Hi folks,

It has been about a 18 months since our family dog past away and I'm now looking to find a Jack Russell.

I have an 11 year old daughter & 7 year old son, along with an 8 month old little girl.

How are jacks around kids?

Teat: From what I have seen, they adore kids and lap up the attention. Eighteen months is unthinkably too long to go without a dog in your life!

You will have to closely watch your kids health.

The "Jacks" will wear out the kids playing with them. Your kids will be tired all the time.

Also, watch for the "clean face syndrome". The "Jacks" will lick their faces clean loving them.

They will be the kid's constant shadow.

But, seriously, they may be a little too active for your 8 month old.

Very cute dogs but I'd never own another one. It's a hard headed breed and if you have livestock, a Russell with obsess over it and think of any way possible to make a kill. They will wait until you are not looking plus they BARK at everything.

Keep in mind they have a distinct hunting drive and a big dog attitude in a small body. They are, like most terriers, very hard headed and probably won't mind you well. Most in Africa are killed by wounded game. Despite this, they seem popular with PH's. Don't know why as their little dogs get stomped all the time!

My neighbor has one now, it is obsessed with insects and constantly snaps the air. She found it running on the side of our back roads. I told her take it to the pound. She didn't listen. Now she thinks the dog is autistic after dealing with its hideous behavior problems for a year and a half. I keep telling her it is because the dog is a terrier.

Otherwise, if you can deal with the attitude, then they are a fine dog.....

JR's are great dogs, full of personality and extremely smart. I would suggest a female as they make much better pets, the males can be a hand full as Ann stated. If they do not self destruct, they are a lifelong commitment, My families JR just passed after 21 years. I can't imagine adopting one like Ann was discussing, I don't know that it would ever integrate. But one brought in at 8-10 weeks will become seamless with the family.

Thanks for the responses. I've also considered a beagle. I'd really love a little dog that is smart/brave enough to go to the woods, but small enough to easily sit the front seat of the 4x4 too. Basically, I need a small hunting buddy that will easily integrate with my family.

I'm taking my son to Texas with me this fall, but after that we'll be looking to bring home a new friend. My kids seem ready for it.

I still miss my old Spike though.

"Jack Daniels Terrier" -- They're hard headed, obstinate, energetic. They were bred to hunt rabbit and other burrowing game.

A woman I know describes them as having "small man syndrome" -- a need to compensate for being a small dog by acting like an obstinate big dog.

Hounds generally tend to go after scents. Sites online (and they're all over the internet) suggest that any of the hound breeds tend to "run off" on a scent, and shouldn't be released in an area that's not secure (fenced).

Hounds will howl, at the moon, or any noises outside, scents, movement of distant neighbors. They're bred to chase and tree game.

On the up side, they're great with kids and strangers. Make lousy "watch dogs" because they're ready to "buddy up" with anyone.

Labrador is the #1 in the US, and for a reason. Loyal, smart, friendly, a decent "watch dog," -- they can be clumsy and knock over stuff, like lamps, chairs.

But Labs are great in the woods, love the water (as in you can't keep them out of it), and loyal family dogs.

I've been looking for a dog, getting down to a lab or a "swamp collie" (Golden Retriever).

Irish Setter, or any of the setters might work for you.

A friend of mine uses a Brittany Spaniel to hunt w/ a hawk -- There's a small size dog that's good in the woods!

Beagles wander and you will be constantly searching for it.

Jacks need heaps of exercise and attention. Dogs will need an alpha male (you) and will treat the rest of the family (pack) with love and respect only. I have no experience with bitches. Good with kids but full on.

Why would one want a Jack Russel while living in Bakersfield, Kalifornia?

Are you hunting feral pigs?

quote:

Originally posted by Norseman:
Why would one want a Jack Russel while living in Bakersfield, Kalifornia?

Are you hunting feral pigs?

Because it's a small field / hunting dog.

I believe a Jack Russell Terrier would take on a wounded Lion.

Rich
DRSS

quote:

Originally posted by Aspen Hill Adventures:

Keep in mind they have a distinct hunting drive and a big dog attitude in a small body.

They are, like most terriers, very hard headed and probably won't mind you well.

I told her take it to the pound. She didn't listen.

Now she thinks the dog is autistic after dealing with its hideous behavior problems for a year and a half. I keep telling her it is because the dog is a terrier.

