What breed? That is an interesting question!

My dog is a shortie Jack Russell terrier. Some call this breed a English Jack Russell terrier, while others call this breed an Irish Jack Russell Terrier! Essentially, he is a Parson Russell Terrier who is short (10"-12" at the shoulders).

Some argue it is the original Parson Russell.

They are not yet recognized by the AKC, even though they have been around for years. They should be in the next couple of years, I suspect. They have fallen under the Foundation Stock Service as the Russell Terrier. They have been recognized by the UKC for many years and are very popular in England. Prince Charles typically has 2 at any given time for his fox hunting. He pops them on the back of his saddle and then drops them to the ground when he needs them to chase the foxes out from underground.

Although they originated in England, and many breeders seek out Irish born Jacks for their lines, the AKC has chosen to go with the "stylings" (sorry can't think of a better word) of the Australian born for breed standard (all about the same, but you know). It caused quite an uproar.

Anyway, THAT is why my guy is!

Damn, could have just done this:

http://www.akc.org/breeds/russell_terrier/

Anyway, he is the perfect breed for me. I love the big dog in the small dog body the terrier breeds encompass. He is a rough and tumble guy and has the stamina of the big dogs. He loves to hike for miles and miles and is afraid of nothing. He rocks.

Yes exactly how I feel. I have been through SO many Vets. I actually interview them before I decide. I'm quite lucky now the Vet I have understands me very well and knows how to "handle" me so to speak. One day he said to me "Sue, there are people who treat their pets like pets nothing more. Then there are people who treat their pets as they would their own children....and we both know what category you fall into" He wasn't being condescending or patronizing, he just understands how to approach me if you can understand that.

I agree with DabberButch, I would he hesitant to do anything unless I asked my Vet. But then again I trust him so that makes a huge difference.

Do a search there are lots of forums and email groups that offer a wealth of information. It helps to talk to people who are going through or have gone through the same problem. I joined a canine liver disease email group when Gouda had severe problems with her liver following her chemo. It helped a lot.

My sister had a Parsons Russell, boy that dog had loads of energy and wasnt afraid of anything! She now has a PR mix who isnt as wound up as her other dog was...but you can still see the typical terrier in her.

Terriers dont work well for me just because of what they were bred for. I hope one day to have my own little hobby farm and terriers although very useful on the farm for varmit control can be hard on chickens and other poultry. Plus by nature I'm fairly sedate and well they just wouldnt work as well for me. I would really like to have an Anatolian Shepard when I do get a hobby farm.

ALH- for a ramp, I would try eBay or Amazon. Probably could get a great deal.

I asked because of being told by another person at the dog park and just thought I'd see if anyone hear has any knowledge about it. I am going to call the vet and ask her. Actually, I wouldn't give him anything "people" unless I checked it out.

She has prescribed "people" OTC things at times whic has cut down costs. I agree with you, however, if I could not ask due to feeling she would not be honest, I would change vets.

I am taking him to the specialist that originally diagnose the knee problem and explained about what could happen if and when the hip dysplashia became symptomatic. I want a second opinion from him about where my little guy really is in terms of how this will all go.

Making many adjustments with activity and what is OK for him to do. Going to go look at ramps tomorrow. But, Anya, you have a good idea about Ebay. I just want to get the bed thing taken care of right away as those are the stairs he uses the most.

Trying to catch him before he tears down them (going down stairs is the most difficult for our pooches) is quite a feat! When I am in the bedroom and know I will be there, I move the stairs away. But, he thinks he can do anything and I can just see him taking a jump off the bed!! So, I have to be right there id the stairs are moved away from the bed.

Ugh... I have to go to work now and move them out of the way and put his bed on the floor so he won't go up and down while I am out. Little goof!

Yes. I think the one thing people miss when they pick out a dog is if the breed is a good match for them. All people seem to care about is what the dog looks like. Unless you are typically an active person, don't get a Parson Russell/Russell Terrier, let you say. The dog will just drive you nuts AND it isn't fair to the dog.

By the same token, don't get a 5 pound poodle if you want to hike 5 miles in the woods every day.

Dogs should be chosen based on personality type/what they were bred to do. Otherwise, we just keep filling up the shelters with dogs that don't match our personalities (more often active dogs go to shelters). When you get a dog you should plan to have it for the rest of its life. If you know you are going to want kids in the next 5 years, get a kid friendly dog. It is only fair to the kid and fair to the dog.

/rant

Really sound advice. Thousands of dogs end up in shelters and rescue organization each year because people don’t research breeds and mixes of breeds. Could be avoided. When I had Boxers, I did a lot of "talking out of" them to many people. People would see mine at the dog park and say they wanted one and when we talked about activity levels and the fact that the breed does have many health issues that can come up- they re-thought things. Which is a good thing- a Boxer in an apartment is not good unless you have a walker as well as during time off interact and exercise the dog. All dogs need our attention and training and interaction. They do not do well being thrown in a back yard and ignored. And that isn’t a good life for a dog anyway.

I adore Boxers, and really miss having one, but as I am aging and dealing with severe arthritis issues, it is far better for me to have a small dog. And my Frog Dog has many of the silliness traits of a Boxer and smarts. They have some health issues as well, but since I had several Boxers through the years, I'm good at scoping out good breathers as this is an area of concern as well as spine problems if you allow them to do things they are just not built for. The hip dysphasia felt like it came out of left field, but I am getting lots of tips on his care. Plus my vet has 5 Frenchies!!

He is active and social, but I can get away with a couple of days of just leash walks in the neighborhood when my joints are acting up. Now that he needs changes in kinds of activity and some pacing with length of walks, I figure we are in sync! He likes to "garden" with me in the yard and I can roll a ball around for him a bit, just not bounce it so that he goes and jumps for it. We will adjust. And I am really glad that it is less taxing on a smaller dog and much easier to deal with in terms of surgery. At first, I was really down and focused on the pain. I am already seeing that the changes made are reducing this.

I like that Frenchies are quiet overall (but are alert watch dogs) and have short hair. But it is imperative that the owner know that they are very susceptible to heatstroke. I am glad I live in the climate that I do. These little guys would have to be in air conditioning on all of the time in some areas.