Info Wanted On What Type Of Dog I Should Get

[leethedog 3,071]

Scared of the dark but mustard on rat and rabbit was bought from a pet litter

[d.nelson 9]

By proper Russell maybe you mean the short legged toyish sort of dog ? There seem to be 1000's of them still around if you look on the pets for sale kind of sites. They ask lots of money for not much dog though in my opinion. Thinking about getting yourself a working bred terrier may draw criticism on here as well though. Some will say that it would be a waste of a good dog unless you're hunting fox regularly. Some people live in an ideal world.

 

What you will get in a working bred terrier is a physical and mentally sound dog. Far more so than most other sorts that are around today. An intelligent animal that you can take anywhere, will be sound around people of any age, know how to behave in any situation and catch rats for fun. What you could also end up with though is a mad psycho dog from hell that appears not to have a brain, is a liability around people, and attempts to kill any other animal it comes across. A working bred terrier can be a difficult type of dog to own. Don't equate the small size with lack of effort/knowledge required from the owner. But I recommend them...or a whippet.

[d.nelson 9]

By proper Russell maybe you mean the short legged toyish sort of dog ? There seem to be 1000's of them still around if you look on the pets for sale kind of sites. They ask lots of money for not much dog though in my opinion. Thinking about getting yourself a working bred terrier may draw criticism on here as well though. Some will say that it would be a waste of a good dog unless you're hunting fox regularly. Some people live in an ideal world.

 

What you will get in a working bred terrier is a physical and mentally sound dog. Far more so than most other sorts that are around today. An intelligent animal that you can take anywhere, will be sound around people of any age, know how to behave in any situation and catch rats for fun. What you could also end up with though is a mad psycho dog from hell that appears not to have a brain, is a liability around people, and attempts to kill any other animal it comes across. A working bred terrier can be a difficult type of dog to own. Don't equate the small size with lack of effort/knowledge required from the owner. But I recommend them...or a whippet.

[d.nelson 9]

Basicallly I'm after what east coast discribbed as a working terrier.. the type of jack Russell my granda had, a real character with more shape and better traits than the typical "pet". it won't be my first dog I've had working springers lurchers (whippet cross with a colie grey) and still have two other dogs ones 10 the others the far side of 13 but both still nut cases.. But I haven't owned a terrier And know there a different animal so want to do my research before I jump in

[dillydog 8,463]

You can do all the research you want, it won't help.

Even in the same litter of line bred terriers you'll get different characters, hard, steady, cowardly and so on, there's no way of ordering an off the shelf terrier of type mentally.

Best of luck looking for what you want but IMO the only way forward is to jump in with both feet

[terryd 8,385]

The jr in my picture had a great temp she was a lovely family pet. Not an ounce of malice in her regarding people and other dogs or live stock. But would stay to a fox all day. Loved catching rats, squirrel and you take ferreting was a brilliant marker. But like dilly says its a bit of a lucky dip. Had a lakeland and he was bloody useless. Wanted to fight and kill every thing but was scared of the dark typically.

[eastcoast 4,115]

You seem to be an experienced dog man nelson,that wasn't clear from your original question. That's why I wrote the negative part in my reply. I've seen terriers 'with a lot of work' in them become absolute nightmares if they don't get an outlet for their instincts. All the breeds and types can be as good as each other. It just comes down personal choice and what takes your eye.There's no finer animal than a working terrier,good luck with finding yours.

[Mary 352]

Any old cur would do what yea want, it's only sitting in a digger and killing the odd rat ffs, it's up to you to ensure its good with other dogs and stock, not the dog.

[skycat 6,173]

Make sure you see both parents. Temperament is the most important thing to look for if you want a dog that is companion, fun dog and a bit of a worker. If the parents are steady types, nice and sociable and biddable, you won't go too far wrong, no matter what type or breed you go for. The rearing and training is down to you, but an intelligent, well socialised pup is what you should be looking for. Beware people who make extraordinary claims about the parents or the line they come from. Go for an honest breeder who is more concerned with making sure that you get the pup that suits you than just making money.

[eastcoast 4,115]

Any old cur would do what yea want, it's only sitting in a digger and killing the odd rat ffs, it's up to you to ensure its good with other dogs and stock, not the dog.

Maybe any old cur would do Mary but why not try and encourage some one who is showing an interest in working terriers ?