Otherwise, if you can deal with the attitude, then they are a fine dog.....

Wow, a complete true terrier's personality description in a nut shell.

I know, I own a male jagdterrier, very kind to my children, otherwise a 100% stormtrooper with no fear and a "no prisoners" attitude...

How about a Welsh Terrier? Mine is now 6 months old and my best bud. Loves to case rabbits but has not bothered the chickens, turkeys, geese or any of the other animals that we have on the farm. Not nearly as hyper as a neighbors JRT. Plays well with our cat. Loves children.

A stray toy-fox-terrier has become my constant companion. He loves to ride, loves attention, has not fear of any other animal in him. But he's only about 15#. also have a Blue Heeler that I got from the pound, She is well-mannered and intelligent. I would encourage you to get a dog from the pound or animal rescue shelter.

I've seen them blood trail and they are impressive indeed. The ones in SA listened well but only to the hunters in camp-somehow they know who we are. cool little dogs but I doubt I'd have one in the city. Oh and you should see them chase bush pigs!!!

Teat Hound -
Do NOT go the beagle route man, I'm beggin' ya. There isn't a more adorable, yet utterly defiant dog on God's green earth. Our Whiskey River Thunder died last year. First and last beagle I will ever own. The late nights driving around looking for her (with the wife crying); the constant bathing her after she'd rolled in the most putrid crap she could find; her never learning not to race full throttle right towards the tailpipe of a skunk. And on and on. I can't begin to imagine what a male would have been like. If you ever watch the Dog Whisperer, even Cesar gets this "oh crap" look on his face when he finds out it's a beagle.

I completely understand the need for companionship, but trading your sanity for companionship is a bad deal. The kids will worship him or her - you get to deal with the negatives.

Thanks for all the responses.

This decision is harder than I thought it would be.

What do we say to a blue lacy?

If your family consist of kids and a wife who do not have a lot of experience with dogs I would not take a JR.

Had one, had to put him underground when he "took over" in the family.

good luck.

Teat hound,
Personally, I think just about any dog that is raised around kids from puppyhood will be good around your kids. If given the choice, I'd sure take a JR over his cousin the rat terrier. And I would also strongly caution you about the beagle route, especially if you have neighbors and don't want them all to HATE you.

If by blue lacy, you mean the Texas cowdog, without going into too many details, I'd very strongly advise you to let that notion just pass you by, along with any similar breeds like the various curs and such. I was 19 when I got my first few scars from one of them, and I was pretty damn salty and dog savvy at 19. They are good for the right people in the right situations, but not many people or situations are the right ones, if you know what I mean.

On another note, if you're just looking for a family dog, why not go with a lab or golden retriever. You'd be hard pressed to do better than either of those, though you certainly don't want a hi-drive field trial type lab for an in the house family pet.

quote:

Originally posted by daniel77:
I would also strongly caution you about the beagle route, especially if you have neighbors and don't want them all to HATE you.

Hi Daniel,

I could give a rat's ass about what my neighbors think about our dog. On both sides of me I have immigrant families who know crap about the USA, and one family has been out of work for over a year. Their dog's are noise as hell (and wake up my 8 month old every night), and if I could, I get a whole pack of coon hounds to sing my neighbors to sleep each night.

On the serious side, we have considered a Lab, but we just need a dog a little smaller than that. We tended to take our last dog, Spike, with us everywhere we went, and a Lab is just a little bigger than we can accommodate. I do love labs though. One pard of mine has a swell Brittany, a breed I'm considering too.

quote:

Originally posted by Teat Hound:
I could give a rat's ass about what my neighbors think about our dog. On both sides of me I have immigrant families who know crap about the USA, and one family has been out of work for over a year. Their dog's are noise as hell (and wake up my 8 month old every night), and if I could, I get a whole pack of coon hounds to sing my neighbors to sleep each night.

In that case, I'd get a male beagle, a male basset, a male chihuahua, a new fence (with wire buried a foot deep), and earplugs for your entire family, including your baby. Hell, the smell alone (if you refrain from bathing them) in a few months may result in you being neighbor free.

But...a brittany is probably the more sensible way to go.

I agree. A brit would be a great smallish family dog, though watch the parents, as some of them can be hyper.

