Private sale of an older dog...

[Florianna]

Am I making a terrible mistake?

I've spent months looking for a chilled out, small dog at a rescue. I work part-time hours, but the dogs I've seen in rescue are either too big, or can't be left, or they sound great, but then somebody gets there first. I've spent the last 5 months looking at every rescue I can think of, but nothing has clicked.

However, I've found someone privately selling a 3 year old jack Russell online. They are wanting to find a new home as their hours have gone up, and they think their toddler is a bit rough with the dog.

I always presume everything in an online advert is a lie, but the woman has given me lots and lots of info, the dog is spayed, she has answered my endless questions.

Is there any chance of this being genuine, or am I a fool to even consider this?

I also know someone who rehomed their dog age 4 because their toddler antagonised it. The dog was used to two adults and they were worried it was becoming unhappy with an unpredictable child in the house. They found a lovely quiet home for it.

Oh just realised it’s an old post updated! Glad it all worked out!

@SolasAnla

A chilled out, small dog is not a healthy 3yr old Jack Russell. They are a hunting breed, which were used for flushing foxes from their burrow. Strong will power, vocal, tend towards snap and shake play, bundles of energy and inquisitive. While all dogs will snooze the day away a JR likes to be busy and moving more that other breeds.

That being said if you are prepared to put in the work any dog will adapt to a new home.

This definitely does not describe my 18 month old Jack Russell. She does like to chase things that move, but half heartedly. I've given up wasting money on all the natural chews on the market as she's too lazy to chew them, she won't go out in the rain and jumps over mud in order to not get her precious paws dirty. I put teddy fleece sheets on my bed last weekend and have barely seen her since, I have to go and get her when we need to leave the house as she's curled up hoping I forget about her and she can stay. She also never barks in the house, only at strangers if they get too close/try to stroke her but that's not often as I tell people not to. We have a lot of fixes round here and she rarely notices them if/when they pass. Always surprises me. If she does she just stares. I know others that have similarly chilled JRT's in fact I only know one who is partly as you describe but she was trained to be a ratter. Glad yours has turned out to be similarly chilled OP and tbh it's normal for small dogs to be a bit snippy with other dogs. It's self preservation. I agree with a pp though, we need a photo!

Lovely update OP BUT......where the feck is the pic????????

liveforsummer working lines V pet lines😁

Oh that's good news. Love an update.

We also did a Private rescue in 2014 and similar to others; genuine change of circumstances. Kept in touch with the original owner. Brilliant experience.

@SolasAnla

liveforsummer working lines V pet lines😁

Is that a thing in terriers? She's not a spaniel. Anyhow she came from a working farm

It's a thing with any breed that was purpose bred. All lines will be mixed and matched to getting a desired outcome.
Working lines would focus more on things like stamina and intelligence/drive to do the "job", show lines would be more looks, pets would be more to get one thats people /non-pack friendly.
Think of the breeds which have had poor management and end up with health problems. Or the ones who look cute, are fashionable but need lots more work.
It's never any guarantee as each dog will have it's own personality and how much training is needed for the owner😏 will influence outcomes.