are wiry and water-resistant, naturally designed to protect them against the elements. To keep that protection intact, you should only bathe them when absolutely necessary—usually just a couple of times a year—to prevent the coat from losing its essential natural oils.
For most days, a good towel dry when they’re wet, followed by a thorough session with a slicker brush once the coat is dry, will do the trick. If you find your Border is starting to smell a bit "doggy" between washes, a quick spritz of Groomers Coat Deodorising Spray will help eliminate odours and keep them feeling fresh without a full soak.
When it is time for a bath, it's important to use a shampoo formulated specifically for a terrier’s wiry coat. Standard shampoos can soften the texture, which is exactly what we want to avoid! If your Border is booked in for a hand-strip after their bath, we recommend using a degreasing shampoo like Groomers Coat Clean. This shampoo helps remove oil build-up, giving you a much firmer grip for an easier stripping session.
You might hear some professional groomers suggest skipping the bath before a hand-strip. However, here’s a bit of expert insight: hand-stripping opens up the hair follicles, which can leave the skin susceptible to bacteria and potential infection. We recommend bathing first with an antibacterial shampoo to keep the coat and skin clean, ensuring your dog stays healthy and comfortable throughout the process.
Border Terrier Maintenance Routine
Although your Border Terrier may only need bathing now and then, they will still require daily grooming to keep their coat in check.
Brushing
Brush your Border Terrier weekly to minimise moulting. An undercoat rake is a good investment to remove loose fur from their soft undercoat, whereas a slicker brush is a good choice for daily grooming. If you brush them daily, a few minutes of grooming should be enough to free any dirt, debris and loose hairs from the coat.
Nail Trimming
Your Border Terrier’s nails can be trimmed from as early as three weeks old, and most breeders will take care of this before you bring your puppy home. Generally, trim little and often as required, usually every four to eight weeks (if you can hear their nails tapping on the floor as they walk, it’s time for a trim). A vet or professional groomer can do this if you don’t feel confident.
Eyes & Ears
Border Terriers love to explore, so it’s important to check their eyes and ears regularly for foreign objects, such as dirt and debris.
Eyes: Drops such as Active Silver Dog Care Eye Drops are bacteria-busting. Drop 1-2 drops into the eye and wipe away any excess.
Ears: Clean at least every four weeks with a cleaner like Warren London Instant Ear Cleaner. Lift the ear flap, apply 3-6 drops, massage in a circular motion, and wipe away excess with a cotton ball.
Why you should never use Clippers on a Border Terrier
A Border Terrier’s coat shouldn’t ever be clipped. Clipping leaves the roots of any dead hairs behind, which impacts the growth of new hair, damages the coat’s colour and texture and affects its ability to repel dirt and water. Instead, the top layer of the coat should be hand-stripped.
How to Hand-Strip a Border Terrier
How to Hand-Strip a Border Terrier
Hand-stripping is the best way to preserve the coat's texture. Your Border Terrier will only need their coat fully stripped twice a year.
You’ll know when the time comes because their coat will moult more, look overgrown, and become "blown" (when the hair starts to part naturally).
1. Prep: Run your chalk block through the coat to absorb grease. Put on finger cots to protect the skin.
2. Technique: Gently pull out a few hairs at a time using your thumb and finger of your writing hand. Your other hand should hold the skin steady/taut as you pull.
3. Order: Continue across the back, legs, chest, and head. The underbelly and paw pads can be trimmed with clippers, as the hair is softer here.
4. Patience: If stripping at home, there is no pressure to do it all in one day. Stop if your dog becomes restless and always reward them!
How to Groom a Border Terrier's Face
Unlike other terrier breeds, a Border Terrier’s breed standard doesn’t suggest elaborate facial hair. Whiskers and hair around the muzzle should be short, and there shouldn’t be a beard or long hair below the jawline. Hand-strip the face to remove long, straggly hair and pluck along the jawline to keep the muzzle tidy.
Does clipping a Border Terrier hurt them?
While clipping itself doesn't hurt the skin, it can cause long-term irritation. By leaving dead roots in the hair follicle, you prevent healthy new growth, which can lead to skin problems and a dull, "fuzzy" appearance.
Why is my Border Terrier's coat turning ginger and soft?
This issue is a classic sign of clipping or a lack of stripping. When the dead guard hairs aren't removed at the root, the coat loses its harsh, weather-resistant texture and the deep colour fades into a soft, gingery down.
How to fix a Border Terrier coat after it has been clipped?
It takes time and patience! You must stop clipping immediately and wait for the coat to grow out. You may need to "roll" the coat (stripping a small amount every few weeks) to encourage the new, wiry hair to push through the follicles again.
How long does a full hand-strip take?
For a professional, it can take 2-4 hours. For an at-home groomer, we recommend breaking it up into shorter 30-minute sessions over a few days to keep your dog comfortable.
How to handle a Border Terrier that hates their paws being touched?
Use positive reinforcement with high-value treats. Handle their paws for just a few seconds a day when you aren't grooming to desensitise them. For the actual trim, having a second person to distract them with a lick mat can be very helpful.
How to groom a senior Border Terrier with sensitive skin?
As dogs age, their skin thins. You may want to move to a "soft strip" (only pulling the very loosest hairs) or, if they find it too stressful, consult your vet about the best way to keep them comfortable.
