topic Re: Any terrier owners here? in Community Chat

Any terrier owners here?

Buck-i-Nana — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 02:34:58 GMT

I did post this in the Pet's forum, but not sure how much activity takes place there.

Do you have more than one terrier in your home? Did you introduce one years after another?

I have a jack russell mix who is 10 years old and a giant lab/great dane mix. Terrier of course is the boss of the big dog - I'm the "big boss" pack leader in the house. I recently lost my other big dog, a huge English Lab who I still miss so much.

I saw yet again that "dog's will" where he left his home to another needy dog and his owners lap and all that and it really touched me. Then I went to my local animal control to pick up my dog licenses for this year, and there was a sweet little westie mix standing in the outside kennel. She just so touched my heart.

I've always had a terrier in my pack, but I've never had 2 at one time. I'm strongly considering taking my pups along with me down to the shelter to see how they do with a fence between them and then perhaps adopt her. I'd appreciate any input/insight/suggestions.

Thanks.

Re: Any terrier owners here?

bells4me — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 02:58:49 GMT

I love terriers, the mutt kind. My next dog will be a rescue with terrier.

Re: Any terrier owners here?

Floppo — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 02:58:55 GMT

I have a mixture of terriers,miniature poodles,& an x-racer Greyhound. I personally prefer rescue groups in that the habits and temperaments are tested on the various dogs which is vital when one owns multiple dogs. They usually let people "foster -to-adopt" which gives you a chance to test dog on YOUR property. Think your current dog/dogs act different when the potential new pet is on their territory. Very fortunate my crew blend well(also have 3 cats).

I would think the shelter would encourage you to bring your dogs down there to test them out although I don't know if they would let you take the dog home to test things out. Then again, the rules may vary in different states. I know it's a huge tug at your heart thinking of that little pup. I hope that shelter can accomodate your situation. Multiples certainly make life interesting!!! Keep me posted and I really hope your the Westie works out with your pups.

Re: Any terrier owners here?

Lila Belle — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 03:02:17 GMT

Good luck and I hope your dogs are a good match !

Re: Any terrier owners here?

Buck-i-Nana — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 03:10:49 GMT

Thanks all.

Floppo - don't know if shelter would let me bring her home and foster or to even see how she reacts with my home, dogs and cats. All my critters are rescues and always have been.

Another aspect of this is that it's the county shelter and it's not a no-kill shelter, though they don't seem to be quick to euthanize, just depends on how many animals they have and demands for space and I suppose adoptability of the dogs.

There is a dog park across the road from the shelter, that would make it really neutral territory - wonder if they would maybe take her over there and we could see how they get along. I'll have to call them tomorrow.

Re: Any terrier owners here?

viva923 — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 03:14:46 GMT

my daughter has a rat terrier.

she is the sweetest loving little dog in the world, she is protective, she rarely barks, she sleeps most of the day while mom is at work, she lets her playmates (2 grand daughters ages 9 and 5 yrs) lets them roughhouse with dog. Belle is a sweet precious girl.

Re: Any terrier owners here?

pattypeep — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 03:30:35 GMT

I don't have an answer for your question but want to share how much we love our rescue terrier. He was picked up as a stray in California and brought up to the PNW with other strays from California. They had him listed as a Cairn/Norwich. He has a little fox face and is the sweetest most precious little guy ever. He was about seven or eight months when we adopted him and we've had him two years. We already had a rescue standard schnauzer and they are the best of friends. Our cat is also a rescue and our terrier loves him, too. I wouldn't hesitate to get another terrier. I so hope it works out with the little shelter dog. God bless you for rescuing.

Re: Any terrier owners here?

Floppo — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 03:32:13 GMT

On 1/14/2014 Buck-i-Nana said:
Thanks all.

Floppo - don't know if shelter would let me bring her home and foster or to even see how she reacts with my home, dogs and cats. All my critters are rescues and always have been.

Another aspect of this is that it's the county shelter and it's not a no-kill shelter, though they don't seem to be quick to euthanize, just depends on how many animals they have and demands for space and I suppose adoptability of the dogs.

