Border Terrier
hunting and family dog
Hunting test for border terriers
There are currently seven different hunting tests that a Border Terrier can be qualified for. These are the pot-bellied pig aptitude test, pot-bellied pig retrieval test, pot-bellied pig hunting test, wild boar test and the German hunting terrier's full-time test, aptitude test for field and forest. When it comes to the official hunting tests, it is the Swedish Terrier Club that, under the Kennel Club, has the main responsibility for the testing activities. The Border Terrier Society is a breed club that is organizationally subordinate to the Swedish Terrier Club. The Swedish Terrier Club has delegated responsibility for the hunting tests to the German Hunting Terrier Club. Officially, the German Hunting Terrier Club is also to accept other terrier breeds for its tests, but few tests are arranged and the rules state that German Hunting Terriers have priority. This makes it difficult to officially qualify a Border Terrier for hunting cloven-hoofed game (in addition to the wild boar test).
The Swedish Terrier Club is primarily engaged in exhibition activities and has no interest in changing the current arrangement with the German Hunting Terrier Club as the "headman" for all terrier breeds when it comes to full-time tests, aptitude tests for field and forest.
There is a list to download as XLS or PDF with the border terriers that have passed one or more of the tests pot hunting, German Hunting Terriers forest alternative field and wild boar. If your border terrier has passed one or more of these tests but is not on the list, email borderterrier.se so we can include your dog in this fine company.
There are therefore no driving aptitude tests for border terriers where the dog's hunting abilities on cloven-hoofed game are tested. However, border terriers and other terrier breeds are allowed to take part in the German Hunting Terrier Club's Hunting Aptitude Test. Few border terriers have taken part in these tests because there is a limited supply of test opportunities and German Hunting Terriers have priority.
Currently, bordeterrier.se only knows of five border terriers that have been approved at the German Hunting Terrier Club's Hunting Test. In addition to the four below, there is also Carmal's Devil "Devil" who has passed the field test but is no longer alive.
Approved forest test, male born 2018, Blue Badgers No Nugget "Nico"
Approved forest test, male born 2015, Sjödjurets Sunrise Shiraz "Sune"
Passed field test, male born 2020, Baddy In Token Of Unicorn "Baddy"
Passed field test, bitch born 2019, Sjödjurets Här É Já "Svea"
There are border terriers that are used only for hunting game in pots, but most often the dog is used for both hunting game in pots and hunting ungulates. The rules for pot aptitude tests and handling badgers in captivity have been tightened in recent years for various animal welfare reasons.
The most relevant test for practical hunting of game in a pot is the pot hunting test, which is done in a natural pot on wild badger or fox. It is a tricky test because the right game must be in the pot at the right time and with a judge on site. Creating the conditions to be able to carry out the test is often a bigger challenge than the test itself.
Here you can read more about the test forms for hunting game in a pot.
There are many Border Terriers that are good boar dogs. With intense barking and close attacks, they usually make the boars leave their daily lives. In dense vegetation where the boars are often encountered, the Border Terrier's agile size and speed come into their own. As a dog handler, you can sometimes wonder why a 6 kg Border Terrier goes after a boar that can weigh over 100 kg, even more surprising is that the boar chooses to run away. That says a lot about the Border Terrier's courage, unwavering self-confidence and lack of reality when it comes to its own body size.
You can read more about the wild boar test here .
A game tracking test assesses the dog's suitability for searching for injured and dead game. All hunting dog clubs within SKK can arrange game tracking tests and the tests are open to all breeds.
The traditional tracking training is to drag a hoof, splash some blood and let the track lie for a few hours before the dog is allowed to make an attempt. The dog's sense of smell is very sophisticated, a track made with a hoof and splashes of some purchased cattle blood, plus a track that a human has walked on, does not make the dog believe that it is tracking a wounded game. But it is a useful general technique training in tracking which is probably so important.
The most important thing for a dog handler is to take every opportunity offered to let the dog search for a shot game. Even if it is only a few meters, so-called dead search, is good and valuable training for the dog.
Here you can read more about the game tracking test.
Search dog, male born 2016, "Enzo" Wästborders Porthos