My active parents have an English Pointer at present (about 3yrs old) and need something to help keep the rats and mice at bay in and around their stables. The pointer is exercised with the horses and is placid and calm (one might also say sensitive!). A Paterdale Terrier has become available locally (5months old) and they are considering having it. However we can't find out much about them. Can anyone offer advice? Is it likely to settle in with their current dog? I also have a Pointer (a Wire hair German X Hungarian Vizla) which is nearly 2 yrs and as I live locally visit frequently. Our dogs (both girls) get on really well and run for miles together and play a lot. This Paterdale is also a bitch, which apparently doesn't get on with the other bitch in the family and they fight a lot. Could this be lack of exercise? Any advice or comments willingly accepted.
Thanks Sian. sian@thehighview.co.uk

Patterdales are very well known for their tendency to fight with other dogs, particularly ones of the same sex.

Personally if you want a patterdale then I would get a much younger one, who has not already learnt to fight with her companions.

They are brilliant ratters but by their very nature are not the best of dogs to get on with other dogs.

suggest you get a cat!

She can have my cat, I'm sick of him coming in with bits hanging off him!! The other week he convieniently placed a Squirrel in the cat kennel in the garden, you can imagine what happened when 3 Border Terriers found it !!!!
Dawn.