Jack Russells

magnumlady

There seems to be a lot of conflicting information about these dogs.

Has anyone got one? If so what are your experiences?

Thanks.

belongtojazz

Hi, I have a little Jack Russel who will be 2 in August and she is absolutely the best dog ever (but don't let my springer know i think that )
I have to say i am very lucky with her, she is the friendliest most playful dog around. We go to obedience and agility classes and every dog and person there loves her. I am regularly told she is the nicest Jack people have come across.
I know these little dogs have a reputation for being snappy and nasty but my experience of mine and my dads is that they can be the most fabulous dogs and brilliant fun.
Don't get me wrong she is a typical terrier! I have watched so many collies and labs overtake her in class and she is not easy to train but when she gets it she is fab
The only down side to her is that she hates any sign of an animal on TV (doesn't even have to be a real animal the direct line phones are enough to set her off) she goes mad and barks like crazy which is soooooo annoying:rolleyes:

If you are thinking of getting one my advice would be to ensure she is well socialised and is taken to a good training class. Oh and they do need lots of exercise.

magnumlady

Thanks for your reply. She sounds lovely.
The training class is a great idea.
Does she get on with your other dog OK?

easyeason3

We had one years ago & it was a bit snappy & barked a lot but I put it down to not training her properly & being bored.

I honestly believe that a dog, regardless of breed, can be as good as their owners want once proper training & respect is given.

They are very cute dogs but for some reason a lot of people I know can't stand them.

magnumlady

easyeason3 wrote: »

We had one years ago & it was a bit snappy & barked a lot but I put it down to not training her properly & being bored.

I honestly believe that a dog, regardless of breed, can be as good as their owners want once proper training & respect is given.

They are very cute dogs but for some reason a lot of people I know can't stand them.

That's what worries me. I'm wondering if a x breed might be a better option.

easyeason3

magnumlady wrote: »

That's what worries me. I'm wondering if a x breed might be a better option.

I personally prefer x breeds because they are calmer, have less health problems etc. but it was our fault she was like that.

What are you looking for out of the dog?

morganafay

I've met snappy ones, like my neighbour's one who goes mad barking at everyone who passes and snaps at my dogs. But I've met really nice friendly playful ones too. I think it depends on how you raise them reallly.

magnumlady

easyeason3 wrote: »

I personally prefer x breeds because they are calmer, have less health problems etc. but it was our fault she was like that.

What are you looking for out of the dog?

Just looking for a small dog. A bit of company for us, would like to walk it and take it out and about.
Always had small dogs when I was younger. Haven't had one in a while though.
I would rather a short haired dog (had lhasa apso's before, they had lovely natures but needed a lot of grooming).

belongtojazz

magnumlady wrote: »

Thanks for your reply. She sounds lovely.
The training class is a great idea.
Does she get on with your other dog OK?

I think she would be a nightmare if it wasn't for the training I do with her. She also needs at least 1.5 hours walking EVERY day.
Yes she gets on great with my Springer. She is the boss but they have a great time playing. She is currently asleep on his back (he is about 4 times her size lol)
She adores all people and dogs, as soon as she sees anyone she runs straight up and rolls onto her bag as though to say 'look at me aren't i cute, do you want to play?' she has a terrible reputation as a flirt

belongtojazz

morganafay wrote: »

I've met snappy ones, like my neighbour's one who goes mad barking at everyone who passes and snaps at my dogs. But I've met really nice friendly playful ones too. I think it depends on how you raise them reallly.

I agree, i think because they are a small breed people don't think they need much work to keep, but my Jazz needs a lot more work to keep her in line than my springer does. Peoples attitude to her doesn't help sometimes, on the odd occasion she does get snappy (usually if another dog has hurt her) people are inclined to laugh at her and give out to me if I correct her. Just because she is small does not mean she can get away with misbehaving.:p

easyeason3

magnumlady wrote: »

Just looking for a small dog. A bit of company for us, would like to walk it and take it out and about.
Always had small dogs when I was younger. Haven't had one in a while though.
I would rather a short haired dog (had lhasa apso's before, they had lovely natures but needed a lot of grooming).

My neighbour just got a jack russell crossed with a chihuahua (spelling!).

I swear to god if there was ever a dog I wanted to steal it's him. Now he's tiny but just so adorable.

Jack Russells are nice dogs. You will get out of him what you put into him so don't be put off by negative stories or rumours.

