ok so i want a dog really bad...i thinking i want a Jack Russel Terrier....read more?

Question

i wasnt to kno if i am making the rihgt choice
i have
~a house
~a fence
~a small yard
but i need a dog that doesnt shed much cuz mi dad is allergic
if this is not the right dog for me.....leave names of other possible dogs

Answer 1

Short haired Jack Russells shed a LOT and will be very bad for your Dad's allergies.

JR's are extremely bright, inquisitive and very difficult to train if you're not very experienced and up to the challenge. They will dig up your yard and bark all day if left outside where they can see the world passing by. They will dash around an apartment, jumping on and off the furniture, until you and your downstairs neighbors are insane. They will play tug-of-war with your kid's clothes and steal anything just to get you to chase them. They will also torment your cat and kill your kid’s hamsters. Hell of a lot of fun or frustration - take your pick! I love and own terriers, but I've never recommened a JR to someone else. An awful lot of them end up in the shelters.

First, your Dad should spend some time at someone's house who has a dog like a Poodle or a West Highland White Terrier or a Cairn Terrier. They cause the least problems for allergics, but even they can cause a reaction if someone is very sensitive.

Small dogs tend to be yappier and harder to housebreak than big dogs.

BEFORE you get any dog you should read some great books on training. (Try not to pick books randomly - there are a lot of bad books out there also!) These are some of my favorites and you can get them on Amazon.com
What All Good Dogs Should Know – Volhard http://www.volhard.com/
Good Owners, Great Dogs - Brian Kilcommins
Dog Tricks : Eighty-Eight Challenging Activities for Your Dog from World-Class Trainers by Haggerty and Benjamin
Don't Shoot the Dog - Pryor
Training Your Dog: The Step by Step Method - Volhard
Dog Problems - Benjamin
Cesar's Way - Cesar Millan
Also, watch the Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic Channel. Cesar Millan is the best trainer I've ever seen on TV.
http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/

Find a good breeder by going to www.akc.org or talking to people at dog shows. You can also find info about the breed clubs on the akc site - they probably have a rescue group where you can get an older dog for less money. The best breeders will be members of their breed club, promoting healthy dogs with great temperaments. They should ask you a bunch of questions to make sure their puppy will be getting a good home. If all a "breeder" seems to care about is whether your check will clear, you can be sure he won't care a week later when the pup is dying from distemper or parvo and you want your money back.

Whatever you do, DON'T go to a pet shop, a flea market or buy one sight-unseen off the Internet!!!! You'll pay top dollar for what is usually a poor quality puppy mill dog. And you'll be supporting one of the cruelest industries in the country. The breeding animals are often kept in deplorable conditions - spending their entire lives in small wire-bottomed cages. They probably haven't been vaccinated against contagious diseases or tested for any health or temperament problems or genetic diseases - that costs money and cuts into their profits. A female is often bred every time she comes into heat. When her poor little body can't take it any more, she is often clubbed in the head and tossed into a dumpster or an open ditch. Most puppy mills ship their pups to pet stores at wholesale prices and many pups die before they even get there.

These so-called "breeders" have now figured out that they can use the internet to ship a dog directly to the customer and thus make more money by cutting out the middleman. If you buy a dog from out of state, good luck getting your money back if there's something wrong with the pup. These people count on you becoming instantly attached to the poor little guy and being willing to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars at the vet to treat whatever is wrong with him.

Answer 2

I would say the same caution is used as it would be with any puppy that would be brought into the home. You will want to make sure that the puppy is started out from the beginning with proper obedience training, so that you can eliminate bad habits before they start. You will also want to make sure to properly handle the way that the toddler interacts with the dog, so that the baby knows and learns what is acceptable and not acceptable behavior towards the dog. You will want to supervise at all times when the dog and child are loose together, until the child is older and knows right from wrong when it comes to animal handling. I think the pup would be a fine addition to your household with all that being said! Good luck!

Answer 3

If you want a REALLY HYPER dog, go ahead. I don't care for them because they are so hyper and have such a shrill bark. We had to babysit my cousins' for a week and we were ready to throw them out the window by then. You might like them, though. If you want a good family dog, try getting a mix, Poodle, or some other ones- It's hard to find many that don't shed. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

I got Jack Russel terrier and he attacked my chihuahua because he thought he had his toy, bit me 5 times because I had his toy, and he tore my shirt when he was attacking my chihuahua. So that sorta gives you an idea about those dogs. They are really smart though.He doesn't shed a lot.But a chihuahua is better.

Answer 5

They will shed quite a bit. They are also VERY high energy and are, IMO, to much dog for many people.

If you want a small dog that will not shed much, how about a miniature or toy Poodle? They are very nice dogs. Smart, but not nearly as much dog.

Answer 6

OMG! The perfect dog is a Bichon Frise they are hipo-allergenic and shed free ive had one for 3 years VERY PLEASED! Be aware they think they are people love attention and are truly a LAP DOG!!!

Answer 7

I don't think they shed much, but I hear they are real playful and will get into all kinds of trouble, especially if not watched. I'd like to get one, too, but I'm afraid what it will do when I go to work. They sure are cute, though.

Answer 8

VERY high-energy,active,need at LEAST a 6 ft. fence & a JOB,preferrably involving killing vermin. & of course they shed.

ALL DOGS SHED!! It's just a matter of degree. SHED COAT IS NOT THE ALLERGY CAUSE!! It's dander.

Answer 9

They shed and are QUITE active & need lots of activity & mental stimulation or they can easily start engaging in destructive behaviors. How about researching the Basset Hound.

Answer 10

i had one and they shed like crazy. these are runners so they like big open spaces to prance about in. might wanna go with a shorthair daschund. they shed very small amounts and are pretty easy going. jack russells like to bark and play and be mischievous.