I've had Beagles, Brittany's, Heinz 57 varieties...and I currently have a half black lab with half boxer and my very first Jack Russell. There is good advice here. Idaho is one hundred percent correct. I have it on reliable, from the horses mouth advice that a Jack Russell in my area took on a black bear years ago! THe outcome wasn't pleasant for the little JR, but 150+ stitches later and 20mins after anesthesia wears off the little maniac was up and at 'em. They are very territorial, very jealous, insane, non-stop, difficult to train to do anything type dog I have ever known....but mine is one of the lovingest defending their master type dogs I have ever had. But I need to preface this....if I had any inclination prior to getting her I would have definitely taken a second and third look. Too late, she has a place in our heart that none could take. My two Beagles must not have been the norm based on the poll here because I never had a lick of trouble with either of them. The were well trained and minded me. And they were as loving and caring as any dog I ever had as well. But my big ole '90lb 'Hog' of a dog black lab/boxer mix is without a doubt the smartest, most loving, most laid back, wonderful dog I have had in 56 years. I HONESTLY am not going to know how to be when he goes....I truly hope their is a Dog Heaven....

I have two JRTs. Best two dogs I've ever had. They are smart, and very protective. Always wired, but fun.

My granddaughter who just turned 3 walks one of them (Charlie) on a leash all day long - even in the house. It's "her dog Charlie". JRTs are great with kids.

quote:

Originally posted by Cazador humilde:
Teat Hound -
Do NOT go the beagle route man, I'm beggin' ya. There isn't a more adorable, yet utterly defiant dog on God's green earth. Our Whiskey River Thunder died last year. First and last beagle I will ever own. The late nights driving around looking for her (with the wife crying); the constant bathing her after she'd rolled in the most putrid crap she could find; her never learning not to race full throttle right towards the tailpipe of a skunk. And on and on. I can't begin to imagine what a male would have been like. If you ever watch the Dog Whisperer, even Cesar gets this "oh crap" look on his face when he finds out it's a beagle.

I completely understand the need for companionship, but trading your sanity for companionship is a bad deal. The kids will worship him or her - you get to deal with the negatives.

I have enjoyed all this thread and have had a chuckle or two from posts like Ann's.

The one I copied above is just dang funny! True but funny!

quote:

Originally posted by daniel77:
If by blue lacy, you mean the Texas cowdog, without going into too many details, I'd very strongly advise you to let that notion just pass you by, along with any similar breeds like the various curs and such.

I disagree with that statement. I have a Blackmouth Cur, and he is one of the best dogs I have ever been around. Very loyal, doesn't bark much, loves kids etc.

Owned a Beagle, and like was posted prior...it always ran away, seldom came when called, always rolled in stinky stuff.

I cannot stand Jack Russels. Those little bastards bark nonstop, and are always nipping at things.

Jack Russells are great at times, but one of the only animals born without ears...

"Terrier" and "Terrorist" come from the same root word.

JRs are hyper but affectionate,they love attention and the more the merrier.But like any dog you have to be the boss.Discipline has to be catered to the personality of each.Start early and they will love you and do anything you ask of them including die if necessary.My uncle raises them and they have made squirrel dogs,rabbit dogs,some went to Africa for game jobs,and one was even in the local paper pointing quail.One fellow uses his to trck bloody deer for money,I have used one on hogs and he was effective.One took on a sow black bear to save his owner.This has been some of my experiences.

And I agree with dogcatcher223 black mouth curs are loyal family dogs with hunting skills.

quote:

Originally posted by Teat Hound:
Thanks for the responses. I've also considered a beagle. I'd really love a little dog that is smart/brave enough to go to the woods, but small enough to easily sit the front seat of the 4x4 too. Basically, I need a small hunting buddy that will easily integrate with my family.

I'm taking my son to Texas with me this fall, but after that we'll be looking to bring home a new friend. My kids seem ready for it.

I still miss my old Spike though.

If you are driving to Texas, a friend of mine has a free pure Jack Russell Terrier for you. He is in Phoenix about a mile off the freeway. The dog is great with kids (his granddaughter), great with other dogs, and easy to keep in the house. He is looking for a good home where the dog will get love and attention. If you are interested, pm me ASAP and I'll tell him that you will take the dog. I know that he will wait a few weeks for your trip.

