to consider asking men walking really small dogs "Are you embarrassed to be seen walking such a shit dog?"

[MamaG]

obviously I do not do it, but I always want to

[pointydog]

lol @ thread title.

YANBU. I have wondered the same. I always assume the small mutt was the wife's choice. Maybe not though

[DisenchantedPlusBump]

My dads an 18 stone tattooed, skinhead ... who walks our pug, Raggamuffin

[mysterymoniker]

I don't consider asking them if they are embarrassed but I do look for signs of unease/discomfort

there's a big hairy Hells Angel type biker who walks a little Shih Tzu round our park and they make a lovely couple

[differentID]

Please don't say her name gets shortened to Muffin!

[DisenchantedPlusBump]

no Rags ... well sometimes 'muffy'

[differentID]

Poor sod!

[Joolyjoolyjoo]

Don't think my DH would be too keen, tbh! But it hasn't been an issue, as I prefer dogs that are dogs myself! My friend has a JRTx thing that I jokingly refer to as the guinea pig on stilts!

[rebelmum72]

How small is really small?

We have a parson russell terrier who dh loves being seen with because she is the fastest dog ever and he gets to show off his ball/frisbee-throwing skills while she zooms off ready to catch.
She is actually so fast that people often stop while driving past to watch her - we've even had people ask to throw balls for her just to see how quick she can get them

[pointydog]

what's a paRSON russell? Like a jack russell?

[Bubbaluv]

I think there is a big difference between small dogs like jack russels or foxies etc and toy dogs like shitsus and similar fluffy/useless/timid types.
Nothing embrarrassing about the former.

[pointydog]

jack russells aren't too bad. Good ratters.

[BlueSapphire77]

[rebelmum72]

Difference between JR and PR

Basically the same breed, but the PR is taller.

[pointydog]

I see. The parson has a weedier looking face though, doesn't he?

[rebelmum72]

I'd say the parson has a more square muzzle, whereas the jack russell is more pointy.

[pointydog]

well, I do like pointy

[Joolyjoolyjoo]

I think it's to do with the proportions of the dog. eg a proper JRT/ Patterdale/ Parson Russell are scaled down dogs, but still very "doggy" looking, IYSWIM, whereas fluffy things with squashed faces/ twisted spines/ skinny twig-like legs or other deformities disguised as "breed standard" seem to be far removed from the rest of the canine world- they have been deliberatly bred this way!

[rebelmum72]

"well, I do like pointy" lol

[LucyEllensmummy]

You make such an excellent point there jooly - as i am sure you could reel off a whole list of breed specific conditions that are a direct result of breeding dogs to a desired look. It makes me blood boil.

As far as i am aware, a Jack Russel is a term used for any small terrier cross breed, that resembles a jack russel - the variation is quite stark - some have short legs, some have quite strong jaws some don't etc etc. The Jack Russel is not a kennel club recognised breed and as such it would be difficult to be sure of lineage. The Parsons Jack Russel has recently been accepted by the KC, and they tend to be taller dogs with a more cutsey face as far as i can see, there would be more consistency within this breed.

I have a border terrier cross patterdale. Well, thats the theory. We bought him as such but all my friends, including three vets, tease me that he is a JRT. And when anyone sees him they ask me if he is a parsons jack. My friends say to me that the father couldn't of been a patterdale due to his colouring, he is black brown and white, typical JRT. We did see a picture of the purported father who was a lovely little black patterdale. The thing is, patterdales are meant to be a block colour although some can have white chest pups within a litter. My thinking is as follows: Not sure why the people we bought the dog from would lie, they were sold as cross breeds. I actually prefer my theory that the mother was not pure border terrier as she had a big white blaze, otherwise looked totally right for a border terrier. When we bought Bob i was a bit about the mothers credentials, but I bought him because, even though i wanted a border terrier, at the time we could only find dogs that were not bred in the home - Bob was home bred in a family with young children. The owners weren't professionals, i think they just fancied a litter of pups - they kept three of them!!! So my money although we did pay over the odds (£200) was well spent. So thats the story of bob the patterborder?dale!

One of my vet friends tells me that any small crossbred terrier is a JRT - but im a bit about that

[Joolyjoolyjoo]

See, I have a real soft spot for borders- they are big dogs in a little dog's body, as are most so- called JRTs/ patterdales etc. I think you are actually better off with your cross breed- hybrid vigour and all that! I have a real bee in my bonnet about irresponsible breeding of select breeds, too- I found myself in tears after watching the documentary on pedigree dogs, and think it is a good thing that Pedigree and the BBC have pulled out of Crufts this year until the KC show they are doing more to stop the ridiculous genetic mutilation of dogs which leaves many of them in constant discomfort/ pain

And breathe!

[Ambi]

lol at this thread, my best mate always looked manly walking his Lhasa Apso's.


But he's gay, he can get away with it.

[Vulgar]

My dh would like a pug.

he is very manly although a bit of a metrosexual. I am very proud of him.

One of the dad's at school is convinced he is gay.

This dad is a wanker.

[pointydog]

spot the dog fanciers