What is it about horse people & Corgis, Jack Russels??

[murphyluv]

Finally got my own corgi. Absolutely love her. However, NO ONE knows what she is, except horse people and the people at the kennel or vet.
Or if they do, they think she should weigh 40 lbs (she's going to be about 22 lbs).
Boss has Jack Russel Terrorists, horribly behaved dogs, occasionally chase the horses, bark when left at the trailer. Corgi is stubborn, smart, independent little puppy.
So why do horse people love corgis and jacks so much?? (not exclusively of course, but I seem to see a LOT of them at shows).

[MistyBlue]

Well, I can see a JRT or Rat Terrier for a barn...after all, they kill rats. But isn't a corgi a cattle dog?
I've never been a big fan of either breed...probably because I prefer big dogs though. Corgis do crack me up though...they look like a full sized dog with toy dog legs. :D
Congrats on your new pup.

[2ndyrgal]

While Corgis, both Pembroke (no tail) and Cardigan (bigger with a tail) were both originally bred as herding dogs, for both cattle and sheep (and trust me, they are good at it, mine herds the cats, which is no small feat), they are great in the barn, in the truck and in the house. They have "FRAPS", which are "frantic, rapid, activity periods" which last about 10 minutes, then back to the head on the paws, legs stretched out behind. They get on well with cats, horses, etc, you just have to train them not to "herd" the horses (though it's saved me from catching the fat haffie on occasion). The only drawback? They shed twice a year. For six months at a time. I trace clip "Miles" during the summer, it grows back just fine before cold weather. I'd clip him more, but he does our tv commercials. If you have time, go to gotimeauto.com and click on see our tv commercials. Then click on "Manager Miles".
Every corgi I've met has just amazing personalities, they are fun. And they do not dig, usually stay out of the water, do not chew the furniture (miles has his own stuffed animals, try that with a JR) and are somewhat portable. Not carry under the arm portable, but front seat of the truck portable. Until Miles got hurt, he could actually jump up into the front seat of my 4WD dually. Now I have to help him a bit. Also, the easiest dog to housebreak I've ever had.

[Equibrit]

It all has to do with their connections over the pond.

[J Swan]

Yup - what Equibrit said.

Congrats on the corgi - I know a lady that breeds and shows them - lovely friendly little family dogs.

[arabhorse2]

I think Corgis are cute, but have no desire to own one. The only one I've ever known personally is owned by a friend's father, and she's a typical Corgi; frantic, barking, running like a maniac one minute, and laid out snoozing the next.

As far as Jack Russell Terrorists, I can't stand the hyper ADHD personality of those dogs. I know they're bred that way, and for the life of me I can't imagine why anyone would want them. If I have rats, barn cats and black rat snakes will take care of them without all the barking, yapping, running, boinging up and down, digging, etc.

[zagafi]

Dunno. I have a Great Pyrenees.

[monstrpony]

I adore my corgis!! One is quite nicely bred and is a delightful creature. When his sire's mother lived in WVa, and often ventured to Middleburg and Chantilly, he (the sire) was welcome in all of the best tack shops.

My other corgi is the result of a backyard breeding venture, so the temperament part of good breeding isn't, shall we say, as well developed. He's a Jack Russell in corgi clothing, complete with high-pitched yappy bark and frequend FRAPs (nice to know the formal name for that behavior). He is also capable of standing on his hind legs for extended periods of time--not usually a corgi trait. But he's mellowing with age.

Mine don't shed, they moult. I just wish there were a market for corgi undercoat to make expensive yarn from, or something.

[Rift]

I bred my female jack BECAUSE she was a non barking, non horse chasing and non cat eating dog. She gave me a litter of the very best jack puppies that one could ask for. I kept four of them and at 8 months old they stay loose at the barn, go on "fox hunts" around the fields with me while I'm mounted, stand next to me quietly while I lounge and sleep in the chair in the middle of the ring while I ride. Jacks can be awesome horse dogs when done correctly. I can also pile a bunch of them in my truck and go place with them that were really hard to sneak my black lab into. Just as with any breed of anything, alot of them are great, there will always be a few crazies and many are mis trained.

[arabhorse2]

Dunno. I have a Great Pyrenees.

I have a Great Dane.

They have their own issues believe me, but shrilly barking and jumping up and down on their hind legs isn't part of them! :lol:

They do however, loff to dig, and mine is currently in the process of digging me a new foundation. I think she's trying to give me the hint that she'd like her dog room extended..... ;)

[I'm EBO]

I have two Corgis--one I bought as a puppy and one I actually found at a shelter (reasons why soon became apparent when I got him home, but he's a sweetie now). Anwyl and Rhys (pound pup). Anny was automatically housebroken, Rhys was difficult. Both are very smart, very communicative, and FUNNY. They love their honorary Corgi--a pit bull and hound mix (?)--who is a new rescue.

All three have learned the wisdom of respecting the horses; expecially Robert (Hano, with big teeth), who loathes dogs.:yes: Anwyl, a female, the one I bought as a puppy, absolutely rules the roost. None of the other dogs dares mess with her. Wallace (the pit mix), is the best with the cats. The Corgis will chase them IF they'll run.

Let the good times roll. :lol::lol::lol:

[Long Shadow Farm]

I have Jacks because they are very portable but durable. Most of mine have been very well bred dogs, thus a lot of the hyper goofy is not there. However, I had one so far (over the past 14 years), that I could have strangled cause she was a hyper, crazy thing. Sadly she took on a coyote one night and I never saw her again. My newest puppy is the sweetest thing, has been great to house train so far and was a doll at her first horse show at Poplar Place this past weekend.

Bobbi

[DMK]

corgis are mostly an h/j thing, not so much horse people in general (FRAP - I always called it "run like a fool" time :lol: ) But I think horse people tend to gravitate towards the herding breeds, and that makes sense. When I was into QHs and Apps, it was aussies and heelers everywhere, now its corgis in the hunters. Herding breeds? Love 'em - had an aussie, a border and now a corgi. Terriers? Let's just say it's good to know what breed personalities are NOT a good fit before you get a dog!

[SLW]

I have two Jacks, now both 10 years old+, and they are awesome- full of life but they know the limits. We dumbed them ASAP and they have lived in harmony with cats, chickens, ducks, goats and of course the horses. I can send them onto a stray cat or dog and with the command "leave it" they drop the chase.

I like the history associated w/ the Jacks and hunting and lucked out securing two civilized ones. Our first Jack was an honest to goodness Puddin Jack and wow, a ton of dynamite in a 10" tall & 10 pound body. The two we have now are taller standing 12" and 15" tall so they aren't nearly as compact. We also have a Whippet, now 13 years old, and he is a pretty neat hound too.

[eventamy]

I have friends and/or family with both. Very cute, but nothing I'd ever have! The best horse dog I ever had was a St. Bernard who was raised as a puppy with 20+ Clydesdales! He thought he was one! He went on trail rides (slowly, "Yep, I'll catch up mom!"), hung out at the barn, watched my lessons, just the coolest dog ever. The Golden Dufus however is just too dumb. No more retrievers for me!