Labradors, for example, are meant to be easy going, affectionate & friendly dogs but I'm sure there's quite a few of them that are vicious due to the owner.

magnumlady

Thanks so much for all the replies, some great information there.

Clare Bear

I've grown up with Jack Russells all my life and have one of my own now. With the 8 JRTs I've had all 8 have been lovely, loyal, hilarious dogs and we haven't had any bother with any of them. All very healthy too. I'm a big fan of the breed. They need a lot of excercise though so be prepared for that.

Graces7

We have a JRT/Bassett cross ( mother was a rescue, abandioned when in pup) My first ever dog . As others say, they re high energy dogs. This one has the bounce and fizz of the JRT with the weight and build of the bassett... Adoring but the energy.. She loves a game of football thankfully

lrushe

Although Jack Russells have recently been recgonised by the IKC they weren't for a long time so 'Jack Russell' was kind of an umberella name given to a small terrier type dog with a short coat and mostly docked tails therefore there is a great variance in temperament, colour, size etc but this variance also gives rise to great genetic variety leading to a dog which enjoys a long, mostly illness free life. For the most part they are busy little dogs and like most terrier they are alot of dog in a small body. They are extremely loyal and intelligent but don't let their small size fool you, they require alot of excerise and stimulation or you will end up with a destructive, noisy, nippy dog. On the upside though due to their high IQ they are extremely easy to train and not just your usual sit, stay stuff the world is your oyster with these guys and a more loyal companion you'll be hard pressed to find

belongtojazz

lrushe wrote: »

. On the upside though due to their high IQ they are extremely easy to train

I think a combination of high IQ and an extra dose of stubborness makes my little girl blinking difficult to train She's doing ok but after 18 months she still has times when she decides not to come back when called....
she's working toward her Kennel club gold award but reckon we're going to be working on it for quite a while lol

peasant

Going by our little terrier (some sort of cross, but could pass for rough haired JR) I would say that they are very intense dogs.

She's always busy, busy, busy; has to comment on everything; investigate everything; met and greet everyone and everything and basically just wants to be in control.

She's also the sweetest little dog known to mankind and can wrap everybody around her paw in a matter of minutes, even people who don't like dogs.

Those traits combined ask for an experienced, self assured dog owner to keep her in check and stop her from running the house and all it contains.

Having a (JR)terrier isn't easy ...but it certainly isn't boring.


I wouldn't really recommend them for apartment living though ...they are just too vocal.

belongtojazz

peasant wrote: »

I wouldn't really recommend them for apartment living though ...they are just too vocal.

I second this! I currently live in a terraced house and i'm forever checking with my neighbours that Jazz's barking (well lets be honest here... yapping) isn't annoying them. She gets so excited by everything and really does bark and talk too much
Thankfully my neighbours adore her and reckon they don't ever hear her:p

Run_to_da_hills

My Brother has one, they give a great growl for their size, they don't like been teased.

lrushe

belongtojazz wrote: »

I think a combination of high IQ and an extra dose of stubborness makes my little girl blinking difficult to train She's doing ok but after 18 months she still has times when she decides not to come back when called....
she's working toward her Kennel club gold award but reckon we're going to be working on it for quite a while lol

Thery're certainly is a nack to training terriers over say a GSD.
Give a GSD a command and they're like 'sir, yes sir'.
Give a terrier a command and they're like 'yeah, whats in it for me?'
Determination and persistence plus a big dose of patience will get you fantastic results

belongtojazz

lrushe wrote: »

Thery're certainly is a nack to training terriers over say a GSD.
Give a GSD a command and they're like 'sir, yes sir'.
Give a terrier a command and they're like 'yeah, whats in it for me?'
Determination and persistence plus a big dose of patience will get you fantastic results

Haha that is very true:D
She trains well when she's hungry and gets treats but otherwise she is very much of the opinion 'nah don't feel like doing that i would rather play with this leaf/twig/imaginary thing'
She's getting there though:p

squeakyduck

I found a little Jack Russel Rrusty) on the side of the road when I was like 12. She was very hyper, BARKED A LOT but was also the most loving dog that you could cuddle up with EVER! She could be snappy sometimes and was a little jealous of other dogs if I petted them in front of her. But she was amazing!

My mum and Rusty had a special bond until she died as I went away to college. I love remembering her little tail wag and her little feet always showed her excitement! I think they are a lovely breed but you need a lot of time and patience with them when they are young because hyper doesn't even begin to cover their personality!

