Patchworkpony
Well-Known Member
Could you kind people please tell me the pros and cons of owning a Jack Russell terrier.
Pros and cons of a Jack Russell
- Thread starter Patchworkpony
- Start date
Gloi
Too little time, too much to read.
Not laughing at you, just at my experiences with them
Goldie's mum
Well-Known Member
Very high energy level
Very high prey drive.
Need a lot of socialising.
Intelligent, easily bored.
My friend's JRT went missing down a rabbit hole & was gone a week. Much crying and digging later he appeared of his own accord. It was sandy soil & he'd literally eaten his way out. He pooed sand for a week.
Very high prey drive.
Need a lot of socialising.
Intelligent, easily bored.
My friend's JRT went missing down a rabbit hole & was gone a week. Much crying and digging later he appeared of his own accord. It was sandy soil & he'd literally eaten his way out. He pooed sand for a week.
meleeka
Well-Known Member
My favourite 
. I lost mine last year 
They are a bit like unruly children. They don’t like “no” and will likely just roll their eyes at you
. Mine was practically perfect, apart from her prey drive which meant she didn’t have a reliable recall. It wasn’t a problem for me at all and just meant she stayed on the lead or a long line. I could take her anywhere and she’d just fit in. If I was late for tea she’d pick her bowl up and bring it to me and drop it at my feet, then give me the look . She was loved by everyone and adored my OH and kids.
In summary, I’d say independent, fun loving, determined little dogs who can have a very high prey drive.
. I lost mine last year They are a bit like unruly children. They don’t like “no” and will likely just roll their eyes at you
. Mine was practically perfect, apart from her prey drive which meant she didn’t have a reliable recall. It wasn’t a problem for me at all and just meant she stayed on the lead or a long line. I could take her anywhere and she’d just fit in. If I was late for tea she’d pick her bowl up and bring it to me and drop it at my feet, then give me the look . She was loved by everyone and adored my OH and kids. In summary, I’d say independent, fun loving, determined little dogs who can have a very high prey drive.
cowgirl16
Well-Known Member
Dirty, destructful and disobedient. Having said that, we adored them. We had a bitch that we bred from, and kept her first born (a boy). They are feisty, single minded but loyal. A constant source of entertainment. Just don't imagine you're going to succeed in any obedience classes! Agree with the above comments about prey drive, our bitch went down rabbit holes for a passtime. On one occasion, found a nest of newborns, came out with one and proceeded to eat it, then went back down the hole several more times, each time returning with a baby that she ate. We counted 6. Could we stop her? Not a hope! Her son was particularly fond of rats. Didn't matter that the rats were often bigger than him, oh no! He was seriously into blood sports! Would I have another? Hell yes!
Pearlsasinger
Up in the clouds
We got a pair of farm-bred litter sisters from a friend. They were delightful but *NEVER AGAIN*. They were almost impossible to housetrain, had brilliant recall on walks but
were very inventive escapologists. One was a digger, the other a climber and they took each other along for adventures outside the yard, only coming back when they felt like it.
We got them originally because they came from a long line of ratters and rabbiters, they never caught a thing!
They lived with Labs, a Rottweiler and a Border Collie and got on well with them but we always said that one of them, not only didn't speak/understand human, she needed her sister to translate dog for her.
They made us laugh and swear in equal proportions.
were very inventive escapologists. One was a digger, the other a climber and they took each other along for adventures outside the yard, only coming back when they felt like it.
We got them originally because they came from a long line of ratters and rabbiters, they never caught a thing!
They lived with Labs, a Rottweiler and a Border Collie and got on well with them but we always said that one of them, not only didn't speak/understand human, she needed her sister to translate dog for her.
They made us laugh and swear in equal proportions.
CorvusCorax
Justified & Ancient
Fun, game dogs. Proper terriers. Not the easiest to house train and watch for luxating patella.
meleeka
Well-Known Member
I’m very proud of the fact that in 16 years, I never lost mine once. I think that says it all
Squeak
Well-Known Member
As with any breed, they can vary and I've known some absolutely brilliant Jack Russells that you'd have in a heart beat and some you'd really rather not so be careful what the parents are like.
BallyJ
Well-Known Member
The best companion ever! Mine is going senile now though and has a luxating patella so has been the worst investment, and the vet knows her by name!