[MistyBlue]

[QUOTE][corgis are mostly an h/j thing, not so much horse people in general/QUOTE]

Maybe it's a location thing...around here I see more corgis at dressage shows and more JRT's at h/j shows.
My neighbor has a corgi...the tail-free kind. A real yapper...loves the sound of his own voice. Sweet personality though...I've met quite a few who were snappy but Toby next door is a love bug.

[J Swan]

all the barking, yapping, running, boinging up and down, digging, etc.

If you think that's bad - you should see my Beagle. I shudder to think of her or any other dog with her temperament shut up in a suburban lifestyle. No wonder so many of them end up at the pound.

I think a lot of people get them because they think small dog=easy keeper. The happiest JRT's I've ever seen have been farm/barn dogs. Actually - I'd say that of pretty much any breed of dog - mutts included. Farm/barn dogs seem to be pretty happy. Lots of yard, riding on trails, hanging out in the cool barn on a hot day, taking a winter's nap on the warm manure pile, lots of stuff to roll in/eat/sample, etc.

[arabhorse2]

If you think that's bad - you should see my Beagle. I shudder to think of her or any other dog with her temperament shut up in a suburban lifestyle. No wonder so many of them end up at the pound.

I think a lot of people get them because they think small dog=easy keeper. The happiest JRT's I've ever seen have been farm/barn dogs. Actually - I'd say that of pretty much any breed of dog - mutts included. Farm/barn dogs seem to be pretty happy. Lots of yard, riding on trails, hanging out in the cool barn on a hot day, taking a winter's nap on the warm manure pile, lots of stuff to roll in/eat/sample, etc.

You're right JSwan, Beagles are NOT suburban dogs. :eek:

Even my prissy, dainty, princess puppy Dane is happiest when she's rolling in something vile, and eating horse poo! :lol:

I can't let her go on trail rides though, because Danes are sight hounds as well as being big doofuses. She'd take off after a deer, and I'd never see her again!

[arabhorse2]

If you think that's bad - you should see my Beagle. I shudder to think of her or any other dog with her temperament shut up in a suburban lifestyle. No wonder so many of them end up at the pound.

I think a lot of people get them because they think small dog=easy keeper. The happiest JRT's I've ever seen have been farm/barn dogs. Actually - I'd say that of pretty much any breed of dog - mutts included. Farm/barn dogs seem to be pretty happy. Lots of yard, riding on trails, hanging out in the cool barn on a hot day, taking a winter's nap on the warm manure pile, lots of stuff to roll in/eat/sample, etc.

You're right JSwan, Beagles are NOT suburban dogs. :eek:

Even my prissy, dainty, princess puppy Dane is happiest when she's rolling in something vile, and eating horse poo! :lol:

I can't let her go on trail rides though, because Danes are sight hounds as well as being big doofuses. She'd take off after a deer, and I'd never see her again!

[BarbB]

I've never understood the JRT thing myself. They are a nice size, very tough and cute......but I would probably strangle one if I tried to live with it.
I LOVE Corgis and always have. I bred GSD for 30 years and Corgis have all the great attributes of a GSD.....in a smaller package.
And they really aren't small dogs, they're just short :lol:.
They are trainable, all weather and like to just hang out with people.

[rescuemom]

I think it's about human personality, really, as well as what you are surrounded with in your "sect" of horsepeople. I adore my JRT. Her bouncing, yapping, digging is interspersed with long stretches of couch potatoeing. This is a dog who does not rouse herself from the bed until she is sure I'm through showering, dressing, etc. and am going downstairs. And she's great with my cats. She does still have her moments when she cannot be called off something; the JRT intense focus is hard to overcome. But I adore her, and we'd probably have terriers anyway because we have terrier personalities. Corgis are cute and pleasant but just not me.

Does anyone here have sight hounds and if so how well do they get along with the horses?

[MistyBlue]

Sight hounds are supposed to be good with horses since they were bred to chase down prey and the hunters followed on horseback. However...since we very rarely actually use dogs for what they've been bred for...many sight hounds aren't exactly raised and trained around horses...and many owners don't allow for enough running time to keep thier instincts down around the horses.
But if they're very well handled, acclimated and trained from pups they can be fine around horses as long as they have the running time they need. The good news is...most sight hounds love to run but tire easily due to size since many are pretty big. They spend a good amount of time sleeping too. :winkgrin:
I have a friend with two irish wolfhounds that takes them out for runs...him on his QH and the two dogs running alongside. But I know someone else who has a Borzoi/Russian Wolfhound that either takes off never to be seen again (at least not for a long time) and who also chased her horses so often she replaced all her fencing with 5'5" no-climb to keep the big bouncy boy out. Maybe it depends on the breed...but I'd guess more depends on the training.

[Phaxxton]

Congrats on the puppy! :D Enjoy!!

I can't comment on the horse people / JRT / corgi connection. I don't have a JRT or a corgi and don't ever plan on having either.

I'm actually going to soon be in the market for a greyhound and a great dane! :eek:

[Beasmom]

Love Corgis, can't stand JRT's on the whole, though I have met individuals who were OK. What I do NOT understand are the people who bring their dogs to the barn loose and let them run, bark, chase cats, go after leashed dogs, etc, and think that's just cute.

My mother bred and showed GSD's in the 70's and 80's. Dogs were always part of our family life. If is wasn't GSDs, it was pound mutts. So I like dogs -- well behaved, leashed dogs. Even Mom's dogs, good as they were, weren't to be trusted around horses. One of her dogs got out one day and chased my old retired jumper, putting some fair gashes on the old boy's hind legs. Barry kicked the dog in the head and messed up an eye. Fortunately, both animals recovered. But I don't know which of us was madder, (that's a word, right??) Mom, for the kicked dog, or me, for the chased horse.

[willowoodstables]

Too funny..I never looked at it from the point of view that horse people have certain breeds of dogs.

Had a JRT..Popeye...lovely dog who thought he was a golden retriever. Recently crossed the Rainbow Bridge at age 15. I still miss him

Had a Cardi Corgi..what a scream he was too! He was my sidekick for 10 years.

So now what do I have.

FRAP extrodinaire "RORY" the Cairn Terrier (remember Toto from Wiz of Oz). Fairly unknown breed at the horse shows in my area. But he is so damn cute all love him. And he is getting longer and longer stretches between FRAPS.

Kim

[BarbB]

Does anyone here have sight hounds and if so how well do they get along with the horses?


I had a Whippet who went with me to the barn everyday for 6 years. He stayed out from under foot, slept in a chair or found a spot in the shade to sleep while I rode. I even put him in my tack truck on a cooler when it was cold. The only horse he ever paid much attention to was my own. They would play. The others seemed to be just a forest of legs.
I had to teach him not to run thru the barn as this could spook horses that were not familiar with him. Whippets are VERY fast and it was sort of a white whooosh as he went by. He was totally non threatening with no predator mannerisms around the horses.
His biggest fault was that he would steal food....people food. Whippets are notorious thieves. They are agile and smart and want to do an inventory all the time. On the plus side, unlike most sighthounds, they can be trained to hang out and not run off when off leash. (Unlike my Afghan Hounds who are ALWAYS looking at the horizon and not to be trusted.)
He died last fall and I miss him everyday. I will get another soon.
And it took 20+ years for my friends to talk me into a whippet :winkgrin:

I always felt like he was an oddity in the horse world, until I saw pictures of British eventers walking the courses with Whippets in the UK. So I guess we were just on the wrong side of the pond.

