Dogs

[mvmdlg]

My wife and I have a 3 yr old mix.  A friend of my wife’s has a family member that has a 5yr old jack russell terrier that needs a home or she goes to a shelter.  I have read and know they are hunting dogs?? Good/Bad.  What dog’s/pups are good with/around rabbitts.

 

[Andi]

I had a Shepard/Golden Lab/Boarder Collie mix… she loved all small animals. So even though one breed may be known for it’s prey drive, I definetly would say a high % is individule dog.
JRT’s are bred to kill rabbits and other farm ‘pests’, but some of the ones I have met lived and played with cats and ferrets, so again it depends on the dog.

[Elrohwen]

In general, I wouldn’t recommend a JRT with a rabbit – the ones I have known have a strong prey drive. One friend’s JRT, a super sweet dog who I adore, sent a cat to the ICU for 4 days – so it’s nothing to take lightly.

However, every dog is different. I grew up with schanuzers who were terrified of my gerbils, so not all terriers have a high prey drive. I would bring the dog over and give it a shot. She how she reacts around the bunny. If she is extremely intense, even at a distance and on a leash, things might not work out. But if she’s able to show interest without going nuts, you will probably be able to work with her on getting used to the rabbit. Even if she can’t be with the rabbit off leash, a calm dog should be able to remain calm. The JRT I know couldn’t even calm down after the gerbils had been moved to the guest room on a different floor – a dog like her wouldn’t be a good candidate for living with a bun.

Also, has this dog ever lived with cats? Often dogs that can live with cats and not bug them will be good with bunnies after some training.

[RabbitPam]

I’d recommend a compromise: help find a new home for the JRT that isn’t yours. I think it’s a risky breed for bunnies, but you can broaden the search and ask people you know if they know anyone who would like him. It’s a great dog to have by itself, and it would save the dog while not risking your own furbabies.

[Ali925]

Based on personal experience I would agree with RabbitPam. It’s a risky breed for people too! I got bit by one in February while out on a run in a different neighborhood than I usually run…and got bit pretty bad. The owner couldn’t even catch him after I got away from him (screaming and flailing about)… Besides that, I do know they go after small animals so it’s likely it wouldn’t be safe for bunnies.

I have read also that JRTs need lots of supervision/training since it’s in their nature to be hunting dogs. The owner of the one that bit me failed to read the fine print before getting one of his own I guess…

[Andi]

My favorite saying “No such thing as a bad dog, just a bad owner”.
If you have the time, willingness and even experiance any ‘bad dog’ can become a good one. Though that’s just not always possible with everyone, and it’s ok to recognize that.
I think everyones posted some good suggestions, just go with your gut, and be cautious. Don’t feel bad if you cannot help this dog by bringing it into your home if it means putting your already fur-family in any danger.
Good luck, and let us know how things turn out.

[Sarita]

Well, I don’t think a Jack Russell is a bad dog, just not a good dog with a rabbit. They are very tenacious and smart and I think being around a rabbit would not only make a Jack Russell anxious it would certainly make the rabbit nervous. I don’t think it would be good for either the dog or the rabbit.

[jennyrabbit]

as long as they are trained they can be fine. I have a JRT X and a Lurcher(Sighthound X Collie) who are both great with my rabbit, BOTH dogs are older rescues so they did not grow up with rabbits. my Lurcher actually taught herself to be ok with bunnies, my JRT is fine after training and in fact loves hanging in my rabbits pen with her, he likes to flop out of the shelf with Jen(though he did this more with Kari who was closer to his size). my Retriever was my only problem dog..I ended up having to use a shock collar to train her to leave rabbits alone, NOTHING else worked with her.

[mvmdlg]

Thank you all for your replys. It seems I read stay away, but some have had terriers with no problems. I guess it depends on the training. Do you think a older dog is better or the saying “Can’t teach an old dog new tricks” like training too.

[Andi]

I believe u can teach an old dog new tricks, as long as you have the resources and patiance.

[Deleted User]

The thing here is that it can be done but it may take a lot of work. I mean time and patience etc. Are you up for it, is what you need to ask yourself. It might take you 6 months to accomplish this socialization. This JRT would of course always hunt rabbits but the subject in the traiing you are looking to accomplish would be not to hunt YOUR bunny. This can be done but it takes a serious commitment and time.

