The Dog Behavior Answer Book - Arden Moore [14]
Desperately Seeking Celebrity Clone
Q I have wanted a Jack Russell terrier ever since I saw Eddie on the TV show Frasier. How can I find a Jack Russell that has the same personality as Eddie? Are most Jack Russells that smart, cute, and funny?
A The character of Eddie (played by a canine actor named Moose) certainly rates as one of the most endearing canine personalities of recent times. He plays tricks on his people, lets everyone know when he wants something, and rarely does anything wrong. He also spends a lot of time lounging around on the couch. Unfortunately, Eddie’s delightful antics have given many viewers the impression that Jack Russell terriers are mellow, easy to train, and generally well behaved. This is rarely the case.
BREED BYTE
The earliest Irish setters were actually red and white. The solid red type first appeared in Ireland in the 19th century.
Television sitcoms such as Frasier and popular movies such as 101 Dalmatians generally don’t deal in reality, and that is particularly true when it comes to dog behavior. Let’s discuss Jack Russells in particular, and then address the issue surrounding breeds popularized by Hollywood.
Although Eddie acts like a charmer on-screen, Moose the actor was abandoned twice by pet owners who couldn’t deal with him before he was finally adopted by an expert in handling difficult dogs. I had the chance to meet Moose and his trainer a couple of times during fund-raising events for animal organizations. He loved the sound of cameras flashing and being surrounded by a crowd of two-legged admirers. He didn’t, however, care to share the stage with other dogs, including Jack Russells. His trainer had to advise autograph-seekers not to bring their dogs up to meet Eddie when he “signed” his book, My Life As a Dog.
To understand the true nature of Jack Russell terriers (renamed Parson Russell terriers by the American Kennel Club), we need to look at their breed heritage. Developed in England hundreds of years ago to kill vermin, Jack Russells were bred to be fearless, energetic, tenacious hunters who were brave enough to attack badgers and other types of wildlife that often fought back. These dogs spent hours a day hunting and killing other animals, a job they learned to relish.
Fast forward to today’s world and you have a big dog in a small package who is always looking for trouble. Many Jack Russells have a very strong hunting instinct, which makes it difficult for them to live with cats and other small dogs. They also have a very independent nature, as they were bred to work alone all day and make their own decisions as they hunted. The result is that they don’t take direction well, meaning they can be notoriously difficult to train. Many Jack Russells also have a strong alpha temperament, which makes them want to be the boss in just about every situation.
If you have your heart set on getting a particular dog based on a movie or TV show, learn more about the breed and meet some of these dogs before you go out and get one. Realize what you are getting into; chances are good that you won’t get a dog that is anything like the one on the screen. Especially if this will be your first dog, you should seriously consider choosing a breed that fits your lifestyle and experience, not just one who looks and acts cute on TV.
Jack Russells and other movie star breeds like Dalmatians can be difficult to handle even for experienced dog owners. First-time owners often find these dogs overwhelming, which is one reason so many of them end up in animal shelters. Other breeds can tax your patience, too, but may have a greater likelihood of adapting to family life. The lovable and very popular Labrador retriever, for example, sports oodles of energy and needs an owner willing to spend the time to train and to provide suitable activities. Take the time to make sure a particular breed is right for you.
Silver and the Strangers
BECKY AND HAL CONTACTED ME after an incident in which their nine-month-old Australian shepherd, without perceived warning, suddenly lunged and