[MistyBlue]

Ya know...it seems a lot of horse people have GSDs too. I have my first GSD now...he's the sweetest dog ever. His concentration is intense...if he zones in on a toy it's next to impossible to get his attention back. Took me a good long time to be able to hold a ball and get him to take his eyes off the ball and look at me again.
But...I have to admit that I now know why so many people are GSD fans...such a loving sweet breed. :yes:
Awww, Barb...whippets are cute! Sorry for your loss.

[Ibex]

Unlike my Afghan Hounds who are ALWAYS looking at the horizon and not to be trusted.


I grew up with an Afhgan and I was just thinking there was no way I would ever trust one off-leash... we had a huge backyard with big fences.

[Calvincrowe]

I am a Corgi owner by default--Mr. CC brought that terror into my life when we met. I love his personality--goofy, sweet, talkative. Hate his perma-shed hair cloud that follows him like the Peanuts character, Pigpen. He is also an inveterate barker-has to tell the other 3 dogs what to do, all the time. Owen loves water, swims like a little otter--quite often in my water trough. Not good. Lots of yelling from me ensues, and he gives me that poor pathetic "oooh, don't yell at me!" face. Little baby!

I love my Schnoodle--mini-Schnauzer + mini-Poodle. Excellent around the horses, smart, sweet, non-shedding, quiet, travels like a champ. We have an Aussie who is so herding oriented we'd like to re-home him...but he's my baby, so he stays (for now!). The best dog we have is a gift dog, who is half Irish Wolfhoud, half Lab. A little too boisterous at times, but a hoot. Scares the crap out of strangers who park on our driveway--worth all the chewed up/spit on shoes!!

Can't abide JRTs. Cute, but not for me. We're noticing more horse folk with Pugs. Anyone else?

[J Swan]

A friend of mine had a retired racing greyhound for many years - she was the best dog you could ever ask for. Great around horses, kids, but not cats. Apparently, cats taste a lot like rabbits. ;)

This can be the trouble with scent hounds too - like sight hounds - if they got the instinct - all you can do is really work on recall training. I had this trouble with my beagle and deer - trash hound kept rioting on deer instead of staying on rabbit. Lately she has been stayinig close to home - she is obsessed by a groundhog den near the pond and sits there for hours - staring at the hole.

If any of y'all have questions on sight and scent hounds - you might try asking them in the hunting forum. COTH (the magazine) is really a horse and hound magazine - most folks on the BB don't get the magazine. But really - a lot of the hunting folks hunt with hounds on foot, on horse, there are even falconers. So they are as much dog people as horse people.

The best advice I ever got on a dog problem was in the hunting forum on COTH! So if any of you have training troubles with your sight or scent hounds - try that forum. Not for dog training or "best breed to have around horses" type of questions - but really for hound questions.

I've been lucky with all my dogs - no matter what breed or mix of breed - they've all been good dogs around kids, guests and livestock. Don't know why. Come to think of it - all the animals on this place get along even when they shouldn't. Must be something in the water.

[BarbB]

Ya know...it seems a lot of horse people have GSDs too. I have my first GSD now...he's the sweetest dog ever. His concentration is intense...if he zones in on a toy it's next to impossible to get his attention back. Took me a good long time to be able to hold a ball and get him to take his eyes off the ball and look at me again.
But...I have to admit that I now know why so many people are GSD fans...such a loving sweet breed. :yes:
Awww, Barb...whippets are cute! Sorry for your loss.

Thanks.
GSDs are my first love and to my mind there is nothing better than a well trained GSD. But you do have to train them not to chase the horses.
'If it moves, chase it' is the motto of a GSD with decent herding instincts. :D

[Sleepy]

Hey Corgi people - you need a FURMINATOR - greatest tool ever. A friend loaned me hers to try on my Border Collie. Simply fabulous for those dogs that molt. :lol:

As to the why on Corgis, they're just so darn cute. And any herding dog is very handy for days when the horses aren't coming in and have a 'you can't make me' attitude. My BC's answer to that is 'Oh, yeah? Watch me!' I was actually in the market for a Corgi whe my BC found ME. :winkgrin:

I loved the Jacks too, but after 25 years of them, I was ready for a change.

But on the whole, I think horse people like a working dog that is of some use around the farm - at least, theoretically. :lol:

[Aggie4Bar]

I was always a GSD person, too. I'll probably never understand what attracts people to JRTs. :lol: Corgis are neat little dogs though.

Current mutt was not a planned acquisition. She's either GSD/Rott or Malinois/Rott cross... I'm leaning toward Malinois due to the shape of her face and coat quality. According to the SPCA, she was supposed to be GSD/Basinji. This theory went out the window when she hit 60 pounds and kept going. There ain't no Basinji in this 102lb animal.

[Petstorejunkie]

I have a JRT pembroke mix that is the product of a barn accident. She posses the benefits of both breeds and none of the drawbacks. Perhaps its because i do doggy obedience or can temperment test... i dunno. But for an acive person with a yard they are a good choice.
Horse folks love them because they are travelsized and useful for chores around the barn. I dont use pesticides at my home because Paddy (the JRT corgix) takes care of all bugs and spiders on the property, and disposes of all evidence.

[rescuemom]

OK, here's a question of immense density, particularly when asked by someone who's been on the 'net for over a decade: What is a GSD? German Shepherd Dog? German Shorthair Dog? Green Spinning Dog? That acronym has always mystified me. :o

[BuddyRoo]

Beyond their "usefullness", I do think a lot of it has to do with portability--their size really does lend itself well to traveling to shows, hanging out in the stands, etc. It is a lot harder to find a good hang out spot for a big dog or to load it up in the car/truck than a little one.

Also, people seem to be less afraid of small dogs which makes taking them out in public a lot easier. (though I'd say it's a false sense of security--working in veterinary medicine for nearly 10 years, the majority of attempted bites were from the little dogs) I take my dog all over with me and people are often intimidated by his size.

However, I like having a big dog around the horses/barn. My lab doesn't go in the pasture unless I call him in. He lays by the gate and watches me. He gets along very well with other dogs (not territorial). He is great with kids--even if they're rough (not true of many of the smaller breeds I've encountered). On the trail, he heels to my horse and sticks with me, doesn't freak when he sees other dogs/people. Around the barn, he's big enough that I can keep a good eye on him and so can the horses.

And being more of a high-energy breed, he can keep up when I hack on the trail. :D

[pony grandma]

Originally got the first JRT b/c we were looking for a low maintenance independent dog that didn't roam (had a big hulking, dumb as bricks but beautiful, yellow lab that ran every opportunity he got). I wanted an easy dog, had 3 kids in 5 yrs. The lab would find a puddle at the park and get wet and dirty every opportunity, put that back into the car and head home with 3 tired kids.

