any owners of border/cairn or jack russell terriers?

[rudolphistheboss]

We are in the very early stages of considering getting a puppy after my old boy was sadly pts after a long illness last year. I've only had big dogs before (last was a ridgeback/mastiff cross) but would like a small dog now due to having small children. We have a huge garden and live in the middle of nowhere. I am currently a sahm and both children love playing out and going for long walks. My dh ideally wants a dog who can go for long walks and be taught to play with a ball.

Can anybody recommend any of these breeds (or any others) which would live happily in this situation? I have time and experience training puppies and would crate train initially. TIA!

[Snoopysimaginaryfriend]

I would think any of those terriers would be happy to have that kind of lifestyle.

We have a border. He's an absolute joy and is very good with children now ( was always friendly but when he was a younger pup he would put his front paws up which some children don't like). Our little guy is only 23 weeks and is crate trained. He happily takes himself to bed in his crate when he is tired. He's good in the car and we have taken him on the train and tube (live in London). He also loves both ours and our relatives cats.

How old are your children?

[jessicapearson]

We have a Parson Russell Terrier, she would fit your criteria. She was recently at my dog trainer's, who runs a family kennel, over Christmas whilst we were away and kept up with all the bigger dogs no problem on 1-2 hour walks, in fact she wore a Belgian Shepherd out, the trainer said it was the first time he had to have a rest during a walk! She is still young though only a year old. We had no problem crate-training and she also asks to go to bed.

The only thing I would say is that they are notorious for wandering off on their own - so you may need to check your garden fences etc.

[rudolphistheboss]

DD is 3.5, ds is 15 months. DD is desperate for dog who will be her best buddy and play games all day. And if she had her way she would never be in the house! My oldboy was devoted to. Her and followed her everywhere. We are willing to work on training both kids and dog.

Do borders generally play fetch etc? And easy to train? Thank you for responding!

[exexpat]

Our border terrier loves long walks, plays fetch with tennis balls and is great with children (and adults, other dogs and so on - just not squirrels and cats).

We picked a border as I wanted a 'big dog' personality in a compact size, and they are often recommended as one of the most child-friendly breeds.

[WoodleyPixie]

We have a cairn/westie cross and she's fab. Very laid back, loves going for long walks, plays ball, loves to swim. She's great fun. She has been brilliant with the children who are now 18.13 and 9, she is about 6.5 years old. The only problem we have had with her is getting grass seeds in her paws and needing antibiotics. Otherwise fit and well (touch wood)

The only downside to her is the groomer 4 times a year, around here that means £40 a time. Se does need it though otherwise hair gets very matted despite daily brushing. Oh an a penchant for dd's small plastic toys and crayons when she was younger, multi coloured poop is easier to find though

[JoffreyBaratheon]

I have a jack russell cross (crossed with a staffy) and we live in a similar situation - middle of nowhere, large garden... It's ideal for this kind of dog and she is ideal for us - I have a large family of teenagers and older kids. Lovely, intelligent sparky, bright little dogs. Our dog looks more staffy than JRT - her dad was probably a short haired JRT - she just looks like a tiny staffy. Just a joy to have.

[rudolphistheboss]

My dh is leaning towards a border terrier. I think they sound like what we are looking for, especially with regards to being child friendly because as I say, my DD is desperate for a dog. She still hasn't really got over losing the other boy and it's been almost a year, we still have tears at bedtime a few times a month.

How much do small dogs eat? I would be keen to follow a raw food diet for the dog, our local butchers are very accommodating!

Can anyone recommend any breeders in the north Yorkshire area?

[confusedandemployed]

I have 2 JRTs, now aged 13. One is super, super fit and would happily walk for hours even at his age. He's like a dog 7-8 years younger. His sister is less active but she's always been bone idle

I too only had big dogs before them but I'm not sure I'd ever go back to big now. They are just amazing little characters, my best friends and I love them so much my heart bursts!

[confusedandemployed]

Oh and the diet - there are lots of different ways to feed. Over the years mine have been on dry kibble, wet food and mixer, raw. I now feed them a home made grain / meat mixture with regular fishe meals too. This has been incredibe for their older digestive systems. Ask your vet what they recommend but do your own research too.

[notarehearsal]

Have a look at Norfolk terriers. Brave, fun and lovely gentle natured dogs. I've had three

[TheoriginalLEM]

i have two terriers after having rotties. rotties are MUCH easier!

terriers live up to their name and can be feisty and so completely different to mastiff type breeds. they are a lot of fun and will never tire of fun.