But I adore her, she can do no wrong. She drives my husband up the wall as he's a Lab man and likes obedience and solid recall. I would say they aren't for the faint hearted, you have to be strict, if you give an inch they'll take a mile!
But I adore her, she can do no wrong. She drives my husband up the wall as he's a Lab man and likes obedience and solid recall. I would say they aren't for the faint hearted, you have to be strict, if you give an inch they'll take a mile!
palo1
Well-Known Member
Pros: you can usually acquire one in a pub or other informal setting, they are loyal, fearless and hilarious characters. They might catch a rat. They have a very loyal fan base - other owners will likely be tolerant of yours! They appear to have the affection of many so may even result in new friends and access to areas that dogs may not always be welcome. They are clever and smart looking Handy size, cheap to run minus any vet bills!
Cons: they can be noisy, reactive to other dogs, cats, squirrels, aircraft, things that go bump in the night, difficult to house train and have a very strong drive, they can have joint problems. They may go down holes causing much anxiety. If they were the size of Labradors they would almost definitely be a problem but you can usually pick them up if need be. Some folks really don't like them.
I mean...you should probably just get one!! Your life will never be the same again!!
Handy size, cheap to run minus any vet bills!Cons: they can be noisy, reactive to other dogs, cats, squirrels, aircraft, things that go bump in the night, difficult to house train and have a very strong drive, they can have joint problems. They may go down holes causing much anxiety. If they were the size of Labradors they would almost definitely be a problem but you can usually pick them up if need be. Some folks really don't like them.
I mean...you should probably just get one!! Your life will never be the same again!!
Patchworkpony
Well-Known Member
Thanks SO much everyone. I think I’ve made my mind up.
cowgirl16
Well-Known Member
And? Yay or Nay?Thanks SO much everyone. I think I’ve made my mind up.
Errin Paddywack
Well-Known Member
We grew up with a terrier. Mum bought him in the local petshop for 30 shillings. His dad was said to be a tiny Jack Russel, not sure about mum. He was more like the Parson Jack Russels we see now. Best dog ever, I would have another like him any day. Where I worked there was a Sealyham x hunt terrier. Mum was the Sealyham. She was the easiest dog ever and I really wish I could find one like her. Didn't need training, just naturally obedient and so cuddly. Brilliant ratter too. The perfect dog, don't think she shed much either unlike ours who shed all year round.
tda
Well-Known Member
Feisty
Our bitch was a real hunter, this has not translated to either of her son's who are just gobby.
They do need to know who's in charge don't baby them or give them toys
Our bitch was a real hunter, this has not translated to either of her son's who are just gobby.
They do need to know who's in charge
don't baby them or give them toys
Mrs. Jingle
Well-Known Member
I really, really miss having a JRT around or a little Patterdale would do. I just don't recommend having one of each at the same time, especially if you also have larger dogs in the mix too. That was an interesting terrier owning decade of my life to say the least! 
I would have another JRT in an instant, but sadly too late to have another one now.
I would have another JRT in an instant, but sadly too late to have another one now.
SkylarkAscending
Well-Known Member
lol I don’t recognise most of the descriptions here
I have two - brother and sister, born 6 months apart (they are now 3 1/2 and nearly 4 years old). I also know my boys litter sister, all three have totally different personalities.
Colin is a typical boy - needy, clingy, loving, adorable, soft as butter at home, adores me.
His down sides are that he barks at any loud noise, and if given the chance (he isn’t!) he would attack any other dog we meet on a walk without provocation. His recall is 100% unless there are other dogs around, I can call him off deer, rats, rabbits etc.
Flora is a typical bitch! Fiesty, independent, sassy, loving, bossy and self opinionated. She loves me and is showing it more as she gets slightly older, but generally she shrugs and says “don’t care” Her recall is 100% ALWAYS - regardless of temptations. She is fussy about food, much quieter at home (in terms of barking!) and bullies her big brother unmercifully. They’ve had a couple of proper fights, and she was the aggressor - she drew blood, the little madam.
Colin’s sister is tiny small, loves other dogs and has great recall! She will run up to other dogs and will throw herself on her back in submission, so recall isn’t always perfect around other dogs, but prey drive is like my two.