The JRT was the best dog that we've ever had. My husband had always had big breed dogs and now he's a total convert. I think that they appeal b/c horse people like a dog that they don't have to worry about. Ours stayed on the property, really kept the yard & barn clean! of vermin, never had any health problems (good bred JRTs have no line breeding in the first generations). I never had to teach him anything, he always behaved well. Easiest dog we ever had.

We have another, got her off of PetFinder, she drove her city owner nuts - we've never had any problem with her living in the country now. She had never been off a leash before. I thought that she would be 'gamey' coming here and having freedom and opportunity - nope. Just as easy and well-behaved as the first one! Never leaves the property, stays off the road. They need freedom and when allowed to live w/out restriction they choose to cooperate and behave on their own.

Maybe we just got lucky, but I look at the face and the eyes. Get the one with intelligence.

[arabhorse2]

OK, here's a question of immense density, particularly when asked by someone who's been on the 'net for over a decade: What is a GSD? German Shepherd Dog? German Shorthair Dog? Green Spinning Dog? That acronym has always mystified me. :o

It's the acronym for German Shepherd.

I had to ask once, too!! :D

[LexInVA]

I think JRs and Corgis are cute and all but small dogs have never really been my favorite though I treat them the same as any other. I just want a nice friendly large/medium sized dog that I can interact with that won't drive me up the wall or act retarded. That's why I'm probably going to get one of the many recent fox hunter castoffs from the local animal rescue groups. :)

[sidepasser]

I have an ancient Pyr and he's great with horses, children, other animals in the livestock category, not so good with other dogs..he wants to protect "his" livestock from them, but in general he's quite the beastie.

My rat terrier, Lucy is quite sweet. She yaps very occasionally, usually only when the wind blows or a leaf falls or a cricket jumps..lol..seriously if she goes on a tear all I have to do is tell her to "Hush Lucy" and she will quiet down and not make a peep.

She is dedicated to treats, kids, horses, cats, dogs, and people. She is my second rat terrier and is totally different from my first, very well behaved, and "go anywhere" dog, Banjo. Banjo was smaller, weighed around 10 lbs. and was 11 inches tall and built very sturdy. Never so much as growled at anyone on or off the leash. Very smart dog.

Lucy though is a bit dim..the vet thinks she may have had her oxygen cut off when she was a puppy (she has a crushed larynx and came that way when I got her) so she is slightly "off" or "slow" about a lot of things. Like running in the yard and she forgets to turn and will hit a tree or the side of the barn and just bounce off..shake herself and get up. So I keep her around and love her for herself cause no one else would put up with a dim dog that can barely bark (sounds like she had tie back surgery). Other than that, she's healthy and she housebroke easily and knows how to use a dog door and will fetch me a stick or a ball or the neighbor's shoes..lol. (I did have to teach her the boundaries of the property after the second set of shoes showed up at my door).

I am looking now for a dog, but do not want a long haired dog like a Pyr (it is simply too hot in GA for my Pyr unless he is clipped) and do want something a bit smaller since I am getting older and it is harder for me to lift a large dog up to go to the vet (Amos can't jump in the truck anymore so the vet comes here). I don't mind shedding, but don't want to have to clip a dog every month like I do now. Amos is old as dirt for a Pyr and when he passes on, Lucy will be very lonesome. So am looking for the right dog for me and for Lucy. Said dog will have to be very intelligent as Lucy is not and I think Amos looks out for her now and keeps her from getting killed at times by horses, or cars in the drive, etc.

Dogs are great no matter what breed if one is a dog person. it's the picking of a dog suitable for our own personality that makes our dogs special. (BTW - I am not a high energy person, watching Lucy when she was little used to tire me out - but I like that type of dog better than one that merely sleeps all the time (I used to have a Basset Hound - some days I would walk over and touch her to see if she was still alive as she slept 18 hours out of 24 after she grew up)..nothing excited her..lol..

[BarbB]

What is a GSD? Green Spinning Dog?


:lol::lol::lol::lol:
love it!!!

[murphyluv]

ok, since I started this, I feel the need to share pics of my puppy. She's much bigger now (7 months). She grew soo fast!!!
http://www1.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=170746476/PictureID=3837166972/a=97687758_97687758/t_=97687758

[LexInVA]

ok, since I started this, I feel the need to share pics of my puppy. She's much bigger now (7 months). She grew soo fast!!!
http://www1.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=170746476/PictureID=3837166972/a=97687758_97687758/t_=97687758

Awww...that made me want to hug the monitor.

[Dapple Dawn Farm]

Corgi's are adorable...the Queen's favorite dog!!! My Jack (Tiny) is a rescue dog who was returned to the shelter 3 times before I got her. She certainly was a Jack Russell Terrorist when I first got her, now she's my best pal and has turned into a wonderful dog. Training can overcome a lot of the "terrorist" traits...

[Simkie]

I have Ridgebacks, which seem to be not-uncommon barn dogs here in CO. Most horse people know what they are, and have met them before.

My two are great at the barn. They mind and they don't chase horses. They stay out of the horse areas completely. Ridgebacks are *difficult* puppies though and I warn more people away from the breed than I encourage. You really have to know what you're doing when they're babies and need to be very, very clear with them what is allowed and what is not allowed. They are WONDERFUL dogs when you get through that early part!

Here's a picture of my older dog: http://image08.webshots.com/8/3/83/95/122038395mZWhzT_fs.jpg and one of the younger girl when she was just a wee little puppy: http://image16.webshots.com/16/2/78/18/184527818LBYSwn_ph.jpg

[chawley]

I love Corgis - we've had two and both were super sweet dogs. I have also had Aussies my entire life and they are my dog of choice. My current Aussie, a red merle female, is a GREAT dog. So loyal and smart.

As far as them being hyper, I've never had trouble with either the Corgi or Aussie being hyper. It's all about proper training.

I can't speak of the Jacks, as I've never owned or worked with one.

[Mia412]

Too funny..I never looked at it from the point of view that horse people have certain breeds of dogs.

Had a JRT..Popeye...lovely dog who thought he was a golden retriever. Recently crossed the Rainbow Bridge at age 15. I still miss him

Had a Cardi Corgi..what a scream he was too! He was my sidekick for 10 years.

So now what do I have.

FRAP extrodinaire "RORY" the Cairn Terrier (remember Toto from Wiz of Oz). Fairly unknown breed at the horse shows in my area. But he is so damn cute all love him. And he is getting longer and longer stretches between FRAPS.

Kim

I have a Cairn too! Or maybe it would be more accurate to say he owns me. Most people don't know what he is until I mention Toto! He's great around the barn, loves evryone & everything. He will chase the cats if they run - but if he catches one he just licks it!

[PalominoMorgan]

Corgi convert here too. Always had big, working dogs... usually a GSD cross of some sort. A friend stayed overnight with her corgi and I was hooked on the personality. They are such clowns. Real "up down" dogs. You get up to do something. They get up and are ready to go with you. You sit down to work or watch TV and down they go at your feet. (My two corgis and GSD cross are all sacked out around the recliner as I type this.)

I love my big girl and will always have a big dog living out in the country, but LOVE the corgis. Have an older neutered male with the show coat that is nice and "plushy" (i.e. molts like crazy all the time) and my female who is very correct in the UKC sense. She is 23 pounds, shorter coated, and more accurately depicts what the written breed standard calls for. Both are great around the horses and love farm life.

