All this hoo-ha about the upcoming vote on Scottish independence has got me wondering. Are Border Terriers English or Scottish? I assume they come from the Borders area between those two nations, but which nation exactly? It is at times like these that a Border Terrier needs to have an answer.
No dog wants to have an identity crisis, but this whole independence business in creating one in me. Should I be concerned about which way the vote might go? If my ancestors were Scottish, then maybe I need to go there and explore my roots – learning skills like haggis-hunting. If, on the other hand, they were English, then do I need to travel north in order to water Hadrian’s Wall?
It’s quite a dilemma, really.
To my great disappointment, my Dad doesn’t have any answers on this most important matter (admittedly, even when he does have answers, they’re often daft ones). All he says is that my predecessor was a Border Terrier cross who came from Wales (that’s even more confusing – could we be from the Welsh borders?). Mum and Dad used to go to Scotland regularly until a few years ago, and they met a Border Terrier in a shop there, whose name was Archie. My Dad thought that was an ideal name for the ilk, and so that’s how I got my moniker. So are we Scottish dogs, then?
It’s probably a bit politically incorrect to look at it this way, but do national stereotypes have anything to do with it? It Scots are seen as bold and fiery, while the English are seen as more reserved, then I’m definitely Scottish. I am definitely very in yer face, and one of my nicknames is Archie the Bold (or Archie-bold). Reserved just isn’t me.
What about colouring? I’m reddish in colour, and my Dad thinks that’s more Scottish. He says he used to see comedy red wigs for sale in Scotland, complete with tartan hat, and he always wanted to see a rather posh English colleague of his wearing one – I always said that my Dad was puddled.
So far, Scotland is winning, but more research is needed. My Dad had a look at a mug in the cupboard which has a picture of a Border Terrier on it, and a bit of information written on it as well. My Dad loves doing research like this – seeking answers from such authoritative sources. Sadly, it doesn’t answer the question, simply saying that we originate from the borders of England and Scotland (well, at least that eliminates Wales).
A Scottish Scene
My Dad then consulted Wikipedia, which was bound to have an article on Border Terriers. Now, what does it say about us? Intelligent…friendly…yes, of course – although it doesn’t mention how handsome we are.
Ah, here we are – history…Coquetdale…Redesdale…Northumberland! I’m English! Pity in a way, as I was just getting used to being a Scot and wondering how to bark with a Scottish accent. Now I have to learn Geordie. Do I have to support Newcastle United or Sunderland? My only real interest in a football is my desire to eat it.
So I won’t be voting in the Scottish independence elections, but as someone who was so nearly a Scot, I have to say that I hope our too nations don’t become too estranged.
Now, how far is it to Hadrian’s Wall?
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