Dog Community

Terriers -- Why do all trainers say the same thing?

Posted : 3/31/2007 1:04:44 AM

I've had both of my terrier/Lab mixes for quite awhile (more than one year) BUT I've always wondered why trainers (all kinds) smile when I say what breed I have and then say, "I hope you're fair and have a sense of humor."

What is that? What should I know? I know they can be persistant when they want to do their thing right then and there (I can tell by their body language and I have interrupt them fast). I know they can be terrirotial about people/animals in their yard--they're all show (er, bark), and I know they can be really obsessed by squirrels.

Where can I find a good read on terriers in general? And if mine like to carry things in their mouths--is that a terrier trait or a Lab trait? How about stalking a squirrel (they do that)? Terrier or Lab?

Before these two I had a hound and believe me, with a hound what you see is what you get. They are what they are. Period.

These two terriers of mine? Very much a handful--but a blast, too.

mrv

Posted : 3/31/2007 7:48:18 AM

Well I had a terrier mix for 17 years 9 months. She was a hoot to say the least. Stubborn and fearless, smart as a whip. One of the reasons folks say that is terriers are incredibly prey driven which can make them appear aggressive toward other dogs (which will happen with poor temperments or poor socialization) and critters.

The best reason/explanation of why terriers are tough.... "what would you expect from a dog designed to go down a hole, man was afraid to stick his hand." Doubt I ever want to work that hard again at training. Give me a reative herding dog any day [

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nfowler

Posted : 3/31/2007 8:03:15 AM

Compared to other dogs in classes I've taken (with the terrriers, separately, of course--could you imagine otherwise), I know what you're saying. I have to work pretty hard to be the most important thing in the room.

Mine use their mouths a lot and they have pretty hard mouths. I am thinking that's the terrier in them. I've just never been around terriers before and one night, when I was very tired, I told my sister that "after these two, I won't be around terriers again."

But, truth be told, they're very much like your one terrier--a hoot. They can be paranoid and super energetic and loads of fun.

It's interesting to have a mixed breed, which I've also never had before. There's definitely traits of both breeds in them but I do struggle to figure out which side of the fence they really sit on--Lab or terrier.

Laura

Posted : 4/1/2007 1:36:11 PM

Well, I own a cairn terrier and she's an amazing dog. Yes she can be really wild but if I excersice her she'll be quite calm. Shes also very smart. I can teach her any trick in the book in about 15 minutes. The only trouble I've had with her is housebreaking and chewing on shoes but with persistance I got her through it. Everyone's opinion is different but mine is that terriers are one of the best kinds of dogs you can own.

nfowler

Posted : 4/1/2007 3:41:24 PM

And maybe a purebred small terrier is easy to figure out. Don't get me wrong--I love my two dogs. I love them enough to be spending $$ on their genetic issues.

I just can't figure out which is terrier and which is Lab and which is worse. Imaging breeding a Lab with a wire-haired terrier (most people think mine are Labradoodles but they're just shelter dogs nobody wanted)!

They are quite demanding though. Very much so. And they are a mix of two dog types--both high energy, both hunting dogs, and both needing a lot of attention. I have the double the trouble.

Michelle

Posted : 4/1/2007 5:23:23 PM

I've had two terrier mixes and two pure breds, generally their temperment was the same, with the exception of Anna, a JRT mix. She was very fearful and docile, probably had been abused. The others were also males. They were (and in Tookey's case are) much more heck-bent-for-leather attitudes. Now, with all of them I would get the f-you look though. I think it's those eyebrows! They were all smart and stubborn. I love them all. I honestly thought I'd never own anything but a terrier until Gracie stole our hearts. But she's such a mix, who knows, she may have some in her as well, but I certainly don't get that f-you look from her, ever!

nfowler

Posted : 4/1/2007 8:23:22 PM

Then you know what I mean. Absolutely. My two are littermates (got the male much later than the female) and they give me the FU look! Oh my gosh, your comment made me laugh.

Aren't they the pluckiest dogs though? I'm telling you. When my vet sees them she laughs and laughs--much like my puppy trainer. Don't know what it means, but hey, I DO know that my hands are full!

Michelle

Posted : 4/1/2007 8:43:52 PM

ORIGINAL: nfowler

Aren't they the pluckiest dogs though? I'm telling you. When my vet sees them she laughs and laughs--much like my puppy trainer. Don't know what it means, but hey, I DO know that my hands are full!

When I was pregnant with my first child, somebody at a party told me that you should have a dog first, to practice. Then when you thought you were ready to have a child . . .get a terrier. THEN you'd be ready! You can see a little of the f-you look in Tookey's picture in my siggy . . .but he does have worse!

rwbeagles

Posted : 4/1/2007 10:44:25 PM

Our Terrier mix is with Husky...and she is a HOOT. Takes no prisoners, kills anything she can catch critter wise, and is totally unafraid of anyone or anything. I could NOT own "straight" terriers myself...I have a sense of humor but not that much patience to go along with it haha! Here's Buckwheat....Buck for short...she's 9 years old now, and still can run the spit off a wad of chewing gum!