Jack Russells

[ELVIS68]

I`m thinking of getting one from a rescue centre.

I`ve got 2 sons aged 8 and 5 whose friend has one which they get on fine with.

Most people seem to think they are snappy and not good with kids

Any Jack Russell owners out there can give me some advice please

[wolf63]

I had a cross bull-mastiff/german shepherd who was terrified of all Jack Russells. They weren't any larger than his head, but he shook when he saw one!

My brother calls them "the spawn of the devil".

Yet they can't all be bad, I know a couple who are really nice little dogs - but not for everybody, they can be dominant dogs.

[Morticiah]

this probably isnt' going to help much

I've got a Boxer ... he was attacked by two Jack Russells and they damaged him really badly!

I won't go into detail because it's too cringeworthy, but we had to take him to the Vets as an Emergency to get him stitched back together. It cost a fortune.

Apparently these particular Jack Russells are very good pets, and great with kids (?!!) but I wouldn't want to walk them around other dogs! :-(

Mort

[divegirl]

Hi Elvis, I don't own Jack either, but do own yorkshire terriers, and think all small dogs get a bit of bad press. If you are going to a rescue center, the dog should have been assesed, and you will be able to talk through any worries that you have with them. When bringing any dog home, whether it be a rescue, a puppy etc, rules need to be applied when there are children involved, talk to your kids about the responsibility of owning a dog, explain that the dog may be shy, stressed etc and will need time on it's own etc [time to rest, time to play]. Any dog has the ability to be aggressive, and with some awful exceptions there is some amount of provacation when a dog bites.....my three yorkies are fine, but my boy Harry hates to be picked up, I explain this to any children that come into the house... When I one day I found him barking and growling at a friends son, she went mental at me! She phoned and apologised later after her son had admitted to picking him up.....enough said!!!
Hope this helps
Lisa x

[divegirl]

opps...should read usually some amount of provacation...

[TheGopher]

Basically they are lovely, intelligent little dogs with loads of peronality and can be very spiritited. They do need loads of exercise!! They are certainly not all snappy and bad with kids. In fact mine have been wonderful. Some breeds can get a bad name for no good reason. Dogs are like people they are all different. As long as your children are brought up to understand dogs and know how to treat them with respect, then a Jack Russell should be just fine. However, on a cautionary note, do check that the dog has not been abused by children before and take the children to meet him first.

I love Jack Russells. They are wonderful little characters.

[ELVIS68]

Thanks all, I `ve just had the homechecker round this morning and she`s gave us the ok

We can go and visit the centre on Saturday and meet/walk the dogs, and if we see one we like we can bring it home

Oh.... and she said the dog will choose you, rather than the other way round

[TheGopher]

The homechecker is so right - you may wellcome home with an Irish Wolfhound or a chihuahua!!!

Good luck. You are doing such a wonderful thing in choosing a rescue dog and they bring many rewards.

[maggie01]

There is good and bad in all breeds, but having had a jack russell when my two girls were 5 and 3 (they are grown up now), I would not have one with children. Ours used to chase the younger one onto the sofa and growl at her and was always waiting for my husband to come home to snap at him. I think they are more suited as a working dog or at least being kept busy all day. You often see this breed with lorry drivers etc. We have two shih-tzus who adore being round children because they are so laid back. If you do decide to go ahead, just show him whose boss.

[buttchester]

I used to have a Jack Russell that I had got from a rescue centre. He was soooo lovely and I never saw him aggressive.

The reason he caught my eye at the rescue centre was because he was really excited to see me and was really pleased that somebody was paying him attention.To be honest, I used to be quite nervous around dogs but he really changed that the first time I played with him. Well done for choosing a rescue centre for your dog.

The little fella was never snappy and didn't bark too much but I'm sure there must have been plenty of Jack Russells who have been a problem for them to get the reputation they have.

My patner took him when we separated. I miss him soooo much!

