Terrier cross. Where to find and ‘good’ choice

[jmfan]

Hello everybody, wonder if you can help. We are hoping to get a dog and I need advice! We live in London so we don’t want a big dog. While on holiday we met the most gorgeous jack Russell/pattendale terrier cross. He had loads of personality. We would really like a similar dog but I have no idea where to look. Can anyone help? Also if you have experience of this type of dog, would they work well with a family? And with our cat who is going to be deeply unimpressed by this addition I think! Thanks in advance!

I'd say depends on how much work you put into training the dog, those 2 breeds are completely random and chaotic at times ( I say that as a dog Mum to a jack Russel cross!). Mine gets on fine with my cat but goes bananas if it sees one out and about, and I have heard lots of stories about them not getting along with other species like cats, small pets etc.
Jack Russel is such a varied breed in a way that you really cannot guarantee the type of personality you will get, some are beautifully docile and lap dogs and some are like a rampaging toddler who's had a sugar rush.

IMHO a border terrier is a good compromise. They have the spunky personality but are well known for being brilliant family dogs

Hmm, thanks unicorn. That’s really helpful. I grew up with black Labrador cross dogs who I loved but think they might be too big for London. I’ll look at border terriers. If you have any other ideas for a not to big for London dog with lots of personality let me know! Also - where to look? I’ve just seen some on gumtree but not sure if that’s a good place to look. Thanks again!

Have a look at Norfolk terriers. I’ve had them for years. They’re hard to come by as only have small litters and therefore expensive. However they’re imo much more likely to have gorgeous temperament than other terriers. They’re fun and funny and small. Cons are shedding, prey driven ( so will bolt after rabbits cats etc)
They’re ideal with children and very gentle and loving

Patterdales tend to be pretty hardcore little terriers (high energy, high prey drive, very independent, etc.) as they're still predominantly bred from working stock. The "patterjacks" I've seen also tend to be from working parents on both sides so, again, likely to be

I'd recommend having a read through the following pages on the Patterdale Terrier Rescue website: Patties Are Not, The Patterdale Mindset, Fit to Own One?.

If you like terrier breeds there are others which are much easier such as Borders, Westies, Norfolk & Norwich, Soft Coated Wheatens and Staffies.

You could also consider a rescue as you probably wouldn't struggle finding a small terrier type and going for a dog who is already an adult means you may find a JRT/patterdale type that is much more mellow than you would usually expect.

Definitely look at rescues, there are a bazillion Terrier and Terrier crosses there, from puppy to seniors. Terriers are active though, are you ready for this?

There are loads of rescues to get out to in London to have a chat with - Dogs Trust, Battersea, The Mayhew, All Dogs Matter, visit them all, meet some dogs. You may find a completely different breed suits you guys and not a Jack Russell type at all!

I work in London and see people with everything from Greyhounds, Huskies, Ridgebacks, someone who lived near me when I was in Camden even had a Great Dane, to people with herds of Pomeranians and Chihuahuas.

I have a patterdale x Jack Russell who came to us at 15 weeks from Battersea , he’s now 8 and he really is the most fabulous dog . That said I would also advise you to look at border terriers as at least you know what exactly you are getting . My patterdale x is slightly taller than a cocker spaniel and weighs 13 kg so nowhere near as small as a JRT or border . Patterdales really are working terriers , they are notoriously unreliable around anything small and furry or feathered , mine has caught pigeons in the garden and has had a taste of next doors cat ( I saved it ) . I know a couple of patties that cannot be left off lead at all and I really don’t know how they can possibly get enough exercise as mine needs at least 90 minutes off lead a day or he is incredibly barky in the house .

I love terriers. I have a Jack Russell and recently we lost our Patterdale JR cross at the ripe age of 15.

Our old girl had a lovely nature and was full of life and very active until the day before she died. However she was really hard work - constantly wanting attention, wanting to play, walk for miles etc - much more demanding than the JR. She was very much the children's dog - it wasn't intentional, she was supposed to be "mine" but she loved the kids so much. My son would walk her regularly and she would sleep in his room then my daughter took over her care in the last few years.

She was the sort of dog that flourished with children and attention. She loved to play and interact with kids - playing tug of war and fetch. If you have the energy for a really busy dog then it is a great combination.

As for where to find one - no responsible breeder would want to cross breed so the chances are that if you find one it will be a backyard/hobby breeder or the product of an accidental mating so the parents are unlikely to have had genetic testing. JR's are prone to cruciate ligament problems and eye problems.

