Hi All,

My wife wants a puppy We already have Cleo (5.5 m/o Presa) and Alex (11 y/o Rottie mix). We have agreed to wait until Cleo is over 1 yr before we bring in a new puppy.

We are a fairly active couple. We take our dogs to the beach and park regularly, swim them in the pool, and when Cleo gets older will hike with her (Alex is too old and creaky for hikes or long walks--he does better in the water).

My wife would like a small dog, but one that can keep up with us and Cleo. She would also like to be able to take the dog with her most places. She is leaning toward a JRT.

We have done all of the standard research, but would like to hear from those who own or have owned one. We would love to hear your opinions, concerns and experiences with JRTs.

Mahalo

We have a 20months old JRT. And a load of problems since we're kind of sedentary.

We also got a 6months old baby. So far, the dog doesn't make a big deal about her. We've made sure to get between them as soon as he went too close to her swinger to our liking (even if only to smell her).

Activity-wise, JRT don't only need exercises, they also need something to occupy their MIND. They can be very destructive on their environment (and even themselves) if they get bored.

I've made several posts on these forums to ask for help with my JRT. It's becoming much better because I'm disciplining myself for training and exercising him.

Don't give them even a slight idea that they can run the house, because they will. They're very intelligent, and pack driven. Both you and your wife need to make sure he knows who's the boss, and simply deny him any contact with the baby. I'm slowly taking control back on my dog after following tips from people on this forum.

If I had the opportunity to start my training over, I would use Ed's groundworking methods by the book right of the bat. I'm actually doing it now (18months later) to try and correct his problems, and it does help a great deal.

Finally, one thing that I'll watch very closely with my baby, is that the dog can sometime get very excited, say if he sees an animal or hear something strange. He then lights up into a very high barking (territorial?) drive and can retaliate with a snap if anyone who tries to push him away or control him.

Good luck

You and your wife sound like you know what you are getting into.

I don't really know a lot about the breed. I'm sure you know as much, or more about them than I do.:smile: I don't know what "quirks" are inherent to the breed, or are just my JRT's ways.

You just can't let the size of the dog fool you. They need training, groundwork, and exercise just as much as the next dog. You already know that, though.

Its good that you are thinking about it this far in advance. Use that time to search for a good breeder. One who is breeding for health and temperment. There are way too many "backyard" JRT breeders. Be careful in that regard.

Hopefully Bob Scott will see this. He KNOWS JRT's. He can actually tell you something about them.:smile:

This probably doesn't help, but I figured I would put in my .02 cents, since I have a JRT.

I've had several JRT. Our favorite dog committed suicide on our Blue Tick Hound by picking one too many fights. (Yes I know, poor management, I know better now thanks to Leerburg.)

There are varying degrees of hyper and nuts between individuals.

They are high maintenance dogs who can be entertaining and exasperating all at the same time.

They will try to kill things, or themselves, due to their high energy and tenacity.

Be careful what you wish for!!!
I love the little bassids but I've been told I deserve every terrier I've ever owned. ADHD child in my prime!! Still a bit "wound up" at 63
GREAT little dogs but not for a multiple dog household unless you really have command and leadership over the dogs. They have very little early warning system. It's lights on or lights off!
Can they get along with other dogs? Yes IF you have the pressence of the command and leadership I mentioned. That goes for any multiple (more then 2) house holds just geometrically multiplied with terriers.
After many yrs with multiple terriers I can say the JRT is most likely to pick a fight with another dog. The ultimate in Napolian Complex.
When the little bassid I have now heads for his happy hunting ground AND my wife agrees to another terrier it will probably be a Border. Had a couple of those. They are the easiest terrier to get along with other dogs but even then you have to be careful of the lines. Because of show judges wanting to see more of a "terrier like attitude" in the ring (GROAN), even many of the Borders have gotten hotter in receint yrs.
Also realize that the AKC Parson Russell Terriers are the same as the JRTCA JRTs. Often just not as close to hunting lines. Still close enough, reciently enough, that they will also be a handful. The name was changed after the JRTCA threaned law suits over keeping them with the same name and making show dogs out of them. JRTCA WILL NOT allow dual registerd dogs. They want to keep the JRT a real dog.
A few of my expieriences with my present, one eyed, gimpy, 12 yr old JRT.
He used to jump out of my son's tree house window cause he couldn't climb DOWN the boards that were nailed to the tree for a ladder. Sure never kept him from climbing up though. That was a daily occerance for a number of yrs. I finally just put a pile of mulch in his landing zone. He also used to climg up the rose trellis when he saw squirrels on the garage roof. Same results. He couldn't climb down so he'd just bail off the roof. The wife had to call him out of our neighbor's tree a few times in his younger (under 10) yrs. The first branch was a good 7 ft off the ground. He just ran up the side of the tree till he reached it.
Had to hide all the flash lights when the grandkids come over cause they like watching him run up the wall and smack the cealing with his nose when he chased the light.
I know he's finally slowing down because he can no longer do a 6 ft verticle leap when he wants in the sliding glass patio door. He's down to about 4, 4 1/2 ft now. He used to land on a 5 ft brick wall from a sitting position.
Still fires up easily for most ANY reason but I have seen him asleep a couple of times in the past year or so.
I dearly love the little bassids.....BUT!

