Re: Is this breed appropriate for me?

In Reply to: Is this breed appropriate for me?
Category:   Other
Posted by:  Terri McCallister
Posted on:  October 26, 2002 at 19:29:18

: I am interested in adopting a JRT. I have been around one or two of them on a limited basis, and I enjoyed them thoroughly. I have done some homework on the breed, and understand that they are high energy, and very intelligent. My spouse and I are both with the airlines, so when we go to work, it is for a day or two--overnights are involved. The good news is that when I am home, I am REALLY home--for three or four days at a time usually. I have worked with a Pet sitter before, and actually have one lined up for the future--she will spend an hour a day with the dog--play, walks, etc.--when we are gone. I worked your "IS the JRT breed right for me?", and scored highly--except for the time alone. Will these periods where we are out of town be too stressful for this breed? Please help--I really like these little guys.

Response:

Hi Terri,

I liked everything about your post up until the hour a day with a pet sitter when you and your husband are gone. I would much rather see if you can either get someone to live at your house while you are gone or send the dog to a relative or friend while you are gone.

This is a very people oriented breed even though they are very independent thinkers. They crave the attention of their beloved human. Twenty-three hours a day alone for even a day or two is not a healthy environment for this breed. This would be tough on any breed of dog but much more so with a JRT.

I think you could work this out with the suggestions I have made but just having a sitter come in for an hour a day even if broken into 2 visits) will not. Also in your situation I might look into an older terrier that's already housebroken, as your work situation isn't very conductive to the housebreaking process.