Jack Russells

[mickey]

It's quite the opposite wedgie, they are a very smart breed.. its just that they do what they like, when they like... a bit like the class clown in a school.

[Psyber]

Some of the dribbling and drooling problems with dogs are structural.
Breeds like Newfoundlands and Great Danes which have loose lips, and the retrieving breeds with "soft mouths" all tend to this issue.
Other tighter lipped breeds - terriers, working breeds, and Wolfhounds for example, don't dribble and drool.
Boxers drool a bit, but Dalmatians and most Pointer breeds don't.

As for intelligence, my experience is that the working breeds tend to be more intelligent, and studies of animal behaviour support this.
"Working breeds" includes the Poodle, the standard version of which has been a traditional working breed in France - they don't all get clipped into those silly pompoms.
Floppy ears tend to go with selective breeding towards arrested maturation and "cuteness", and while it may not impair intelligence, it may affect maturity.
Mature dogs tend to look more like the wolves they descended from.
Miniaturisation of breeds may have some odd effects too.

There was a recent documentary on SBS, "The Secret Life of the Dog", which showed a Border Collie being shown pictures and then going into another room and selecting the object in the picture from a pile of objects. It also focussed on a dog's ability to read human faces, and pick up the clue about which bowl had food under it from the human tester either pointing at the correct bowl or even just glancing at it - something even our nearest genetic relative, the Chimpanzee, can't do.

[Darth Vader]

Some of the dribbling and drooling problems with dogs are structural.
Breeds like Newfoundlands and Great Danes which have loose lips, and the retrieving breeds with "soft mouths" all tend to this issue.
Other tighter lipped breeds - terriers, working breeds, and Wolfhounds for example, don't dribble and drool.
Boxers drool a bit, but Dalmatians and most Pointer breeds don't.

As for intelligence, my experience is that the working breeds tend to be more intelligent, and studies of animal behaviour support this.
"Working breeds" includes the Poodle, the standard version of which has been a traditional working breed in France - they don't all get clipped into those silly pompoms.
Floppy ears tend to go with selective breeding towards arrested maturation and "cuteness", and while it may not impair intelligence, it may affect maturity.
Mature dogs tend to look more like the wolves they descended from.
Miniaturisation of breeds may have some odd effects too.

There was a recent documentary on SBS, "The Secret Life of the Dog", which showed a Border Collie being shown pictures and then going into another room and selecting the object in the picture from a pile of objects. It also focussed on a dog's ability to read human faces, and pick up the clue about which bowl had food under it from the human tester either pointing at the correct bowl or even just glancing at it - something even our nearest genetic relative, the Chimpanzee, can't do.

I saw that show with the Border Collie- absolutely remarkable animal- I think we generally underestimate the intelligence of animals. Also how do we measure intelligence- most people surmise that the dog which obeys every human command is the intelligent one- but perhaps the dog which decides "stuff you I will do what I want" is in actual fact the more intelligent. Had a cocker spaniel once that had the dopiest look on its face, but was the smartest dog I have ever known. My Jack Russell is super-smart.

[Wedgie]

It's quite the opposite wedgie, they are a very smart breed.. its just that they do what they like, when they like... a bit like the class clown in a school.

They come 48th out of 80.
At least they're not as dumb as pugs, bulldogs, beagles, bull terriers, old English sheepdogs and whippets.
Mines half English Cocker Spaniel so at least she picks up some intelligence there.

[Booney]

It's quite the opposite wedgie, they are a very smart breed.. its just that they do what they like, when they like... a bit like the class clown in a school.

They come 48th out of 80.
At least they're not as dumb as pugs, bulldogs, beagles, bull terriers, sheepdogs and whippets.

Suggesting any breed of dog is dumb is as much of a generalisation as suggesting any race of human is smarter or otherwise than the next. We all know that is not the case.

I'm sure all breeds have smart and dumb animals within them and it comes down to the owner, not the dog.