I have a jack russel mix. I have to provide plenty of stimulation for him or he thinks things up and becomes a pest and will pace continually and/or begin barking at things that are not really there. His energy level is astounding. I read up on his breed and found that lots of exercise does help them, but it doesn't really tire them out. It just gives them something to do. I have had to get a treadmil for Cody and he loves it. He sits on it and begs me to do it again, and again! Walks no matter how fast I walk are a stroll to him and he is only more energized.
Since you already have other dogs, what is their tempermanent like? A Jack Russel can pester the other dogs until they will hate him. I'd get a dog that is similar to their energy and temperment levels. I have other terriors, one Bindi who is two and she can't keep up with Cody, but they have a blast together. One word of warning. When Cody plays I have to supervise him. I have taught him the word enough, when he just starts to get really carried away (like a madman, he will even end up attacking Bindi ) I stop him and direct him somewhere else. You have to be a very alert pack leader with plenty of time to supervise and train a JRT. I can't imagine what Cody is mixed with. My advise is to go to meets with JRT's performing where you sit by and watch how these dogs act before you ever get one.-
What I love about him? He does everything with lightning percision. He is never slow in obeying a command if he knows it well. He loves to play, and when ready for bed, likes to snuggle, for lets say almost a minute. He comes charging out of his crate in the mornings ready to go and charges into his crate at night.
He too climbs everything. He loves my grandaughter and one day when she was up in the playhouse, he just climbed up there and sat with her, and then came down the slide. Now everytime we pass the playhouse (fort attached to swing sets) he wants to run right up there. He is usually fearless, and if ever in doubt about anything it doesn't last long,he investigates it and soon is perfectly at ease with it. He can be dog aggressive if I do not keep him focused on good things (when we are out). he has incredible drive.
I just love the breed, I love terriors anyway, dogs especially and hope you enjoy your new addition.
God bless you

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my JRT. 2 y.o. Neutered male I've had since he was 12 weeks old.

I knew they were high energy, high maint, crazy little monsters. Possibly the wisest thing I've ever done is make sure he's crate trained. Going into the crate is an automatic shut off button for all my dogs.

I have five other dogs: 7 y.o. F chihuahua, 6 y.o. NM shep X, 1 y.o. F boxer, 2 y.o. NM shep X, and a 6 m.o. M cattle dog thingy X.

All get along great, provided we are firm that there's no T-ing off, no staring at each other, play doesn't get out of hand, everyone's respectful towards the people in the household. He's not dog aggressive towards strange dogs.

The JRT I trained early on to dig up rabbits and go after rodens as we have five acres. I have chickens, other birds, cats, horses and other animals that I trained him early on not to go after. In the early days he did tear apart a chicken pretty badly - unfortunately didn't just kill it, but severely maimed it. My fault.

Love my doggy. I suppose they're doable if you know what you're getting and ready to deal with them appropriately.

I have a female JRT who is 1 year and 3 months old. She does have a lot of energy but it is nothing a good walk or run can't fix. She has only ever ONCE chewed anything up or been destructive at all. That being said.....she will NOT tolerate a yappy dog near her. She is fine with dogs that are calm, but get a Yorkie or Poodle that snaps at her and she will go nuts....and once a JRT starts they don't stop. No training or corrections will stop them once they get focused on something they want to kill. Mine can spend all day at daycare and I almost have to drag her for a walk....but if we go for a poop break and there is a dog that barks at her.....she will go insane.

That being said, I would not trade my JRT for anything in the world. They will snuggle with you all day and be your best friends in the world till the end. Just know that they are hunters, and for a small dog they can do damage.

They are not for everyone and are great with kids, and family. Well, at least mine is.

Just know what you are getting into with a JRT. Too many people do not do their research and they end up in rescue centers.

Thanks to everyone for all the great comments

Our other two dogs are wonderful. Alex is old, but very patient and good with young'uns. Cleo jumps all over him, licks his face and he calmly takes it until I tell her to knock it off (as she gets older she's getting better about giving Alex his space). Cleo, on the other hand, is very high energy and very bold. She's still just a baby (less than 5.5 months), but she is a "please-er" and obeys commands exceedingly well for her age.

I have had big dogs (Rotties, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, GSD/wolf mix) all my life. JRTs sound like a big dog trapped in a little dog's body. If we end up getting one, I will work with my wife on pack leadership. She's learned a lot since we've been together and is helping with Cleo now. Throughout our 14 yr relationship, we have had dogs, but I have been the "alpha." This will be her first puppy.

A big Mahalo again to all of you for your input

I have a four year old JRT and she is a total delight:-) I think they are best, but certainly not for the faint of heart. If your two dogs you have now are relatively low to mid level energy dogs keep in mind that you are going to have to put in A LOT of extra work if you choose to get a Jack. You cannot be a low energy person and expect a hike once a week on Saturday will be sufficient. Please be honest with yourself, as realize in devoting extra time to a higher energy dog might mean less time to your other two if they can't keep up.

I would talk with other Jack owners who have other dogs living in their household. I don't know if a Presa is a very dominant dog, but I can guarantee you that a Jack will probably want to assert it's dominance over another dog, be aware of this, know what you are signing up for....I just have one dog and she is more than enough for me to handle.

Also, keep in the mind the breed is sort of known for having dog aggression issues if not properly socialized...they do not know their size and really will fight to their death if challenged...this could be a problem with having a presa if pack order issues arise as the JRT matures. A Jack challenging a Presa which I could totally see happening. Heh. You could come home to a dead Jack if proper pack structure isn't implemented.

I know with my dog she was great with all dogs until around age 2 and then suddenly with certain dogs she would act like she wanted to kill them if they approached her a certain way(particularly puppies she hates).....it was very confusing to me as I socialized the hell out of her...she isn't like that anymore, but it was a "phase" I had to work with a trainer with....they will take over the minute they feel you are not in control.


If you are high energy and also good at being a pack leader then my main concern would be the happiness of your current 11 yr old. Keep in mind a "crazy" high energy puppy could make your older dog's last years MISERABLE...for me I wouldn't do it, as I would want to make my older dog's final years peaceful and happy, but if you are skilled and willing to put in the work then go for it.