Jack Russels need constant attention and supervision. A friend learned that the hard way.
He had just purchased and taken delivery a very expensive sofa and love seat.
The next day he went to visit a friend and thought his three year old Jack would be just fine alone in the house¨for an hour or so.
When he arrived home, found his new sofa and love seat in tattered ruins!!

With regard to my comment about the Blue Lacy and various Curs:
I'm not saying that those types of dogs can't be good dogs, it is just my experience that true "working" dogs like these NEED a job to do or they will find one and you may not approve of what they figure needs doing, and you have to admit that the trainability of those types of dogs is very low, at least the various animal behaviorists who've tested them sure thought so. They pretty much just do what they do. I think those dogs are great in the right environment, but IMO, that environment is more of a niche and not mainstream.
I still don't like Lacy dogs, but my scars may have me biased. In truth, every animal that that particular fellow owned was a PITA and I guess that I should have known better than to be standing in the pen with those calves. . Bottom line, those dogs may have been more of a reflection on him than the breed.

Thanks for the comments, Gents. I have not made a decision yet. I'm kind of leaning toward taking a small-medium rescue mutt + getting a partner for him/her from a breeder.

My son and I went to a Pet Stop-type store recently, and one of the rescue places had some dogs in there. I hardly made it out alive (I mistakenly made eye contact with a few of those critters; it was hard to walk away).

Akita perhaps? A friend's daughter went off 500 miles to school several years ago. He bought her the Akita when she started her Sr year of HS, and that dog would have fought a Lion over her. Well mannered, easy going, but a bear when you need one.

I'm working on a pair of Ridgebacks for my birthday next month.

Rich

Akitas are good dogs.

I always lean toward a rescued dog. though. I have one now, a small poodle I got from the Miami FD that they picked up running loose with some scumbags trying to run her down. I'm not partial to poodles, but they are #1 or 2 on the intelligence scale, very loving, good with kids and this one is so smart she can almost read. I brought her back from the edge and haven't been sorry.

My previous dog was a rescued black and tan Dobie, and you can't beat them, either. They'll take a bullet for you and if they're well trained, are very good with kids. Sounds like a Dob would be too large for you though. If I had a bigger place, I would immediately get another one.

Our 3 yr old JR Ruby is trusted uncaged when we are gone. She chewed a few things when she was a pup but soon learned to only chew her toys. Very smart dogs. When our Britney Spaniel past away this last fall, Rubes got lonely so we brought Roxy on board another JR pup. At 7 mths she is finally coming around, she was tough to integrate with the new digs. Now Rubes and Rox are always together. Rubes is the queen tho. The wife and I always had big dogs but now like these lap dogs with big attitude. I have 8 acres they are content to play on and when we open the back door and holler they come a running. They are by far the smartest dog we ever owned.

They are the best, and never say die....my little Bill is now 15. He loved to hunt with me...and when the critter was down, it was time for him to make sure....



They kind of like to be close to you....


Little Bill trying to eat this buffalo by himnself....


Same with this one....


This one he damn near did .....

quote:

Originally posted by billinthewild:
They are the best, and never say die....my little Bill is now 15. He loved to hunt with me...and when the critter was down, it was time for him to make sure....



They kind of like to be close to you....


Little Bill trying to eat this buffalo by himnself....


Same with this one....


This one he damn near did .....

That's what I'm talking about, Bill!

That is the kind of hunting buddy I'm looking for. After I get back from my Texas hunt in Nov, I'm going to hopefully bring one home.

I've always owned big retrievers, mainly Chessie's. Now that I have a Mountain Feist (JRT with longer legs) I wouldn't have it any other way. Extremely intelligent, minds perfectly, great hunting dog (retrieves Squirrels and brings them to me), loves anyone I accept into my home and is the best companion I could want. So many people say don't get one, but IMHO, it's people that need training, not the dog.

If you like JRT's for their drive, then you will love Jadgerterriors. Imagine a Jack on crack!... no kidding.... The one I had had no trouble taking on a fresh 150- 200 feral hog and winning. Look them up on the web. they have vids of them going in a badger hole....killing the Badger and draging him out....

I miss my Jag, but my English Setter fits my lifestyle now that I'm an old fart.

Good memories though of bustin brush, swimming rivers in Feb. just to catch a $25 hog.

getting old sucks.....better than the other option.

just get a dog you will enjoy.

cc