Dogs, harder than I thought !

I have always had a mutt as part of the family, mainly because they are a very userful survival tool, they are good guards alerting you to any noise or approaching intruders. I prefer terriers because every one I have ever owned has always been great at killing vermin like rats etc around the garden and retreat. Our last dog died about 4 years ago, but because we were moving house so often it wasnt prudent to get one at that time.
Anyhoo we have been srttled in our little village for 4 years now and i noticed that we have rats in the back garden sharing the bird feeder !!!.

So I thought OK time to get another terrier, Hah I may as well have wished for a free flight to Mars, theres just no affordable healthy dogs available to buy, I was after something like a 1 yr old Jack Russel or Border terrier bitch as they both have the attributes needed to fit into a family of survivalists. I have trawled the web, the papers and local breeders and no one has any affordable dogs for sale. Fine if you want a pug at £1000 or $2000 , but not a cat in hells chance of a young adult BT or JR. Has anyone else expecienced problems ion finding useful dogs in the UK ?

Dammit NR, by the thread title I thought you were advocating fighting dogs with your fists

Take a trip down to the local Humane Society, and adopt one. You may not find exactly what you're looking for, but a rescued dog will reward you in ways one that hasn't suffered hard times never can.

Hi NR,

I can sympathise with you. We already have a dog but were looking for a second one and couldn't believe the figures people were asking! Have you thought about trying to find one from a rescue? Unfortunately with the country on it's knees, poor pooches have been one of the things people get rid of due to the costs so there's loads in rescue at the moment. (I think if it came to it, hubby's bags would be packed before I'd let mine go!!)

I've just had a look online for you to see if there is a Jack Russell rescue and found this:
www.jack-russell-terrier.co.uk...
There seems to be a few available at the moment, hopefully there will be one suitable near to where you live. Hope it's of some help.
Good luck!
p.s. Never done a link before - not sure I've done it right but hope you can read it

I am on record as loving all dogs, apart from JRTs. My Aunt and Uncle had one; nasty yappy, bitey, vicious thing. Fantastic ratters, bred for the job.

My good lady reported on a theft this week of a pair of Lurchers and a pregnant Jack Russell, knocked out the dog who was clearly protecting the bitch.

These two breeds are great for their roles, ratting and rabbiting and it's no surprise that particular people will own both these breeds and work them.

Sorry NR, a long-winded way of saying yes, there are problems and I suspect these, and other similar, breeds will become a hot commodity in U.K. in the near future.

Originally posted by Unit541
Take a trip down to the local Humane Society, and adopt one. You may not find exactly what you're looking for, but a rescued dog will reward you in ways one that hasn't suffered hard times never can.

Your not wrong there we got a terrier cross a few years ago from the pound, It was fine with me but hated the wife, it was always biting her, I felt so sorry for the dog it needed medical care after sinking its teeth into the Bi**h I married

When we were in the states my friend pointed out that rattlers sleep in the sun on the footpath so my missus should not really wear sandles, I said if a rattler was daft enough to bite her it would surely die a long and miserable death.

[edit on 18-2-2009 by Northern Raider]

Originally posted by Natterjax
Hi NR,

I can sympathise with you. We already have a dog but were looking for a second one and couldn't believe the figures people were asking! Have you thought about trying to find one from a rescue? Unfortunately with the country on it's knees, poor pooches have been one of the things people get rid of due to the costs so there's loads in rescue at the moment. (I think if it came to it, hubby's bags would be packed before I'd let mine go!!)

I've just had a look online for you to see if there is a Jack Russell rescue and found this:
www.jack-russell-terrier.co.uk...
There seems to be a few available at the moment, hopefully there will be one suitable near to where you live. Hope it's of some help.
Good luck!
p.s. Never done a link before - not sure I've done it right but hope you can read it

Thanks for the link Natterjax I have registered with them.
NR

I think you might also consider a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. They are faithful and loving companions, and excellent with children. With the added bonus that they are fully equipped to defend your family and property. My present dog cost me £200 in the UK, and I imagine prices will be falling due to the currrent financial feck up

reply to post by big gee


Staffies are common as dirt in the big-smoke. Not one day goes by without me seeing one taking its chav owner out for a walk to collect its giro.

It's the stereotypical Staff owner I object to rather than the decent dog lover.

Actually this is one thing I do think about from time to time. I would ideally like dogs, when I'm relocated and in a position to raise them properly. I have no trouble convincing the good lady, she asks almost every week. The problem is what to get.

I've maintained I want a dog that's capable of working but thanks to hundreds+ years of selective breeding dogs have become fairly specialised. Always fancied another gun-dog but you really have to keep on top of them due to their playful nature. I don't see the point in something to prove my virility although I quite like dobies. Problem is most pedigrees break easily and that is a factor. My Terrier/Whippet was great for leaving alone, damn thing was a right old Lassie, good ripe old age too. Only thing he seemed to be good at was jumping and running fast though.

Might have to be a collie...

don't beat me down to hard for this but cats are much better at rodent control.

I know most people don't like them but I have never been with out a cat and I never will be. Of course you all know my history with dogs as well so I will never be with out one two or three of them as well.

At this moment I have a black American lab boxer mix. And a pitbull boxer mix. Our cats our a little blue eyed Siamese and a mixed yellow tabby. We have had the tabby sense the day I left the service. Great mouser but no ware near as brave as the Siamese. This Siamese is so fearless she will purposely look for the dogs and attack them. The pitbull/boxer is afraid of her but the lab will not back down. Its funny to watch but I cant let it go on for long or the lab will take it to far.

So to wrap this rambling up get a dog and a cat. Well that's my opinion any way.