Are Jack Russell terriers super hyper?

[Shell Beau]

Thinking about getting my parent's one b/c they think that is the kind of dog they want, but as much as I love little jack russell's, I think they would be too much for my parents.

[billyskank]

1. Yap yap yap yap yap yippiyippiyippi yap yap yap

Gah! Can't stand 'em. But that's just me. Some people obviously like them, otherwise they wouldn't exist. If they want one, go for it.

[Shell Beau]

3. I think they "think" they want one. I don't think they really do though!

They need something a little less high strung!!

[billyskank]

5. Reminds me of an old Eddie Izzard routine

"Buy Mr. Dog, dog food for small yappy-type dogs, and maybe he'll shut the fuck up!!"

:rofl:

[DS1]

2. No, they're nasty little kickables

[Shell Beau]

4. Oooh!! I will sick a Jack on your cat if you don't watch it!!!

[DS1]

7. Last time you ever saw THAT boot fodder

[Shell Beau]

9. Precious kitty!

[_testify_]

26. That is a classic don't-make-me-hamstring-you look

What's his/her name?

[DS1]

30. Minou

Outdoors

[_testify_]

33. How beautiful!!

I love big cats. My SIL had a cat that was HUGE, had to be almost two-feet long and 20lbs. He killed a RACCOON. Toughest SOB on the block.

[BikeWriter]

6. We fostered one for a while. He was so hyper...

we had to have our Great Dane catch him for us when we wanted him inside.

[Shell Beau]

10. Yeah I could see my impatient dad with a dog like that!

:rofl:

[BikeWriter]

11. Yes'm, I'd think a Toy Terrier might be a similar dog...

but with less hyper personality.

[LostinVA]

8. Oh yeeeeeah....

[GoddessOfGuinness]

12. These are SERIOUSLY high-energy dogs...

They need lots of attention, or they'll make lots of mischief. Good for you for considering carefully. If they want a dog, they should do some research at the library to figure out what breed is best. Even if they want a mixed breed, this is a good idea, to give them some insight into the personality of the dog.

Remind them that looks aren't everything... :hug:

[Shell Beau]

14. But of course! I adopted my little mutts and wouldn't trade them!!

:)

[China_cat]

15. And that the dog on Frazier didn't automatically

come that way...that he's the product of a lot of training.

[China_cat]

13. Very hyper, super smart and can outstubborn

a dead mule. You need to be very dog savvy to own one or be willing to invest in a LOT of exercise, activities like agility or flyball and do a LOT of training. Not being able to handle these things is why a great number of JRT's are ending up in shelters and rescue.

[Shell Beau]

16. Good point! While I know that

my parents would tough it out rather than take the dog to a shelter, I will look into dogs that are a little lazier!! Maybe a Basset Hound!! :)

[China_cat]

19. If your parents really think this is the breed

for them, why not find somebody who has one and ask if it can be 'borrowed' for a couple days. The best way to find out if you can live with a breed is to live with a breed.

Oh, and there's a book, Dogs: Selecting the Best Dog for You by Chris Nelson, that is really a good resource for choosing a breed that will fit your lifestyle.

[Shell Beau]

27. Well, my dad was around 3 of them for a weekend not

to long ago & that is when he decided that is what he wanted! I just don't really think he does!

[China_cat]

29. Being 'around' them and actually taking care of them

are 2 completely different things. :)

[Shell Beau]

31. Right you are!!

:)

[xchrom]

17. pure breeds are built for certain kinds of work -- jacks

needed their energy for the work they did --

but even then some jacks are really hyper and some aren't -- evry dog is an individual.

but generally you have to be really into doggy activities to get the most out of a jack russell.

[riderinthestorm]

18. I've owned three.

Two of them were absolutely quiet, relaxed, Golden Retrievers in disguise as Jack Russell Terriers.

BUT!