[LPacker79]

Hey Corgi people - you need a FURMINATOR - greatest tool ever. A friend loaned me hers to try on my Border Collie. Simply fabulous for those dogs that molt. :lol:

I ADORE my Furminator! I've got a Siberian Husky, and while he still sheds buckets all year long, it's not the huge mountains of undercoat I'd take off of him every week anymore. I like it better than my plain ol' undercoat rake, because the rake just spewed hair everywhere and the furminator doesn't.

This is what Poseidon looks like after a session with the rake....hair everywhere. With the Furminator it cleans up neatly.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/LPacker79/Poseidon/2007_0806Random0159.jpg

[Schune]

I love Corgis. I would get one if I could, and a riding buddy of mine has wanted one forever. I've only had good experiences with them so far.

Now, the Jack Russels are a COMPLETELY different story. A trainer I used to ride with had one, and this dog was a menace with a capital M. She refused to neuter him, and I believe that contributed a large part to his many problems. One being that he had to PEE on EVERYTHING. I HATED dogsitting that thing at shows, because unless I basically carried him, he would pee on every tack trunk, haybale, and trashcan he could find.

An old friend also had a female Jack Russel when she was a kid, and I shall always remember the big Toilet Paper Incident ;)

[LPacker79]

ok, since I started this, I feel the need to share pics of my puppy. She's much bigger now (7 months). She grew soo fast!!!
http://www1.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=170746476/PictureID=3837166972/a=97687758_97687758/t_=97687758

Ya know, there's really nothing in the world as adorable as a Corgi puppy!

[PalominoMorgan]

Looking at the furminator photo with the husky... I must say I now know I am and always will be a country girl. It would never occur to me to use my furminator in the house. That is what the yard (and then the wind is for.) LOL. The dogs get all excited when the furminator comes out and I just pick three different spots in the yard to brush them and always try to stay upwind from all the flying fur.

[LPacker79]

Alas, I now live in an apartment and must groom inside. The last time I groomed outside my BF happened to come home and saw me doing it and I got lectured about how inconsiderate it was to the neighbors. Well damn it all, it makes the birds mighty happy! I did see his point though.

Another tool I can't live without? My Dyson vacuum!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/LPacker79/Poseidon/P1010021.jpg

[LPacker79]

Oh, and to keep the thread somewhat on topic....

I would never ever take Poseidon out to a barn. I'm not sure if he'd chase a horse, but he is a confirmed cat killer and has punctured a kitty lung before (both were strays. One found dead, the other in his mouth and alive. Vet fixed the poor thing up).

Since rule #1 and #2 of Sibe ownership is to never ever ever let them off leash, there's no way he'd get the opportunity to chase a horse anyways.

[FancyFree]

How is the Dyson? I've been wanting one of those. Are they as good as the hype?

On topic: That Corgi puppy is adorable!


Since rule #1 and #2 of Sibe ownership is to never ever ever let them off leash, there's no way he'd get the opportunity to chase a horse anyways.

Yes I learned that the hard way. I let my Huskey off the leash at the beach. He was long gone. I only hope some kind surfer adopted him. :(

[LPacker79]

I love my Dyson, absolutely love it! This thing rocks, I can park nearly 6 inches from a wad of Sibe hair and watch the Dyson suck it up. It's easy to use, easy to empty, and I actually don't mind vacuuming anymore. It's still not my favorite chore, but I don't dread doing it as much as I used to anymore.

[FancyFree]

Thanks. I need a killer vacuum with my kids and animals. My Hoover is not cutting it.

[Gallop~on~Grant]

I don't know what it is about Corgi's and horse people. Seems like you always see one at a horse show. I had met so many Corgi's at horse shows over the years, I just thought "one of these days, I am going to have one of those little clowns!" Probably just because I always got a good giggle after seeing one.

Last year, I finally was thinking I was ready for another dog two years after the passing of my Sarah. It's amazing, as soon as I started thinking that, I get the call. "There's a litter of puppies." (Be very careful when sending those thoughts to the Universe!) ;)

So, last October I drove to Colorado and picked up my first Corgi ,Sweet Emily and she is a riot. She does FRAPs (that term cracked me up), but we always called them MAD RUNS.

We went through puppy preschool together and she is very well behaved and socialized. Never meets a stranger and is wonderful and attentive at the barn, though she never goes off her leash or is in her crate in the tack room. She loves, loves, loves children!

I have always been a fan of BIG dogs. Labs, dobermans.... But now that we live on a zero lot line in Dallas, that doesn't make much sense. I think the Corgi has a BIG DOG attitude and is very sturdy and she fits in my yard and my car! lol It's like the best of both worlds.

BTW, your baby picture made me MELT! Em's was that size when I got her. Enjoy that sweetie. After those ears come up, they seem to grow up overnight.

[chawley]

How is the Dyson? I've been wanting one of those. Are they as good as the hype?

On topic: That Corgi puppy is adorable!



Yes I learned that the hard way. I let my Huskey off the leash at the beach. He was long gone. I only hope some kind surfer adopted him. :(

The Dyson is every dog-owner's dream! So worth the hype!

And, that is one of the cutest Corgi puppy pictures ever!!!!!!!!!

[Gallop~on~Grant]

Forgot to add...

TWO THUMBS UP ON THE FURMINATOR from me as well.

[Anyplace Farm]

My JRs are absolutely hilarious, but yes, I can see why they would get on other people's nerves. Went to a neighbor's house once and their black lab was hanging out with us. He was enjoying his toy quietly chewing it and the owner yelled, "Dakota, leave it." Poor dog is quietly doing his thing and just to show how behaved their dog was, the guy has to show how his dog will 'obey'.

Honestly, I wasn't impressed and instead felt sorry for the dog. And that was it. I felt sorry for him because in their household, he was 'just a dog'. In our house, yes, we can get ours to give up toys (and fresh killed chipmunks) but we only make them stop if a fight is about to ensue between the two of them.

Ours race around the house and play and do all kinds of hilarious stuff that I know other dogs just don't have it in them to do. We are highly entertained by ours on a daily basis.

[Anyplace Farm]

I have Ridgebacks, which seem to be not-uncommon barn dogs here in CO. Most horse people know what they are, and have met them before.

My two are great at the barn. They mind and they don't chase horses. They stay out of the horse areas completely. Ridgebacks are *difficult* puppies though and I warn more people away from the breed than I encourage. You really have to know what you're doing when they're babies and need to be very, very clear with them what is allowed and what is not allowed. They are WONDERFUL dogs when you get through that early part!

Here's a picture of my older dog: http://image08.webshots.com/8/3/83/95/122038395mZWhzT_fs.jpg and one of the younger girl when she was just a wee little puppy: http://image16.webshots.com/16/2/78/18/184527818LBYSwn_ph.jpg

My boyfriend had a Ridgeback -- they are beautiful dogs.

[cardicorgi]

Big fan of cardigan corgis, here. I grew up with cardigans, and have two right now. There's a big difference between Pembroke and cardigan temperaments - Pems are more sociable/outgoing; cardigans are far more reserved, and are AWESOME watch dogs. I've heard that those huge cardigan ears are designed to hear things from a mile away, and I think they do!