The best place to look would be rescues - specific terrier rescues and other organisations. Contrary to popular belief lots of these places have youngsters and even puppies without issues and it is in their interests to match the dog and family to each other so there are fewer risks involved.

Good luck with your search.

Thanks so much everybody. I think the best thing as many of you recommend would be for us to look round some rescue homes for dogs. The points made above about terriers and prey are a concern - not least because of our beloved cat. But also because we will often be walking in a local park with lots of potential 'prey'! I think I'm struggling a bit because I loved my two dogs growing up SO much and can't quite imagine loving another dog like that. (A bit like some people feel about a second child I think)! I want to meet and find a dog who feels right so perhaps that's another reason to look at rescues as we get to meet them when they are a little older and their personality is more evident. I have friends with shitzu (spelling?) and similar small dogs and although they are really sweet and probably ideal for London, they don't feel like 'proper' dogs to me. (Hope that doesn't cause offence to shitzu owners, which are as I say lovely).

I have a border x Lakeland terrier and she has the most fabulous temperament. We have a cat (cat pre dated dog) and guinea pigs and she is absolutely fine with them. She does however chase any other cats which come into our garden.

We live rurally and she does chase squirrels, rabbits etc when we’re out but it has never been a problem. She has great recall- when she feels like it and despite being strangely fluffy she doesn’t shed. She does need proper walking though otherwise she gets bored.

I have a JRT x and live in London.

How much exercise can you dedicate time wise? I say this because
a) if mine (2yo) doesn't get 2 hours per day he's a twat. It's certainly one of the reasons why he ended up being rehomed, and I harbour a private suspicion that it's a big part of why so many end up in rescue. If this would be an issue, consider an older terrier or an alternative breed.
b) living near Hampstead Heath has saved my sanity as it's 800 acres and you can always find a different route to take. Only being within walking distance of smaller parks would be far less pleasant. Forget going to Richmond Park as deer and terriers do not mix
c) how will you manage walkies in winter if you work? It's pleasant when it's light until 9/10pm, and grim when it's dark at 4pm. Many parks (eg most in LB Camden are shut and locked at dusk - currently 7pm). I have spent many a dark evening in an unlit park with a glow in the dark ball, LED collar and thick gloves, delivering an hour of non stop fetch for the dog and praying I don't get attacked.
d) little dogs are definitely the way to go in London if you want to take the dog on the tube - if you can't carry the dog on the escalator you'll have to use the stairs or lift (where available)
e) there's a much lower margin for error when it comes to dog behaviour in London. All parks are full of dogs and people, so having a dog or stranger aggressive dog would be impractical to the point of being dangerous, but more manageable in a rural area. To give you an example - my dog developed a strong dislike of motorbikes (barking, lunging etc). Absolute nightmare in Camden which is full of motorbikes, complete non issue in the semi rural village where my family live. Be very clear with the rescue about what you can and cannot cope with.

For an alternative small breed with lots of character, pomeranians sprung to mind, though I don't know if they appeal - they tend to prefer tea at the Ritz over a muddy walk and are rather opinionated but fabulous.

Forgot to mention that prey drive, surprisingly, isn't a problem for us in the context of walkies - squirrels always disappear up the nearest tree and the chase ends there. Magpies, crows and the like do similar. We did have an incident with a fox he chased once, but that simply taught me a lesson about keeping him on lead at dusk unless I have a ball with me (he's obsessed)

Cats would be a no no with my dog, but there are some cat friendly terriers in rescue. Make sure your cat has lots of places it can escape to in an emergency.

Have you considered the barking, which is a problem with most terriers? I think if you cross two terriers you could get their worst points doubled.
What about a smallish terrier crossed with something completely different, like a poodle? Not a JRT cross beagle, they’re lunatics.

We have a jack Russell cross and he’s a lovely family dog. Still a puppy but so far, prey drive not a concern. We live in the country and he sticks with us unless he sees another dog to play with.

Barking is an issue though... he loves to shout.

I found him on the internet, from a family with 4 kids so he was well socialised when I got him.

It’s not the best way though, I wasn’t educated the mumsnet way at the time and was also desperate for a dog. After trying to rehome and not being suitable because we have a 3yr old I went internet. Which is not right under any circumstances here.

I'm in London and have a JRT and a JRTx border terrier. I think they are awesome little dogs, so robust, clever and busy. The pure jrt is harder work and has a very strong prey drive. The cross is much more mellow, however who knows whether that is personality or breed. I couldn't do anything but terriers now but.......can be full on. And loads of fun.