Question:
: I bred and showed yorkies for years but not lately. I have two 8 yr olds,one spayed,one neutered. After 30 years with the constant grooming they require I want a breed with much less. The JR seems to fit everything that I'm looking for with the exception of cat killing. I wouldn't want the yorkies mistaken for one. Yorkies are very much temperment wise at the JR, could this be a problem? Thank you, Lynne
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Hi Lynne,
First, let me point out some things about JRTs and grooming. A rough coated JRT is going to require some fairly extensive grooming, albeit using different methods than you would use on a Yorkie's coat. Broken coats require some hand stripping. Smooths are good with a regular brushing (I use a curry comb). All of them shed. A lot. I'm not saying this to talk you out of it or to say you didn't know this; I've had many calls from people wanting to adopt who do not know JRTs shed and/or who think they do not require grooming. You may have already known this, but I just wanted to make sure.
As for your dogs becoming prey, I think that depends on the Jack. I can certainly see that some would see a smaller hairy dog as a bunny or squirrel and could do some serious damage. And then there are Jacks who would see a Yorkie as just another dog and a playmate. My best suggestion for avoiding these problems would be to adopt a dog that is already grown (1 year +) so that you know it's adult temperment, socialization skills with other dogs and can have a preliminary meeting or two between the pooches. There just aren't any guarantees, and these matters are not all about "how a puppy is raised." It's more a "nature of the beast" situation.
You'll probably also want to read up here about same-sex aggression. It isn't just reserved for other JRTs, and would be a major consideration for me if I were in your shoes.
Good luck!
Heather
