JRT

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Queenbee87

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OH and I have been discussing getting a dog for a while and I've just seen a JRT pup on our local pound website (my main stipulation was that the dog was a rescue of some sort). What are peoples' opinions on the breed? I'm already aware that a jrt will need considerable mental exercise but the main thing that appealed was its size as our house isn't huge (standard 3 bed semi). OH works shifts so a dog would be left max 5 hours with the run of downstairs. My parents had dogs throughout my childhood (always strays that were 'acquired' rather than bought) so I'm OK with general care, just not suitability of various breeds.

Thanks in advance for any advice (promise not to get in a strop with any 'underised' advice ;))
 
Depends on suitability for 'what' :) They're terriers, normally with pretty high prey drives. How old is the pup? Five hours can be an awful long time for a pup so consider crating until it's a bit older, for its stress levels and yours, and teach it to be OK on its own (slowly, with baby steps) :)
 
On my 3rd JRT so that says something. They take whatever you throw at them and are very adaptable. Prey drive can be infuriating but all their other traits more than make up for that. Very faithful and a lot of fun as long as you don't let them 'take over'. Be firm and consistent with pup and you will have a lot of years of fun.
 
I love them. Am 34 now and have had JRT's since I was 11. Asked for a dog for my 11th birthday. Wanted a German shepherd but got a JRT and since then I've been hooked. Fantastic little dogs with a big heart and lots of fun!
 
I don't think I'd ever NOT want a JRT now. My two are my first and they definitely wont be my last!
Mine have dubious prey drives, however I've had them since young pups so that might have made a difference. I didn't choose working dogs for a reason and saw both of them in a home environment first (I know this isn't possible for you)
I lived in a small flat when I first got them, they did use to play hell from 6months-1year, careering round the house at warp 9 :D but that's at the age where you can't exercise them much really, so they did it themselves :D
They came into their own around 2+ and boy, they are now the absolute sun and moon to me. They are sleeping next to me now. Fierce, funny, energetic, opinionated, cheerful, snuggly, gentle, robust...I think JRTs can be all things to all men.

Sorry, just LOVE them! My vote is for yes. I'm not super dooper dog trainer, I've only had a few dogs myself (varying success) but these two have been my greatest triumph even though they aren't perfect!
 
I have a 2 year old JRTx (3/4 JRT), and he is awesome. We got him at 12 weeks. He is either asleep or manic, not much in between! I wouldn't be without him, he's super friendly, fantastic with kids (I have a 2 month old baby who he adores), good with my cats and loves horses - he licks my pony's nose. He's also a bit of a comedian, everyone loves him.

We did specifically choose a 'pet bred' rather than a 'working bred' terrier though, which is a bit more difficult to do if you're getting a rescue.
 
Well I am totally biased with my midget JRT Millie, I have had her since 7 weeks and is my little shadow. She doesnt have much pray drive, is fantastic with kids and other dogs (although totally rules the roost with my Lurcher). She can be totally manic, but can also be a lovely calm and relaxed dog, loving nothing more than a lap to sit on and curl up for a nap.

She is awsome at Flyball and if i put in some more work would be great at Agility too, and will walk for hours and hours, or happy with a 20 minute run round the block. The most important thing is to make sure you have ground rules with a JRT, so long as they know where they stand they are super dogs!

I mean really... who wouldnt want this in their home?


8d03e510.jpg
 
^^ gorgeous!

Agree about the rules, don't let them have an inch! I did with Roly and some days, he doesn't half take the mickey. But you cannot help but love that devil-may-care attitude and ebullient nature!
 
Just to temper all this enthusiasm a little bit: be careful with a rescue JRT - I mean just check out all the pros and cons.

All the JRTs I've known appear to be very intelligent and have a tendency to dominance, so need lots of firm training. Both rescue JRTs I've known (who had not been socialised or trained much) were little nightmares. Takes some very firm training to try to correct this, and even then you might not get rid of all the 'unwanted' traits.
 
Mine is just fantastic. I've moved house 3 times with her. She goes on the train with me to my OH's. She is very adaptable and with the exception of her persistant and loud 'talky round hole' she is a perfect dog. People often meet her and say 'i never really like jack russells but she's lovely'. She is like my familiar!


However... I really did NOT know what I was getting myself in for when I got her as a pup. Very difficult to train and I spent a lot of time pulling my hair out. I put so much time and effort into training her and stimulating her brain and it shows. My mother's JR rescue was not given that favour and it shows, he has so many obsessive behaviours.
 
TinChicken said:
She is like my familiar!


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Click to expand...
:D

Agree about the obsessive behaviours, they can get into it very easilly and then obviously not easy to get them out. If Roly gets too excited he'll switch straight into the spot on the mantle where his ball was and he'll jump and jump (even if this means getting onto your back) to search for it, endlessly! You need to redirect that attention quickly, otherwise you just have to let him get himself out of it.

I remember reading on a rescue website "canine kidology" and this term applies so well to JRTs.
 
Mine is from working stock and has an immense prey drive. But it doesn't bother me. Rabbits and rats up the stables are not welcome anyway.

I love them for their stubborn and feisty streak. I like the fact they have spirit and are clever.

Our latest addition is a jr x beagle, mostly jr and at the age of 12 weeks she is certainly showing the staffy who is boss!
 
I have one and wouldn't swap her for the world. She is great around the horses (even hops up and rides them), and is a brilliant ratter, although we can call her off the chase if we need to, and she knows not to catch rabbits, only mice and rats. She has an excellent recall and we compete in agility which gives her brain something to do- she absolutely loves it and has won a few classes as well.
She isn't the most sociable of dogs towards strange people thanks to a 'friend' of ours when she was a puppy, but with us she is a softy. She will happily sleep in all morning with us, or be up at the crack of dawn, and will keep going all day if asked.
As long as they are given enough exercise and something for their brains to do then in my experience they are fine (I know mine's parents and siblings from 2 litters- all wonderful yard dogs) Just don't let them think they rule the house! :D
 
Thanks for the advice everyone :) certainly food for thought.

Good to see they have lots of fans :D I loved the pics too!!

Will let you know what OH and I decide :)
 
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