So i'm considering getting a 2nd Dog... Advice Please...

[Dal & Mad's Mom]

Thankyou for all the advice - i didn't mean to start an anti JRT thread though! lol

 

I went out yesterday and today, just to go out of my way to meet JRT - (the park of course) I came across 11. 2 of those i knew of already as they dog walk at the same times as me. The other nine were new to me. 7 were very friendly, with the same kind of temperments as Ollie. 1 was very(!!!) crazy - jumping up ect, but the owner just didnt seem to have control and i consider that to be a training problem. The last one was on a lead as was a rescue nerous of other dogs.

 

So they cant all be bad!

 

I'll keep you all updated on my research!

 

 

I'm sorry but, I have to get on the no jack band wagon too.

 

I had one I had to rehome due to many reasons one being she was female dog agressive. She had been spayed since the min I got her which should have been 6 months but, she has had real anxiety problems.

She was good with kids though.

 

My mom had a male who was voted most likely to be killed by another dog. He never backed down from a fight and loved the excitement of starting one. He reminded me of bevis of the bevis and butt head cartoon. He'd shake and almost vibrate over the excitement. He also had a number of Bites under his belt. (also Neutered from 5 month).

 

I'm not saying you couldnt manage one but, there are so many other mixed puppies with wire hair available that would totally suit your family and meet the energy and nonshed factor. Our rescue always has tons of all sizes. My favorite dog of all time was a wire hair basset mix.

He lives with a family locally and he is a total doll.

[mum24dog]

Thankyou for all the advice - i didn't mean to start an anti JRT thread though! lol

 

It's not an anti JR thread (with one major exception). Give me a dog with attitude any day.

I'm sure quite a few of us who have posted love the little g**s - we just don't think they'd be suitable for your situation.

They aren't bad, just terriers with terrier instincts, and those can include getting hyper excited and nipping when faced with children running around and shrieking as they do.

As I said, mine is great with children - but he can still be wound up enough to forget himself and use his teeth.

 

Pam

[ziggzmom]

I would not have a JRT around kids that weren't my own (haha...like I'll ever have kids). But seriously, they're too nippy for kids.

 

A puppy is no guarantee of how a dog will grow up. If you want to know how a dog will turn out, get an adult dog.

 

Honestly, size of the dog has less to do with house size than activity level of the dog. Mick would NEVER be an apartment dog. Sinead could easily live in a studio apartment. She's very active outside, but inside she just lays around. Sometimes she'll wrestle with Mick, but they don't really play with each other. Mick's not much for playing with other dogs. He won't play tug with her anymore, since she always wins, and he's a sore loser. And despite the fact that her breed has a bad rap, she is 100% stable with kids/people. A kid could do anything to her, and she's actually very gentle playing with kids, even though she can be rough playing with adults.

 

 

Ditto what njnovice said! I also have a pit bull and border collies and was going to suggest a Pit Bull or Stafforshire Bull Terrier(the nanny dog). The bully breeds can make amazing companions for children!

 

Janet

[rushdoggie]

Thankyou for all the advice - i didn't mean to start an anti JRT thread though! lol

 

I went out yesterday and today, just to go out of my way to meet JRT - (the park of course) I came across 11. 2 of those i knew of already as they dog walk at the same times as me. The other nine were new to me. 7 were very friendly, with the same kind of temperments as Ollie. 1 was very(!!!) crazy - jumping up ect, but the owner just didnt seem to have control and i consider that to be a training problem. The last one was on a lead as was a rescue nerous of other dogs.

 

So they cant all be bad!

 

I'll keep you all updated on my research!

 

Its not that they are "bad dogs" per se, but that they may not be a good choice in your situation. Keep in mind that *living* with a JRT is way different than meeting one who is friendly. There may be a more laid back dog who really likes kids, but that type of JRT wouldn't be the norm.

