I've heard and read some terribly bad "horror stories" about jack russels attacking and killing housepets (especially cats) and other small furry animals such as squirrels and even birds!

I understand that their prey drive has been reinforced over many generations as a small formidale game hunting dog, and as a result, blessing/cursing us with the hyper, alert, agile, fearless, instinctive hunter we all know and love today.

I'm just curious to know if anyone else would like to share their terror/amusing stories or funny antics about their jack russel "terrorist."

Oblivious

Hi Oblivious

I have 2 JRT's and my husband breeds Guinea Pigs, Hamsters etc as a hobby. Given half a chance my 2 will get in the pen with the GP's and eat.....their food! They have never even tried to hurt one of them! Daisy was brought up with them but Teddy was adopted at 6 months and he is just the same. We used to have an old male GP that would stand and 'shout' at Daisy if she got in the pen. She would just pat him on the head with one paw and wag her tail - until one day he nipped her nose and she wouldn't go near him after that!

We have shown them hamsters and even baby rats and they just wag their tails but make no attempt to hurt them. Having said that we would never leave them on their own with them and are very alert and aware that this could change in a second.

So, so much for my 'instinctive hunters'! Mind you a bird or squirrel in the garden gets a very different response - barking at the window etc. Although Daisy started to chase a squirrel on a walk once but it stopped and so did she!

I don't think my 2 are typical of the breed though - or so everyone tells me! Teddy was at the Vets the other day and when we went to pick him up the vetenary nurse just couldn't get over what a poppet he was and that he would let them do anything to him without complaint - not a bit like a Jack Russell! I told her that we had one equally soft at home! I am so glad that I did not do my homework before getting Daisy (wrong I know but in my case fotunate) as if I had heard all the horror stories about JRT's before we got Daisy (our first) we would not have got her and she, and Teddy, are absolute joys and we all adore them!

Karen

I've known a couple of JRT's that were close to their 'hunting roots'...but I"m not one to talk. I had a Yorkie who would and Samma (westi/dachs mix) who will kill small furry critters. I"ve had mice, rats, and birds deposited for my 'viewing pleasure.' Pepper would fight cats, including a bobcat reaching through a cage. Samm sees them as something to chase and catch. Our vet's cat baffles her because he likes to rub and greet her :rolleyes:

Is that dog's name trouble by any chance? If it's not, then the name suits him cuz hes getting into all kinds of trouble! LOL!

Has the dog ever been hurt in any way fighting a cat or anything?

Who? Pepper the Yorkie??? She died at the venerable age of 13 (venerable due to all of the stuff she had survived...breast cancer, ovarian tumor, teeth problems etc..)
The only time she got hurt was when the Bobcat reached out and grabbed her. It was in a small country German Zoopark in 1992. She decided to lean under the single tall railing to sniff the bushes near the cage.

My friend was talking to me and next thing I knew my dog was in mid-air. The Bobcat had his paw around her head trying to bring her in the cage.
I really don't remember what happened next. Barbara said that I leaped up on the rail, hung in midair, and grabbed the bobcat by his arm.
Pepper was yiking and the Bobcat was screaming.... She said I was yelling at the "damn b*** to let go of my dog". I managed to pry the claws off of her ear and get all of us extricated from the situation. It was probably less than a minute from start to end.

When we went to the nearby bathroom to clean up, her ear was bleeding from a large scratch. She had been wearing a coat and harness, so her body was fine. I had a couple of scratches on my arm. So we were ok... bloody and shaking. I learned that head wounds really do bleed a lot!

And other than a few looks from the personel, no one ever said anything :rolleyes: That's Germany for you :) But it was one of those educational learning experiences for me to ALWAYS be paying attention to where my dog was. :( Good thing I wasn't a parent then :P :)
Pepper had other adventures with the wildlife, but never again so bloody. I saw her take on 3 barncats once and win. Stubborn little cuss! :)
I still miss her :)
regards,
toodles