Jack Russel Terrier ??

I have a Jack Russell & we've had her longer than any of our farm animals since we got her when we still lived in the city. Very loyal, lovable dog, great for killing snakes, wild rabbits, moles, voles, mice, etc.
I did have to trian her not to chase the goats, She knows when I say "No Goats". The guinneas don't seem to bother either one of our dogs(beagle is the other), and they don't bother my ducks either.

I have always loved the terrier breed but they do have alot of energy, very intelligent dogs & very trainable.
I think you'd be fine starting out with a puppy & training right off the bat! I know alot of folks are against these but a training collar works great! My dogs don't even need the training collar turned on anymore, but they think it is & they mind. I only ever had to shock the beagle once & the JRT I think twice. Hurt me worse than it did them.

I have 4 Jack Russells (2 are puppy mill rescues). Only the oldest, who I got before I had farm animals, is a problem. The other 3 were interested but after telling them "no" they are indifferent now.

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Critical thinking -- the other national deficit

My older JRT saved me from a copperhead last summer. She darted in, SNATCHED it up, and shook it to death, then killed it some more![IMG][/IMG]

No breed will fit into one size box just as some folks are just not terrier people and cant wrap their minds on how to deal with their ways. I have always had either a jack or a rat and a couple jack a rats all mine have been great dogs, however I have seen some really screwy ones come through my old shop, most where "furkids".
Now, my dog had to be attacked by a dead chicken before she would leave the smaller birds alone, never has messed with the big ones or even squirrels. However being a breed trait at the same time I cant blame the dog for its instincts as for over a 100 years these dogs have been bred to kill small vermin.

If you want one, pick out a mellow puppy not the one thats going around terrorizing the rest of the litter or people, those are great for family dogs who dont have small animals but like high energy.

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I'm a goat person, not a people person,
De @ Udderly Southern Dairy Goats
we will be adding a new breed in the spring

I love terriers, all kinds. I will concur, however, with others and say they are not for everyone and they require respect for their intelligence and a firm, strong pack leader. My Jack/Dalmatian mix (yeah weird) was an excellent dog despite being a bit neurotic and freaking out when being given shots. He hunted armadillo and kept our yard clear of varmints. I am replacing my old man with a rat terrier because it's impossible to manage the varmints without him.

He never attacked or even chased any animal that I claimed... heck the fox hound down the street who kills one of my neighbors cats doesn't touch mine because I use the same tactic. I stand over the animal I am claiming just like you would to take possession of a food bowl or a toy from a dog. Consistency and being calm and assertive, I swear by it.

Although I'll bet chasing the dog screaming and swinging a dead chicken at it would probably work as well!

Bodie.

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Flaming Xtian
I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.
Mahatma Gandhi


Libertarindependent

That picture is so true tinkal, my jack russell has got 2 raccoons, a skunk(thank god that was only a 1 time deal), a oppossum, plenty of wild rabbits, snakes, voles, & mice.
She's a very loyal & lovable dog & loves everyone that comes to the house.

Our Corgi killed many chickens, guineas, geese and ducks before we gave up and had to pen her. None of the helpful hints worked She's only allowed out on a leash

Laura Zone 5
I'll have say that having two JRTs (or a JRT and another highly active dog) is a definate bonus!! They keep each other worn out and makes for a much less "hyper" JRT.!!

I also wanted to add that I agree - stay away from pet stores!! Our JRT came from an Amish farm. If you can find a JRT that has been born and raised on a farm already (with an already well trained momma will help), it would be a wonderful way to go.

One of my neighbors brought her JRT fior a farm visit...little son of a gun burrrowed UNDER the goat pen and attacked my MIL's goat. This goat has now been attacked by two different pitbulls and a JRT. He apparetnly did some damage to her for as small as the dog is. I had "heard" they aren't the best for kids, either. They were bred to run undergwound and pull groundhogs, moles, mice, rats, etc out,, or am I mixing my breeds? High energy, high prey drive. But cute little felloows!