[Kelleybean]

I agree with the above post, and meeting a JRT while they are out at a dog park or on a walk is an entirely different situation than in a home environment with children. I adore my JRT but would never recommend one to anyone unless they will wear them out daily with excersise and have no small children or animals in their home. Some call them nippy, I just say they BITE!!! and mine goes for blood when she does! Kelly, I really hope you will reconsider your decision to have a JRT around young children, that is a volitile mix that could easily end in disaster. If you are dead set on a JRT then please at least consider an adult that you know is gentle with kids.

[Kelleybean]

Kelly, here is some JRT info from the JRTCA you might want to look at, especially the part about having them with children.

 

http://www.therealjackrussell.com/breed/baddog.php

[SS Cressa]

ok so not trying to get flamed:

 

But so far everything that you have say can be held true to border collie...

 

Border Collies

-are a herding breed and are known to try to "herd" the kids/smaller animals

-can become quite big and are VERY fast and reactive

-border collie are not always the most friendly dog to dog. I mean how many people on here, have a border collie that don't like other dogs?

- they can shed a ton

- Need a consistent discipline/training. they are know to test their owner and need a reminder that humans aren't always as stupid as they think.

-are known to harass and possible injure or kill other small pets, such as cats, birds, rabbits, mice, rats, etc., simply due to their strong natural instinct

- remain active well into their 15-year-plus life span

-require at least basic obedience training

-absolutely need a securely fenced yard

-can be very destructive if left unattended and unemployed

-need room to run or burn off some engry. Not the best condo living. At least that what people say

-Most are bad with kids and will nip them and try to control the kids movement/herding the kids

-most people believe border collie are spastic...

 

I guess to me: As long as she research the lines and get to know a breeder or the breeder gets to know what she is looking for. I don't see why it should be an issue. Yes she has small kids. As long as her kids know how to handle the dog and the dogs is raised around kids. I don't get how it will be more likly to bite the kids then her border collie? or how JRTs are more spastic then border collies?

[border_collie_crazy]

uh ya I would not reccomend a Jack either lol, I love them, but they are not easy to handle..my JRT MIX is the hardest dog I have ever worked with and I have been involved in training dogs for 10 years myself and my mom has been involved in dog training for over 30 years, so no shortage of experince in this house. anouther I know...a girl who was litterlly raised training BCs, Belgians and Shelties, figered she would get a JRT...it last only a few months before that jack was returned to her breeder(where she exelled as the best hunter the breeder have had) because she could not handle the dog. that said my own boy was raised with ADHD kids before I got him, he is solid as a rock as far as kids are concerned lol, my main 'nuh uh" moment is your lack of experience..meeting a JRT outside of home means nothing..everywhere Rustys goes he is fawned over as that adorable, ever so sweet and well behaved little dog..they dont know he is so awful at home that even most tolerant people would kick him out in a hurry, and I am not kidding, I rehomed him once, it lasted EIGHT HOURS. .. I tolerate his behvaiour because I knew him before now, I know how absoluty awful he used to be, and his very bad behaviour now is NOTHING compared to before!

[AgileBC]

I've never lived with a JRT, but have worked with them. (working at dog daycares/boarding for the last 6 years)

I really appreciate them for what they are. a terrier. They are neat dogs, but not for me. lol.

 

Anyway, I would recommend looking at an adult dog, of any breed. That way you would really be able to match

the dog's personality and needs to your needs. And be sure you will get a dog that is great around the kids.

One of my friends has a male working BC and he was brought up around the grandkids. Kids drive him

nuts and he has actually nipped one. So, I don't think bringing a dog up around kids always works if the dog's

"wiring" is telling him something different.

 

Just my .02

Good luck with the search!

[njnovice]

Thankyou for all the advice - i didn't mean to start an anti JRT thread though! lol

 

I went out yesterday and today, just to go out of my way to meet JRT - (the park of course) I came across 11. 2 of those i knew of already as they dog walk at the same times as me. The other nine were new to me. 7 were very friendly, with the same kind of temperments as Ollie. 1 was very(!!!) crazy - jumping up ect, but the owner just didnt seem to have control and i consider that to be a training problem. The last one was on a lead as was a rescue nerous of other dogs.

