Come talk to me about JRTs

[ruledbyheart]

I have just seen and put a deposit on a little Jack Russell puppy.
I am experienced looking after dogs and have two older rescue dogs but have never had a puppy and everyone is telling me I have chosen one of the most stubborn breeds possible.

Does anyone have any experience that could reassure me that I'm not mental?

I am a SAHM so have plenty of time to train and I have 3 children under 5 so its a very lively household hence why I wanted a small but energetic dog as love long walks and my partner goes running and my other two ddogs are couch potatoes.

You're not mental. They love long walks and kids. Like any dog if you keep them tired out they are happy. They are fun lively clowny dogs. Mine was stolen and I miss him terribly even if he could be a right little bugger he was so sweet and faithful I always forgave him.

You're not mental. The dog will love long walks and a good run they can be stubborn but they're very intelligent and train quickly. They never really grow out of being a puppy though and stay youthful and energetic their whole lives. They love a cuddle but do tend to attach themselves quite firmly to one person ours tends to get under the duvet with you if he can and lie behind your legs farting and snoring

Honestly they are such a lovely little breed of dog very very funny and very loving. Came in from shopping yesterday and mine was nowhere to be found turned out DH had left a takeaway wrapper on the floor and the dog had ripped it open so was hiding upstairs with the guiltiest look on his face. I just couldn't help but laugh at him.

They're stubborn, but clever, like any terrier. Start off with firm but fair rules and stick to them and you'll be fine.

My children call them circus dogs. They'd love it if I came home with a circus dog for them. My terrier is a JRT X and I love training with him, his energetic nature means he is always eager to get on with it and he's very smart, unfortunately this does mean he is smart enough to realise he doesn't actually have to come back just because I have shouted him.

I'd start working on recall from day 1 as it is something a lot of terrier breeds struggle with.

Get yourself a copy of Gwen Bailey's The Perfect Puppy and use it as your bible. You'll be fine, honest.

They are lovely dogs. Very trainable, love the great outdoors and long walks and games of tug or fetch that last for hours.

Love JRTs. Mine died in January had her since i was 18 and i am not embarassed to say she was my best friend! She was totally bonkers, has serious "little man" syndrome. Mine had a lovely temperament, she was already 5 when i had my first Dd and we never had any issues. She wouldn't hurt a fly - well, maybe a squirrel or pheasent ahem.
I think you will have a whale of time. Yes they are very stubborn but this is part of their appeal that often they look at you as if they know best and you are a nutter!
I now have a shih tzu as i didn't think i could cope with another JRT just yet, but i will definitely have one again. I am a little bit jealous now!

I think they're very cute. When the time comes for DS to have a dog I suspect it will be a JRT. A proper dog, but small enough to be a lap dog!