These two were British bred dogs. They were low to the ground, chunky, and extremely docile puppies (don't ever get the playful one, get the one that falls asleep in your arms) who grew into really sane, lovely dogs.

There are breeders here in the US who have British bloodlines. Ask before you purchase and make sure you state that you are seeking a dog that will be a family pet, not a working Jack.

The one JRT that was a maniac was a female - champion American bloodlines. I mean champion. Top notch. Long legged, squarely built, tall, beautiful. She was a nightmare. We finally put her down after several episodes of biting humans and other dogs.

For all that, I live on a farm and my dogs are out with me all day so it does take the edge off of them but after experiencing a lot of different JRT's with all of my other farming friends, I can say for certain that your parents CAN be successful with a JRT as long as you select carefully.

[Karenca]

22. A Jack Russell terrier

killed a little dog in my doggie park this week.

[riderinthestorm]

24. They have a lock jaw capability

Which is handy for the dogs when trying to choke a thrashing badger but is impossible to release unless you choke the terrier yourself.

Any terrier who is badly bred, badly managed and badly trained can be dangerous.

One of my JRT's was savaged by a Doberman once as we walked down the street. His elderly owner lost control of the Doberman who immediately ran across the street and attacked. Although my Jack was injured pretty severely, the Dobe did not escape unscathed. JRT's will fight extremely aggressively and typically don't ever give up unless they can be somehow physically removed.

And just so it's clear, I am not slamming Doberman's. I've owned the most lovely Dobe in my lengthy dog owning career and I say the same thing about them as I would JRT's.

[Flying Dream Blues]

20. I have a wire fox terrier granddog. And while I love her beyond anything

in this world...she's cute, extremely smart, very loving, full of curiosity and personality...she's really too much for me on a fulltime basis due to things like escape artist abilities (and trust me, you aren't "catching" her) and tendency to come unglued anytime a squirrel or other vertabrate gets in "MY YARD! MY YARD!"

I mention this because what I've heard is that wire fox "terrors" :) are a lot like JRTs except a little LESS hyper. Just a thought.

[snacker]

23. That sounds exactly like our wire-haired fox terrier.

My kids were little when we had him and we literally had to put one of those chains on the door because EVERYTIME someone opened the door, he was ready to escape and catching him was a nightmare---always involved "following" him with car until he'd finally agree to hop into the car and ride back home. Also, that dog could jump! My husband once put him on the roof of our ranch home to see what the dog would do. We couldn't believe when, in typical terrier fashion, he ran over to the other side of the roof, jumped off, and started his run, run, running down the street.

[snacker]

21. Most terriers are hyper.

We've had a wire-haired fox terrier (sweet dog, but he was crazy---loved to run and run and run and run...), an airedale (what a sweetie, but a bit of a barker. He was much calmer, but it took a few years for him to get to that point), and our current dog, a Welsh terrier (cute as a button, has his hyper moments, but that's a terrier for you). I don't know how old your parents are, but, as much as I love terriers, I'd probably recommend some other breed for them.

[Wapsie B]

25. Yes they are.

Most definitely a high-strung animal.

[targetpractice]

28. I take care of one...

...whenever her owners leave town. Her name is Jane and she pretty relaxed. She's an alpha female and kinda bossy to other dogs, though.

I love her very much! ;-)

[SouthoftheBorderPaul]

32. I had a Jack Russell

Worst dog I've ever owned. Hyper? Yes. Also difficult to house train. My roommate has one now that still craps in the living room.

[Frank Cannon]

34. My dad (mid-60s) takes his JR for a 4-mile walk every day

She is about the sweetest dog you could ever meet, but she must have that exercise EVERY DAY or she's hell on wheels.

The upshot is that my dad has been able to drop about 25 pounds, cut back on his cholesterol meds, and all but ELIMINATE his blood pressure meds. He also LOOKS fantastic--like Doc Savage, for crying out loud. He looks probably ten years younger than all of his friends.

That dog is the best thing that ever happened to him.