There is a dog park across the road from the shelter, that would make it really neutral territory - wonder if they would maybe take her over there and we could see how they get along. I'll have to call them tomorrow.

That dog park would be ideal. Yes, I know shelters don't let you "test drive" the potential animal at home. My zoo are rescues from various adoption groups. It costs more but in my situation I felt more comfortable knowing they have been fostered (also vaccinated,fixed and groomed)before introducing them to the clan. So hard to make pat statements which way to go but I hope the shelter gives you more favorable info tomorrow. Those little terriers are really smart little spark plugs!

Re: Any terrier owners here?

AnikaBrodie — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 04:03:23 GMT

We have a (male) cairn terrier and a (female) keeshond, both trained as certified therapy dogs. The cairn is the boss (no surprise there) but they get along very well together. Our cairn is 12 and our keeshond will be nine in February. I often see the cairn washing the face and head of the keeshond and she loves every minute of it. They are best buddies and we can usually find them together or at least in the same room. We've had both dogs since they were puppies.

Re: Any terrier owners here?

naturalfan — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 04:51:10 GMT

I adopted a female terrier mix four years ago and for the first few days I wondered if I had done the right thing. Also have a male chocolate lab that was about 4 when I adopted the terrier. Terrier was about a year when I adopted her. She had terrible separation anxiety any time I left the house and would just scream and cry, even with the lab being there. Someone else had adopted her previously but had to return her because the neighbors complained with her crying when left alone.

She loved the lab right away and she took to me quickly but she was such a scrawny little mess of a dog. She was afraid of everyone and every thing but I am so happy to say that she is now the neighborhood darling. She loves everyone and everyone loves her. But it did take a bit of time for us to get to this point. Anyway, I would never hesitate to adopt a dog again. I think my days of big dogs will be over but if I could find another sweetie like the terrier I adopted, I'd do it in a hearbeat. Good luck to you.

Re: Any terrier owners here?

Floppo — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 05:07:54 GMT

On 1/14/2014 naturalfan said:
I adopted a female terrier mix four years ago and for the first few days I wondered if I had done the right thing. Also have a male chocolate lab that was about 4 when I adopted the terrier. Terrier was about a year when I adopted her. She had terrible separation anxiety any time I left the house and would just scream and cry, even with the lab being there. Someone else had adopted her previously but had to return her because the neighbors complained with her crying when left alone.

She loved the lab right away and she took to me quickly but she was such a scrawny little mess of a dog. She was afraid of everyone and every thing but I am so happy to say that she is now the neighborhood darling. She loves everyone and everyone loves her. But it did take a bit of time for us to get to this point. Anyway, I would never hesitate to adopt a dog again. I think my days of big dogs will be over but if I could find another sweetie like the terrier I adopted, I'd do it in a hearbeat. Good luck to you.

Enjoyed your dog tale...my last rescue a year ago was a scrawny terrier mystery mix with a face like Tommy Lee Jones(that forlorn/angry look) She went bonkers when I brought her home and drove me bonkers for a couple weeks. I guess from her perspective,she was reaching the end of her days at a high kill shelter,swooped up by a rescue group and then I took her. Life must have been pretty precarious for her so I decided to give her a chance.

She has settled down considerably and ADORES my X-racer Greyhound. Truly think she decided that's her mama and Greyhounds are so gentle, she tolerates all the licking this pup endows on her. She mixed in well with my other small dogs and cats but the Greyhound is her favorite.

Re: Any terrier owners here?

nunya — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 05:14:26 GMT

I have an 11 yr old JRT. He is very protective of us all. He also gets along fine with my shepherd mix, but he is definitely the boss.

Re: Any terrier owners here?

bullyluv — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 18:28:26 GMT

I have a scottie...he is dog aggressive. To the point where I have to pick him up when we see another dog on our walks! He likes my scnoodle and that is about it. We got him from a shelter, and he came into her home, she is so nice and calm he totally accepted her. We did bring her to the shelter to meet him and he was fine, love at first sight(: but as he got settled into out family he decided he hates every dog accept her! My former female scottie who is now at the rainbow bridge liked smaller dogs. I think it all depends on the dog. I would certainly bring him into the shelter to see how the meeting goes. Good luck!