 

So they cant all be bad!

 

I'll keep you all updated on my research!

 

I actually really like JRTs. I just don't think they're the best match for your situation.

[njnovice]

Ditto what njnovice said! I also have a pit bull and border collies and was going to suggest a Pit Bull or Stafforshire Bull Terrier(the nanny dog). The bully breeds can make amazing companions for children!

 

Janet

 

Thanks, and I'll also add along that route to either go with an adult rescue (3 years+) or if looking for a purebred go with an AmStaff or Staffordshire Bull Terrier, since they have more DA bred out of them than an APBT.

 

And to stay away from those outsized AmBully monstrosities people are trying to pass off as pit bulls these days. They're just overpriced deformed health problems.

[BustopherJones]

If anyone can recommend good small breeds that go well with a collie i'd love to hear.

Have you considered a Papillon or Shetland Sheepdog?

[rushdoggie]

Have you considered a Papillon or Shetland Sheepdog?

 

In a general sense, I would not recommend a Papillon either for a home where there will regularly be visiting children. While a Pap can learn to do well with their own kids, they can be highly suspicious and intolerant of strange kids. There are exceptions to that rule, my Swiffer's littermate weighs 14 lbs and is as mellow and gentle with kids as you can imagine. Swiffer, at 8 lbs, is not...she likes my nephews and my neighbors kid but is very leery of other kids she meets. I usually have to pick her up and then squat down so they can pet her without scaring the crap out of her.

[Gloria Atwater]

ok so not trying to get flamed:

 

But so far everything that you have say can be held true to border collie...

....................................

 

I guess to me: As long as she research the lines and get to know a breeder or the breeder gets to know what she is looking for. I don't see why it should be an issue. Yes she has small kids. As long as her kids know how to handle the dog and the dogs is raised around kids. I don't get how it will be more likly to bite the kids then her border collie? or how JRTs are more spastic then border collies?

 

 

No flames, Cressa! You're right, not all BCs would be a good mix with small children, and I wouldn't necessarily recommend them, either.

 

But the point here is that the original poster, Kelly, said "I work looking after children in my home." This is NOT the same as getting a puppy or dog to raise with her own children. She's going to have kids in her home who may or may not be properly dog savvy, thus increasing the chance of a nip or bite from a reactive dog. That's a liability of which she is clearly cognizant, and thus we are advising against the JRT for her situation, which is having other people's children in her home.

 

Personally, I have nothing against JRTs. I think they're cute, tough, funny little dogs. They're just not for everyone or every situation - just like BCs, as you illustrate. Hope this explains why we're kind of hammering on the subject, here!

Cheers~

 

Gloria

P.S.

Just my observation, but I believe the major difference between JRTs and BCs is bid-ability. Border collies have it, generally. Jack Russells ... well, that's not really their reputation.

[bordernannie]

I am amazed at the replies that were generated re: a Jack Russel pup.

My only experience with a Jack Russel is the one we had for 19 years.

 

We got Rocky as a pup and were just having our grandchildren ..........six in a short time.

 

Rocky was absolutely wonderful with them...........He couldn't wait for them to come over and were always right there with them as they started toddling along. He was a wonderful crumb catcher when they would drop morsels from the high chair. They could do anything with him and to him from dressing him up in clothes to painting his nails. Any attention was greatly appreciated.

 

We had one problem with him................he was totally a different dog if he saw a squirrel, duck, bird or even a skunk. Yes, he captured and killed two skunks in his day. Nothing would stop his attack on wild life. He lost all thought of recall if he spotted something in our yard that he didnt' think should be there. He tangled with ground hogs, caught a bird in the air as he leaped from the deck and swam after geese that visited our pond.

 

He lived to the ripe old age of 19 and never even as much as showed his teeth.

 

He spent many years sharing his home with a border collie (first one and then another both females) and got along just fine with them.

Needless to say we never had a dull moment between Rocky, our grandchildren and our BC's.