[Elrohwen]

Personally, I’ve found that natural behavior is more important than training. We neglected the training on our schnauzers when i was growing up – they were great dogs, but didn’t walk on a leash well, barked too much etc. However, they were always totally fine with my gerbils (the gerbils were in those exercise balls, and the dogs actually ran away from them). I’m sure they would’ve been able to live with bunnies without too much training.

My friend’s JRT, Daisy, is perfectly trained. She knows all sorts of tricks, is perfect on the leash and with other dogs, but I wouldn’t trust her in the same house with my rabbits. It’s just her instinct to go after them and kill. Some dogs just like to bark or harass small animals, but Daisy seriously tried to kill a cat that she was able to get at once and I know she’d do the same to the rabbits, no matter how much training she had.

I think instinct is often more important than training, especially if you aren’t already super knowledgeable about dog training.

[Deleted User]

You CAN untrain dogs from barking as well as train any dog to walk on a leash but it might require things that you are not willing to do. There are many cat-killing dogs who live peacefully in a home with one particular cat.

I don’t recommend the Jack Russel as a breed to rabbit owners, though. Why make yourself such an overwhelming task?

[Deleted User]

*I should add that I mean by “things you might not be willing to do” the e-collar, dog trainer sessions, incredible time commitment, $ expense on containment for the pre-socialization time…

[Sarita]

My worst experience with a JRT was at a pet event I did when I was doing rabbit rescue. The little JRT grabbed an even smaller chihuahua and flung him around – it was horrible and the lady with the little chihuahua was hysterical and I know the family with the JRT felt bad too. I think the JRT thought the little chihuahua was a rodent or something.

[Elrohwen]

Petzy, I do agree. I didn’t mean to say that it would be impossible – just that the task to train certain dogs would be so huge that it might not be worth it.

[Deleted User]

I agree with you, Elrohwen, 110%!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Elrohwen]

Hehe, Petzy

[foxtailskies]

Breeds have tendencies but they don’t carry over to every member… generalities can definitely be made but I’ve met sweet Shar Peis and aggressive Golden Retrievers and everything in between (I’ve worked with a lot of dogs). Hard to say how any individual dog will really react until you put them in a testing situation… I’d say, if you were looking for *any* dog, you may not want to start with a terrier or sighthound breed (TEND to have high prey drives), but since you are looking at one specific dog, I don’t think it would hurt to safely gauge her interest in bunnies (i.e., rabbit in cage, dog on secure leash a respectful distance away). You’ll probably have to do the same for any dog you consider adopting, regardless of breed- nearly every dog breed has not-too-distant ancestors that were either bred to hunt rabbits or did so incidentally (what d’you think herding dogs ate in the field years ago? Alpo and mutton were not on the menu…)

And you can ABSOLUTELY teach ANY older animal new tricks! (“Behaviors” to use the more general term.) Dogs, cats, rabbits, parrots, horses, whatever… positive reinforcement, consistency from the trainer and sometimes the correct tools (humane training aids) can go a loooooong way to achieve a lot of goals. As Petzy said, though, it can take some serious work, so definitely do your homework beforehand to determine what you’d be willing to work with. Good luck!!!! (And kudos for looking at a rescue dog, by the way! )

[RabbitPam]

I think JRTs are amazing dogs, with what they can be trained to do. All that energy and cuteness.

Having read Petzy’s advice, I am not as much concerned about the ability to train him, but rather what could happen in the process. In other words, once trained, you might be fine, but in those first few weeks, how risky would it be if you need to train in the same home as your bunnies daily?

You have a big heart, regardless of what you decide to do.

[jennyrabbit]

age doesnt mean much, my Lurcher was 12 and my JRT was 4 when I got them, and both are fine, my retriever who I have had since she was a pup and was worked with from day 1 on the other hand is not OK. I dont agree that a JRT will “always” hunt rabbits even if used to yours..you should see my dogs..they used to chase every rabbit they saw..now we have honestly had wild rabbits walk right up to my dogs and sniff them,. and my dogs just look at them like “ya, and?” I have 7 dogs..all the same on this one(2 BCs, 1 NSDTR, 1 Lurcher, 3 Terrier X’s) so this aint no random fluke!

