Community Chat

[Buck-i-Nana]

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.

[bells4me]

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

[Floppo]

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.

[Lila Belle]

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

[Buck-i-Nana]

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.

[viva923]

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.

[pattypeep]

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.

[Floppo]

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!

[AnikaBrodie]

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.

[naturalfan]

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.