They are huge personalities in little bodies - be prepared for them to get plastered in mud on every single walk, you will learn to avoid other people and dogs if yours are anti social like mine (suits me fine!) and they are totally the best hot water bottles you will ever find. I’ve never known such a hot dog as Colin!
Mine are fine with food, fine with toys and hate cats but that’s all ok with me. They were also dead easy to house train despite everyone telling me they wouldn’t be
I got mine after unexpectedly adopting dear George, after 25 years of greyhounds and lurchers. I adore greyhounds still but they seem incredibly bland after terriers now
I have two - brother and sister, born 6 months apart (they are now 3 1/2 and nearly 4 years old). I also know my boys litter sister, all three have totally different personalities.
Colin is a typical boy - needy, clingy, loving, adorable, soft as butter at home, adores me.
His down sides are that he barks at any loud noise, and if given the chance (he isn’t!) he would attack any other dog we meet on a walk without provocation. His recall is 100% unless there are other dogs around, I can call him off deer, rats, rabbits etc.
Flora is a typical bitch! Fiesty, independent, sassy, loving, bossy and self opinionated. She loves me and is showing it more as she gets slightly older, but generally she shrugs and says “don’t care”
Her recall is 100% ALWAYS - regardless of temptations. She is fussy about food, much quieter at home (in terms of barking!) and bullies her big brother unmercifully. They’ve had a couple of proper fights, and she was the aggressor - she drew blood, the little madam.Colin’s sister is tiny small, loves other dogs and has great recall! She will run up to other dogs and will throw herself on her back in submission, so recall isn’t always perfect around other dogs, but prey drive is like my two.
They are huge personalities in little bodies - be prepared for them to get plastered in mud on every single walk, you will learn to avoid other people and dogs if yours are anti social like mine (suits me fine!) and they are totally the best hot water bottles you will ever find. I’ve never known such a hot dog as Colin!
Mine are fine with food, fine with toys and hate cats but that’s all ok with me. They were also dead easy to house train despite everyone telling me they wouldn’t be
I got mine after unexpectedly adopting dear George, after 25 years of greyhounds and lurchers. I adore greyhounds still but they seem incredibly bland after terriers now
Patchworkpony
Well-Known Member
Thank you for that wonderful answer.lol I don’t recognise most of the descriptions here
I have two - brother and sister, born 6 months apart (they are now 3 1/2 and nearly 4 years old). I also know my boys litter sister, all three have totally different personalities.
Colin is a typical boy - needy, clingy, loving, adorable, soft as butter at home, adores me.
His down sides are that he barks at any loud noise, and if given the chance (he isn’t!) he would attack any other dog we meet on a walk without provocation. His recall is 100% unless there are other dogs around, I can call him off deer, rats, rabbits etc.
Flora is a typical bitch! Fiesty, independent, sassy, loving, bossy and self opinionated. She loves me and is showing it more as she gets slightly older, but generally she shrugs and says “don’t care”
Colin’s sister is tiny small, loves other dogs and has great recall! She will run up to other dogs and will throw herself on her back in submission, so recall isn’t always perfect around other dogs, but prey drive is like my two.
They are huge personalities in little bodies - be prepared for them to get plastered in mud on every single walk, you will learn to avoid other people and dogs if yours are anti social like mine (suits me fine!) and they are totally the best hot water bottles you will ever find. I’ve never known such a hot dog as Colin!
Mine are fine with food, fine with toys and hate cats but that’s all ok with me. They were also dead easy to house train despite everyone telling me they wouldn’t be
I got mine after unexpectedly adopting dear George, after 25 years of greyhounds and lurchers. I adore greyhounds still but they seem incredibly bland after terriers now
deicinmerlyn
Well-Known Member
My two bitches are nothing like as described above!
They are great dogs.
Always up for a walk, but not over active,
Companionable, kind to everyone, including children. Never snapped or growled at anyone.
One of mine does bark when unrecognised people or cars come ( I’ve never heard the other one bark in 8 years) but neither are ‘yappy’
Their recall in the early days was not great admittedly but better as they’ve got older.
They’re brilliant little dogs.
Oh yes, the one downside is their continual moulting!
Edited for sp.
They are great dogs.
Always up for a walk, but not over active,
Companionable, kind to everyone, including children. Never snapped or growled at anyone.