[Mariji]

I think a JRT is a fantastic idea! They are beautiful and intelligent little dogs and would get along with a Border Collie just fine. They are both so similar so would burn each other out. They are very very high energy so will need alot of stimulating just the same as a Border Collie. My sister has one and she is extremely intelligent and willing to please. She is very high drive and can be quite motion sensitive so needs all the same training as you older dog to keep them focused on you and not on their surroundings so much. A JRT would be in my next top picks of dogs. I think if it grows up with children there should be no issues especially if they are socialised with children from the breeder when they are very young. I have 3 Borders that are not a breed people tend to recommend with children and all 3 are fine with my 18 month old. I have my 2 year old before he was born so it took a while for her to adjust and we played alot of shaping games which involved her having to touch him with her nose. And not just his feet or bum, she would have to hold her nose on his belly while he kicked his feet and waved his arms around. She is now completely okay with him and will tolerate him climbing on her. My puppy was raised with him and simply adores him. And I have a 9 yr old rescue that has never met another child as far as we know and while she stays out of his way I came into the lounge about 30 mins ago to find him sitting on her and she didn't even raise a lip at him. I think it is all in the way they are raised and of course the Breeder lineage can help too.

 

I think they are just as biddable as Border Collies most just don't do the foundation training needed. If the puppy grows up with many different children every day then I don't see the anti children being an issue. You are just as likely to get a reactive dog out of any other breed.

[Kelly123]

Blimey - quite a debate ive started here!

 

For those who have said that i shouldn't have a JRT because of the children : I am a childminder. All decisions I make are made in consideration of my work. I feel it is a part of a childs education to learn how to interact and look after animals. How to behave around dogs, puppies, all animals. All of the parents of the children I care for feel the same.

Saying that i obviously wouldnt bring a pup home and expect it to be surrounded by children. I have a set up in my home that works for me, and for Ollie, so there is no reason it would not work well for any new pup i may or may not get. I care for children in my living room, that is our playspace. During my working hours ollie doesn't come into the living room. He has the kitchen and garden as his space, and his crate for some peace and quite. The chilren still play with him, and throw the toys ect, but he doesnt bounce around them, and they do not bounce around him. We all go out for walks together, and the children love learning how to handle, and approach other dogs ect. The is also a section of the garden that is fenced, which Ollie has for his own private space. No children.

 

As for all the suggestions of a small collie / shelti ect. This is just not an option for me. I have to think of the crate space too! If i had another crate ion my house even close to the size of Ollies i would have to climb over it to reach my cooker! I need a small breed, a small crate.

 

I'm pretty darn sure that most of you will still disagree, but i really do think the JRT is for me. Energy levels, intelligience... They have all i love in a dog, and i already give Ollie 2+ hours off lead exersise a day. I feel i am a competent trainer, and have only ever had minor issues with Ollie which i have rectified ( stubborn dog!)

 

I honestly find it hard to believe just how many negative replies there were to my thread! I really didnt mean to start any hostility, but at the same time i do not like the presumtion that i am just some un-dog-savy woman who has not thought things through, that seems to be coming from some people. I have had numerous personal messages from people who didnt want to post on the forum beacause they thought they would be slammed for agreeing with me!

 

Surely there is some mutual ground on the little ol' Jack Russell Terrior!

 

If anybody feels like answering one of my original questions i'd really appreciate it as i am still getting mixed replies from elseware re: which sex would be best?

 

Cheers all. I hope this message has not come across as rude, i did not intend it that way, but i did feel i needed to have my say.

[rushdoggie]

Sorry you feel picked on, but you did post asking for advice about getting a JRT (would he get along with your BC) and what other breeds someone would suggest for you, and thats the downside, hearing advice that you didn't want to hear.

 

90% of the posts in this thread simply said that they didn't think JRT was a good choice for your situation as you described it, I really didn't see anyone suggesting that you were incompetent.

