[thaianh]

I read lots of threads in this topic and become afraid as a first time owner.

As I joined the forum, people helped me to choose between Jack Russel and Basenji. Both of them are small so I would be able to easily travel, very cute and active, I thought. However, as found out, they do not suit me. My GF has male Jack Russel, so I have to choose female as he is very aggressive to other males. Both Jack Russel and Basenji are not adviced to first time dog owner like me as they are very hard to train. So in the end I come to conclusion to take Rat Terrier. What do you think of them?

The main reason I posting a thread here is I want anyone can share with me advices considering health on what should I know before to have dog. For example, how look after a small puppy to raise him healthy. Please write to me or just send any link, I am trying to collect them. Here is what I have, please enjoy who want: My Room

 

[Silvicen]

As a Mom to a Decker Rat Terrier (which has Basenji in the gene pool) and a Teddy Roosevelt Rat Terrier I can tell you that Ratties have a much mellower temperment than JRT's and Basenji's. My TRT is much more biddable than my Decker. It was much easier to teach my TRT not to chase livestock. My Decker has a fairly high prey drive and is much more driven to go after vermin. Both of them also have an "off switch" and are excellent under the cover snuggle buddies.

 

[seashoreduck]

I think that Rat terriers and puggles are probably among the best first-time little dogs.

I would NEVER recommend a JRT to a first time dog owner. Too much smarts and too much energy. I have a Basenji/GSD mix and I love her but she somehow got the brains of a hamster. Her basnji part is very pack-oriented and she can be very clingy. She also likes to heard and only is "happy" and settles down when all people are in one room that she can then block off with her body.

The only reason I would vote puggle for you over rat terrier is because rat terriers are so thin and may have a really hard time traveling by air.

 

[thaianh]

As a Mom to a Decker Rat Terrier (which has Basenji in the gene pool) and a Teddy Roosevelt Rat Terrier I can tell you that Ratties have a much mellower temperment than JRT's and Basenji's. My TRT is much more biddable than my Decker. It was much easier to teach my TRT not to chase livestock. My Decker has a fairly high prey drive and is much more driven to go after vermin. Both of them also have an "off switch" and are excellent under the cover snuggle buddies.

Didnt know RT has Basenji in the gene pool. Its very goof to hear from RT owners! Thank you for your share! I want snuggle buddies)

 

[thaianh]

I think that Rat terriers and puggles are probably among the best first-time little dogs.

I would NEVER recommend a JRT to a first time dog owner. Too much smarts and too much energy. I have a Basenji/GSD mix and I love her but she somehow got the brains of a hamster. Her basnji part is very pack-oriented and she can be very clingy. She also likes to heard and only is "happy" and settles down when all people are in one room that she can then block off with her body.

The only reason I would vote puggle for you over rat terrier is because rat terriers are so thin and may have a really hard time traveling by air.

Yeah, JRT is very energetic dog. I would consider puggle, thank you!