[A Mum]

It's quite the opposite wedgie, they are a very smart breed.. its just that they do what they like, when they like... a bit like the class clown in a school.

They come 48th out of 80.
At least they're not as dumb as pugs, bulldogs, beagles, bull terriers, sheepdogs and whippets.

Suggesting any breed of dog is dumb is as much of a generalisation as suggesting any race of human is smarter or otherwise than the next. We all know that is not the case.

I'm sure all breeds have smart and dumb animals within them and it comes down to the owner, not the dog.

True... and reminds me of a landlord we once had.

His theory on allowing tennants to have pets was quite simple...
"Pets are only as good as their owners"
Good owners/tennants = good pets and he'd let his tennants have pets based on this theory.

[Wedgie]

It's quite the opposite wedgie, they are a very smart breed.. its just that they do what they like, when they like... a bit like the class clown in a school.

They come 48th out of 80.
At least they're not as dumb as pugs, bulldogs, beagles, bull terriers, sheepdogs and whippets.

Suggesting any breed of dog is dumb is as much of a generalisation as suggesting any race of human is smarter or otherwise than the next. We all know that is not the case.

I'm sure all breeds have smart and dumb animals within them and it comes down to the owner, not the dog.

Of course like humans there are exceptions but it is scientifically proven thy using certain parameters different breeds have different levels of intelligence.
Whilst some people might disagree with the parameters used (usually the owners of dumber breeds), he facts are irrefutable.
If you think all dogs breeds are o the same intelligence then logic would also dictate you'd think all mammals if not all animals have th same overall average intelligence.
Having encountered stick insects and port supporters I could probably only agree with you!

[Mister Meaner]

Had many Jack Russells and bred a litter. Amazing, fun, intelligent an universally loyal little dogs.
In the words of the famour vet James Herriot (whose favorite breed is the Jack Russell)- "they are a big dog in a little body".
My Jack Russells have grown up with kids, other dogs and animals.
They are tenacious with mice and rats, but have a wonderful sense of humour- I cannot speak highly enough of this amazing breed.

[Swamp Donkey]

Bloody hard to find a litter in SA at the moment!

[Mythical Creature]

Bloody hard to find a litter in SA at the moment!

I saw some Jack Russells at Pets Paradise in TTP on the weekend if thats any help to you Donkey.

[Booney]

It's quite the opposite wedgie, they are a very smart breed.. its just that they do what they like, when they like... a bit like the class clown in a school.

They come 48th out of 80.
At least they're not as dumb as pugs, bulldogs, beagles, bull terriers, sheepdogs and whippets.

Suggesting any breed of dog is dumb is as much of a generalisation as suggesting any race of human is smarter or otherwise than the next. We all know that is not the case.

I'm sure all breeds have smart and dumb animals within them and it comes down to the owner, not the dog.

Of course like humans there are exceptions but it is scientifically proven thy using certain parameters different breeds have different levels of intelligence.
Whilst some people might disagree with the parameters used (usually the owners of dumber breeds), he facts are irrefutable.
If you think all dogs breeds are o the same intelligence then logic would also dictate you'd think all mammals if not all animals have th same overall average intelligence.
Having encountered stick insects and port supporters I could probably only agree with you!

Although typically reluctant to respond to your patronising responses I felt compelled to on this occasion.

I think you missed my point. Yes, general observations and tests demonstrate that some breeds will, or should, be smarter than others. In that though individual dogs will show sings of being smarter or dumber than the average within that breed. For instance, my brother owned a German Shepherd that was barely smarter than the waste it produced. I have two beagles, one is very clever the other one not so.

But I hate generalising, people do it all the time.Like assuming all government workers are lazy bastards....

[Swamp Donkey]

Bloody hard to find a litter in SA at the moment!

I saw some Jack Russells at Pets Paradise in TTP on the weekend if thats any help to you Donkey.