 

As to what sex, I personally have never really had an issue with the differences between genders in my house and I have had up to 10 dogs underfoot at a time. But I have heard that if you have two females who decide they don't get along, that you are more likely to have a serious issue and injury than with 2 males or a mixed pair. As terriers are bred for a certain gameness, that may not be true where they are concerned.

[geonni banner]

Hi All. Ive not posted in quite a while but have been hiding in the shaddows reading away!

 

So, heres how it is. Ollie is now 4 years old. We (whole family) have been thinking about getting a new addition for about a year. Originally we would have loved anothe BC, but due to the amount of space this has ben ruled out. So we have been looking at smaller breeds, and are pretty sold on Jack Russells. They like Collies have lots of energy to burn, so we thought the newbie would make a good companion for Ollie. We will be getting a pup, as i work looking after children in my home, and it make everyone feel more secure if they know where the dogs have been brought up. So like i said we have been thinking about it for a looong time, and have now decided that the time is right and we are ready for another waggy tail to join the family. I should add that ollie is my first dog, so i do not have experience with multipul dog households.

 

So here are my questions... Should i get Male or Female ( i would prefere a male, but have read that 2 males in same house is bad idea??)

Is the Jack Russell a good match for my lovely BC?? ( should also add that Ollie is pretty submissive)

Ermm, so actually i dont have as many questions now i'm writing this, but all advice appreciated!

 

Thankyou!

 

Sorry you are feeling overwhelmed by the excess of, hmmm... passion being brought out by the discussion of Jack Russell Terriers. I wouldn't have one on a plate with watercress 'round it - but I know many people who feel the same way about Border Collies. (Are they mad?)

 

I still think you might consider a Border Terrier. If someone put a gun to my head and said, "You MUST choose a terrier!" that would be the breed I'd look at. Same general size, cleverness, sense of humor - just operating at a few less RPMs.

 

Sounds to me as though you have your logistics worked out, and I think you know what you want. I would choose a bitch in your situation, but I don't really see a problem with a neutered male.

 

The sixth Lassie, I believe his name was/is Howard, had a Jack Russell for a best friend. They seemed devoted to one another.

[HoosierMike]

I personally have no experience with JRT's , although our

local shelters are loaded with them right now, for what that's

worth. On the issue of adding a male or female, we had a female

first, added a younger, more submissive male, have had generally

no problems with that combination. Both are spay/neutered.

My brother added another male, sheltie mix, neutered, to a household

with an older male lab mix, and they get along great. I have heard

horror stories about mixing females, but I think it just depends on

the dogs and their personalities. Just my 2 cents.

Mike

[alligande]

I have 2 male border collies and have no issues with them getting on. The last pairing of dogs was a female GSDx and a male border collie, when I got Bandit my main criteria was that he was male, as Jester very obviously did not like the company of other females. I also agree it is the character of the dog, and should be apparent when you meet other dogs out walking etc.

[Shetlander]

I'm pretty darn sure that most of you will still disagree, but i really do think the JRT is for me

 

Hey, if you love JRT's and feel it will work for your setup, I'm sure people here only wish you the best, regardless of their thoughts about that breed. Speaking as a Sheltie lover, I will say that I'd get a Jack Russell WAY before a Sheltie if I was caring for other people's kids in my home. Mainly out of consideration for the Sheltie's nerves.

 

I don't know all that much about JRT's other than they can be a handful. I've met some very nice ones but they're not a breed that appeals to me. However, that doesn't make them a bad breed for you. I received a fair amount of guff when I got my Lhasa. A few people told me flat out they were awful little dogs. In many ways, my Lhasa is an awful little dog, very troublesome and I wouldn't let him near children. Despite that, I love him and see his many good qualities. I even continue to admire the breed for some dark, twisted reason I haven't fully figured out yet.

[ThunderHill]

The traditional advice when adding dogs (which I've personally found to be generally sound) is to alternate genders. That does seem to work well most often, provided neither dog is an extreme of its particular type. Two bitches who declare war will tend to be completely serious. The more pacifistic the breed (or the individual of your selection) the less likely a bitch feud will arise. But female/male is the traditional way to go to maintain a relatively peaceful balance.