They are highly trainable (not that I've done a bang-up job on mine!), really really adaptable to your lifestyle (happy to lounge around inside, happy to go for long walks - doesn't matter to them as long as they're with their people), and are total clowns - witnessing two cardigans FRAPping and body-slamming each other is great entertainment.

I grew up H/J, I never thought about it being a breed/discipline specific thing. Interesting.

[MontanaDun]

I have two cardis too! Love 'em to death. SFVA has Cardis too - and a rescue lab.

I used to do hunters, then evented, now do dressage and some western stuff, so I don't know how that skews the results! LOL

My younger dog, especially is such a true blue sweetie. He follows me around at the barn, plops on a pile of hay when I am mucking stalls and just generally loves to hang out with me. And he's blue!

MD

[MTshowjumper]

I have knwn many Corgis, and JRT's (and a Ridgeback!) barn dogs. They do seem to be the "horse dog" of choice.

A trainer friend of mine from college had a Corgi that was very fun. So when I moved out here and was in position to get a dog I went to a rescue to look at some Corgi puppies. I wanted a small dog that I could take with me to shows if need be, I really didn't care what breed as long as it was small. The Corgi puppies where very cute, so I still have no idea why I walked out of there with a 6mo coon hound!!! A Plott Hound to be exact (very rare breed as far as I can tell) Maybe it was hypnosis?? He is a year old now, and absolutly huge!

[Shellythehorsenut]

I have a 9 yr old JRT that is a great little dog except for a few things: She is a cat assasin, and she is bossy with the other dogs. I have never had ANYTHING destroyed by the several JRT's that I have had. I also have an Italian GReyhound and she is SO cool. Sweet little thing, does not mess with the horses, and is very portable. She has extremely short hair and never smells. I have decided Molly at 9 will be my last Jack because of the cat thing an maybe someday I would like a chicken or a goat, but I am a huge fan of the IG's now. They are kind of dumb but very cute, much less intense than the Jack and low maintainence.

[bdj]

Another Cardi owner checking in - my current girl hasn't been around horses much if at all (I'm a boarder, so I'm not going to inflict my dog on my BO's own animals), but I think she'd be fine. She's VERY trainable - we're currently working on a Rally Excellent title. Definitely not as outgoing as some other dogs I've known, but sooooo attentive to what I want her to do. She's very much fun and really loves working.

My prior Cardi grew up around the barn (my trainer bred Cardis) and she was fine around the horses. I remember her mother attempting to herd the horses a few times, but she quickly learned that horses were not the same as sheep or ducks!

My other dog is a Border Collie mix (I think) - he's fine around the horses too - especially since he understands "Get out" (as in "hustle your butt to the other side of that fenceline, Mister!") and "Stay"! He doesn't get out to our current barn either, but when I get my own place (someday), he'll be spending as much time at the barn as I will!

[Becka]

We have a wonderful JRT! I have to say we couldn't be any happier with her. She's typical of her breed 'hyper' and that's one of the reasons we got her. I love the terriers! However, she has NEVER torn up anything that wasn't already hers....unlike the GSD and other dogs I've owned in the past. She WILL take naps and sleeps in the bed each and every night right in the middle of hubby and me. She loves to go out in the truck and loves spending time in the barn. Yes, she does bark at the horses when she sees them running in the paddocks. BUT, so do the neighbors dogs...you know, the bigger dogs...smile. They bark, too.

I think that most horse folks love dogs though....no matter what the breed, we just love dogs. Unlike our horses, we can take them in the house at the end of the day, and most of them fit in our trucks! Plus, like us, they all seem to love our horses.

[mine, especially love the poop and hoof shavings from the horses!]

Best of luck with your new baby!
Take care.
Becka

[declan]

I have always wondered why all the JRT's too. Didn't know about the Corgis, we don't see them much up here. ( I think they are adorable) But the Jacks are everywhere. Normal large dog owners are dropping like flies, they are all turning to the "Jack" , sounds like, "Crack" (Cocaine). Here is my theory...You know it's bad for you, but people keep saying "just try it you'll like it" and they show you samples (their JRT's), they let you hold it (a cute JRT puppy), they let you sample some for free (here, just play with the puppy for a minute). Next thing you're at a horse show and you see some well behaved ones and think "really they are not that bad for me" so you play with it for a bit. You pick it up and realize how portable and clean they are. Next thing you're hanging out behind the tents at shows looking for puppy dealers cuz you're hooked and you need one of your very own.......................you get the puppy and go to the DARK side of "JRT" ownership. Your old large dog friends don't get it cuz you used to have great dogs but now you have a TERROR on your hands cuz they really don't need training, you just pick them up when the are bad. (try that with your great dane) Next you own 2 so they will keep each other company, then 3 cuz you just can't get enough of that puppy face, this is when we (large dog owners) have lost you forever. Good luck JRT owner, those dogs live forever. You are now officially a "Jack Junkie" Get thee to rehab or train your dogs:D

[Cielo Azure]

I had one cardi and one Pen.

The cardi was beloved. Very much like a GSD in temperment. She was very loyal and just a bit jealous of anyone (cat, person, dog) coming between her and I. I won't get another Cardi because I refuse to get another dwarf breed dog that has a good chance of herniated disks at an early age. She became paralyzed at age five on Thanksgiving day in 2000 and had to be euthanized. It broke our hearts.

The Pen was loved and she grow up to be a matron: prone to weight gain, alpha bitch, hated her feet touched, a little snappy with other dogs and children (especially as she aged), really piggy about food, she had back issues too and generally, she was very self absorbed and had a selfish personalty (kind of foxy but not in a good way). She lived to a ripe old age and drove everyone crazy.

I have four Aussies and for a while I really got into the whole stock dog trialing. But there is not enough time in the day to both be involved in horses and dogs at such a serious level. I love my Aussies; they are smart, fun, loyal, playful and great watchdogs.

[Seal Harbor]

Well, I can see a JRT or Rat Terrier for a barn...after all, they kill rats. But isn't a corgi a cattle dog?
I've never been a big fan of either breed...probably because I prefer big dogs though. Corgis do crack me up though...they look like a full sized dog with toy dog legs. :D
Congrats on your new pup.

That is exactly what they are. They are dwarf dogs. They actually do have achondroplasia. Their long bones are shaped the same as a human with dwarfism. I have two of them and a German Shepherd. The Corgis are easier to tote to the horse shows. Corgis are an all around farm dog. Companions, protectors (they have a big dog bark!) herders, drovers (which is what they were used for most on cattle), they also will rat. A perfect farm dog. Especially when you could only afford to feed one dog.

I've had one JRT, am on Corgis #3 and #4, three GSDs, a Dobie, and two Cairn terrorists. Another big horse people dog these days are Norfolk and Norwich Terriers.

