Reply #20: Handling can be a help, but terriers are tricky. [View All]

[havocmom]

They are VERY smart, VERY capable, and basically bred to kill small critters. It is what they were created to do. I love terriers. But I would be darn careful with any terrier near a cat. There are some that work, but most breeders would probably steer you away from the combination.

I also have a worry about REALLY popular breeds at any given time, as the Parson Russell is now. Too often, unscrupulous people will breed for profit and not for the betterment of the breed. When you are talking about one of the 'IN' breeds, be VERY selective about breeders. Too many people will breed to get $$ instead of selectively picking dogs to get good pups.

I have know many people who had Poms and cats and all of them made for great pals. Not overly fond of Poms in general myself, but if I had a cat and needed to add a small dog, that would be my choice.

There are breed specific characteristics and tendencies. A good breeder will try to match a family's situation, lifestyle and needs to a breed that tends to want things the same way.

My husband had an Airedale and he loves the breed. But we are older and slower now. Convinced him to give a Golden Retriever a try. Now he has a dog who just wants to be with him whatever he is doing. When he wants to just sit and read, the dog is there against his feet. Nice in one's older years, and something he said he always wished the Airedale would have done.

My Golden would not be good for you to carry up the stairs, but he is great with kids and cats. And once, when my back went out and I could not get up the 4 stairs into our house, he got me in and then worked like a handi dog for several weeks when I was not able to move much. He would bring me stuff I needed, pick up what I dropped when my hands would not work reliabley and kept me from losing it emotionally while I was outta commision.

Different breeds for different needs. Good care, love and handling for ANY dog, but yeah, breeds are different.