Welcome to the Border Terrier Health website
The aim of this website is to provide a reference point for information and guidance on the various health concerns in Border Terriers.
The seven UK Border Terrier Clubs have agreed to form a Breed Health Group to consider the health status of the Border Terrier.
The seven UK Border Terrier Clubs have agreed to form a Breed Health Group to consider the health status of the Border Terrier.
Latest News from the Breed Health Group
GBM Survey at Cambridge
Message from our Breed Health Co-ordinator, Dr Eddie Houston BVMS, MRCVS regarding Border Terrier Survey - Gall Bladder Mucocoele:
'I would be grateful if you could all help to distribute this link throughout the Border Terrier community.
Survey Link
It relates to a project at Cambridge University which is trying to establish if there any dietary factors common to GBM cases. Replies are welcome from ALL owners, not just from those with affected dogs.If any of them would also care to fill in one of our health questionnaires that would also be most welcome.
Best wishes,
Eddie'
Message from our Breed Health Co-ordinator, Dr Eddie Houston BVMS, MRCVS regarding Border Terrier Survey - Gall Bladder Mucocoele:
'I would be grateful if you could all help to distribute this link throughout the Border Terrier community.
Survey Link
It relates to a project at Cambridge University which is trying to establish if there any dietary factors common to GBM cases. Replies are welcome from ALL owners, not just from those with affected dogs.If any of them would also care to fill in one of our health questionnaires that would also be most welcome.
Best wishes,
Eddie'
Canine Genetics Centre Fundraising Appeal
Please read the appeal from the Canine Genetics Centre at the University of Cambridge. In addition, an email is being sent from today to all Breed Clubs and Canine Societies/Agricultural Societies/Training Clubs/Gundog Clubs etc.
The Border Terrier Breed Health Group will be pledging a donation of £3,500 to the appeal.
There is still a long way to go to save the CGC, but every little helps and if individuals can donate and are UK taxpayers, then Government Gift Aid is added to each amount by simply ticking a box on the donation form.
Click here for the CGC Fundraising page
Please read the appeal from the Canine Genetics Centre at the University of Cambridge. In addition, an email is being sent from today to all Breed Clubs and Canine Societies/Agricultural Societies/Training Clubs/Gundog Clubs etc.
The Border Terrier Breed Health Group will be pledging a donation of £3,500 to the appeal.
There is still a long way to go to save the CGC, but every little helps and if individuals can donate and are UK taxpayers, then Government Gift Aid is added to each amount by simply ticking a box on the donation form.
Click here for the CGC Fundraising page
Breed Health Report
Please click here to read the 2023 report
Please click here to read the 2023 report
BSAVA Research Grant
The BSAVA has recently launched a new research grant specifically relating to Border Terriers. A substantial proportion of the funds for this have been donated by the group Border Terrier LifeLine (BTLL) including a very generous contribution from Mr.Andrew and Mrs. Wendy Mooney. Read More here
The BSAVA has recently launched a new research grant specifically relating to Border Terriers. A substantial proportion of the funds for this have been donated by the group Border Terrier LifeLine (BTLL) including a very generous contribution from Mr.Andrew and Mrs. Wendy Mooney. Read More here
Information and points to consider when Buying a Border Terrier Puppy Click here to read the article
Breed Health Coordinator's Annual ReportEach year the Breed Health Co-ordinator publishes an annual health report.
Click here to view the report for 2023 Annual Health Report Archive - to view prior years' health reports |
Breed Health Survey
All Border Terrier owners are encouraged to participate in the Breed Health Survey, even if your dog is generally healthy. This provides a better picture of health across the breed.
A Survey Form can be completed online or can be downloaded and printed using the links below. Breed Health Survey - Online Form Breed Health Survey - PDF version Breed Health Survey - Word |
Terms of Reference for the Breed Health Group
To assist the Border Terrier Breed Health Co-ordinator in his task of considering health issues in the breed. These tasks are defined as inter alia:
1. Facilitating the communication and collection of data on the health of the breed.
2. Collaborating with the Kennel Club on any health concerns the breed may have.
3. Acting as a conduit between the Scientists, the Kennel Club and the Breed Clubs.
4. Providing relevant advice and support to owners and breeders through the breed clubs.
1. Facilitating the communication and collection of data on the health of the breed.
2. Collaborating with the Kennel Club on any health concerns the breed may have.
3. Acting as a conduit between the Scientists, the Kennel Club and the Breed Clubs.
4. Providing relevant advice and support to owners and breeders through the breed clubs.
Breed Health Group Members
Doctor Eddie Houston BVMS, MRCVS: Border Terrier Breed Health Coordinator - Practising veterinary surgeon and Border Terrier breeder and exhibitor. Championship show judge of the breed and Chairman of the Border Terrier Club.
Professor Steve Dean MRCVS, DVR: Veterinary Surgeon with experience in General Practice, Research, Veterinary Education and Government Sector. Has worked with other breeds with inherited disorders and was responsible for setting up the Breed Health Reporting system for the Breed Clubs. Has Affiliations with the Royal Veterinary College, Nottingham Veterinary School and the Animal Health Trust. Chairman of the Kennel Club Charitable Trust and the Greyhound Trust.
Dr Andrew Harbottle PhD: Chief Science Officer of MDNA Life SCIENCES, INC. Extensive laboratory experience in research. Previously employed: Dermatological Sciences, Newcastle University.PhD Cell/Molecular Biology; MSc Toxicology/Experimental Pathology;BSc Biomedical Sciences. PhD Newcastle University (Pharmacology/Surgery) specialising in cancer research and protection of genes against DNA damage/tumour cell resistance. Dr Harbottle has two border terriers.
Professor Jeff Sampson BSc., DPhil: Professor Sampson was the Kennel Club's Genetics Advisor from 1998 until 2012 and worked helping many breeds to install breeding programmes to combat emerging conditions. His late wife was a breeder of Schipperkes and he is a CC judge of the breed.
Laura MI Jordan-Smith BVetMed GPCertSAS PgCSAS MRCVS: A Veterinary Surgeon in practice and has been showing Border Terriers for some time now under the kennel name ‘Jordith’
Professor Steve Dean MRCVS, DVR: Veterinary Surgeon with experience in General Practice, Research, Veterinary Education and Government Sector. Has worked with other breeds with inherited disorders and was responsible for setting up the Breed Health Reporting system for the Breed Clubs. Has Affiliations with the Royal Veterinary College, Nottingham Veterinary School and the Animal Health Trust. Chairman of the Kennel Club Charitable Trust and the Greyhound Trust.
Dr Andrew Harbottle PhD: Chief Science Officer of MDNA Life SCIENCES, INC. Extensive laboratory experience in research. Previously employed: Dermatological Sciences, Newcastle University.PhD Cell/Molecular Biology; MSc Toxicology/Experimental Pathology;BSc Biomedical Sciences. PhD Newcastle University (Pharmacology/Surgery) specialising in cancer research and protection of genes against DNA damage/tumour cell resistance. Dr Harbottle has two border terriers.
Professor Jeff Sampson BSc., DPhil: Professor Sampson was the Kennel Club's Genetics Advisor from 1998 until 2012 and worked helping many breeds to install breeding programmes to combat emerging conditions. His late wife was a breeder of Schipperkes and he is a CC judge of the breed.
Laura MI Jordan-Smith BVetMed GPCertSAS PgCSAS MRCVS: A Veterinary Surgeon in practice and has been showing Border Terriers for some time now under the kennel name ‘Jordith’