Re: JRT is it the right breed for me?

In Reply to: JRT is it the right breed for me?
Category:   Other
Posted by:  John Cipolla
Posted on:  February 24, 2002 at 16:01:55

: Reading the comments and posts have been very helpful on deciding if I want a JRT as a pet. My question though is

: What kind of activities do you do to keep the dog busy?
: ie
: playing fetch
: running around the yard
: going for walks
: Are they afraid of water?

: I read in a faq somewhere that these dogs tunnel. Yet now one on this site seems to have had major problems with this. My house is huge enough that if the dog wants to run all over he has enough space also the house sits on 1.5 acres of property. More than enough space. And fenced in.

: When I let him out do I need to be concerned about the "tunneling" issue?

:
: -John Cipolla

Response:

Hi John,

Glad to hear you are doing your homework before making a 15 year commitment!

As you have found out this is a high energy breed that needs a healthy outlet for it.

Fetch is a great game to play with a terrier. All of them seem to be crazy about tennis balls so a good half hour to 45 minutes of a game of fetch should make for a happy terrier (this is for an adult dog not a small pup).

Running in the yard really needs to be supervised because if you just let them out with no supervision they won't run as much as you think they would. There'll be the initial burst of speed for a few minutes and then it will be off to find some trouble to get into or will find a nice cozy spot for a nap.

People make that mistake all the time thinking if they let the dog out it will exercise itself...NOT! Although some will take it upon themselves to dig their way out of the yard, if you want to label that as exercise ;)

Walks are fine but this is not enough exercise for this breed.

I strongly recommend obedience training for a JRT and from there maybe other classes like agility, flyball, even a tricks class. This is a highly intellegent breed that needs their minds exercised as well as their bodies.

If you engage a JRT's mind half your battle is won.

As far as "tunneling" this is a breed that was bred to dig. So you may have to end up running a hot wire along the bottom of your fencing if you plan on letting him out without supervision.