[kazxe]

I have a jack russell terrier who gets on well with kids but can be snappy/protective when there are strangers around ie if someone goes to play with the kids the dog thinks they are his kids and he has to protect them from this stranger!!
They need a lot of exercise, people think because they are small they are not going to need much and they are keen to dig and hunt in your garden if left alone. Ours will bark when he hears cars etc coming to our house but that can be a good thing sometimes!
As with any dog, children need to be taught when the dog should be left alone, ie when it is sleeping/feeeding/chewing bones or toys and really kids should always be supervised as they can sometimes think they are playing but the dog may see their behaviour as a threat.
All in all though i can highly recommend them and i think it is fab you are taking a rescue dog, so many people cast their pets aside when they are no longer fashionable or make too much mess in the house

[lankeela]

While I think it is great to rescue one, ask yourself why they are in there. In your circumstances, I would go for a puppy, so you can bring it up with the children.

If you do decide on a rescue, make sure you visit it a couple of times and let the children meet it and see how it reacts. Don't be fooled into thinking it is reacting strangely because it is in kennels - if it has a good temperament, this will be immediate obvious. Watch how it is with toys, and food, and if you have any doubts, then please consider your children, and make other arrangements. Some rescue centres are so keen to get a dog into a home they will tell you anything.



Hope I am just being the devil's advocate here, and that things go well for you all.

[aurelia]

I have only had Jack russel's. I hav always had bitches who are not known to be as snappy as the males's. both of my Jack russel's liked children. the first I got as a rescue and the second as a puppy. the second one, Jess, who is 10 now is still lively and loves all dogs and children. She loves really young children whearas the other dog Tammy who we got when I was 7 from a single mother who's parnter walked out on her - was not as good with really young children. It only reacted when extremely provoked when a 4 year old horror my mum babysat was found pulling the dogs whiskers ans she was growling.

The main disdvantage I've found is their wiry hair getting left everywhere. our preasent one is not s bad as the first for casting. She is so differtn that when my nana who was norwegian saw her - she said "are you sure she's a russel"?

[wolf63]

Good Luck whatever you pick. As Lankeela says think about why the dog is there. I adopted a lab/GSD who was 5 years old. I have no children and live on my own and he was fine.

I had to muzzle him outside and keep an eye on him when we had visitors - he was very possessive.

There is a dog out there just perfect for you and your family - hope you find it, they are brilliant animals and would be just another child to clean up after.

[maggie01]

OH! I forgot about the hairs. They shed hairs something cronic, but then so do a lot of other breed. Fortunately mine don't

[lankeela]

The white hairs particularly seem to stick in everything. They seem to be harsher and cling to clothes and furniture.

[rachaelersk]

just wanted to say we have 2 jack russells in our family one is bog standard and one is pedigree and they are both nutters. they are lovely and i have 2 kids 3yr and 9yr and they are adorable with my 3yr old, i think they have adopted her as one of their own. just also wanted to say that a labrador with a very lax owner bit our jack and he was in a terrible way,nearly had his tail off and this was a attack that was not instigated by our jack, he was jsut minding his own so sometimes i think small dogs do get bad press but not always justified. Hope all goes well on saturday with what ever you decide on. Do let us know, would love to know the outcome. :0)

[kimbro44]

I had always thought of jack russels as being snappy but my partner had one all through his childhood so we decided to get one from the rescue home. We have had her about 5 years now and she is a lovely dog although as someone previously posted is a nightmare to be in the garden as always looking in bushes etc ! When we got her we didnthave any children but we now have a daughter - i have caught the dog growling at her twice once i think she had a chew and the other i think my daughter pulled her ears which is understandable why she would growl. The people at the kennel should be able to point you in the right direction as to what dog is best for you. Keep us posted !!

[jamesy boy]

Our Iggy is a miniature JR we found in a collarless, bedraggled, half-starving state about a year ago. He is very good with our 2 1/2 yr old son and our 9 month old daughter, a really lovely natured animal.
My friend has two JR's, a sweet liitle bitch (oo-er), and a male animal that should be locked up like Hannibal Lecter.
So, I suppose it's pot luck...

[spikefish]

Saying that JR's are agressive may be a cliche'. But, in my experience, most cliches' have a lot of truth to them. A potentially aggressive dog around children? Why take the chance?

ALL dogs will bite; some breeds more than others.

[ELVIS68]

Thanks for all your replies

We visited the rescue centre yesterday and they had 3 Jack Russells available for rehoming...unfortunately one was a bit too snap happy, and then there was two lovely little 1 year old bitches (twins)....who were found abandoned together and although I would have taken them home...Mrs Elvis didn`t want two of them, so rather than split them up, we are still looking.