Parson Russell hunting instincts?

Family, Education, Health and Pets
1
We are looking for a great dog to live with us in a rural house near Grindelwald. We are attracted to a Parson Russell Terrier and we want to understand how practical this breed would be for us.

Our house has an unfenced yard. It is in a quiet area next to forest, farms, and mostly holiday homes. There are other small animals in the neighbourhood: cats, chickens, goats, and so on.

We want our dog to be able to enjoy the forest and nature as much as possible. We want to take him hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and so on.

Is a Parson Russell Terrier a practical choice? We are concerned about his strong hunting instincts: will he get into trouble with marmots and squirrels in the forest, or with the neighbours' chickens and cats?

If you have some experience to share with us we would be most grateful.

Many thanks in advance,

Luke and Ann

2
They are also known here as Jack Russel terriers.

I have owned, separately, 2 neutered females, great dogs, fearless!

BUT the disadvantage is they don't like being left alone in a house, and they do tend to wander off when outside. They are also well known for getting stuck in underground holes... and they are scatter brained until about 2 years old, when you might be able to train them. Most dogs will chase cats and chickens. So they really can't be trusted....

You really need to search the web.

3
Careful!!!

We had a Parson cross with a Berner Sennenhund (sp). He was a complete hunter. Every chance he wanted to be off running.

We now have another mixture including a chunk of genes from a JR. He is even worse - just 1 year old and as hard headed as they come. We continually try to train but he is winning the battle at the moment so be prepared for a lot of training!!

As you say as a breed they are completely fearless of anything. Amazing as they are small and love smooching

4
Why not get in touch with the Russel Terrier Club, the group within the SKG responsible for Jack and Parson Russel Terriers?

Speak with several breeders, talk about your lifestyle, what you are looking for in a dog, what you can offer a dog and - most importantly - what you cannot. Ask experienced Russel terrier folk if a Parson is right for you.

http://www.russellterrierclub.ch

And by the way, because rescue is my thing, once you have decided... Jack and Parson Russel terriers end up in need of new homes with some regularity*. If you are considering going the rescue route, do keep an eye on the Tierschutz database:

http://www.tierdatenbank.ch/cms/tier...unschtier.html

*Often because someone bought a small cute dog without realizing that the Jack and Parson Russel terriers are neither lap dogs nor couch potatoes. Good on ya for doing your research beforehand.

5
Firstly, good on you for doing your research. This is a most popular breed of dog on looks alone, but most people do not understand what they are in for. This is a HIGHLY active dog and one that likes to roam free. Since you have an unfenced yard and neighbors with lots of critters in the area, get ready for a challenge. This dog is going to explore as much as it can. Not saying it can't be trained, just saying it will be a hugs challenge. Yes, small animals will be a constant distraction. This dog takes a lot of time, patience, and training to make them completely obedient and loyal before you can start keeping them off a lead. These dogs require lots of exercise. LOTS. When they don't get enough exercise to work off their energy, this is when neurotic behaviors/bad behaviors start to show up.

Take your time, really consider this breed. Yes, they are absolutely adorable, but they take a lot of work. Just depends on how much time and commitment you have for this breed. And who knows, maybe you get blessed with an individual that is a bit more relaxed in the breed standard. This is my biggest advice. Take your time and do a lot of research. Really think more about if this dog will fit into your lifestyle and less about how cute and small it is.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/parsonrussellterrier.htm

http://www.akc.org/breeds/parson_rus...rier/index.cfm

6
Thanks for the tips everybody!

We're doing our homework and trying to decide whether a Parson Russell or a Border Terrier is best suited for us. Any further tips on the pros and cons of each would be welcome too!

7
I think we can agree that the breeders have followed explicit lines of breeding to create animals that all look the same. This has introduced weaknesses into the pedigree chains, some of them are very serious deformities.

Personally I would go to the dog homes and look for a mongrel, anything but a pedigree.

Bye the way Jack Russel terriers are not recognised by the Kennel Club as a breed, as they do not usually "breed true", I understand this means they do not display continuous patterns, and vary too much from dog to dog to be able to be judged as similar.

8
Which kennel club does not recognize the Jack Russell? The FCI recognizes both the Jack Russell and the Parson Russell terriers. What is doesn't have is the Russell Terrier which they seem to have in the US.

Chihuahuas are also very different, probably more different than these two breeds and they have no problems being judged as long as they are within the standard. It's true that some judges do have their preferred type.

9
http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/se...d/Default.aspx

"No breed was found that matched ' Jack Russel'. Please check and try again. "

http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/se...d/Default.aspx

10
That's strange. I wonder why the UK doesn't recognize them since they are recognized by the FCI, especially since they are quite common at this point.

They are recognized in Switzerland.

11
For information: you may visit the Tierheim Oberbottigen, any day of the week, and register with them, (You need to take your Swiss Permit or ID)

You may then take one dog out for a walk,

Rule 1. dog must be kept on the lead, and returned at 5 pm.

Rule 2. be sensible, keep away from other dogs and animals.

I find this is a wonderful service, good for you and for the dog. You can take out any number, but only one at a time.

http://www.bernertierschutz.ch/index.php?id=119

http://map.search.ch/bern/oberbottigenweg-72

I usually walk from Oberbottigen up to the Mini Golf kiosk that serves drinks & snacks,

http://map.search.ch/frauenkappelen/...orn-62?poi=all

http://maps.google.de/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

12
I have a Parson Russell mixed breed and my agility trainer is a Parson Russell breeder. From my personal experience and from what my trainer says I would suggest you forget about the breed if you have no fence and want your dog to "enjoy" the forest. I mean he would enjoy but that could get you and the dog into trouble.

