My new jack russell pup.

Chelle

Hyia, i am picking up my new jack russell puppy on Satarday she is 8 weeks old (im really excited). We have had dogs before but when i was a child and i did not get to involved. we are naming her Poppy.
I do have a question im not sure if this is the right thread to put it in? i have a rabbit which lives away from the house in an out house but would like to introduce them as they will share the garden (the rabbit has a closed off area). Any help welcome.

britishbandit

Not a good idea to have the rabbit and dog share the yard. Jack Russell Terriers are just that.......Terriers, and will likey "hunt" the rabbit. You should be ok if you are watching them together, but I wouldn't be leaving them alone for any length of time!

animalcraker

Also rabbits don't handle stress very well, even though you may be watching them it can quickly get to to point where it can become fatal for the rabbit.

skelaki

Very bad idea. Jack Russells, and especially the females, have strong prey dirves. Keep them totally separated so that they don't even see each other.

Congrats on your new family member btw. Set firm, consistent rules from the beginning and do not allow her to get away with anything that you won't want her doing as an adult. JRTs, like most terrier breeds, will walk all over you if you allow it. And, while this may be cute in an 8 week old puppy, it's definitely not cute later on.

Keno's Mom

Rabbits are natural prey for the JRT - unless you want a DEAD rabbit, do not let them alone with each other. One quick snap and poor bunny won't be hopping any more.

I was also gonna caution you on JRT's and cats - (this from a JRT message board) - do not let the JRT alone with any cats even if introduced as a pup. They are ok if you supervise, but never let them chase the cat and if you have to leave either crate the JRT during that time or keep the cats in another room where the JRT can't get them.

A JRT owner learned the hard way - her pup was raised with the resident cats - was a few years old and one day they came home to the JRT killing the cat. They put the warning up on the board.

Puppy & Dog Forums

 

Snowshoe

I agree with all of the other posters.

The only two jack russels I've met have also been extremely dog aggressive.

Make sure you socialize your puppy very well. Do not leave her alone with small animals, other dogs, or cats.

Leila12345666

I have a Scottish Terrier i have introduced with my Hamster and she just barks at him. You might want to introduce them as soon as your puppy gets home. At 8 weeks he might be ok with him/her in the future. Terriers tend to hunt so it would be good for an early socialization.

Leila12345666

PS: I have seen lots of Jack Russels and NEVER seen an agressive one. I leave my Scottish Terrier alone all the time with my cat. I got her at the age of 4 months already old enough to hurt him and she dint. Dont be fool NOT all dogs are the same. It depends who has them, how you have them and how you train them. A dog endup being what you want them to be in most cases.

Elijah

My neighbor out back has two adult cats...probably at least eight years old for both of them. They got a JRT about a year back who thinks his sole goal in life is to bark all the time he's outside. He's not a very friendly dog to say the least as all I have to do is be outside within 10-20' of the fence and he starts yapping. Sometimes the neighbor lets the cat(s) out with him. That is a real treat to watch. The JRT starts wanting to play with one in particular, and will run in circles around her. When the dog gets too close for comfort, the cat stands up like Mohammad Ali and uses both paws to swipe at him. Sometimes she connects and the dog yelps and runs off. It's really funny to watch. I believe the cat can hold her own with the Terrier.

Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. The smell of kitty and the demise of JRT!!

Keno's Mom

Don't bet on it - that JRT may one day have snapped the neck of the cat!

Puppy & Dog Forums