Kari and my JRT X

Kari and my Lurcher

these 2 are among my most trustworthy dogs around my Jenny(and previously around Kari)

[Deleted User]

Jenny, I too have dogs and my rabbits walk over their heads for fun — I just don’t want people thinking that this is the norm.

[Kyoshi]

I think I have responded to a couple posts on dog/rabbit relationships, and I must say, this is a matter to be taken seriously. While many dogs are generally great with small animals (Golden Retrievers to name one), there is the posibility of a big doggy trampling a bun. And most little dogs are bred specifially for hunting purposes, escpecially buns. not to mention, Jack Russells, as well as lots of terriers, are yappy, so you got the spook factor in there too. And of course the biting factor, pawing, and lunging. Generally, I would not recommend a Jack Russell with a bun, but thats just my opinion.( I am sure that I will here lots of stories from angry owners about Jack Russells saving there buns from fires or something. Look, I have nothin’ against the breed. I love ALL dog breeds. ) I just thnk the breed in general is not a good idea with bunnies, but this Jack in specific might be perfect. Just remember, as I have said before, Dogs are no childrens books. Everything could be going great with this Jack and your bun(s) and he could just snap. Then you might end up with an article in te support forum, a dog in the pound, and a guilty consience. I hate to be having to tell you it’s not a good idea, as I do NOT want a doggy to land in the pound. Remember, it’s great that you want to open your home and heart to a doggy in need. It’s your decision, and we are just here to help you.

[jennyrabbit]

I agree that you have to be careful and you dont want people to just throw anything together without thinking. however breeds and ages are still being generalized and THAT is what bothers me like “golden rerievers are fine but JRTs be really careful!!”  I am the last person to say “ya go get a Jack!” because they are not for the faint of heart, but dont generalize breeds. seriously I have spent about $1000 or so in saftey measures to protect my small animals from my RETRIEVER because all my research said “oh its a retriever, raised properly with your small pets, no problem!” everything I read on the breed “great with small animals!!” etc.. this is why I say asess the DOG not the breed.  besides that most breed these days are completly and utterly usless for what they were intended for lol

[BinkyBunny]

I don’t know alot about dogs except for when working at shelters (and and I also agree about generalizing—though the nature of some breeds will play a role in things—even the shelter will ask people if they have experience with certain breeds before adopting them out …so it can matter), but I have seen both sides and so I agree it depends on the dog and the owners together.

  I always tell the story about the hunting breed (bird dog) that used to just hang out with the shelter bunnies at SaveABunny. Ben was an amazingly sweet and gentle dog that wouldn’t hurt a fly.  One time, when no human would throw the ball for him, he got fed up and went and put a ball down in front of a bunny. (one that,. just a minute earlier, had run up to him to greet him through the xpen).  Ben looked down at the ball adn then back up to the bunny like he was saying….”Ya gonna throw that thing now?!..I’m waiting”.  He was very gentle with the bunnies regardless of his hunting breed.  

I have also heard of horror stories of dogs that people thought they had under control.  I won’t go into detail about that…but you can just imagine.

But because I myself have not had dogs with bunnies I can only speak from the experience I have witnessed and it’s a mixed bag. But the fact that you are asking and researching before making such a decision is a good sign that you will get this figured out — whatever is best for your situation.  

I wish you the best with whatever decision you make.

[mvmdlg]

mM sife and I are going to meet the dog for ourselves this evening. we are going to see how hyper/excited he gets and if he calms down at all. We will then introduce him (rascal) to shadow, of course he will be leashed and she will be in her pen. We are wanting to see his reaction to shad, if barks (continously) and lurches forward. We will see.

[mvmdlg]

that is wife. LOL

[mvmdlg]

the first step is done. went really well. he is active (on the good side) not jumppy or hyper (only when he meets someone at the begining). So onto the next step (some time next week) is to come meet shad bunny. I think it will all work it’s self out.

[Kyoshi]

I just want to get it clear thet I am not siding with any breeds. I definetely know that dogs have certain natures, which can completely defy the breed itself. But, dogs still have instinct. I think that you, mvmdlg, are taking this really well. I can’t wait to hear how it goes!

[Author]

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