Small terrier recommendation

[bill10979]

Im considering another dog for my household until another DD arrives (or litter for that matter), have to have the wifes stamp on it.
I want a calm housedog, good w/children-very impt., that can turn it on in the field. Mostly squirrel, rabbit and Id consider coon, and deer tracking. I like them just a "little edgy" to where they will be protective of car, home and children similar to my DD. Will be well socialiazed and trained. Must be dog social as well.
Breeds considered are Jagd, JRT., German bred Wire Dachs, Border, Patterdale or Irish terrier. Im open to anything really, provided it meets that criteria.

[terryg]

German bred Wire Dachs,

all you ask for with few of the problems associated with the other breeds!

[bill10979]

I never thought about a mini schnauzer really. I might consider one. If I could have the Dachshund rabbit hunt, sit quiet hunting squirrels and blood track Id be very happy.
Speaking of schnauzers, do I love the Giants Schauzers. Hard to find a good one it seems, at least one to my standards, I know theyre out there though.
Little story. I thought our DD would have to leave us a short time ago. My wife who was an culinary student, was baking a cake(handmade) over 3 hours of work for my monster in laws 65thBday. You know the rest of the story., Went to check the kids and cake was gone. Well last week, I went to bed and forgot to shut the garage door-we live in a bedroom community. Awokened at 1am-dog was barking bloody murder. Got the shotgun, perimeter search, nothing. Talked to a cop next day-there were a rash of reported car breakins and a burglury few streets over. Dog was redeemed.
I have a feeling my wife thinks we are getting a cute little lap dog, if it turns out to be another cat killer..Ill be hanged, unless it can really guard the house too.

[TobyTx]

My vote is Dachs. I have had sch too. The dac was very calm in the house. She was from pet line but she chased anything that moved(once found a buck and chased it through a field) and she killed rodents up to her size. Slept most of the day but as soon as we let her loose she was always moving at 100%. Too bad we recently lost her.

I think it would be hard to get an Irish or Fox. Ive tried and only found show lines with the breeders wanting a lot of restrictions. From what I understand they are hi energy.

[bill10979]

My biggest concern is my family obviously and youngsters. They are taught acceptable rules and dog is acclimated to handling. But I really dont want a dog with a low bite threshhold or one that "bites 1st asks questions later'
The Dachs and others struck me as being this way. If Im wrong please tell me, it appears from the posts that some have been very stable and that is good, especailly with family members.
Otherwise, I would have a weinie roast pretty quickly if my boys were bitten.

[orhunter]

Dachshounds are not kid dogs. They are not warm and cuddly with a lot of tolerance for play and loud voices.

[hicntry]

"I want a calm housedog, good w/children-very impt., that can turn it on in the field. Must be dog social as well."

Figure your odds Bill. With a bigger dog the odds are acceptable. They are going to go down dramaticly as the size goes down. Good terriers are a no nonsense dog.

[TobyTx]

My dach bit without warning. She was a ankle chomper. Although she was not well socialized and was teased when she was young.

[terryg]

If Im wrong please tell me, it appears from the posts that some have been very stable and that is good, especailly with family members

you are wrong! buy from good breeding(german as you said) and then train as you would any other dog(protection or not). the only difference between training a big dog and a little dog is one takes 2 hands on the leash and one takes 2 fingers

do not be fooled by the size of the dog. a small dachshund male is every bit the man a 95lb g shep police k-9 is and is capable of of the same behavior, both in fighting drive and obed., relatively speaking of course.

the mini schnauzer is a joke as they have been relegated to the armchair decoration for far too many generations.

their are some good german lines but next to impossible to find in this country.

the major poblem with a dachs is to see that they get plenty of field exercise for strength and endurance and keep the weight off them. their back has to stay in great shape, like iron, to avoid injury.

the other problem being it is really hard to tell if they are sitting as their butt only drops 1/2 an inch .

[dualgwp]

Sixgunner, maybe you can answer a question....
Last fall I bought a Border Terrier, mainly as a pet (never owned a small dog and wanted something smaller than 65 lbs to sit on the lap), but also thought I'd do some go to ground work with her. She is the most enjoyable, sweet, funny dog I've owned. But, she is also one of the most laid back, almost lazy dogs I've ever owned. Great as a pet, but not looking good as a varmit gitter.

I've read that BT's may take a while to get really varmit crazed, but that once they are... watch out. This one is 10 months old, parents imported from England where they are supposedly worked.

She shows little interest in the dead groundhogs the GWP brings home, hasn't shown much interest in the dens either. Is all lost? Or should I go buy a rat and let her have at it?

[bill10979]

My suggestion... get a few large mice or rats in a cage. If a spark doesnt go off somethings wrong, IMO, from a working standpoint. But be patient and encourage some excitement. Squirrels are also great for enticement. Keep dog on leash in a park and when close and dog is going crazy let em go and chase. Hope it works for you.

For some crazy Ohio excitement, when we caught a problem coon in a havahart trap we brought the dog up. I had never witnessed what I saw before than with this DD. And Id done the same thing with Shepherds and GSPs in the past. The hatred and desire was incredible, this was genetic and prewired. Id imagine any game terrier would possess this same sharpness on fur.

[dualgwp]

guess I'm off to the Rat Store.
thanks for the help

[volraider]

try this link


http://www.linruffkennels.00go.com/custom.html

Jeff is a local legend and has some really nice working dogs. Stay away from any kennel that doesn't hunt their dogs!

[bill10979]

Vol..that was a great site. The red Patts were very cool looking-ugliest dog Ive seen but looks very capable on fur.
Id say they had a real problem in that barn-39 coons!

[terryg]

i can second that. love watching dogs work.