TooManyDogs

I agree with what the others have said. I have 2 JRTs and they make me laugh all the time, and sometimes make me want to pull my hair out! They're both agility trained and unlike the collies/GSDs who want to please their owners, JRTs will do agility if and when it suits them. Some competitions my boy does a fantastic round and we come away with a rosette, other times he decides he'd rather stick his paw in his ear and have a good scratch, and then wander out of the ring! They definately have a 'make it worth my while attitude', I've often felt that when you're training a JRT they're sitting there giving you the finger half the time!

I think the biggest mistake people make is treating them like a small dog, and thinking they can be handbag dogs that don't need much exercise. In actual fact they are a working dog packed into a small body so need all the stimulation other working breeds like collies/GSDs need. People also don't tend to worry about what socialising them with other dogs until there's a problem which is a shame because when socialised with other dogs early they tend to be very dog friendly.

They may not be a great choice for children (I know I'll get loads of people disagreeing with me) cos they don't suffer fools gladly so tend not to tolerate poking and pulling at all, and will snap quicker than some other breeds. Children always get drawn to smaller dogs and want to pick them up and play with them which doesn't always go down well with independant jackers!

And finally, two things I've heard to describe JRTs that made me smile,
I heard them being called 'Jack Russell Terrorists', and a person said that 'they're like farts... you only like your own'

meoklmrk91

JRT's can be great pets, however they do have a reputation like you said. I think partly it's just their mad personality coming out and then often party due to something called small dog syndrome, where basically the dog misbehaves, doesn't obey it's owner, can be snappy and various other things. This is due to owners letting their little dogs get away with things they would never let their larger dogs get away with because it's not as problematic with a smaller dog i.e. jumping up.

Do your research, if you plan on buying a dog make sure you find a responsible breeder and that you check out mum and dads temperaments. If not then their are plenty JRT's in rescues all over Ireland looking for good homes.

ghost_ie

I have two Jack Russell crosses and the only thing I find wrong with them is they're tendency to bark at everything. Apart from that they're playful, faithful, loving and great with children.

Rabbitandcavy

A lot of websites online are American and their JRTs are different, they seem to have different temps and look different. I am on a dog forum and most of the Americans wouldn't touch a JRT because they have a reputation for being stubborn, visicous, way too high energy, not suitable for young children, not suitable to live with other dogs or children. While in Ireland, most of the JRTs I have met have been lovely, fairly quiet and most of the JRT owners seem to be little old ladies.

American



Irish



I have a dog that is about 3/4 Jack Russell and a 1/4 mixed bred and she is lovely, she is hyper but very shy. She is very submissive to us, and very scared of strangers that come to the house.

belongtojazz

TooManyDogs wrote: »

They may not be a great choice for children (I know I'll get loads of people disagreeing with me) cos they don't suffer fools gladly so tend not to tolerate poking and pulling at all, and will snap quicker than some other breeds. Children always get drawn to smaller dogs and want to pick them up and play with them which doesn't always go down well with independant jackers!

I totally agree with this, my little one loves kids but when we go training and there is kids there trying to pick her up and pull her around she really doesn't like it. Thankfully she has never done anything about it but I can tell when her ears go back and tail goes down we have one unhappy little doggy and it probably wouldn't take much more for her to snap. So far I have always been around watching very closely

magnumlady

Thanks for all the advice, we went to the local dog shelter last week and saw this guy:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/magnumlady/4733409687/
He's settled in really well, it's like he's been here forever.
I think maybe he's a cross breed, because he's very calm and quiet (at the moment).
Thanks again.

peasant

magnumlady wrote: »

I think maybe he's a cross breed, because he's very calm and quiet (at the moment).

Going by his very cute (in the double sense) facial expression that probably won't last much longer ...he's just currently collating a list of your weak points

belongtojazz

Aah Magnumlady he is just stunning well done and good luck with him.

I agree with peasant, he is far too cheeky looking to last quiet lol:D

ghost_ie

magnumlady wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice, we went to the local dog shelter last week and saw this guy:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/magnumlady/4733409687/
He's settled in really well, it's like he's been here forever.
I think maybe he's a cross breed, because he's very calm and quiet (at the moment).
Thanks again.

He's the image of my youngest, Daisy, in looks. Unfortunately, unlike him, she's neither calm nor quiet now - she was a frightened little thing in the beginning but has come out of her shell over the last year and has had to be stepped on with a heavy paw by the elder lemon, and with a lighter paw by the second in command - but I wouldn't change her for the world. Nor would her elder sisters. Best of luck with him