All Terriers I know have very strong hunting instincts. If you don't want to deal with that I'd suggest you look at a herding dog or something as a Lagotto Romagnolo for example.

13
I have two Jack Russells and just one word....training. If you start that from day one then you should be on a winner.

14
And train him to hunt truffles!

Lukego, is there any restriction to your putting up a fence?

If not, regardless of what breed/type of dog you settle on, a fence makes dog ownership much safer - for you, for your dog, and for others. Of course you will need to train your dog to a reliable recall (and beyond!) - but having a safe fenced-in area where your dog can relax, play, and potter (after exploring the forests with you ) really is a godsend for dog owners.

Knowing that my dogs can play around our property safely while I garden or work in the kitchen means that they have much more outside time than if they were restricted to walks. And there are the neighbor's chickens and cats to consider, even with a breed not prone to hunting.

With all the anti-dog sentiment today I would find dog ownership very difficult without a fence - mine keeps folks out as much as keeps my mutts in. As they say: good fences make good neighbors.

This might be especially important in a holiday spot like Grindewald. Hikers often don't keep to the trails, and have few qualms about crossing private property - but if there were an incident the dog owner is liable regardless of whether the other party were trespassing or not.

Just a thought...

Good luck with your search for a four-footed friend.

15
I own 2 Border terriers, who are - like the Parson Russell dogs - adorably cute, but need huge amounts of training!

One can reliably walk off the lead with us, and sticks to our heels, but the other one has too much of a hunting instinct, and would love to charge off into the woods on his own trails, eventually coming back - but that is not acceptable here in Switzerland, so most of the time he is sadly on the lead.

Much as we love them, i don't think we would get the same breed if we are still living here and need to get "replacement" dogs (when they die) - and especially in the circumstances you describe with the open garden I could only recommend them if you can put in months/years of patient training and continual vigilence!

I'll lend you my 2 for a weekend, and you can see what you think

(plus another factor with the BTs is the plucking of their coats, that is a real pain, for them and for me....!)

16
James Heriot, who wrote about his professional experiences as a vet in the books "All Creatures Great and Small" (which were also adapted for a very successful TV series), also had a Border Terrier who was totally untrainable. Everyone thought that being a vet, he would have the upper hand, but it was not the case. James loved this dog to bits, and there is a very amusing chapter about the little fellow in one of his books.

Incidentally, my dermatologist has two Borders and thinks they are absolutely marvellous.

17
Have you seen the post in commercial section 'pet trading' that someone here is selling a jack Russel they have no time for? But please, I hope you would only consider him if you truly have the time and commitment for him- as it would be a disaster for him to have a second 'family failure'. Hope that can work.

18
That's definitely a realistic option, and yep I can appreciate the practicality.

I've been stopping every Parson Russell I meet lately and having a chat with their owners. Getting warmer and fuzzier feelings about them all the time . I'll continue doing my homework before making a firm decision.

I have another question that is perhaps simple enough to not be it's own thread:

I heard that one must take some training before getting a puppy in Switzerland. Is this true? If so I'd love to know more, and particularly where I could take that training in (at least partly) English near Zurich/Interlaken/Grindelwald?

Thanks to everybody for all the extremely helpful feedback from personal experience. Great forum .

19
I had not seen that post, thanks for pointing it out. I will do some research on dogs needing new homes and give that route some serious thought.

20

You heard right - under the new-ish federal animal welfare law (TSchV), dog owners are indeed required to take courses. These are called the Sachkundenachweis (SKN), and there are two types of mandatory classes:

First time dog owners - that is, anyone who has not had a dog registered in his/her name in Switzerland* - are required to take a theory course BEFORE acquiring a dog. This course discusses the basics of dog care, dog laws, your responsibilities as a dog owner in Swiss society. It is designed to prepare you for sharing your life with a four-footed friend - and to get you to ask yourself if you are indeed ready to make this commitment and to stick to it for the next 15 or so years. The theory course is usually done over 2-3 lessions.

All dog owners, regardless of experience, must take the practical training course within the first 12 months of ownership with each and every dog acquired after 1 Sept 2008. This is a very basic training course, really just brushes the surface. The course is usually done over 5 lessons.

The price of the courses may vary a bit by trainer - but usually are in the neighborhood of CHF 150.

Only a trainer certified by one of the BVet recognized organizations may teach the SKN; to find a trainer near you, see the database:

http://bvet.bytix.com/plus/trainer/

You can read more about the courses on the BVet website:

http://www.bvet.admin.ch/tsp/02222/index.html?lang=de

And the subject has been discussed at length here, search for 'SKN'.

So as you are doing your research, if you are required to do so, take the theory SKN now - it's a good introduction to dog ownership in Switzerland.

All the best.

* Folks who have owned a dog - as in the legal owner - in Ausland but not in Switzerland should contact the cantonal Veterinäramt with proof of previous ownership for a decision as to whether you need to take the theory course, or not.

But - even if you are not required, I would strongly recommend doing so - society's expectations of a dog owner are rather different in Switzerland than in other countries, and the SKN sets you on the right road.