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Becky

Thread hijack...my Scooter, rest his soul, knew when that collar was on and was a perfect angel. But if he got out without that collar, bye-bye for several fun filled adventures of chasing him up and down the lane.

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Becky

]My Jack Russells LOVE kids and are very good with them, even though they are not used to them

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Critical thinking -- the other national deficit

A lot of folks will make a "dummy collar". Tape a couple of C-cell batteries or some other kind of weight to a regular collar. The dog thinks it's wearing the training collar.

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Flaming Xtian
I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.
Mahatma Gandhi


Libertarindependent

I love terriers, they are one of my all-time favorite breeds. I have studied about all the different terriers, and decided I want a border terrier, as I think that breed would serve the farm (of the terriers) the best for my needs.

I would suggest a dog like a Springer Spaniel. Ours was actually showing interest in helping to herd, but they can be taught very easily what to leave alone and what to hunt. We had one and he was excellent on my in-law's farm, great mouse catcher and all that but never threatened the other animals. In fact, he tried to baby the goat kids and they are great with kids.

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Miranda
Central Kansas- loving goats- the only REAL milk!
Registered La Mancha and American Alpine

as per my brit friends that actually dig to teriers, the white breeds were developed for pushing fox out of the hole & the colored breeds were bred to go in the hole & kill the fox. contrary to the AKC breed histories no breed was ever developed to kill badgers or otters in the hole. the biggest & baddest terriers were draw dogs. that is the little terrier bays the badger or otter in the hole and once the digger open the hole the big terrier grabs it, pulls it out & then kills it.

Hmmmm.
I have an all white JRT, and she is a longer legged Jack.
I have a short legged Jack, with a black patch, and some black spots.
You have accurately described their hunt.
Amazing.
I just thought they were working as a team.......

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I am sure of two things: There is a God, and I am not Him.
The movie Rudy

Should you decide to hurt vermin Laura, it sounds like you're all set!

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" It's better to ride even if you get thrown, than to wind up just wishin' ya had."

Chris Ledoux

My DD got a Pembroke Corgi in February.

What a great farm/house dog! He is very smart, sturdy, and lots of fun. No interest in leaving our property - even when the Pyrenees go further afield, he comes right back to the house/barn areas.

Since we have free range chickens as well as many many goats, it was very important that we get something with low prey drive. He has a mild herding instinct but is not interested in herding all of the time - just wants to help when we are moving animals. He listens very well and is actually quite helpful. And he is only a 7 month old pup right now. I am sure he will continue to prove his value as he matures.

BTW, we also have Great Pyrenees and he gets along very well with them. The cats take care of the mice and the Pyrenees take care of all other varmints. Not sure what the Corgi would do with a raccoon?!

PS Tough little dogs - he can sleep out all winter here (we don't "do" house dogs) with just a simple dog house (he was in a doggie loo at 12 weeks of age when our temps dropped to 5 degrees - he was fine).

They say they are big dogs in little dogs' bodies.

ETA: My DD worked with him quite a bit as a puppy - he is good for us, but she is definitely his mistress and he works very hard to please her. So I would say that a little early work with your dog will pay off in big dividends.

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Camille
Copper Penny Ranch
Copper Penny Boer Goats (home of 4 National Champions, 4 Reserve Champions)
Copper Penny Pyrenees
Whey-to-Go Saanens


www.copper-penny-ranch.com

My Jack Russell is the best of the best! She had over 30 kills ( rats & mice) then I stopped counting. My husband loves her, they go hunting for rats at night together. I find this time the best for the chickens and turkeys are all roosting. Her name is RK Decon (Rat Killer). She does her job well, and takes it seriously. I would not trust her loose during the day though, to many animals roaming the farm. Last time she got loose she wanted the pigs! Now Beastie is about 400 pounds to Rk's 12 pounds but that did not deter her at all! Thank god I caught her before she made it into the pen! I have Great Danes also, and RK rules the house.