palo1
Well-Known Member
Sealyhams are fab little dogs too!
Pros and cons of a Jack Russell
- Thread starter Patchworkpony
- Start date
Patchworkpony
Well-Known Member
Thank you for all your wonderful and helpful replies.
misst
Well-Known Member
Late to this but in my opinion there are no cons!
Seriously though they are vocal and often disobedient and like digging. They are also loving, loyal (sometimes), thieving beggars, enormous fun and my current proper JRT is tough as old boots. She isn't that bright but super funny. She ran head first into a tree at full speed recently. I thought she was dead. She got up before I got to her, shook herself off and carried on at full pelt. None the worse I think. Usually (touch wood) they don't spend a lot of time at the vet.
All of our family JRTs have been good with children, small furries belonging within the household (not unknown ones), and pretty good with chickens. Great around horses. Portable and cuddly. What's not to like.
Seriously though they are vocal and often disobedient and like digging. They are also loving, loyal (sometimes), thieving beggars, enormous fun and my current proper JRT is tough as old boots. She isn't that bright but super funny. She ran head first into a tree at full speed recently. I thought she was dead. She got up before I got to her, shook herself off and carried on at full pelt. None the worse I think. Usually (touch wood) they don't spend a lot of time at the vet.
All of our family JRTs have been good with children, small furries belonging within the household (not unknown ones), and pretty good with chickens. Great around horses. Portable and cuddly. What's not to like.
Andie02
Well-Known Member
Fabulous little dogs, we would choose Jrt's over any other dogs. They are funny, loyal, mischievous, clever and entertaining.
Follysmum
Well-Known Member
Wonderful dogs
I have always had them and very fortunate that they all lived to a good age. 17/18 and currently have a 17 yr old who still runs around with my 2 other dogs.
They have all been different but all have been pretty easy. Great companion dogs
I have always had them and very fortunate that they all lived to a good age. 17/18 and currently have a 17 yr old who still runs around with my 2 other dogs.
They have all been different but all have been pretty easy. Great companion dogs
poiuytrewq
Well-Known Member
Another pro.
Just come back from a muddy wet walk. We have a warm shower outside so I shower them all off, towel and drying coats on.
The little ones can come back in straight away.
Two soggy labs are waiting to dry off!
Just come back from a muddy wet walk. We have a warm shower outside so I shower them all off, towel and drying coats on.
The little ones can come back in straight away.
Two soggy labs are waiting to dry off!
DabDab
Ah mud, splendid
They're splendid.
They are simultaneously not for the feint hearted and hugely aminable - they just have a knack of fitting in with your life. And are both independent minded but also love doing everything you are doing.
They are simultaneously not for the feint hearted and hugely aminable - they just have a knack of fitting in with your life. And are both independent minded but also love doing everything you are doing.
Pinkvboots
Well-Known Member
Winnie is 12 this year and she has always been the easiest dog ever I think I must have been very lucky, she was easy to house train she was easy to train recall was always good she just wanted to be with us.
She is a brilliant little guard dog she only barks fir a reason so you know someone or something is outside when she barks, she is quite loving and cuddly and loves to snuggle.
She doesn't like the cold or wet and has never really been high energy quite happy to just go in the garden doesn't need hours of walking.
The only negatives is she is the most greedy dog I've ever known, and she doesn't like small kids at all.
She is a brilliant little guard dog she only barks fir a reason so you know someone or something is outside when she barks, she is quite loving and cuddly and loves to snuggle.
She doesn't like the cold or wet and has never really been high energy quite happy to just go in the garden doesn't need hours of walking.
The only negatives is she is the most greedy dog I've ever known, and she doesn't like small kids at all.
ycbm
Einstein would be proud of my Insanity...
Goldie's mum
Well-Known Member
It must have been a close thing - a race between rate of sand eating and rate of onset of dehydration. As it was he spent a couple of days on a drip. I remember his eyes were very sore too.
Pearlsasinger
Up in the clouds
The sire of our pair disappeared. Eventually it was assumed that he had gone down a rabbit hole but he was never found.
SkylarkAscending
Well-Known Member
A lot of JRTs have gone missing locally over the years but - with no disrespect to the owners - they have belonged to horse-owning people who let them have free range of the stables/yard/paddocks so no wonder they vanish.
misst
Well-Known Member
A friends boy went down a rabbit hole. They sat by the hole taking it turns and calling him. They had smelly food which they left by the entrance too. He emerged 48 hours later thirsty and hungry but none the worse otherwise. He never did it again though! I live in dread of this as in the woods at one end there are several badger sets. I always put Ruby on a lead near them as she shows interest in them every time she has the opportunity. My old girl never showed any interest in going down holes and nor does my JRT x terrier.