[winter]

I have a retired racing greyhound, she is an awesome dog. Like the poster who had the whippet, her only problem is the ultra fast run down the barn alley. I have been trying to train her out of it but she 'forgets' when she gets excited. I live in a small house in the city and sighthounds are great for that, she sleeps all the time in the house. Brief play episodes with toys but otherwise very sedate.
At the farm she is always off leash and has never chased the horses. She has been chased by them however...
She is not safe with cats, like really not safe. No bunnies, mice or any small furries. Tiny dogs are ok. I know other racers who are fine with furries, mine's just not one of them.
I am worried she will get kicked one day because she basically ignores the horses, I wish she had a little more respect for them, but on the whole she is a great dog to have around. Bonus also, greyhounds don't bark.

[RubyRock93]

I just got my first corgi last february. He is the best little dog I've ever owned! He has a hillarious personality, but without puppy training he may have turned out to be a bit agressive. He went through a "bad boy" phase, but now at 8 months old he has mellowed out and is just a really awsome guy!

[etc.]

I've had pems and cardis. My cardis have always been more outgoing ...totally devoted and loving and total clowns. Present one failed obedience class and is a bit adhd. She ran in to a telephone pole on a walk once (only pole in a huge field!) She was so excited that she kept turning around to be sure we were having as much fun as she was! Whap ... ran right into it and just kept on going like she meant to do it!

Some corgis don't like small children much. They try to herd them!

[Guin]

I have a lovely big Golden Retriever/collie mix, who is awesome. He loves to go to the barn and just sniff about, then hang out in the shade somewhere. Pays absolutely no attention to the horses. I think he views them as extra-large dogs.
In a fit of middle-aged insanity, I bought myself, for my 40th birthday, a Pembroke Corgi puppy. Tribble is now 3 and she is definitely "my" dog. She follows me around, sleeps under my feet at the computer, and makes me laugh. She loves EVERYONE she meets and considers it a personal insult if people don't pause in the middle of their jogging to pet her. Her bark is enough to drive anyone to serial killing. She also loves going to the barn, to eat and roll in the horse manure. She does NOT chase the horses, however. I love her but I don't think I would ever get another Corgi unless I go deaf.

[SLW]

Does anyone here have sight hounds and if so how well do they get along with the horses?

We have a Whippet and he is terrific around the horses. Short hair makes them easy to keep clean though they do require a coat if you live where it gets cold.

Whippets bond with "their human" to such a degree they make Golden Retrievers look like Meth Lab Punks.

[SouthwestRerider]

Those two breeds are THE pets to have if you are a horseperson of means. My delightful,well mannered dog rescued from the streets in mexico is a great pet, and I tried to place many like him- perfect smallish family dogs- but seems people want the registered ones, like having a registered or well bred horse. It was frustrating to me to have wonderful dogs needing homes in the States, but find people wanting (OK certain persons in mind)- no, needing- to have a dog with a certain status.

[LoriO]

Aussie, Corgi AND Dyson owner here!!

First off, the Dyson vacuum rocks! It does an amazing job of getting up fur, hair and dirt out of the carpets. All that barn dirt that tracks in on our boots and dog's paws?? Sucked right up!! My other vacuum is an Electrolux and it puts it to shame.

The reason I have an Aussie and a Cardigan Corgi is that I love how intelligent the herding dogs are and their willingness to learn (ok most of them!).

[Seal Harbor]

The herding breeds are my favorites. However most of them come with a double coat, and I have enough hair in my house to make three or four more dogs.

I also have a Dyson and love it. I wish I could convince the dogs to push it around since I really don't like to vacuum the floors and rugs. The ancient Corgi lets me vacuum her with the hose part - so we do eliminate the middle man (floor) - I've filled up the cannister three times over just vacuuming her directly and she had been brushed the day before. :eek: Now add another Corgi and a GSD to that and I probably could spin the hair and knit sweaters for a small nation.

We donate hair to the birds in the spring - they use it in their nests.

[Ware Whip!]

I have never met a dog I did not like, even my own incorrigible ACD.
Loved my pair of Jacks, and would have another in a heartbeat.

As for sight hounds, saw a man at Devon with a real Lurcher, to me the untimate sight hound. He was kind enough to answer my many questions.
From what I gathered from him, if I can find one, that will be my next dog.

W W!

[Arado*TB]

LOff them.We have 3 and they are the sweetest,funniest, put Beckham to shame w/ a soccer ball fur balls I have ever seen. I don't think they have a cross hair on their bodies.I can take mine anywhere.They are verbal and will talk to us all the time. Not yappy just attentive.

[Lambie Boat]

I agree with the status comment. Horse people love to buy into the entire Ralph Lauren picture, and that means a little JRT or Corgi. Just like the Lollipop Girls in Hollywood all have their little tiny teacup Chihuahua accessory. Of course, the Corgi brings to mind aristocracy.

you have the horses, the hummer or land rover, the posh trailer, the designer clothing, the BNT- you're not going to the show with a mutt! You will be going with a papered and pedigreed JRT or Corgi, and you can compare lineage with other JRT/Corgi owners and see if your doggies are related somehow, or if you can one-up each other somehow. :cool:

[Picasso]

I had a JRT the I loved. He went with me every where, he was the class clown! He was also such a dedicated and loving boy. When he passed, I could not bring myself to get another one because I still cried thinking about him (a year later!), so... on Valentine's Day when my husband was home on leave from Iraq, he brought me 2 Chihuahua puppies. I never thought I would want one of these fake dogs, but they are a riot! They now go to all horse shows with me and are very well behaved boys indeed. Limited barking, always smiling, very cuddly, I am sold!

I also have a 10 year old GSD who is the hairy princess. She is a person in a doggie suit, the most intelligent animal I have ever met. If I were to get another big dog, it would be a GSD. She does herd the horses, but comes right back the FIRST time you call her. She was always appalled with the Jack when he waited for the 5th call to finally listen!

[PalominoMorgan]

I just want to say that not all of us who have "status" dogs got them for that reason. I drove 8 hours to pick up my rehomed 3 year old corgi boy. Certainly not much "status" in that. All my other dogs have been strays who followed me home or that I adopted out of a shelter. Just because I liked the personality of a corgi doesn't mean I got one to keep up with the Jones. (If I were going to do that around here I should have gottan a cattledog.) Besides, for all my status of having two corgis and a GSD cross they never go to horse shows. (I love them too much to let someone else take them home while I'm off showing or taking care of my horse.) Where is my status in that? Some of us just like the quirky and playful personalities of our little one.

[good booie]

I have two whippets. I have had whippets for the last 15 years and absolutely love this breed. They are great around the barn and for the most part never even leave my side. I live at the farm (BM) which is 50 acres and the dogs love it. Just this morning while walking down to the front pastures, a doe and buck crossed the path. Poof, off they go. I call once and my female stops in her tracks but my male courses them for about 30 seconds and comes right back to me. Many sighthound people think I am crazy for letting them off leash all the time but I have never had a whippet that didn't have excellent recall.

[LPacker79]

I also have a Dyson and love it. I wish I could convince the dogs to push it around since I really don't like to vacuum the floors and rugs. The ancient Corgi lets me vacuum her with the hose part - so we do eliminate the middle man (floor) - I've filled up the cannister three times over just vacuuming her directly and she had been brushed the day before. :eek: Now add another Corgi and a GSD to that and I probably could spin the hair and knit sweaters for a small nation.