Re: Any terrier owners here?

terrier3 — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 18:28:56 GMT

My first wire fox terrier didn't get along with any dogs.

My current WFT goes to doggy daycare, but has to stay in a small group. They say he targets the smaller dogs and scares the blank out of them! They have been very patient in letting him stay and have been working with him.

Terriers are notorious for not accepting other dogs. They are actually bred to be feisty!

My dog's father jumped another dog at Westminster in the show ring while judging for the terrier group was going on. It was embarrassing -caught on TV! He actually WON Best in Group...the announcers explained that was typical terrier behavior.

So I suggest you proceed VERY carefully!

Re: Any terrier owners here?

Buck-i-Nana — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 18:50:42 GMT

Just got back from the shelter and sadly, it's a great big NO.

My terrier and pony-dog were fine, but the westie mix was super aggressive no matter what we tried. I'm talking bared teeth, barking, growling and lunging at the necks of both my dogs.

I talked to the kennel master and he said that they'd not had her around the other dogs at all since she was found, that she had run of her own area as she was the only small dog there at the moment and they keep the small ones and large breeds in different areas. We both agreed that this wasn't something training would easily resolve. Happily though, he said there has been a great deal of interest in her. More happy news was that they haven't had to euthanize any dogs or cats for a couple of years now, that they have the space and the budget to care for more, have them treated, spayed/neutered and micro-chipped and they participate at various pet stores who sponsor adoption days.

I'm not up to handling another large dog, I think those days are long past. I will keep watching the shelter postings though should another smaller dog need a home.

Thank you all for your input and good wishes.

Re: Any terrier owners here?

Floppo — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 21:57:56 GMT

On 1/15/2014 Buck-i-Nana said:
Just got back from the shelter and sadly, it's a great big NO.

My terrier and pony-dog were fine, but the westie mix was super aggressive no matter what we tried. I'm talking bared teeth, barking, growling and lunging at the necks of both my dogs.

I talked to the kennel master and he said that they'd not had her around the other dogs at all since she was found, that she had run of her own area as she was the only small dog there at the moment and they keep the small ones and large breeds in different areas. We both agreed that this wasn't something training would easily resolve. Happily though, he said there has been a great deal of interest in her. More happy news was that they haven't had to euthanize any dogs or cats for a couple of years now, that they have the space and the budget to care for more, have them treated, spayed/neutered and micro-chipped and they participate at various pet stores who sponsor adoption days.

I'm not up to handling another large dog, I think those days are long past. I will keep watching the shelter postings though should another smaller dog need a home.

Thank you all for your input and good wishes.

Sorry things didn't work out but YOUR dogs come first and it's best you viewed that aggression early on with the Westie. I'm certain a good match up awaits...

Re: Any terrier owners here?

pattypeep — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 00:10:48 GMT

I'm so sorry it didn't work out. You were an angel to try. I hope the little westie is able to find a good home that can work with him.

Re: Any terrier owners here?

FlowershopGirl — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 01:48:57 GMT

Its too bad he didn't work out. It sounds like he needs a home without other dogs because of his aggression issues. Sometimes its fear that makes them do it but better safe than sorry. Beagles are often good companions for each other and for other dogs. My friend has a beagle rescue and she has only had aggression issues with two of her rescues. She said they tend to be "the boss" but usually blend well with other dogs.

I found that the English Staffordshire Bull terriers are very sweet and easy to train and handle too. I rescued a pup for my niece and she was the easiest dog to train. She is the smaller of the pit-bull-type dogs too. They generally only reach about 14" in height and about 50 pounds. She really gets along well with people and other dogs and honestly, she behaves so well.

Re: Any terrier owners here?

esmeraldagooch — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 02:05:58 GMT

I had two but it didn't work out. Female dog decided the newer male had to go and she was going to kill him for us.