TENTERFIELD TERRIERS, whoops, got stuck in caps Lock

[mrose_s]

k, i know i look up the information, but here you get personal experiences, i found a picture of one and thought it was so cute,. im now interested in getting one in a few years,

how big do they get?
what were they bred for?
are they natoriously (sp?) dificult to train?
how much activity do they need?
how much mental stimulation do they need?
do they need other companions?
do they need to be inside dogs?
do they tend to be overly agressive or nippy?

even if they need lots of excercise, training, care, stimulation, time and effort, it wont change my mind if i decide on one, all my dogs willl have a HUGE amount of excercise, very little time left alone and very good training...
just interested in them because i saw a picture on http://www.awlqld.com.au/rehoming.htm i fell in love with "charles" a little black, white and tan tennterfield terrier.

 

[Renee750il]

That looks like a great site! Isis and Churchill don't look like GSD/Rottie crosses though - they sure look like straight GSD!

Looking at Charles, I'm wondering if Tennterfield Terrier isn't the Australian version of our Rat Terrier. Rat Terriers are fun little dogs; vocal, playful, active, affectionate, great vermin dogs - you won't have any rats or mice around! Ratties are usually good alone or with other dogs - they're very adaptable and very bright.

 

[mrose_s]

ok, i am actually interested in rats as pets, would that be a problem?

 

[Renee750il]

Just don't let them run loose around a Terrier! Terriers are pretty smart about figuring out who is family and who isn't, but sometimes instinct will take over if you put too much temptation out there.

 

[mrose_s]

ok, thats good. im not really a "little dog" person, but i fell in love with Charles, i would take him home in a SECOND

 

[Renee750il]

Terriers aren't little dogs, they're compact dogs. You get a 70 pound dog in a 10 pound body, lol!

 

[avenlee]

You sure do! With a bunch of attitude to boot

 

[mrose_s]

lol, they are cute though arnt they

 

[Renee750il]

I love Terriers! I'd have several if I didn't know they'd be coyote bait out here

 

[mrose_s]

oh... i watced like a nature show on coyotes the other day. They are lovely, but I guess they are like crocs and dongoes and Buffoloes here? lovely to look at but a bit dangerous.

When we were on camp in year seven. At night all the dongoes would come in and try to take our bread lol

 

[Renee750il]

The coyotes have become a dangerous nuisance here. They've proliferated at an alarming rate and have shoved other predators out of the environment. Coyotes adapt to our ways very well, and will learn to snatch pet animals from fenced enclosures. They will work together and even a dog like a Rottie isn't safe.

They are losing their fear of us, and in some cases are mating with dogs, further deteriorating the natural wariness, making them doubly dangerous. They are also getting larger . . .

 

[mrose_s]

Oh dear, thats a worry than. How big are they? Ive never actually researched them?

 

[Renee750il]

They are supposed to be about 40 pound animals. I've seen some that were substantially bigger than Bimmer. I saw one that had been hit by a car that was nearly as big as my Bear was, and he weighed between 100 and 110 pounds. I doubt it weighed that much, as it wouldn't have had the heavy bone structure he had, but it was much too big for a coyote.

They are terrified of the Filas though, and have a healthy respect for Bimmer. The only reason I can think of that they steer clear of him has to do with that bit of wolf blood, as wolves are their natural enemies.

 

[mrose_s]

yeah, i was watching Tv and I saw a pack of wolves chase down and kill a coyote

 

[MiniFoxie2]

some answers for Rose

how big do they get?
12 inches, although there's a movement afoot to raise the height ceiling to 14 inches

what were they bred for?
Hunting and eliminating vermin

are they natoriously (sp?) dificult to train?
no, a well bred one is bright

how much activity do they need?
moderate amount

how much mental stimulation do they need?
lots, if you don't want everything in your house chewed up, especially by puppies!

do they need other companions?
those that are descended from good Miniature Fox Terrier lines need companionship and love being with their people

do they need to be inside dogs?
In a cold climate, certainly, or very good shelter. Back in the day, many were farm dogs and left outside but I'm sure the mortality rate was high.

do they tend to be overly agressive or nippy?
If you suspect any dog is overly aggressive or nippy DON'T BUY IT!

even if they need lots of excercise, training, care, stimulation, time and effort, it wont change my mind if i decide on one, all my dogs willl have a HUGE amount of excercise, very little time left alone and very good training...

GOOD FOR YOU!!