I'm looking to get a Jack Russell sometime over the summer. I know it can be a tough breed, but I'm ready for it. My question is, where would I go about finding a good JRT? Is it that much better to go to one of those kennel club breeders, or is shopping around at the pound fine too? Also, if anyone has a Jack Russell, how is the experience in raising them, etc.
you can also check the spca and get friendly with the staff and let them know what you are looking for. I got a 2 year old female german shepard there that was trained and a perfect dog. I had to go a bunch but eventually the staff knew me and called me one day when my perfect dog was admitted.
Oh I didn' even see that you were looking for Jacks. Well you could probably find a good rescuable jack from Pet harbor though. Check out http://www.jrtca.com/ They have rescue dogs in our area as well at times.
Check the classifieds in the paper. Find a breeder. I would never get a dog from the pound. That's so prole.
Just come around my neighborhood with some weenies and lure the stray dog of your choice into your vehicle.
+1 for the rescued dog. My family has 4 of them (3 golden retrievers and one mutt) - I wouldn't trade any of them for the world.
I breed my 2 Doberman Pinschers and I sell mine in The Chronicle classifieds and on Backpage.com. Sometimes in The Greensheet as well. I used to set up a kennel at Traders Village flea market in NW Houston before they started some outrageous rules to sell dogs there. Anyways, lots of competition in Dog Breeding. Yes, you will find the occasional breeder who shouldnt be in the business, but for the most part, most of the AKC registered ones are pretty reliable. By the way, if anyone is interested in a Doberman, I have 9 little pups that go on sale Memorial day
My family got a Jack Russell about a year before I moved out and we hated each other. Whenever I came in the room that SOB would duck and cover.
Adoption/rescue is the way to go. My wife is big into that scene, and we have a zoo at our house. Astro101, I couldn't guarantee a 100% Jack Russel, but since you seem to have a couple of months, if you email through the board, I can get you in touch with people who will then keep an eye out for something that you're looking for, assuming you'd be a good dog owner. Added benefit is you'd be saving a dog's life. Chuck 4, if you're a good dog breeder, more power to you, but the problem is that those are more the exception than the rule. There's a reason Houston and San Antonio are two of the worst, if not the two worst, cities in the country in regards to pet killing at pounds. Houston has a sadly low spay and neuter rate and way too many puppy mills. Again, more power to you if you are reputable. But more often than not, the guys that set up shop on some corner are just looking to make a buck. They typically don't know who they're selling to, in many cases won't get all their puppies out anyway, so at the end of the day x% ends up at the SPCA or BARC, where they are eventually killed. Which means, at the end of the day, they are just profiting off the breeding of animals that at this point in time certainly aren't needed, and the killing of some.
Pics of two out 3. I also have the mother but somehow she got out yesterday and hasn't come home yet. It's been pretty distressing at the moment.
Great post. I work at the Houston SPCA and 90% of the year we are overflowing with animals. We no longer euthanize for cage space, which is the right way to do things, but makes it extremely hard to keep our heads above water. We often have to set animals up in rooms that have been converted from offices or labs. As you said, reputable breeders are great, but also rare. If you're looking for a specific breed that's difficult to find, then I understand using a breeder, but if you're just looking for a common dog like a lab or a beagle, I see no reason not to use a shelter. And I don't ever want to hear b****ing about euthanization for cage space from someone who gets their pets from breeders. By the way, roadside sale of animals is now illegal in Texas.
Thanks for the great posts guys. Yea, I'd prefer a Jack, but I'm probably gonna go and look at some rescues. I'm guessing it's one of those things that if I become attached to any dog I won't care what breed it is. Biggie, I hope your dog comes back soon!