[TrionicLettuce]

Borders are fab little dogs, my grandparents had one whilst I was growing up and he was a super little thing.

The regional breed club (Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club) should be able to help put you in touch with breeders who are planning litters.

Champdogs is also a good starting point to look for breeders. There's also a "Searching" section on their forum for asking for breeder recommendations.

[voodoolooloo]

I have a JRT. She's beautiful. Very very active and very stubborn.
She was easy to crate train, has excellent recall and just bloody lovely.
She's also very hard work at times. Walks for miles and miles. She needs constant attention of toys to play with.
She's also a bugger for chasing cats and thinking she's ten foot tall running around after big dogs!
I'd say a JRT if you have the energy and time to get the best from them. Lovely dogs. For added info. We have a large garden but that's not enough mine needs walking for miles each day. We have two kids. 7 and 10. She's brilliant with them

[trevortrevorslatterfry]

JRTs are the best ever - so loving and boundless energy.
OP please have a look here as there are lots in this rescue:

www.jackrussellterrierrescueuk.org/

[Fabellini]

We have a cairn, he's fab! Those wee legs can go for miles and he loves a good cuddle on the sofa. He has allergies that mean he does best on a dry food diet from the vet, but he is greedy so we have to be careful that the kids don't give him snacks, or let him steal our other dogs dinner once he's scoffed his own.

[Swifey]

We have two parsons Russell's who are amazing, mother and daughter, they are the most loving dogs and adore ds3 and ds8months. In fact ds3 and the younger one play constantly outside with balls of all kinds! Ours are the two on the right, the one on the left is the other puppy who we have to dm

[rudolphistheboss]

Aw loving all the beautiful dogs! So difficult to decide... But thank you for all the information! Will definitely be getting a puppy... Will start asking around for local breeders 😁

[rudolphistheboss]

We've decided a puppy rather than a rescue as we have the two young children, all our local rescues seem to have a blanket ban on rehoming to families with young children.

[Micah]

Cairns are great, very easy going.

Also think about yorkshire terriers. Ours would walk for hours, or just potter round the house. Very easy to train too, i used to love peoples reaction when they realised ours did obedience!

[Noitsnotteatimeyet]

The majority of terriers we come across on walks round here are very much on the feisty side...

My dog is quite scared of JRTs and border terriers as they usually bark at him and jump up at his face. When we go past them he gives them as wide a berth as possible

[Wolfiefan]

My mum has a border terrorist!
She's lovely with people. (The dog. Not mum!) She either loves or bloody hates other dogs. She would probably eat a cat. Feisty. Terriers often are!

[sulee]

I am a first time JRT owner whom I rescued when he was 8 thinking he would be company for our 2 year old dog. Fast forward 5 years, DD No 1 has slowed right down, dodgy leg and always at the vets. JRT is now 13 and still full of beans, only sees the vet once a year for his jab and will walk for miles. He can be a bit fiesty and yappy which would drive some people mad but I am used to him. Such a fun little chararcter!

[musicposy]

This is our JRT cross. That look on her face - the "I'm raring to go" look - that's pretty much it, all day. We've yet to tire her out. She can do the longest walk ever - we've done 3 hours before - and half an hour later she's up for another one. She's nearly 6 now and everyone still thinks she's a puppy - as does she!

She's way too clever. She can open doors, her dog crate, can work out how to get onto, into and through just about any barrier put in her way. She needs lots of stimulation. She's feisty and a bit barky. She's had loads of dog training and got all her kennel club awards, is great at agility and has a large repertoire of tricks. She learns stuff in the blink of an eye. But she wants what she wants and is still the hardest to manage dog I've ever had.

I adore her. I need to her live forever. She has so much character, is so loyal, and is the softest dog we've ever had under that feisty exterior. She's definitely not an easy dog, but the rewards have been huge. DH and I both say she's a "proper dog" dog, up for anything, willing to try it, explore it, sniff it. Life is a huge adventure to her and that's very infectious.

Good luck with your puppy hunting. :-)

[Failmum]

We have a border who is 4 now. He's a fantastic dog. Chilled in the house and energetic when out will walk for miles and loves running along next to us when we're cycling. He is v v easy going but also v bright and can have selective hearing but nothing too difficult. He is my DS "brother from another mother" apparently!! He is v v good with children