I have 2 Patterdale Terriers (both male, brothers, and castrated). Just recently they have become vicious and disobey me, but obey my dad and sometimes my mum. Yestursday on our local park, they were attacked by a border terrier, later yestursday (on the park), they attacked a border terrier (not the same one). This is happening frequently with small dogs such as Yorkshire Terriers. I have been told "It's their breed", but still it means we cannot let them run around. Is there any that can be done, i know muzzling them but my dad doesn't agree with this. Is there any other way without getting rid of one of them???

Patterdales are very much working terriers, designed to destroy vermin, and for this reason are often unsuitable for many pet homes.

How do they behave when they're walked separately so they can't egg each other on?

They are fine walking with 2 people or even if there is a dog on each side, but they do pull when they see anything that moves suddenly. They are very nervous (Rescues), nervous of anything which makes a sudden noise such as fireworks or even russeling paper. Could this have anything to do with their behaviour??

Nevertheless, they are loving dogs to us and the pet rabbit (Which we have been told is strange for patterdales), but unfamiliar dogs that is when the attack espically small dogs

What I mean is, how do they behave when only one is taken out at a time, and the other left at home? I've found it's very important with young dogs that they get individual attention and training, and that means being walked separately as well as together.

As for the pulling when something moves suddenly, that's normal for a breed with a strong working instinct. How long have you had them?

Even better when they are walking alone (we have been told competition between them), walking to heel. We have had them since they were 6weeks old and they are now nearly 4years

Although different breeds will have different trates, I think that too many people use dog breeds as an exuse for bad behaviour so dont let anyone tell you that they behave this way just because they are Patterdales thats nonsense, the fact that they are rescues will be the more likely answer, and the fact that they obey your parents says alot too, they obviously feel lower in the heiracy than your mum and dad but slighlty less so than you, you must let them know that you are in charge of them. I have a lurcher who's breed trate states that she will chase anything particularly cats, I have to say because we have had her from a pup and raised her the way we wanted her to behave she doesn't bother the cats in fact she is scared of them one scratch on her face was enough to put her off anyway, she also mixes with horses and poultry I would leave her in a stable with the chickens and know that she wouldn't harm them purely because they are all shes ever known and despite her breeds reputation she gets on fine with all our animals. Our Patterdale also gets on with the livestock, as do the jack russells who killed two chickens when we first had them we nipped it in the bud there and then and they now drink from the same bowl as each other they all get on great despite what people say about their various breed trates a dog is a dog at the end of the day. As for your two attacking the border are they castrated? As much as my boy gets on with all our animals, if an entire male steps onto his patch and goes for him he will not tolerate it he will fight back, he doesn't start it though, dogs fighting is normally a sex thing dogs should not attack bitches they wouldn't in the wild, but there are cases of it that I have heard normally down to humans!! So I am assuming that the border they attacked was a dog not a bitch? I hope you sort your probs out have you tryed obedience classes?

forgot to mention that dogs are more inclined to fight if they are on a lead they feel restricted and therefore threatened. Best to keep yours on the lead where others are also on the lead.

Sorry just read the bit about being castrated, they attacked the second border because they were attacked first the worst thing that can happen is for a dog to be attacked because that turns them into fighters and you will struggle to stop it. I dont know why your dad disagrees with muzzling would he rather they get into trouble and get injured or injure another dog and risk being put down?

Do they do enough to keep them occupied? Only working breed terriers have boundless energy which needs exhausting. I also doubt that their behaviour can be put down to breed alone but there's no doubt that terriers can turn into terrorists if they are bored or inconsistently handled.

I think that too many people use dog breeds as an exuse for bad behaviour so dont let anyone tell you that they behave this way just because they are Patterdales thats nonsense, the fact that they are rescues will be the more likely answer
Really?  rescue is always the excuse people use isnt it, the fact that were in rescue in the first place was probably because they were homed in an unsuitable environment and were not given the correct mental and pysical stimulation.  Patterdales are working Terriers and should remain that way.
Dawn.

I'm a bit confused at how they can have been rescues yet were acquired at 6 weeks?

Sorry I was reading a couple of posts these arent rescues I dont think please ignore that bit!!

Sorry I dont think they are rescues I read that else where. How can you say that a dog is in rescue for its breed???? The shelters are full of all kinds of dogs???? Please illaborate. Jo

Really?  rescue is always the excuse people use isnt it, the fact that were in rescue in the first place was probably because they were homed in an unsuitable environment and were not given the correct mental and pysical stimulation.  Patterdales are working Terriers and should remain that way.
Dawn. I dont work my Patterdale If they are to remain purely as working dogs and no one else is allowed to own one then surely the breed will not continue? Your belief is rather harsh dont you think, dog ownership should be based on knowledge experience and comitment not whether or not people wish to put their dogs to work? Do working homes always offer the correct care? Do all working owners know how to look after a dog, you are saying that as long as somone puts a dog to work then they qualify to own a terrier? Hmmmm!

>Dawn. I dont work my Patterdale If they are to remain purely as working dogs and no one else is allowed to own one then surely the breed will not continue?

I can't see why the breed should die out given that there are working homes for them but this does pose an interesting philosophical question because if, hypothetically, there were no working homes for Patterdales would it be acceptable to turn them into "companions" for the sole purpose of keeping the breed in existence if this merely resulted in the dogs leading unfulfilled lives in unsuitable environments?

On a par with keeping animals in zoos because there's nowhere safe for them in the wild any more.

Good point Roz, and its what has happened with a lot of breeds isnt it.

Horse.
I dont think my way of thinking is harsh at all. Far too may breeds have been ruined because of bad breeding and breeding for looks alone, the Patterdale is one that still largely remains unaltered in type and temperament.  It is quite obvious that they are often unsuitable family pets because of the amount finding their way into rescue, not least these two.  Patterdales have very strong working instincts and are not ideal dogs to have by the fireside all day every day, people who genuinely care about the breeds heritage and all it stands for would not dream of breeding them as pets.
Dawn.

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