Yeah thanks mate, they're Jack Russell x Chiuaua apparently MC, thanks mate. I refuse to pay $600 for anything with chiuaua in its name.

[Mythical Creature]

Bloody hard to find a litter in SA at the moment!

I saw some Jack Russells at Pets Paradise in TTP on the weekend if thats any help to you Donkey.

Yeah thanks mate, they're Jack Russell x Chiuaua apparently MC, thanks mate. I refuse to pay $600 for anything with chiuaua in its name.

Fair enough too. Wasn't sure on price or exactly what they were, just remember walking past and seeing a sign that said Jack Russells.

[Wedgie]

Booney, whilst not seeing the need for your insult of my post and others I did find it ironic that you said I'd missed the point when you then went on to agree with everything I said!

As an aside it was an interesting point you made before about different races, I've since looked a bit into it and it appears there is a difference, but for fear of being branded racist and getting off track I'll leave that one for another day, interesting none the less and I thank you for arousing my interest in the subject.

PS Not a fan of small (or big) dogs but Jack Russells are pretty cool from what I've encountered of them.

[The Sleeping Giant]

As an aside it was an interesting point you made before about different races, I've since looked a bit into it and it appears there is a difference, but for fear of being branded racist and getting off track I'll leave that one for another day, interesting none the less and I thank you for arousing my interest in the subject.

Go on Wedgie, you know you want too.

[Booney]

Booney, whilst not seeing the need for your insult of my post and others I did find it ironic that you said I'd missed the point when you then went on to agree with everything I said!

As an aside it was an interesting point you made before about different races, I've since looked a bit into it and it appears there is a difference, but for fear of being branded racist and getting off track I'll leave that one for another day, interesting none the less and I thank you for arousing my interest in the subject.

PS Not a fan of small (or big) dogs but Jack Russells are pretty cool from what I've encountered of them.

I dont see where you make mention of individual dogs within each breed, as I do.

Of course like humans there are exceptions but it is scientifically proven thy using certain parameters different breeds have different levels of intelligence.
Whilst some people might disagree with the parameters used (usually the owners of dumber breeds), he facts are irrefutable.
If you think all dogs breeds are o the same intelligence then logic would also dictate you'd think all mammals if not all animals have th same overall average intelligence.
Having encountered stick insects and port supporters I could probably only agree with you!

P.S - Quite clever, are stick insects. ( No offence taken )

[Wedgie]

I dont see where you make mention of individual dogs within each breed, as I do.

Of course like humans there are exceptions

Right there.

PS Shoo TSG!

[Footy Chick]

Bloody hard to find a litter in SA at the moment!

I saw some Jack Russells at Pets Paradise in TTP on the weekend if thats any help to you Donkey.

Yeah thanks mate, they're Jack Russell x Chiuaua apparently MC, thanks mate. I refuse to pay $600 for anything with chiuaua in its name.

I agree, who would think of breeding the 2 most annoying dog breeds in the world. I feel sorry for any neighbours of these dogs, they'd yap day and night

[Psyber]

I saw that show with the Border Collie- absolutely remarkable animal- I think we generally underestimate the intelligence of animals. Also how do we measure intelligence- most people surmise that the dog which obeys every human command is the intelligent one- but perhaps the dog which decides "stuff you I will do what I want" is in actual fact the more intelligent. Had a cocker spaniel once that had the dopiest look on its face, but was the smartest dog I have ever known. My Jack Russell is super-smart.

Although the only Terrier I've owned was my first dog - an Australian Terrier - I've found Jack Russells I've met to be smart, and an easy breed to relate to.
My Wolfhound was one of the smart dogs you referred to - if you threw a stick or ball, and then looked at him for a reaction, you would get it.
He'd look at you as if you were stupid..

However, if you left the kitchen for a few microseconds any food left out would be gone and the dog would appear to have not moved.
If questioned he would look meaningfully at the cat...

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Got bitten on the back of the heel by a Jack Russel in a back yard while working, did you know they fly exactly like a football?