Dog dilemma ....

[growingvegetables]

I like JRTs precisely because they're hard as nails spunky little bastards that take no sh1t from no-one and they're very loyal companions.

Hmmm - with that kinda thinking, you might have a few expensive claims coming your way? Two of my kids, when they were very young, were bitten by the little *******s; but the owner was utterly embarrassed by, and apologetic for, her anti-social little vermin.

JRTs? From what she was saying, they're hard, hard, hard work. Bit like the ridiculously able kid in a school class - loads of ability, and not feeling stretched ............ so plenty of time to exercise his talents to annoy, to disrupt, and to create absolute mayhem. And still get an A*.

Wouldn't touch 'em with a bargepole.

 

[Canrider]

+1 to growingvegetables. Now if a big dog is inevitably in the cards, I'd vote for a golden retriever.

 

[Fab Foodie]

The OP asks about a suitable breed of dog - not the merits of owning one or not.

Let's not ruin this thread with arguments please.

If one or more of you want to start a thread about pet ownership and the positives and negatives, pop over to the Debates forum!!

Thanks,
Shaun

To be honest Shaun, I was happy with their posts remaining.
I'd rather people shared their views as long as they're not offending anybody however negative (Blimey if negativity was a yardstick, GaryA would never get a post in ).

If they've caused torrents of complaint then fair enough, but I get queasy about benevolent censorship ... we're in danger of ending-up like acf if we're not careful.
They're peoples views about the subject, we may not like 'em but that doesn't mean we shouldn't read-em.

Yours Apreciatively
Dissapointed of CC.

 

[Chromatic]

Why anyone would want a Jack Russell is beyond me. I worked as a Dog Handler for seven years in a section with 10 GSDs and handlers and never once got bitten even when exercising other handler's dogs. I have worked door to door for the same length of time now and have suffered many a nipped ankle from those little rug rats, they have a real aggressive small man attitude. I have never done more than enough to fend the little bastards off but the temptation to use one as a football is sometimes overwhelming.

I like JRTs precisely because they're hard as nails spunky little bastards that take no sh1t from no-one and they're very loyal companions.

Have you considered a Patterdale Terrier? Best dogs ever, fantastic characters! All the points you like in a JRT but without the attitude that Smokin Joe refers to.

What are your circumstances? Do you live in town or out in the country? If you live in town and do not have the time to devote then they are not for you but if you have the time and space to devote to one you would find one a fantastic little dog. They are clean, dont smell, don't shed hair, don't slobber, not greedy with food. They need lots of exercise mind, 30 minutes on a lead round the block in the morning and afternoon will not be enough. There are a few things to consider about them though: the chase instinct is very very strong, they will scarper off after cats, rabbits, squirrels and deer, ours does, but she is fine with stock, though I couldn't vouch for others. Can also disappear for ages ( I mean hours and hours ) while out on walk, at least ours sometimes does, although rarely now as she's getting on a bit, our record I think is about 6 to 7 hours. They are also good escapologists. Have a read up about them.

 

[quassleberry]

How about a Flat Coated Retriever? Not as big as a Golden, infinitely more biddable than a Lab & with a massive sense of humour. We have two (alongside other breeds) it's amazing how small they can make themselves - the reverse is also true just like the greyhound pictures!
If it's a rescue you're looking for have you checked out www.manytearsrescue.webs.com based in Wales they have allsorts of purebreds (minus the paperwork) crossbreeds & puppies. They also have fosterers dotted around the country and take in ex breeding dogs & surplus/unwanted pups from breeders.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Wouldn't touch 'em with a bargepole.

Each to their own. I've had three and none have ever bitten anyone

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Hamster?

 

[Arch]

Hamster?

Jesus no. More dangerous than a snappy JRT. I had a friend who trained as a vet and said every vet dreaded the appearance of a small tearful child carrying a shoebox and saying "Can you tell me what's wrong with hammy?"

He recounted a tale of a vet who reached into the box to get the thing out, it bit on the end of his finger, he yanked the finger out, and the hamster came too, only letting go at the top of the arc, before flying in an un-hamsterlike manner and hitting the wall with a thud.

I guess at least then he could say fairly definitively what was wrong with it.

 

[Baggy]

Have you considered a Patterdale Terrier? Best dogs ever, fantastic characters! All the points you like in a JRT but without the attitude that Smokin Joe refers to.

There was a little black one in our local a few weeks ago, this one had such an appealing face and was so well behaved that I'd have happily popped it in my pannier and taken it home
There were about 6 of us sat round the table repeatedly commenting on what a lovely dog it was, think the owner got a bit bored of hearing it...

My boss has two blue whippets, he says they are excellent fun, family dogs.

 

[Chromatic]

There was a little black one in our local a few weeks ago, this one had such an appealing face and was so well behaved that I'd have happily popped it in my pannier and taken it home
There were about 6 of us sat round the table repeatedly commenting on what a lovely dog it was, think the owner got a bit bored of hearing it...

My boss has two blue whippets, he says they are excellent fun, family dogs.

They are lovely and very cute and appealing, especially when young. Ours is still cute and lovely and appealing even though she's going grey now.

A few years ago when daughter was at uni in Bournemouth we went down to see her one day and took the dog with us, while we were walking along the packed beach we passed a group of students sat around enjoying themselves one of whom was heard to say 'cool dog' as she trotted past them. That little anecdote always makes me smile.