Tilly killed a family of ducklings once. She suddenly set off swimming across a natural pond. I didn't even know the duck was there, nor the nest. She climbed onto the central mound of mud and it was then I realised what she was doing. She just took each one and shook them. It was dreadful. I couldn't stop her. She came back willingly when she was finished very proud of herself. Luckily there was no one around to witness her killing spree.
She also found a deer leg in the woods behind our field. She spent ages dragging it like a lion drags it prey through two fields. It was rank with a hoof still attached. I assume it was hit by a car and died later in the woods. Badgers and foxes would have dismembered it but Tilly seemed convinced she had brought it down and killed it and pulled a leg off, single handed. She wanted to bring it in the car but I drew the line at that. She had a propensity to find any dead thing and roll in it. My others will roll in fox poo but otherwise leave smelly stuff alone. She was such a loving dog with people. I still miss her 5 years on.
Tilly killed a family of ducklings once. She suddenly set off swimming across a natural pond. I didn't even know the duck was there, nor the nest. She climbed onto the central mound of mud and it was then I realised what she was doing. She just took each one and shook them. It was dreadful. I couldn't stop her. She came back willingly when she was finished very proud of herself. Luckily there was no one around to witness her killing spree.
She also found a deer leg in the woods behind our field. She spent ages dragging it like a lion drags it prey through two fields. It was rank with a hoof still attached. I assume it was hit by a car and died later in the woods. Badgers and foxes would have dismembered it but Tilly seemed convinced she had brought it down and killed it and pulled a leg off, single handed. She wanted to bring it in the car but I drew the line at that. She had a propensity to find any dead thing and roll in it. My others will roll in fox poo but otherwise leave smelly stuff alone. She was such a loving dog with people. I still miss her 5 years on.
islander
Well-Known Member
I have had four at different times, all needed homes, two came together and were eleven and twelve, fit as fleas and lived for many years afterwards. Very good dogs, not fighters.
Another’s owner had died and he needed a home, he was mild mannered too and came on several holidays with us to all sorts of places.
My latest was adorable, a sweet fluffy gentle boy, not like the archetypal JRT at all.
They all loved exercise but were good in the house and got on well with my other dogs.
Perhaps l have just been lucky but l would certainly risk it and take in another.
Another’s owner had died and he needed a home, he was mild mannered too and came on several holidays with us to all sorts of places.
My latest was adorable, a sweet fluffy gentle boy, not like the archetypal JRT at all.
They all loved exercise but were good in the house and got on well with my other dogs.
Perhaps l have just been lucky but l would certainly risk it and take in another.
SkylarkAscending
Well-Known Member
I am so envious of your warm shower set up! I’ve seen people with them on a JRT group I’m on, it looks perfect!
My two came back covered in pink Redmarley clay today as usual - Colin gets covered all over when I stick them in the crate to come home and Flora bounces all over him
I had just washed the floor so they got towelled off and stuck in their big crate to dry 
PoniesRock
Well-Known Member
I love Jack Russells. They are the most loyal companions. Last year we lost our traditional JR. She really was our precious princess 
the most perfect little person. Never had an issue with recall or her being reactive to any other dogs. She came absolutely everywhere with me and my husband.
We now have a parsons JR, and honestly - she’s fixed our broken hearts from loosing Cass. She’s always so very happy, loyal, and just the best company. She loves other dogs and has good recall. Rosie has endless bundles of energy and will happily do miles out hacking off road with the horses. She does enjoy making her own rules tho, and does need reminding of her place at times… that said, somehow she’s ended up sleeping in our bed!
the most perfect little person. Never had an issue with recall or her being reactive to any other dogs. She came absolutely everywhere with me and my husband. We now have a parsons JR, and honestly - she’s fixed our broken hearts from loosing Cass. She’s always so very happy, loyal, and just the best company. She loves other dogs and has good recall. Rosie has endless bundles of energy and will happily do miles out hacking off road with the horses. She does enjoy making her own rules tho, and does need reminding of her place at times… that said, somehow she’s ended up sleeping in our bed!
tda
Well-Known Member
A Jack Russell has won the terrier section at crufts this evening, tho I think it looked like a small parson Russell rather than your usual Jack Russell
SkylarkAscending
Well-Known Member
Absolutely - hence my comment on the Crufts thread that it isn’t a JRT in my view. It is a lovely little dog, I’d be happy to own him, but not a JRT…..
