Re: Any terrier owners here?

Floppo · ‎04-07-2012

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.

nunya · ‎03-09-2010

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.

bullyluv · ‎06-15-2010

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!

terrier3 · ‎03-10-2010

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!

Buck-i-Nana · ‎09-28-2010

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.

Floppo · ‎04-07-2012

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... Smile

pattypeep · ‎06-06-2011

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.

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea-Robert A. Heinlein

FlowershopGirl · ‎03-30-2011

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.