Re: coat

In Reply to: coat
Posted by:  Kathy
Posted on:  January 25, 2001 at 22:39:36

: My Smooth-coats' coat is very soft and pleasant to touch. I have heard that this is a fault. Is that true? Also, her inner legs and belly only have a light coating of fine, short hair- is that also a fault?

: One more question:

: Tonight I was walking my JRT and she mysteriously swindled her way out of a harness and attempted to chase a cat. Luckily my daughter caught her.
: I really thought it was a fluke. She has been using this harness for a long time and it seemed to be right for her. She got out of it a second time. I watch with my own eyes as she wriggled this way and that and slipped thru in a matter of seconds.
: Is there a specific brand of harness that would be good? I really prefer them to collars though I know not everyone agrees. My dog walks great on a leash (until she sees someting she needs to have like a cat).

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Kathy:

Since this is a working dog, the breed standard stresses those characteristics that are important to the ability to get it's job done. This is a quotation from the Breed Standard regarding coat:

"Smooth, without being so sparse as not to provide a certain amount of protection from the elements and undergrowth. Rough or broken coated, without being woolly."

As you can see, the emphasis is on the coat's ability to protect the terrier. In the conformation ring, whether your dog's coat is suitable or not would be determined by the judge's examination according to the above standard. In other words, does this coat provide enough protection from the elements.

These dogs are very determined, and if you give them an inch, they'll take several miles!! I can suggest 2 things about your harness problems: One, make sure you adjust it correctly. At most you should be able to get two fingers under any of the straps when it is tight enough. Second, as soon as your girl starts to look like she is trying to find a way out, give her a stern correction - "NO!" - to let her know this is unacceptable behaviour.

Hope this helps. Have fun!