The Border Terrier is a hardy, determined little dog that originated in the Cheviot Hills of the Border country between England and Scotland. The farmers and shepherds in this area had to contend with foxes, so they depended on small, long-legged terriers to drive them out of the brush and thicket too dense for large hounds. Forced into the open, the game could be pursued by the hounds. Quarry often took refuge underground, but the Border Terrier’s talents in the undergrowth are equally matched by its skills under the earth. Vermin caught in the Border’s sights learned quickly that a den is not a refuge when a Border Terrier is at the door. The development and preservation of the working qualities of the modern-day Border Terrier is credited to two families whose history with hunt terriers dates to the 16th century—the Robsons and the Dodds.

Early this year, Badger, my Elite K9 Nose Work Bull Terrier, and I were honored to be chosen to participate in a fascinating research study funded by the Naval Research Laboratory. Florida State University’s Lauryn DeGreef partnered with Chapman University’s Lydia Barnett for a study to analyze how our detection canines “sniff.” The study required all participants to be at the Elite level as recognized by the National Association of Canine Scent Work. In particular, the researchers wanted to include dogs with heads and muzzles that were shaped significantly different from wild dogs and wolves.