Personality
Border Terriers are affectionate, intelligent, even-tempered, and obedient. They are alert and fearless. Generally, they get along well with other dogs, but if they dislike another dog, they do not hesitate to start a fight. They will get along well with cats they have been raised with, but will chase other cats and small animals such as mice, rabbits, rats and guinea pigs.
Border Terriers as Pets
Borders will adapt to the activity levels of their owners. They do not demand exercise, but do love it when they get it. With sufficient length of leg to achieve reasonable speed, a Border will hike, bike, and run with its owner, but will be just as happy spending the day lying in the sun. A Border Terrier does not mind being left alone but, as it is intelligent and loves company, it is not suited to household where people are frequently away.
Trainability
Being bred to work cooperatively with people, Borders do well in task-oriented activities. They are intelligent and eager to please, but they retain the capacity for independent thinking and initiative that were bred into them for chasing rats and fox. They take training for tasks very well, but appear less tractable if being taught simple tricks.
The breed has excelled in agility training, but they are quicker to learn jumps and see-saws than weaving poles. Their love of people and even temperament make them fine therapy dogs, especially for children and the elderly. They are occasionally used to aid the blind or deaf.