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 The Bling Princess
Posts: 3411
  
Location: North Dakota | I have a jack russell and I love him to pieces, but I would not get another. He is a wild man! Like to pee on things (neutered as a pup), is very territorial, hyper when he was younger, and does not socialize with other dogs very well. In fact he turns into the tazmanian devil in about two seconds, without warning. I'm sure that is my fault since he doesn't go out with me anymore to be socialized. He used to be a gentleman when we lived in town and took him all over with us. When we moved back to ND he found roaming on 40 acres much more fun than loading up with me and traveling to barrel races. He LOVES little kids and loves to be around my husband and I. He takes up residence on my lap everynight and if he could sleep in the bed with me at night he would.LOL He is not a jumper nor is he a yappy dog. I think if you know how to train those types of dogs your golden. They are loyal little stinkers.
Edited by WYOTurn-n-Burn 2015-05-07 11:15 AM
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 The One
Posts: 7998
  
Location: South Georgia | Also, to give you an idea of temperment. Of my two boys, one of them can be out loose in the yard when my chickens are out. He doesnt bother them a bit. The other....not sure I'd try it. LOL In other words, they arent all crazy lunatics like some think. It may have to do with bloodlines as well. Both of mine are from a reputable breeder in Florida.
They have never met a dog they didnt like. No aggression, etc. One of mine likes children less than the other, but he just tries to avoid them.
Edited by horsegirl 2015-05-07 11:15 AM
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 Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11511
Location: 31 lengths farms | We've had both and of the two I prefer the JRT...or maybe its because the last one was such a great dog in particular. Ours was the short legged one also and Bandit was just the best dog ever. Other than shedding enough hair to clog a vacuum cleaner daily that is, LOL!!! My sister has a Rat and a JRT right now also, her Rat terrier is really yappy, the JRT is a pretty quiet girl. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 762
Location: NC | Had a JRT 9 years until he lost his mind, know hes with an older retired woman and she loves him. He was a great dog. Very social but very driven. Will never forget finding him rolling around a young opossum. Never had an accident in house. Hated cats. He lost his mind towards the end of us having him though. Got into the lazy susan cabinet in kitchen (multiple times) and destroyed salt, sugar, baking soda, and coffee filters. (i dont mean torn up, i mean shredded to the point of confetti) tried crating him and he broke out. Last straw was got a metal crate and he chewed the bars off and left blood everywhere. He had nothing wrong physically (took him to vet). Tried every rescue, people we knew, and right before we were going to put him down a friend of my moms from work said her mother would take him. Shes retired and he goes everywhere with her.
Edited to add he loved to get loose and take off to chase cats. He always came home but he loved to escape. Would find the smallest hole and was gone
Edited by Racer4eva 2015-05-07 11:54 AM
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Location: on a hill | I have 3 jacks, 2 females & 1 male. I suggest a male if your wanting a buddy. My females are varmint hunters and could care less that I exist. My male likes being with people and is more loveable. I've noticed the same thing with other breeds too. Males are more loving. |
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 Regular
Posts: 59
| We have had both and a 50/50 Jack Rat. Very cool dogs, smart, hard headed yes. The female Jack Rat was very bonded to my husband, went everywhere with him. The 50/50 cross was probably my favorite. When they get on a scent of something though, they are tough to get back, until they are done with it. We never had trouble in public places but at home riding out over the hills where they are already not close to us, and sniffing around, is when it was an issue sometimes. I think a shock collar would have probably taken care of it, but we never tried it. Ours were not hyper, but they were outside alot. |
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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| My good friend had a JR and we have a Rat. The JR was much more hyper and needed more mind stimulation (hunting, etc). My Rat loves to hunt, but doesn't need as much as she did. My rat is an absolute snuggle bug and has been since we got him at 8 weeks. The JR didn't seem to want to as much, mostly it seemed because she was too hyper and couldn't sit still. She was very friendly, just on the move alot.