 

By choice, I've owned a Jack Russell/Bull Terrier cross, and also a purebred Bull Terrier (what we in the USA term an "English Bull Terrier," ah -- Lulu of the egg-shaped head, anthropomorphically-deceptive laughing triangular eyes, and jaws like a Tyrannasaurus Rex) as well as Border Collies and other breeds and mixes. So I speak from some experience.

 

It sounds like you manage your domestic situation very ably, so you'll have a good chance with a JRT if you decide to go that route. But (unless you find a truly exceptional specimen, which is possible) you will likely be managing more than training. That's simply in the character of a proper terrier not too far debased from its working origins. Like cats, they come with a substantial amount of instinctual pre-programming which you can spend their entire relatively short lifetime trying to re-write. (That's an average JRT terrier of my personal experience, mind you, and I'm well aware there are exceptions.)

 

On the positive side -- the good JRTs I used to know best (farm dogs imported from Scotland by the Scottish horse barn managers) were calmly assertive, amiable, human-friendly, and pretty much bomb-proof with visitors of all ages, and visiting dogs as well. (Provided the visiting canids gave them basic respect, and possibly a wide berth.) They were also extraordinary vermin-killing machines and took down some remarkable 4-legged pests over the years. They ignored the horses, kept peace (mostly) among themselves despite some occasional stiff-legged swaggering, avoided casual contact with the managers' young son (when he was at the enthusiastic pummeling stage) or tolerated him when he was inescapable, were fine with specific cats to whom they'd been introduced (for others, see "vermin"), and learned not to harass the farm's free roaming peacocks despite flourishing temptation. Basically fine, savvy dogs when managed by alert, dog savvy people.

 

I'm not so fond of the more long-legged, fox terrier-style JRTs (or "Parson" Russell Terriers) personally. But I have known a couple who had more brain cells than a vegetable marrow, and reasonably reliable temperaments. Most of the better ones seem to dedicate themselves fiercely to a set task (such as Getting The Ball), and pursue it with all their actinic fervor.

 

Good luck, whatever you decide to do. I don't see why it won't work, if you're prepared to give the dogs a reliable haven, and look sharp for a couple of years. Good JRTs are wonderfully attractive little dogs without being gormless or treacly; brave, loyal; able to absorb a surprising amount of casual punishment without complaint; and top notch cuddlers and cushion warmers, when the mood is on them.

 

Liz S in South Central PA

[SS Cressa]

So here are my questions... Should i get Male or Female ( i would prefere a male, but have read that 2 males in same house is bad idea??)

Is the Jack Russell a good match for my lovely BC?? ( should also add that Ollie is pretty submissive)

Ermm, so actually i dont have as many questions now i'm writing this, but all advice appreciated

 

I would get a male. Not sure how Ollie is.. But is bad around boys? or girls? Does he show a perfrence to a certain gender when playing with the JRTs?

 

I know you mention going to parks and talking to JRT owners. Was he with you? How did he behave? Did he have off leash time with them? etc..

 

As long as Ollie is dog friendly and savvy I don't see how it would be in issue. Make sure you and the breeder/rescue person is on teh same page as you, so you can get the best match for Ollie and your charges(kids).

[Mariji]

I hear of people all the time having major issues with their multiple dog house hold. I have had up to 7 dogs in my house of a mixed gender and never had any issues. They all get their space and one on one time and I never have any issues. At the moment I have 3 Females but they are all by luck. I went out looking for a male in a litter picked a puppy and forgot to ask her gender, needless to say I didn't get what I went for but I'd never change it. My next puppy just picked her again before I knew her gender, and the last dog is a rescue I picked up and she is also a girl by chance. One day I will get the male I was originally searching for but I for now I have an all girl household. Even my rats and the cat are girls.

 

I think it comes down to whatever gender you want really, either gender could work just as well as the other. I wouldn't pick a gender based on they might get along better because they may not.