Rat terrier?

Question

I am thinking of buying a dog for my little boy. I have done a little research, but nothing beats personal opinions from people with personal experience. I think a rat terrier is our best bet. But some of them look like a jack russel, only smaller and stockier. This is the kind I want. With SHORT hair. (I think the other ones with the disproportionate ears are unattractive.) Are they called something different? Do they have sub-categories of rat-terriers? Anyone with any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

They are VERY smart and VERY stubborn.
You need to be prepared to be firm with the little guy.
Also, they have enough energy to light a small city.
Your little kid should keep him from being bored, but you should look into "Flyball", "Earthdog" competitions and agility in addition to basic obedience lessons.

Consider rescue

Rescues can show you the exact dog you're looking for. They are temperment tested, house broken (sometimes) obedience trained (usually), inexpensive and comes with lots of "extras". You're saving a life too, can't beat that.

Consider an adult. A puppy's entire first year is very "labor intensive". Potty training, not sleeping the night through and yapping, all make it difficult to live with them. Then they hit "teenager" and become true nuisances.
All I'm saying is that a little bladder control and maturity is a good thing in a pet. Especially with little kids.

Answer 2

I have 2 Rat Terriers and they would rather have nothing to do with Kids. Jack Russels can be friendlier. Alot of Terriers can be very territoral & easily startled. If its a pup and has grown up wtih kids and the kids have been taught not to torture, pull on or hit the dog then you should be fine. But just Terriers in general aren't always the best with kids. They are rather independent. If you do decide to get a puppy Rat. Please get one from a reputable breeder & shows their dogs. There is alot of Rat terrier backyard breeders. Please stay away from them and pet shops. Reputable breeders have you fill out questionaires, show their dogs until they reach the championship, only have a couple litters a year (only one per female), have many references, parents have been check over for hereditery health conditions & the breeding enviorment is clean. Good genes is a must since they can be snappy little dogs. My rats are sweet hearts and would never bite a kid but the way kids come up, running, screaming trying to touch, that makes them nervous. So make sure your kids know how to handle a dog before getting one. Oh and they aren't super small. Mine are 23LBS & 16LBS (standard). they also come in miniature. No matter what anyone tells you there is no such thing as a "toy" rat terrier. Good Luck

Answer 3

I think you should do more research, all terriers are pretty feisty; and rat terriers are not smaller than jack russels. All dogs form their personality in the first 4 months of their life. With proper training and socialization at 2 and 3 months of age any breed will bond with it's people and behave the way they taught it to during that age.

Answer 4

A Siberian husky will kill the rats. Do your study and you will understand. do no longer in user-friendly terms get a Husky considering you opt to "steer sparkling of rats" they are allot of paintings and that i might relatively no longer see the unfavorable canines finally end up ina defend considering you probably did no longer study the breed. All canines will kill rats. it particularly is inevitable. i think of your ideal guess could be to get a cat. that's what their for. I even have 3 cats for killing mice and rats on the valuables and are my young ones and my pets. We even have 9 Siberian huskies too. And in case you in simple terms permit you Husky run around your backyard with out 6ft tall fence the canines would be long previous in much less that an hour via her or him leaping you wall.

Answer 5

Rat terriers aren't good for small children. They tend to bite and can break a leg or spine if dropped even from a child's height. I suggest you pick a larger, sturdier breed.

Answer 6

Good dogs Fox terriers also one of the best we ever had.Now we just go with weiner dogs gosh they sure are lovable and have eyes that peirce your heart.

Answer 7

i think you are thinking more along the lines of a toy fox terrier and they are great around kids but they do have prey drive and they will chase squirrels and they will climb fences if left alone .but other than that they are great dogs .

Answer 8

is better a mix dog