Though the Border Terrier is not a “head breed,” the fact that the breed’s head is unique is well known to terrier fanciers, if not all fanciers. His is the only breed standard calling for a head that is “like that of an otter,”and it is so important to breed type and function that it accounts for 30% of the breed standard’s judging scale. A full 20 points are allocated to “head, ears, neck and teeth, ” and ten points are assigned to “eyes and expression,” alone.
A “good head” is so esteemed in this breed that since 1993, the Border Terrier Club of America has offered a Best Otter Head class at each national specialty. Though it is a non-regular class, it is a fiercely competitive one as handlers show off the flat planes, well-set eyes, moderate stops, and keen expression of their respective dogs’ heads, all essential to an otter head. The class is so anticipated, we’ve read, that one can hear a pin drop during judging.
How does one evaluate such a head?
Among factors that contribute to this shape is a muzzle that is “well filled,” and a “moderately broad and flat” skull with plenty of width between the eyes and ears. Proportionally, a Border’s head should be 2/3 from its occiput to its stop, and 1/3 from the stop to the nose. It is these proportions that enable all aspects of the head to be appropriately positioned to give the dog its “ottery” look. Alter the proportions, and the dog no longer has a classic otter head.
Why, you might ask, is an “otter head” important? A dog doesn’t hunt with its head, after all, so how does having such a head help?
In fact, this breed does hunt with its head when one considers that the same breadth of skull and foreface that creates the otter-like head also all but eliminates the possibility of a weak underjaw and/or misplaced canine teeth need to deflect injury – and inflict it. The width and broadness of the skull that should carry through below the eyes makes room for large, punishing teeth which, when yielded by the tenacity of a Border Terrier, is a formidable weapon. Too short a muzzle with a pronounced stop won’t accomodate proper dentition, nor will it provide the dog optimal breathing underground when following prey into tunnels, a crucial aspect of their original hunting role to pursue foxes, badgers and especially otters along the borders of England and Scotland. Too long a muzzle, and the dog has less cheek and jaw strength, a weaker backskull, and possibly a higher ear set resulting in less efficiency and protection.
One more thing: Camouflage. Having an otter-like head may well have been advantageous when hunting otters for it likely provided a false sense of security to the hunted until it was too late. An otter sunning itself would scarcely take notice of another otter swimming towards it, its head just breaking the surface of the water. Not until its too late does the otter realize this is was anything but another otter.
Our appreciation to D’Arcy Downs-Vollbracht for her consent in our references to her wonderful piece in ShowSight.
Image: Border Terrier by seregraff/AdobeStock