One of mine does bark when unrecognised people or cars come ( I’ve never heard the other one bark in 8 years) but neither are ‘yappy’
Their recall in the early days was not great admittedly but better as they’ve got older.
They’re brilliant little dogs.
Oh yes, the one downside is their continual moulting!
Edited for sp.
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meleeka
Well-Known Member
To clarify, I could call mine away from other dogs or animals bigger than her 100%, but a rustle in a bush, or a cat was just too much temptation. She would then totally lose her sense of hearing apparently, so unless you saw which bush she went in, would have no chance of finding her until she was ready.
maya2008
Well-Known Member
Choose the parents carefully - ours was a quiet, kind one who would rat if needed x the biggest wimp in dog form you ever did see. Result was a good family pet, who never ran off after prey, yet had the stamina to keep up with us on a long hack (following loyally behind).
SkylarkAscending
Well-Known Member
They sound just like Colin’s sister - as I said, she is nothing like my Flora! I did laugh when my friend who owns Colin’s sister told me that another friend of hers had got a JRT after meeting Colin’s sister. Unfortunately the friend got a Flora instead
I would thought it goes without saying, none of my dogs have ever growled or snapped at people. For all her Tigger-ness, Flora is adorable with my elderly mum who has advanced Alzheimer’s.
Oh and I forgot the essential bit @patchworkpony….. I mean, why wouldn’t you
SkylarkAscending
Well-Known Member
And because I started thinking about him and now can’t stop, I suppose I’d better warn you about George @Patchworkpony
He wasn’t a true JRT, he was a mixed breed terrier, but to be honest you will find JRTs in all shapes and sizes. George was…. unique He was the noisiest, most annoying, most self assured and self reliant little dog I’ve ever met. He pulled like a train on the lead when I got him, he would attack any other dog that came anywhere near to the end of his days - if I was sitting in the waiting room at the vets and another dog came in, he would turn into a little ball of condensed terrier fury!
I adored him more than anything in the world, and he loved me just as much. Nobody else, just me. I would genuinely have died for him.
So if you can overlook some “minor” character flaws, you will always have the perfect dog
He wasn’t a true JRT, he was a mixed breed terrier, but to be honest you will find JRTs in all shapes and sizes. George was…. unique
He was the noisiest, most annoying, most self assured and self reliant little dog I’ve ever met. He pulled like a train on the lead when I got him, he would attack any other dog that came anywhere near to the end of his days - if I was sitting in the waiting room at the vets and another dog came in, he would turn into a little ball of condensed terrier fury!I adored him more than anything in the world, and he loved me just as much. Nobody else, just me. I would genuinely have died for him.
So if you can overlook some “minor” character flaws, you will always have the perfect dog
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poiuytrewq
Well-Known Member
Mines a cross but he’s 3/4 JR
I adore him!
Yes he was hard work to house train and even now will have the odd, I’d call it accident but think that gives him credit where it’s not due if I’m honest.
I have to be careful to shut the tack room door or he will pee on something. He will also pee on the downstairs loo door overnight if it’s open. If I shut both he’s fine (hence I don’t think it’s desperation)
He does have a very high chase instinct. That’s impossible to break, however he chases and comes back without fail. However he is great with our cats and hens and I used to have rabbits that he was also he was great buddies with.
He has the nicest temperament and personality. He’s playful, he’s super loyal and to be fair pretty well trained in a way!
He comes he sits he leaves he walks beautifully on a lead in whatever environment, he’s very very easy to have around.
I love him to bits
I adore him!
Yes he was hard work to house train and even now will have the odd, I’d call it accident but think that gives him credit where it’s not due if I’m honest.
I have to be careful to shut the tack room door or he will pee on something. He will also pee on the downstairs loo door overnight if it’s open. If I shut both he’s fine (hence I don’t think it’s desperation)
He does have a very high chase instinct. That’s impossible to break, however he chases and comes back without fail. However he is great with our cats and hens and I used to have rabbits that he was also he was great buddies with.
He has the nicest temperament and personality. He’s playful, he’s super loyal and to be fair pretty well trained in a way!
He comes he sits he leaves he walks beautifully on a lead in whatever environment, he’s very very easy to have around.
