A BT is not for people who want a dog ‘some of the time’. Borders who are not part of the family are not happy. Left unattended in the yard, they will bark and/or dig out usually getting hit by a car. BTs were bred to hunt vermin, therefore, do not go well with small, furry animals such as gerbils and guinea pigs. It would not be easy to tell a child why his dog killed his pet hamster.
Also, because they were bred to hunt, they should NEVER BE ALLOWED OFF LEAD IN UNSECURED AREAS. Many Borders have been killed by cars chasing after a squirrel or rabbit.
Their coats require some above-average maintenance to keep the properly groomed double coat you see in illustrations of the breed.