<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> You want a friggin JRT of your own choosing and being of sound mind??!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Fantastic little monsters if you think you can live with a 14lb Mal with a spotted coat. I lovem to death, but they go right up there with working GSDs, Pits, Rots, Mals, Border collies, yadda, yadda, yadda! NOT for everyone.
I have one 11-12yr old female Border terrier, one 7-8yr old JRT, and one 18 month old working line GSD. My JRT rules with a heavy hammer in both hands. If your GSD/Lab is a dominant dog, it could go badly for the JRT unless the JRT learns to submit. A new pup should, but it doesn't take them long to "go for the gusto" in the status quo. Submission is not a real common pastime for JRTs. Even in a structured pack order, squabbles are the norm with the little bas+^rds. I would advise one for an expierienced dog owner only. By expierienced, I mean people that know what they are doing with dogs, not just people that have owned dogs forever.
If I sound like I'm trying to talk you out of one, your probably right. Without knowing your abilities with a dog, I don't feel comfortable saying go ahead and get one. You may be perfectly qualified. I just don't know you.
There are JRTs out there that are as laid back and cuddly as any lap dog, but that's not the norm. Many JRT rescue organaziations are loaded with dogs because people want a cute littl dog like on Fraizer. What they don't know is that Moose, Eddie's real name, has been through 3-4 owners before he finally found somone who could channel his energy.
As for the coat. There are three different coats. Rough, broken amd smooth. The rough can have quite a long coat. The broken has a coarser coat, but short. The smooth is just that. Before the 30s, the Fox terrier could be found with both rough and smooth. Show people started breeding for one or the other. After '36, I think, they were separated into smooth and wire hair. That hasn't been done with the JRT...yet. All three can be found in the same litter. You can get dogs that don't even look liker litter mates in the same litters.
If you do decide to get one, go for a JRTCA registered dog. AKC has not only changed the standards, but changed the name to Parson Russell Terriers.
If it works out for you, you'll fall in love with the breed. If it doesn't......well.......Enter at your own risk! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
old dogs LOVE to learn new tricks