Mrs FF wants a dog ....

[Amheirchion]

We got a JRT thing from a rescue centre near us a couple of months ago now.

He's a bastard, oh he's a lovely bastard, but he's a bastard.
We got him with no history, as he had been picked up as a stray, they reckon he's about eight years old. Most of the time he's lovely, and he definitely tried at being a ratter, he tries very hard, but I can't help thinking he's a bit useless as he's not caught a single thing yet, even when rooting through the undergrowth in the park when we could see the little rodents!
He came with baggage though, by my reckoning he's been abused, and attacked by other dogs. He doesn't like being restrained, and he hates other dogs when he's on the lead, off the lead he's not too bad though and will go and say hello without lunging for their throats.. However, he likes to run off after small furries when he's off the lead, so we've lost him in the woods briefly a few times, and into someones garden.

As said, he's a very intelligent dog (like most JRT's), but nothing, in his mind, is more important than a squirrel or the scent of rodents, which makes his recall problematic. He also tends to bite as a first reaction, although he is improving with us as he grows to know us so, now actually gives us some warning if he doesn't like something.

JRT's have a good little bite..

 

[smokeysmoo]

I had to have my 14 year old Westie put down yesterday.

I'm sorry to hear that. I think everyone who loses a pet initially says never again, but time can change your mind pretty well.

Hope you're ok

 

[Bluebell72]

(maybe a toy-boy's more appropriate). Faithful, loving, comforting.

Much more appropriate is a sexy gay male - a companion for her while you're away, intuitive, especially in the style and shopping department, and he won't tear up the furniture and no-one has to bag up his poo.

 

[soulful dog]

As long as you are a responsible dog owner who gives your dog the exercise and stimulation it needs, it's pretty unlikely you'll have any problems with it. Just choose a type that suits what you want from a dog, and what you can give it. I'd always look at re-homing a dog from a rescue centre first, it's definitely worth going to have a look to see if one catches your attention, plus the staff will probably be able to tell you what the dog is like and whether it's likely to be suitable for you.

That's thie big issue with all these staffies (and pretty much any dog that people have gotten rid off) in rescue centres. People get a dog that's not really suitable for them. They don't walk it enough/give it enough exercise, some dogs require a firm hand, others don't really need much training at all, and plenty of folk seem to get a dog as a pet and shove it out in the garden instead of walking it and playing with it. It's not hard to imagine why the dog might the end up being problematic.

I had to have my 14 year old Westie put down yesterday. Only had her 3 years took her on at 11years old. Not a rescued dog but a pre-loved dog.The house is empty without her . She was only a small dog but a very big presence.


You know all about the emotional attachment to dogs each dog is different and are special.

I'm gutted to lose my dog and don't think I would ever get another dog.

Sorry to hear about losing your Westie, as always, just think about the good 3 years you gave her (and the joy she gave you too). Best wishes with getting over not her not being around, I went for about 15 years without a dog because I felt similar to you when I lost mine, but have just recently got another dog, and to be honest, though I know I'll be heartbroken at some point in the future, I'm loving having another dog around the house.

 

[edwardd67]

I'm sorry to hear that. I think everyone who loses a pet initially says never again, but time can change your mind pretty well.

Hope you're ok

Thanks

 

[Fab Foodie]

edward, sorry to hear your loss

@ everyone else, thanks for your responses. Food for thought, we'll probably start taking a gentle look around after the summer when everyone is settling into new schools Uni etc.

 

[Aperitif]

(JR FF!)

 

[Saluki]

We have a bunch of rescue dogs. 1 Parsons Jack Russell, 1 Jack Russell, a Saluki lurcher and a failed racing Greyhound. The Jacks came with 'issues' but we have sorted them out and they are nicely behaved now. Both the sight hounds are literally off the streets, dumpees. Both are settled down and lovely dogs.

I heartily recommend rescue dogs and there are plenty of Jacks in rescue centres, looking for good homes.
Good luck with what ever you decide to do.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

There's a reason why there are so many staffies in rescue centres and if they aren't trained properly and firmly, they can be very aggressive. It's not so much the agression that is the problem, it is the way they are built that can cause maximum damage.

No, Staffies do tend to be quite boisterous and exciteable, yes, but the main reason why there are so many of them in rescue centres is because they a Status Dog, and as such, they are popular, meaning that there are suddenly now more of them about than is naturally sustainable! There are just far too many of them!!

I am not saying that they can't be dangerous in the wrong hands, as can any dog, but what is particularly unfortunate about them is the fact that Pitbulls often get mistaken for them, so when a Pitbull is dangerous, people automatically assume it is a Staffie.
Most Staffies will love you forever.

Oh and as for the build, our Staffie, Cindy is a Pedigree and was intended for show (but when she lost her back leg the owners didn't want her any more, the barstewards), but she is quite small, and a lot of people have actually told us that she is a true Staffie and not one that has been bred to be big as is the norm. She is the size a real Staffie should be.

People still think she is little more than a Puppy in fact, despite the fact she's now 8 because the large versions are now so common. In Staffie terms, she's tiny, but is most certainly the real deal.

I had to have my 14 year old Westie put down yesterday. Only had her 3 years took her on at 11years old. Not a rescued dog but a pre-loved dog.The house is empty without her . She was only a small dog but a very big presence.

Sorry to hear that, we lost Bruno last August there so know your pain. For a creature that takes up such a small space and has so few possessions, they certainly take up a disproportionally large space in your home!

I'm gutted to lose my dog and don't think I would ever get another dog.

You say that now, but give it time

 

[Fab Foodie]

(JR FF!)

Arf Arf!!

 

[snapper_37]

Oh and as for the build, our Staffie, Cindy is a Pedigree and was intended for show (but when she lost her back leg the owners didn't want her any more, the barstewards), but she is quite small, and a lot of people have actually told us that she is a true Staffie and not one that has been bred to be big as is the norm. She is the size a real Staffie should be.

Fair comments Doug. I was talking more about the strength of jaw, shoulders etc, rather than size.

When you've seen a cat ripped apart, a retriever attacked, a newfoundland attacked, a 'pack' attack on 2 bijous, all by staffies, you tend to give them a wide birth. All the attacks were carried out by dogs with responsible owners btw.

 

[User269]

My best dog was a pig/sloth cross. Very easy but expensive to feed. Rather dangerous as well .....................it used to kill time.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I must stand up for staffies here, as I love them too - my best dog was a staffie/whippet cross (fast and naughty).

Any dog is capable of these crimes - I'm afraid a neighbour's cat fell victim to my friend's Jack Russell some years ago ... sorry!

My Bro-in-law's mum has Staffies and they've been delightful. There's good and bad in many breeds and types o owners don't help either.

 

[Arch]

Face it, dogs are just like cars, TV, fast food etc. Not inherently bad, it's the humans in charge of them that muck it all up....

 

[GaryA]

I'd lke to muck up a few selfish zombie dog owners...with a blunderbuss full of their own dogs shit.