I love him to bits
Rowreach
👀
Some of you have been very unfortunate in your JRTs
My current one is 12, he has been the most fabulous little person to have around, he's great with my other (bigger) dogs and all the cats he's lived with, he's a proper little lapdog in the evenings but an independent chap during the day time, will walk for miles or not at all if I'm too busy (they have a big garden) and on the rare occasions he's allowed in bed he knows to keep very very still and not annoy me All the ones I've had have been amazing creatures, and as I reduce the size of my pack, I'm pretty sure I'll end up with a JRT in my dotage.
Ets he was the easiest to housetrain, I don't think he ever did anything in the house (although it was a long time ago).
My current one is 12, he has been the most fabulous little person to have around, he's great with my other (bigger) dogs and all the cats he's lived with, he's a proper little lapdog in the evenings but an independent chap during the day time, will walk for miles or not at all if I'm too busy (they have a big garden) and on the rare occasions he's allowed in bed he knows to keep very very still and not annoy me
All the ones I've had have been amazing creatures, and as I reduce the size of my pack, I'm pretty sure I'll end up with a JRT in my dotage.Ets he was the easiest to housetrain, I don't think he ever did anything in the house (although it was a long time ago).
irishdraft
Well-Known Member
I had a wire haired jack Russel from working stock, he was the best dog ever, the escapades and things he got up to would fill a book, but a loving good tempered boy. I have now got a jack Russel x sealyham who is quite different, quite feisty but very well behaved for a terrier, I wouldn't be without a terrier.
meleeka
Well-Known Member
You’ve just reminded of a couple. Like when she decided jump off a jetty after a swan because OH wasn’t holding the lead properly. Her little legs were going like the clappers but the swan just glided away, with an odd look back to roll its eyes. The jetty was full of people at the time and OH had to wade in up to his middle and retrieve her. I was mortified
. There was also the time she put her head in a bush where we were camping and pulled out a snake! I thought it was an Adder, but thankfully only a large grass snake. After playing dead for a bit it slithered off. I’m sure there were many more incidents where she embarrassed herself.
poiuytrewq
Well-Known Member
@Patchworkpony I’d highly recommend. I’ll never be without one now!
Leah3horses
Well-Known Member
I'm currently sat with my Snoopy, 19 year old rescued JRT/ general terrier mix...long legged, petite, athletic build of 7kg.
He's never had anything like a prey drive, loves other animals,even small furries. Will never forget when his late Whippet "sister" had put up a rabbit, and it ran straight into Snoopy and knocked him over.
He has never shown aggression to anyone or anything and has always been the best friend to me and my other dogs, ponies and horses through his lovely long life.
His one big "adrenaline sport" ,was escaping. He could not be kept in by 7foot solid fences, livestock fencing, high brick walls.... nothing was Snoopy proof, and even at his old age now, he still checks the fence line several times a day, still hoping for a "Snoopy hole" to appear
.
Funnily,he was always totally trustworthy off lead,very active but his very enthusiastic recall was 100% reliable once he got past about 3, loved to play with other dogs a bit too much until then.
JRT types differ so much in appearance and temperament, it's probably the most difficult type of dog to generalise about, I'd say.
There were more than a few over the years that I dreaded coming into work (vets) , little wriggling snappy crocodiles, but even they were all charming in many ways.
He's never had anything like a prey drive, loves other animals,even small furries. Will never forget when his late Whippet "sister" had put up a rabbit, and it ran straight into Snoopy and knocked him over
.He has never shown aggression to anyone or anything and has always been the best friend to me and my other dogs, ponies and horses through his lovely long life.
His one big "adrenaline sport" ,was escaping. He could not be kept in by 7foot solid fences, livestock fencing, high brick walls.... nothing was Snoopy proof, and even at his old age now, he still checks the fence line several times a day, still hoping for a "Snoopy hole" to appear
.Funnily,he was always totally trustworthy off lead,very active but his very enthusiastic recall was 100% reliable once he got past about 3, loved to play with other dogs a bit too much until then.
JRT types differ so much in appearance and temperament, it's probably the most difficult type of dog to generalise about, I'd say.
There were more than a few over the years that I dreaded coming into work (vets) , little wriggling snappy crocodiles
, but even they were all charming in many ways.Max123
Well-Known Member
My parents JRT x is full of character, loyal and really good natured despite having a horrible start to life. She is a super little companion for them. She loves cats and does zoomies around mine trying to get them to play. They won't entertain her. You can't beat a good JRT.