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Hi everyone! I have a 10 year old Chihuahua that acts like he's a puppy... very energetic. We want to get him a buddy since his last one (our Doberman) had to be put down. We'd like to rescue a dog from the shelter if at all possible. Someone recently told us they found a JRT that they would have to take to the pound if they couldn't find a home for him. He's about 8 months old and very cute! Any thoughts? We have never owned one. Thanks!
jrts are high energy and drivey...they need plenty of excersize and most will play ball and tug for HOURS...
if your an active home with plenty of patients (they can be a pain to train lol) id say take your chihuhua and have a meet up/play date and see if they hit it off
They are basically insane, really cute but will drive just about anyone crazy ;-)
I have always been able to train any dog I've had and I just knew that I had to get rid of mine after a few weeks. I love my dogs too much to have one that would make me (and therefore him/her) miserable.
FOXYWEEENCH! Heh heh. I just like her name. I read that Jack Russels have a lot of energy and they don't get along well with other dogs...so maybe the chihuahua will become JRT food...My neighbor has a JRT that's older and I don't like dogs, but I LOVE her dog, and she seems to really love me. She's so cute and sweet and likes to be picked up and kissed and makes cute noises...
Best of all she's a bad-a$$ and will still kill smaller animals. Hunting instinct... LOL She lives with two bigger dogs and gets along well with them...no fighting etc. She has made me really want a JRT, but I'm still kind of scared of dogs and I'm afraid the others won't be like her...she's a sweetheart.
I need a dog, and I have a lot of space and I like to walk in the woods and I have mice stuff for the JRT to "play" with. I'm tempted to fly to Houston and take that dog...but that would be kind of crazy, right?...
Hmmmmm..... I really need to consider all of this now!!!! "Insane"... like I need another insane person around here lol. "Drive just about anyone crazy"... and Kinkytoes, I don't want him going to the pound!!!
Thanks guys!
All of the above is true. They are extremely intelligent and will spend their last breath trying to outsmart you. They usually win and will only allow you a victory of sorts once in a while so that you are lulled into complacency. Diabolical! I think a good word to describe them is relentless - that's both good and bad, depending how fast you run out of steam!
They are all terrier and with terriers their attitude is "it's my world, you just live in it." Personally, I love that attitude but it's not for everyone.
Talk with some breeders and owners; go to some shows and hopefully some earthdog trials and talk to people before making any decision pro or con.
As a long time JRT owner, first they are FARM dogs and need a job or three. Second, because of Frazer and the popularity of the show and Eddie, many have been poorly bred.
They are a VERY high energy dog and will destroy everything you own if you don't keep them busy and I don't mean just a walk a day. They are also very Intelligent and athletic, they can jump 5 feet in the air from a stand still. They can also be yappy, if not nipped in the bud.
All that being said, go meet the dog and see it. Also, since you have an older dog it's fair warning that some can be dog agressive. If it's going to be too much for you I would help the person find a JRT rescue, they do a great job of evaluating the dogs and placing them in appropriate homes.
And as one poster stated they will test you until the day they die. My ancient JRT is still after years and years of training not very reliable off leash, I did get him as an adult rescue and many of his behaviors were just too ingrained. I live on 10 acres and we walk out but I must keep an eye on him at all times you can see him checking to see if I'm paying attention...he will very subtly turn his head just enough to see if I'm watching and if you don't know what he's doing you'd miss it. If I turn my back he's gone.
I never recommend JRT's for urban environments, they are not appartment pets nor small yard pets - they need room to roam and lots of interaction with humans and lots of training.
However, all that being said they can make wonderful companions if your willing to commit huge amounts of training time. Like all terriers they have lots of personality and since I've spent plenty of time with mine I can take him anywhere and he's not dog agressive, many of my friends "love" him...but I doubt they'd be willing to LIVE with him. He's now in his dotage around 15ish and STILL is a stinker but he's my stinker and I do love him, so be sure to keep that in mind - they don't settle like many breeds and what you see is what you get. Mine is a confirmed garbage hound and as long as I remember to put the garbage up on the counter before I leave there is no problem, he also HATES being crated but will tolerate for short periods, since he's safe loose in the house as long as the garbage is up - he gets the run of the house as he gards the couch so it won't float away.
Those of us on here who own them or have owned them, will have pages and pages of stories to tell about living with a JRT, they are so way not for everyone.
You guys, thanks so much. I think I need to go meet the dog and help him find a home. Honestly, I don't think I have the patience after reading all of this... and the time that sounds like is involved. I will help him find a home though... no pound!
You guys, thanks so much. I think I need to go meet the dog and help him find a home. Honestly, I don't think I have the patience after reading all of this... and the time that sounds like is involved. I will help him find a home though... no pound!
Start with JRT rescue. They may be able to help or give you some hints.
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lol. "Drive just about anyone crazy"... and Kinkytoes, I don't want him going to the pound!!!
but he's my stinker and I do love him, so be sure to keep that in mind - they don't settle like many breeds and what you see is what you get. Mine is a confirmed garbage hound and as long as I remember to put the garbage up on the counter before I leave there is no problem, he also HATES being crated but will tolerate for short periods, since he's safe loose in the house as long as the garbage is up - he gets the run of the house as he gards the couch so it won't float away