My Sibe lets me vacuum him too, he seems like like it well enough. I do know of at least one northern breed rescue that knits sweaters and gloves out of Sibe/Mal/Samoyed hair and auctions them off as fundraisers every year.

[SLW]

Those two breeds are THE pets to have if you are a horseperson of means. My delightful,well mannered dog rescued from the streets in mexico is a great pet, and I tried to place many like him- perfect smallish family dogs- but seems people want the registered ones, like having a registered or well bred horse. It was frustrating to me to have wonderful dogs needing homes in the States, but find people wanting (OK certain persons in mind)- no, needing- to have a dog with a certain status.

Ouch. Nothing like clumping everyone together. ;) Pound dogs are fabulous and I once had a hell of a Yorkie cross from a local pound, awesome dog.

Owning purebred dogs opened up doors w/ the kids from showing in 4-H to AKC to terrier trials to lure coursing. Sure, probably a few Status owners but mostly folks who enjoyed the companionship of a good dog and the fun of competition. As I said before, I do enjoy the history of the JR as it relates to foxhunting, of which I've just returned home from Cubbing this morning on my $600 horse, basically a pound horse at the time I bought her. ;)

[grayarabpony]

My JRT just turned 19. Yes, you read it right, nineteen. A combination of good genetics and protecting her from her own reckless stupidity. :lol:

Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but I definitely got my dog for a status symbol. :winkgrin: Never mind that she was never AKC registerable, she's got Cricket and Mr. Cool in her pedigree!

I got a Jack Russell because another horse person had one that had the same look in her eye as my family's Cairn terrier. Very kind and intelligent. Plus our apartment had a 25 lb limit, which granted, many people did ignore...

We went and got a puppy, the boldest in the litter (of course). The Cairn terrier hated her at first sight and went into a funk that she never did completely recover from. We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. We were both just out of college, working as research techs that first year. We rearranged our schedules so that the puppy wouldn't be left alone too long. Otherwise she would destroy the apartment, or whichever room she was gated in. (She destroyed the bathroom the first week.)

It's been a ride. How to describe her personality? -- extreme. She was always extremely entergetic, friendly, needy, athletic (the most athletic dog I've ever seen), stubborn. Needed a lot of exercise -- minimum 3 miles walking every day, and a lot of discipline. I would never let her loose around the horses -- she would have kicked or stepped on in 5 minutes. The couple of times she was loose around horses she ended up right under their feet, immediately. If I'm going to have a dog around horses I at least want a dog the horses can see.

Would I get another JRT? Those high energy ones are wonderful/ terrible, and should probably be a once in a lifetime experience. I told my husband that we are just stupid if we get another one....:lol:

[DoubleClick]

I think you either love the terriers or they're not for you. We breed and show border terriers (which are known for being the least terrier-ish of the terriers), and I know that even they would turn many a dog lover off with their antics. Personally, I find them hilarious, though I sometimes question my sanity when four of them are racing through the house or singing (howling) as borders so like to do. Not great barn dogs, but we didn't work with ours too much because we didn't want them around the barn getting too dirty because they show pretty regularly. All of them are determined chicken killers if they get a chance, and our two girls actually tried to kill a fairly good sized goat kid earlier this summer. But they're as cute as all get out and smart, smart, smart! They're becoming more and more popular with families because somehow they get marketed on the Internet as this "perfect" dog. The good breeders are really trying to educate. If you love the terrier intensity, dedication to any task, and love for life, a JRT, border, or whatever terrier, will just put a smile on your face.

Here's our "pack":

www.faireviewborderterriers.com (http://www.faireviewborderterriers.com)

[Lambie Boat]

I would think horsepeople would like Basenjis? I don't know much about them except they are short haired, very clean, medium sized and don't bark. And they look cool. Does anyone know?

[CookiePony]

I have a dog that I think is corgi/beagle. We'll never know for sure since he just showed up on the front lawn one day. He's a great barn dog except for the occasional horse herding, but he doesn't get to go all that often.

Pics:
http://cookiepony.googlepages.com/crescent%27spage

[AHorseSomeDay]

I don't know why horse people have both JRTs and Corgis. I believe it is a fad. JRTs are nasty dogs. I will never ever own one. I have never met a nice one. When they are puppies they are cute and nice. I was attacked by 5 JRTs at once so that's why I have a dislike of them. They left some scars on my right leg and my leg will look like it has a shadowy dent in it forever. :no:

No offense to anyone who has a JRT.

[Foxtrot's]

Good Jack Russells are wonderful in every way. Rotten Jacks are just over-bred rotten things. People love JR's so they can have hilarious dining out stories. (I should know!)

[El Tovar]

Murphluv-- remember I am the corgi, you are the thoroughbred. Corgis calm horses down...yes in deed they are godo at that.

[entropygal]

my cousin had a corgi what "eloped" one day w/ a lab (we thought a yellow one). the resultant puppies were black w/ lab bodies and corgi legs. PERFECT yuppie apartment dogs...laying down they looked just like black labs. and standing up, well, it was a pretty funny sight! my aunt/uncle kept two of them. they were lovely dogs. if they had the bad habits of either parent breed (lets face it, plenty of good qualities but no dog is perfect!) i didn't notice. great conversation pieces they!!!

[Diamondindykin]

Ironically, I went to a reining show yesterday and within 5 minutes I saw a Corgi and a JRT!! The third dog was a cattle dog...............

[Beasmom]

OK, Entropygal, your story of the Corgilabs (Labracorgis?) reminded me of an even wierder cross one of my barn pals told me about years ago in Minnesota. The PekeDane. Great Dane female, Pekinese male. How that pairing took place without intervention, I'll never know. Evidently the dog looked like a black lab with Peke hair. It had no siblings, it was an "only pup".

[PalominoMorgan]

By coincidence when my husband I drove to Maryland to pick up our first corgi, Sammy, there was a lady at the same gas station with a black lab/corgi cross. The funny part is that you could totally tell what the two parents were. Quite an odd looking dog, but the owner was quite proud of him. Another funny combination I saw once on a farm in Vermont was a little dog with a pug body, shepherd head and coloring. Yup... the pug and german shepherd eloped and the resulting pugs were cute in a "what the hell" kind of way.

[grayarabpony]

One of the cutest dogs I have ever seen was a Doberman/ Cocker Spaniel mix. Had the Cocker Spaniel personality too.

[bdj]

Corgilabs (Labracorgis?)

My old trainer had Cardi Corgis, Labs AND Chesapeakes.

Whenever any of the girls came into season, there was mass crating of all dogs, as trainer didn't want to be responsible for any "Corgadors" or "Corgipeakes"...
Used to see a lot of what looked to be Lab/Bassett mixes at my old dog park - we called them "Bassadors".

[JrHunterRider]

Very good question you bring up! Why do horse people own Jack Russels and Corgis? I have two Jacks. Horrible little beasts but love them dearly and would get another in a heart beat. I have owned large breed dogs my whole life and then I got the Jacks. I've never had a dog that behaved so bad as my two do. The bark at horse shows while in the trailer. Heaven forbid they get loose because they never come when called so I just gave up trying. And, they are the never ending energizer bunnies.