The origins of this breed can be traced to the early 18th century, in the border lands that separate Northern England and Scotland.  Farmers were using a scrappy little dog not only to be ratters in the barn, but also to help hunt the Hill Fox that preyed on the young lambs in that area. They were also useful in hunting otter, rabbit and badger.  Farm dogs at that time were expected to find their own food, so they had to be good hunters to survive.  They would occassionally get table scraps, but not too much, and not too often.
     The Huntmasters of the large estates are really the ones who get the credit for stabilizing the Border Terrier as a separate breed, and getting this breed recognized by The Kennel Club (England).  Fox hunts were very popular at this time, and when the pack of Foxhounds would force a fox to ground, there was no way of forcing a very smart fox out of his lair.  This is where the Border Terrier came in.  The Border Terrier was not only able to run with the Foxhounds and keep up, it was willing to enter the fox hole and pursue the fox through its' den and the tunnels and terrorize the fox sufficiently to force it back into the open where the Foxhounds and hunters could continue the pursuit.  Since the Border Terrier was friendly towards humans, adults and children, and got along well with other dogs, it became a welcome addition to the pack.
     It was in 1913 that The Kennel Club (England) registered its first Border Terrier.  It formally recognized the Border Terrier as a separate breed in 1920.
     In 1930, the American Kennel Club formally recognized the Border Terrier.  In 1947, the Border Terrier Club of America was formed, and the Standard that was adopted by the B.T.C.A. was approved by the A.K.C. in 1950.  The Breed Standard does not differ from the standard of The Kennel Club (England).

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