If I had to choose, I probably will always go with a Rat Terrier. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1718
Location: Southeast Louisiana | I fostered for years and have had many of both breeds. The traits are similar and each individual will have different personalities. I've had temperaments from calm to hyper in both breeds. I don't think neutering or spaying could fix much of their problems. If you get one that is just committed to digging or really driven to hunt and kill critters, they will be like that for life. Training can only do so much. And they're born that way, so getting a puppy doesn't guarantee that you can raise a non-yapper or calm down a hyper one. My best advice would be that, if there are certain traits you're looking for, look for a rescue dog whose foster can tell you what their personality is like. There are many nice, young dogs of both breeds that end up in foster care because their buyer didn't understand what they were getting into. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 600
Location: Oklahoma & Texas | I rescued a 1 yr old rat terrier from the pound...he's such a sweetheart...we've had him 8 years now and I can say he's very loyal and protective...gets along with other dogs but can be macho lol but very good family dog and as active as I am...he chills when in the house but when I'm out in the barn he enjoys it...he listens great too. |
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | I had a JRT/Heeler mix. He was the best, unfortunately had to be put to sleep awhile ago. He was a terror as a puppy but so darn smart. He had no hunting or prey drive. Deathly terrified of cats, never barked or marked much unless you took him out for the occasional walk. He preferred fly ball instead, it was a real hoot to watch him do back flips in the air to catch a ball. Of course heeler was a big part of his intelligence but you could call him off anything, he could have been doing anything and he'd stop dead in his tracks and hustle back to you(unlike my aussie that piddle farts all the way back to me.) Our neighbor had a full JRT that didn't get much attention/correct discipline/exercise and he was just totally batsh*t crazy. he was mean, naughty, and an escape artist.
Most Jacks I've met and dealt with are on opposite ends of the scales, either angels or devils. I love the little minis and hopefully will have another in the future. I need to be mentally prepared for a dog like that. |
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Expert
Posts: 1561
| pound for pound my little rat is the biggest PIA ever!
but i do like her.  |
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Location: South Dakota | I have had both breeds, and love them! The Rat Terrier in my experience is a little more easygoing and makes friends with anyone. The Jack Russels are more territorial, protective, and are a breed that is for true dog lovers only....I got along great with them, because I am a dog nut. |
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Expert
Posts: 3147
| I've had two rat terriers and one JR/terrier cross. They were all high energy, loving dogs. The rat terrier I have now sleeps in the house as he finds all kinds of things to bark at if he's outside-never barks in the house. He also finds imaginary things to bark at during the day! The JR knew no fear and got beat up severely a few times because of it. All were great with my son-he grew up with them getting the first when he was about five. My current rat terrier can not be turned loose at shows as he loves to go visit all the other people and dogs. He is a good travel companion, never gets car sick and loves to sit on the console and watch where we're going.
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 A Gopher's Worst Nightmare
Posts: 5094
Location: Southern Oregon | I have had three jack russels. The first two from the same breeder had horrid seizures and terrible attitudes. I got both as rescues and they would run off anytime they could squeeze out the door. Then I got my PARSON'S JR female! I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this dog. She really acts nothing like my other jacks or any of my friends Jacks. She is the sweetest thing, loves the kids and anybody that will pet her for that fact. She rides well in the truck, great on trails. NOT animal aggressive at all, she actually took care of the bummer lambs and baby rabbits with me. She is the best at detecting when BIRTH is about to happen. She will wake me up and MAKE me go to the barn every time, lambing season, horses and well even the with the birth of my son! lol This dog is AWESOME. I would have a million of them if they were like her. |
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 To the Left
Posts: 1865
Location: Florida | Everyone should have at least one Jack Russell Terrorist, makes you appreciate your other dogs. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Either one, they are both hyper little things and cute as a button.. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2013
Location: Piedmont, OK | I got my first jrt about 1 yr ago. I love him dearly but he should have come worth a warning label! He is the hardest dog to potty train. He chews on everything and he is a Pita! |
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