Jack Russell Terrier Epidemic

I have been regularly checking a local rescue group’s website as I search for a possible friend for Gracie. I have been surprised at the high rate of Jack Russell Terriers who are being found by or surrendered to the group. I checked another local group’s site and found a few there too. What is going on?

I suspect it is the classic problem that occurs with all breeds. People fall in love with the idea or look of a breed. Maybe a popular TV show or movie features a particular breed. So, they get a cute little puppy. Then, they quickly realize the cute image does not match the animal in their house.

Please research carefully before you bring any pet into your home. I confess that I did not believe a lot of the things I read about Dalmatians before I adopted mine many, many years ago. What a huge mistake! She drove me to tears on more than one occasion. I made a commitment, though, and stuck with it. She eventually calmed to normal dog level…when she was 10 years old. (In fact, she was still running until two weeks before she died.)

Before you begin your search for a pet, I recommend you first consider the qualities you want BEFORE you consider an actual breed. Make a list of all the things you enjoy doing. Decide how much time you are willing to give to a pet. Now that you have your list, you can search for breeds that are compatible with your lifestyle. Too often, people fall in love with the appearance of a breed, not the qualities of the breed.

After you have narrowed your list to a breed or particular set of breeds that might work for you, check out breed aficionado websites. Talk with your vet, who may have firsthand knowledge of the breed. Hang out at pet shops; you might meet someone who has the particular breed as a companion. Most pet owners will generally talk your ear off about their buddy.

Yes, I advocate adopting rescued pets. If you are patient, you can find a purebred dog through a rescue group. Do not overlook mutts, though. They are just as fabulous as purebred dogs. After all, you do not require that your friends descend from royalty, so why should it be different for your dog?

As for my opinion of Jack Russells, I would not recommend them to inexperienced pet owners. They are high energy and intelligent, which can be a dangerous combination. Gracie’s energy level does not bother me, though, because of my prior Dalmatian ownership. It is a bit much for others, though, particularly small children. Also, she is four years old so she does not have the boundless energy of a pup, which is another reason to consider adopting an older dog.

I knew going into the relationship that I would need to provide her with plenty of exercise. She gets at least two, thirty-minute walks/jogs a day. My motto is, “A tired Jack Russell is a HAPPY Jack Russell.” As long as she gets her daily walks and a good play session or two during the day, she is content.

So, when you start your search, please be honest with how much time, patience, and energy you can give your pet. You are not bringing home the highly-trained Lassie or Eddie from “Frasier.” As we have said many, many times, you are making a commitment that will last a pet’s lifetime. Good luck!

Rescue Mommy

How to Select a Leash

Go into any pet store (or even retail store, for that matter), and you will be astonished at the variety of leashes available. Back in the day, you had a choice between either a nylon leash in primary colors or a leather leash. Today, you have endless choices – leashes made from eco-friendly hemp, leashes that resemble tattoo designs, leashes in nearly every color and pattern imaginable. If you are a new pet companion, how do you choose the right leash for you?

At minimum, you need a basic, 6-foot nylon leash. Most leashes come in 3 widths – 5/8 inch, 3/4 inch, and 1 inch. The wider the width, the bigger the dog. If you have a larger dog, the theory is a wider width gives you a bit of leverage. (Having owned two dogs who weighed 70 pounds each in their prime, I can say that it helps a little.) A 6-ft. leash is a good length for everyday use and essential for urban environments. In fact, I have seen signs at some dog-friendly beaches stating the leash can be no longer than 6 feet.

You will see longer lengths in leashes. You can find anything from 25 to 100 feet. Keep in mind that these leashes are intended for training purposes, not daily walks. In my experience, the farther your dog is from you, the harder it is to control him or her. Unless your dog is perfect little citizen, you want him or her close by. You would not want your friend to dart in front of a car.

What about retractable leashes? I do not like them. A lot of trainers agree. I tried one with Gracie. I did not feel as if I had control. Plus, the leash’s width is so small. I envisioned it snapping at the first hard tug.

Speaking of tugging, I just bought a special leash called a “Wacky Walkr.” The leash bit is a piece of latex that looks and feels like an exercise band. The idea is the leash will offer some resistance when the dog pulls. The leash does the work, not you. I have heard that this type of leash is a great training tool if you need to address pulling issues. I will update you after I have had a chance to fully test the leash.

These are just a few of the leash options. Remember, you do not need a fancy leash. Your dog is more interested in the walk than a $150 Gucci leash. Good luck!

Rescue Mommy