How to Post a Border Terrier Wanted Ad and Get Replies in the United States
To post a Border Terrier wanted ad that gets replies in the United States, say whether you want a puppy or an adult, give your budget, your area and how far you will travel, and describe your home, fence and other pets honestly. Breeders and owners reply when they can see a good match, and a clear ad also makes scam replies easier to spot.
A wanted ad works best alongside your own search, so you see new Borders as soon as they are listed. This guide covers what to ask for, what to write, a realistic budget and how to check the replies.
Key points
- Decide between a puppy and an adult first; saying you are open to an adult widens your options.
- Mention your fence and other pets: owners of a digging, chasing terrier will ask.
- Chewy says puppies tend to cost $2,000 or more; NABTW adoption fees can vary from $200 to $400.
- Ask any puppy seller for the parents' OFA results and SLEM status, and meet before paying.
- Never pay by gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency or a cash app.
What kind of Border Terrier should you ask for?
- Puppy or adult: PetMD quotes the BTCA comparing a Border puppy to "a 2-year-old in a dog suit". An adult's temperament with cats, children and other dogs is already known.
- Sex and color: be flexible if you can. The standard colors are red, grizzle and tan, blue and tan, and wheaten.
- Energy: Chewy suggests at least 30 minutes of exercise a day and up to an hour; say how active your household is.
- Other pets: if you have cats, ask for a dog with a proven history with cats; Chewy says hamsters and gerbils are a poor match.
- Purpose: pet, agility or earthdog sport, or a show prospect; tell breeders, since they match puppies to homes.
What should you put in a Border Terrier wanted ad?
| Detail | Example of what to write |
|---|---|
| What you want | Border Terrier puppy or young adult, either sex, pet home |
| Age | Puppy of at least 8 weeks, or adult up to 6 years |
| Budget | Your honest upper limit, or "adoption or rehoming fee" |
| Location and travel | Your town and how many miles you will drive to meet |
| Home | House with a fenced yard checked for gaps, or an apartment near a park |
| Other pets and people | Children's ages, a resident dog, no cats |
| Experience | Terriers owned before, and who will groom or hand-strip the coat |
Keep your phone number, address and email out of the ad. Let people message you first, and share details only with someone you have checked.
How do you set a realistic budget for a Border Terrier?
Chewy (updated August 2026) says Border Terrier puppies tend to cost $2,000 or more. For an adult, NABTW's application says its adoption fee can vary from $200 to $400, and Adopt a Pet suggests a reasonable private rehoming fee is often about $50 to $150. Then budget for life: the American Kennel Club's first-year estimates include food at $275 to $800 and wellness visits at $150 to $400, plus grooming. A purebred offered far below these figures is a common scam lure.
If you are open to rescue, read how to adopt a Border Terrier; if you want a puppy, how to buy a Border Terrier puppy covers the breeder side in detail.
How do you post your Border Terrier wanted ad?
- Choose the wanted listing type and Border Terrier as the breed.
- Write a clear title, for example "Wanted: Border Terrier puppy or young adult, within 100 miles of your town".
- Fill in the details from the table above in plain, friendly sentences.
- Add a photo of your yard or your current dog if you like; never a stock photo.
- Publish, then save a search for Border Terriers in your area to get alerts about new listings.
Posting is free: post your Border Terrier wanted ad. You can also browse other Border Terrier wanted ads to see how people phrase theirs.
How do you check the replies you get?
- Puppy replies: ask for both parents' registered names and look up their OFA results. The BTCA lists hip X-rays, a patella exam, yearly eye exams, a cardiac exam and a SLEM DNA test.
- Age: the BTCA recommends at least 8 weeks before a puppy goes home.
- Contract: a BTCA-style breeder offers a written agreement and will take the dog back at any time.
- Adult replies: ask why the dog is being rehomed, about escapes, cats and any cramping episodes, and whether the breeder must approve the new home.
- Meet first: see the dog in person or on a live video call before any deposit.
How do you avoid scams when replies come in?
A wanted ad tells scammers what you hope to find. The FTC's advice for anyone looking for a pet online applies directly:
- Reverse image search the photos; if they appear elsewhere or are stock images, move on.
- Insist on a visit or video call; walk away from anyone who will not.
- Pay with a method you can dispute, such as a credit card, never by gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency or cash app.
- Be wary of new fees for shipping, crates, insurance or vaccinations after a price is agreed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I write in a Border Terrier wanted ad?
Say whether you want a puppy or adult, your budget, your area and travel distance, and describe your home, fence and other pets. Leave out your phone number and let people message you first.
How much should I budget for a Border Terrier?
Chewy says puppies tend to cost $2,000 or more. NABTW says its adoption fee can vary from $200 to $400, and private rehoming fees are often about $50 to $150, according to Adopt a Pet.
Should I ask for health test results in reply to my wanted ad?
Yes, for any puppy. Ask for both parents' OFA results for hips, patellas, eyes and heart and their SLEM status, the tests the BTCA lists for its CHIC program.
Can I post a wanted ad for an adult or rescue Border Terrier?
Yes. Saying you are open to an adult often brings replies from owners who need to rehome a dog. Contact North American Border Terrier Welfare as well.
How do I know a reply to my wanted ad is genuine?
Ask for a video call or visit, run a reverse image search on the photos and search the person's name. Anyone who refuses to meet or pushes for quick payment is a red flag.
How long should I leave my Border Terrier wanted ad up?
Until you find the right dog. Update it if your budget, area or timing changes, and remove it once you have your Border.
Helpful guides
Pet WantedHow to Respond to a "Border Terrier Wanted" Ad in the United StatesBefore answering a Border Terrier wanted ad, check that your dog fits what the person needs, verify them by video, vet reference and home visit, refuse overpayments and shipping, and hand over with a written agreement and records.
Pet for SaleHow to Buy a Border Terrier Puppy in the United StatesPick a Border Terrier breeder who shows both parents' hip, patella, heart, eye and SLEM DNA results on OFA, gives a written agreement and takes dogs back at any age; Chewy says puppies tend to cost $2,000 or more.
Pet for SaleHow to Sell Border Terrier Puppies in the United StatesBreed only OFA-tested Border Terriers with known SLEM status, place puppies at 8 weeks or older with a written agreement, price honestly, screen buyers for fencing and small pets, and promise to take your puppies back.
Pet for AdoptionHow to Adopt a Border Terrier in the United StatesApply to North American Border Terrier Welfare or a shelter, expect a home visit and fence questions, pay a fee NABTW says can vary from $200 to $400, and plan for a dog that digs, chases and must return to the rescue if it does not work out.
Pet for AdoptionHow to List a Border Terrier for Adoption in the United StatesSet adoption criteria that suit a digging, chasing terrier, describe health and behavior honestly, charge a fee that covers vet costs, check fences and references, and use a contract that brings the dog back to you or the rescue.
Pet for RehomingHow to Take In a Rehomed Border Terrier in the United StatesBefore taking in a rehomed Border Terrier, check whether its breeder contract requires a return, ask about escapes, small pets and cramping episodes, collect the records, pay any fee at handover and give the dog weeks to settle.
Pet for RehomingHow to Rehome Your Border Terrier Responsibly in the United StatesAsk your breeder or NABTW first if your contract says so, write an honest listing that covers escapes, small pets and any cramping episodes, charge a modest fee, check fences and references, and transfer the microchip at handover.