CorvusCorax
'It's only a laugh, no harm done'
I thought it was a Parsons 
poiuytrewq
Well-Known Member
It’s so good, it was for the horses. It’s just a gas bottle camping one but they are so much happier to be hosed off now.I am so envious of your warm shower set up! I’ve seen people with them on a JRT group I’m on, it looks perfect!
My two came back covered in pink Redmarley clay today as usual - Colin gets covered all over when I stick them in the crate to come home and Flora bounces all over him
View attachment 135593
I used to have to chase them and grab them for their turn at hosing.
Now they come running over for their turn (they do get a treat too
but they did with the cold hose) I’d never be without it now.
poiuytrewq
Well-Known Member
He looked much like a neater more groomed version of Cecil’s dad. I thought at the time he didn’t look like a classic JR that I’d expect.
It was the coat, it’s not wirey or smooth but a softer longer hair.
We were rooting for Zen! What a cheery looking little chap!
EventingMum
Well-Known Member
Absolutely wonderful dogs. Mr EM and I have had six in 38 years of marriage. All very much individuals with huge characters, some more outgoing than others. We haven't had any serious on going health issues that couldn't be attributed to old age. All of them have loved "their" people and been very loyal Our first one was fantastic when our son was born and especially once he became mobile, they were best friends. We currently have two plus one terrier type ages 12, 6 and 2 - they're a great little gang and keep us constantly amused. The only thing I would say is they do have a tendancy to bark, the middle one tends to set the other two off but previous ones haven't been bad. Recall wise they are pretty good around our own fields but I wouldn't let them loose elsewhere.
Caol Ila
Well-Known Member
Here's a con. My boss at a dressage yard I worked at in the States had three JRTs who had free range of the yard.
Their favourite game? Nipping at my truck's tyres and trying to herd it when I was attempting to leave work after long, exhausting 12 hour shifts of working student exploitation. I would be stuck for a while because I thought squashing the boss' dogs was not a good look.
God, I hated those f*97cking dogs.
Their favourite game? Nipping at my truck's tyres and trying to herd it when I was attempting to leave work after long, exhausting 12 hour shifts of working student exploitation. I would be stuck for a while because I thought squashing the boss' dogs was not a good look.
God, I hated those f*97cking dogs.
TheOldTrout
Completely Unknown Member
They're fabulous. Very no-nonsense little dogs - don't need much grooming, not fussy eaters (at least, ours have always eaten anything and everything), loyal, fun with a capital F. They can be noisy and ours liked rolling in fox poo, those are the only bad points I can think of.
poiuytrewq
Well-Known Member
Out walking last week we met a lady with 7/8 JR’s all matching with matching coats.
Life goals!
Although she had very little control in reality
Life goals!
Although she had very little control in reality
SkylarkAscending
Well-Known Member
Out walking last week we met a lady with 7/8 JR’s all matching with matching coats.
Life goals!
Although she had very little control in reality
I adore my pair but in all honesty I’m not sure even I could cope with that many
misst
Well-Known Member
My feelings exactly. She must live in chaos. I love my two terriers and adore my daughters who stays quite a lot but 3 is definitely enough! Son now has one too and I have said I can't cope with them all at once so the granddogs will have to take it in turns!I adore my pair but in all honesty I’m not sure even I could cope with that many
poiuytrewq
Well-Known Member
At first I was so impressed, then so smug when I realised she had no control but mine was staying with meI adore my pair but in all honesty I’m not sure even I could cope with that many
, she stated “I know it looks a lot but some are old” Also made me laugh
Landcruiser
Well-Known Member
We previously had a Parson, now have a delightful JRT/Patterdale girl.
Parson - (a rescue) - barked a lot, weed up the curtains, shed like mad, strong prey drive , but very loving and clown like. Devastated to lose him to an RTA at only 2.
Current JRT/patterdale -Delightful girl, super affectionate, rarely barks, another clown, playful, chatty (can hold 2 way conversation, sounds like growling/howling, which she matches to human tone, you go high, she goes high), bites her own claws short, has good basic training and good recall, naturally walks to heel - I could go on. Her ONLY downsides are bin raiding and eating her own poo (full of birdseed from under the bird feeder, yum).
It's a yes from me!
Parson - (a rescue) - barked a lot, weed up the curtains, shed like mad, strong prey drive , but very loving and clown like. Devastated to lose him to an RTA at only 2.
Current JRT/patterdale -Delightful girl, super affectionate, rarely barks, another clown, playful, chatty (can hold 2 way conversation, sounds like growling/howling, which she matches to human tone, you go high, she goes high
), bites her own claws short, has good basic training and good recall, naturally walks to heel - I could go on. Her ONLY downsides are bin raiding and eating her own poo (full of birdseed from under the bird feeder, yum).It's a yes from me!