My husband and I have thought about getting a lap dog for a long time. We are very active outside. We have chickens, turkeys, rabbits, goats, ducks, cats and dogs. I (we) have "sorta" kept our eyes out for a breed that would Fit into our family and lifestyle. There weren't too many small breeds that did that. I don't like shaggy dogs. We have one, and she's always got burrs in her hair and likes to give kisses with her furry spongy wet mouth after drinking water. She's one of the brightest dogs I've had, but I prefer breeds with min. maintenance furwise. (I was raised with labs...hose them off and your done!) These are the breeds that we have considered and then pulled back from...
1. Chihuahua - adorable...but not rugged enough
2. 13 inch Beagle - adorable...but yappy and roaming
3. poodle- awesome but....HAIR!
4. Norfolk and Norwich...hair
5. Pekingese - neighbor has one I'm in love with...but dingleberries!!!
6. Yorkshire terrier - steal my heart but delicate and HAIR
Now I know that there are other breeds of small sporty lap dogs but they don't appeal to one or both of us for different reasons. Nothing against the dog...just our lifestyle.
Now I get to the question! (Finally, right?)
How are rat terriers around poultry and fowl? Do they have more of a tendency to catch and kill? Or are they naturally unconcerned? For example...my mothers LAB (hunting breed) would let the chickens eat dog food out of his bowl WHILE he was eating. My Rottie has caught and killed a few escapees (my fault for fencing issues). My Cur really doesn't bother with escapee s and can be let in around the animals only for him to walk around sniff and PP in places. So where do they (rat terriers) tend to fall in the mix?
Please no long replies about "training". I understand all of that. Just want to know the inherent nature of the breed from owners and not dog breed websites.
I understand That most dogs/breeds can be TRAINED but obviously some are more genetically styled to be around certain situations than others. I wouldn't get a Pekingese to guard a mansion and I wouldn't get a Great Dane for a caravan travel dog. Not that there aren't people out there that don't...I'm sure there is a well travelled Dane in a winabago (sp) somewhere. Just obviously some breeds are better suited, naturally, to some situations.
Sorry to go into such detail, but I know that some people will miss my point if I don't. lol Not necessarily on here, but just because of past experience with forums.
I met this lady who's parents raised Rat Terriers. She had two out when I was there. I was SOOO Impressed with these little pooches. Obviously since her poultry were free range...these dogs (her dogs) were fine. Either trained or naturally "ok" with the birds. I don't know, I didn't ask.
Their hair was short and tidy. Their little bodies well muscled. They were light as a feather (comepared to my Rottie pup). Sweet. I didn't wince or grunt when I bent over to pick them up! That's a plus with my back issues! They weren't all squirly when I picked them up (probably due to the owners and children).
SO what do you think?
1. Chihuahua - adorable...but not rugged enough
2. 13 inch Beagle - adorable...but yappy and roaming
3. poodle- awesome but....HAIR!
4. Norfolk and Norwich...hair
5. Pekingese - neighbor has one I'm in love with...but dingleberries!!!
6. Yorkshire terrier - steal my heart but delicate and HAIR
Now I know that there are other breeds of small sporty lap dogs but they don't appeal to one or both of us for different reasons. Nothing against the dog...just our lifestyle.
Now I get to the question! (Finally, right?)
How are rat terriers around poultry and fowl? Do they have more of a tendency to catch and kill? Or are they naturally unconcerned? For example...my mothers LAB (hunting breed) would let the chickens eat dog food out of his bowl WHILE he was eating. My Rottie has caught and killed a few escapees (my fault for fencing issues). My Cur really doesn't bother with escapee s and can be let in around the animals only for him to walk around sniff and PP in places. So where do they (rat terriers) tend to fall in the mix?
Please no long replies about "training". I understand all of that. Just want to know the inherent nature of the breed from owners and not dog breed websites.
I understand That most dogs/breeds can be TRAINED but obviously some are more genetically styled to be around certain situations than others. I wouldn't get a Pekingese to guard a mansion and I wouldn't get a Great Dane for a caravan travel dog. Not that there aren't people out there that don't...I'm sure there is a well travelled Dane in a winabago (sp) somewhere. Just obviously some breeds are better suited, naturally, to some situations.
Sorry to go into such detail, but I know that some people will miss my point if I don't. lol Not necessarily on here, but just because of past experience with forums.
I met this lady who's parents raised Rat Terriers. She had two out when I was there. I was SOOO Impressed with these little pooches. Obviously since her poultry were free range...these dogs (her dogs) were fine. Either trained or naturally "ok" with the birds. I don't know, I didn't ask.
Their hair was short and tidy. Their little bodies well muscled. They were light as a feather (comepared to my Rottie pup). Sweet. I didn't wince or grunt when I bent over to pick them up! That's a plus with my back issues! They weren't all squirly when I picked them up (probably due to the owners and children).
SO what do you think?