Has anyone got a Jack Russell?

[Jynann]

We went to the dogs home for a "look" last night and fell in love with this little jack rusell. He is 18 months old and was a stray so they dont really know anything about him. He was fostered and they said he was ok with kids and wasn't nasty when they took his toys/ food away but my lil girl is 7 months old so am a bit worried about how he will be with her.
Has anyone had one with babies/ kids?

thanks xx

 

[Serendipity_]

I've never had a Jack Russell but a friends friend had to have theirs put down as it went for the baby, around 10 months old. The baby was playing with the dogs bowl though - I simply think the dog should have been rehomed into a home with no children, not put down. Kids fault. But anyhoo. You could foster the dog for a while?

 

[Emma58]

When George was a baby my Mum and Dad had a Jack Russel and he was fine with him. He never so much as growled at him even when his ears/tail were getting pulled. He was always good with other children too. Although he was a really good tempered dog anyway.

I think with all breeds of dog, or any other animal TBH you get bad tempered/good tempered ones.

 

[Bee]

My mum and dad have 2 JRs and one puppy left (did have 6 more) and they are fine with Finlay and are fine with my nephew too and have been since he was a baby

We've had JRs since we were little and never had any problems but you can't be too sure with one that there is no history about

 

[Jynann]

[/quote]You could foster the dog for a while?[/quote]

What the dogs home said is if the dog dosn't settle in we can bring him back and pick another dog but i want to avoid that but like another reply said all dogs are different. We introduced him to Kayleigh and he seemed fine and very happy, friendly little thing but i suppose i'm just worried about taking the risk but until we bring him home we wont know

I have read quite a bit on Jack Russell's and everything i read said they are good with kids as long as the kids and dog both know how to behave towards each other, which is hard with a baby. I suppose i'm just going to have to see how he gets on

xx

 

[soverign]

My grandma has one. She was a lovely pup but as shes getting older she is getting very aggressive. To be honest I think she needs putting down. She bit my lip once and her tooth went all the way through to the other side. I have a tooth shape scar. She even bites my grandma and grandad but they just say it isnt her fault and she only ment to snap but must have cought them. She jumps on their knee and then after a few mins she literally attacks them. I hate going round there because of it. They can jump really high as well!

 

[MagicMarkers]

Ohs mum has got 5, all shades of jack russel, from the tiny sort, to toerrier, to big old cross with god knows what, and collie looking one no-ones quite sure what he is !
Theyre lovely, one thinks FLos her puppy, lays on the floor with her boobs int he air while thelittle jack ruseel paws at her boobs and tries to get some erm * milkies time *, so theyve both come over really maternal ! Another one doesnt care what so ever ! And the other 2, 2 boys dad and son seem intrigued and have had a sock to smell, which theyve buried in their basket now
A friend of the familys toddler used to go over and try and ride one of them, and pull the tail off the others so if that hasnt turned them against babies id oubt anything Flo does will

Lovely things ! Cant speak for all of them as they are yappers but iv never known a bad un !

Take him for a walk with the stroller before anything, see how he is

 

[Sherlock]

I'd not do it personally.

For a number of reasons

a) You don't know the dogs history and he came in as a stray so you have no idea of how he was treated etc by previous owner or how he reacted to things

b) JRT are known for being snappy and yappy. Many don't mean to hurt but will often try to grab a ball or stone the same time as a small child, catch LO's fingers and cause great upset and often rehoming or worse can follow.

c) The dog will need a lot of time to train, settle in, exercise (JRT are very lively and intelligent and get bored easily and are often constantly on the go) and trying to care for a young dog with a small baby will be hard work

d) If the dog does not settle or you are unhappy with it it will have to go back to the rehoming centre and face more trauma.

e) Its as important your child understands how to treat a dog as it is the dog to be trained with people and children. A 7 month old is not going to understand that if she drops something and the dog thinks she is playing that it may lunge toward her hands as they go to retrieve the object. Or if the dog yaps constantly (and JRT often do especially when wanting you to pick up and throw that sodding stone AGAIN for the 50 billionth time) it may bother her.

f) I'd be inclined to research your breeds more and look to finding a dog you have a more filled in background on and also a breed better suited to small children and a busy life. Shutting the dog away for hours on end or in a cage isn't fair and you'll need a garden you don't mind having holes dug in either. JRT are diggers to boot.

In their favour the one thing about JRT is that that are hardy and not really cuddly dogs at all so usually don't mind not having cuddles or being made a fuss of. But the down side to that is that if and when your LO wants to haul doggy along for a cuddle and dog does not want this..... dog may snap. End of the day, does not mean a bad dog (just does not have other ways of saying 'Leave me alone please') but it'll be the dog who is rehomed again and will be seen as the problem.

So yeah, thats my 2 cents worth

 

[sarah113]

my mums got 3 jack russel crosses and they are fine with the kids even though they are getting on a bit

 

[Waiting4amiracle]

My Mum had a jack and he was fine with kids and my mums neighbour
had a jack called jack lol he loved children so i really think its the way you bring the dog up
because he is 18mths he is still only young and he is not use to being round people
in a stable home so he will prob love you all .. I suppose you will never know unless you try
jacks are really tough little dogs they think they can fight any dog no matter the size lol
there quite funny dogs and can be a great companion i know that for sure

 

[*CLAIREBEAR*]

i have a long legged "parson jack russell"

"bobbie!" hes my baby and is brilliant with kids and other animals,we rescued him at 4 months as he was badly treated,we have had him for nearly 7 years,before we got him i was wary of the breed as thought they might be snappy or aggressive,quite the opposite,he is extremely loving and cuddly,he is laid next to me as i type this!
he is even good with my rabbit!! ............ they play together!!

 

[muppetmummy]

I grew up with Jack Russells and tbh I don't think they are a great choice for a family with kids. They are very boisterous and can be a bit snappy. My parents have 2 Jack Russell bitches atm and I don't trust them with James let alone Logan.