Wir hair fox terrier vs. parson russel terrier

[Sabledog]

im going to be moving in about 3-6 months (either down the street or to colorado) and am looking for a small breed dog to do agility with, i have narrowed it down to 2 breeds and was wondering if one or the other would be better suited for agility, it will also be a family pet so it will need to be around other dogs too, i wanted a small breed so it is easier to travel with. any experience or information would be great. If we end up moving to colorado then there will be 4 other dogs and our 3 dogs it will need to be around plus 5 horses and a bull.

[golden&hovawart]

I would go for a fox terrier cos they are slightly taller than the Jack russell.Both breeds are very high energy dogs, they never stop,moving.Both breeds are great dogs if well trained.I know the fox better than the other one cos my neighbour,in Fr,breeds smooth fox terriers.I,myself,like the smooth better.You might want to check the standard schaunzer,they are also really good,for agility and less aggressive with other dogs. All the foxes,I've met,were dog aggressive with their own gender but none of them were neutered and so...

[basi]

Don't know much about fox terriers but a friend of mine has 3 parsons and none of them like other dogs at all. They are all great with people though.

[Borzoi mad]

I too think the Min Schaunzer for agility and for compatibility. No disrespect intended to Parson russel or wh fox terrier as I like both.just think min Sch. better for your requirements.

[LesterJ]

hee, hee. Poodle! I know, that's not one of the choices.

I did agility once with a bouvier, and she was awesome with it. We have a fox terrier, and I can't *imagine* training her to do it. She's very independent minded and is not as fearless as would be necessary to do the see-saw and ladder. They're not that great with heights. For some reason, IMO, these dogs being ground dogs, they just don't seem to like doing anything that requires them to look over their heads. I think jumping through the ring would also be a challenge for the same reason. Although our FT *can* jump, she is very wary of actually trying it. It doesn't seem to come naturally. I guess it's okay to criticize my own dog's breed, right? :)

[Sabledog]

so the wire fox terrier is not a good canidate? i like rat terriers as well but all the ones i have met seem to be so skittish and far from outgoing. I do like mini shnauzers as well but i thought they might be a bit to big for what im looking for, i want one (prefferably a terrier) that will stay around 15-25 lbs and is very energetic (all my dogs are so darn lazy) im a hound and terrier kinda person so that is why i wanted a small terrier. i have hounds already, well hound mixes.

[golden&hovawart]

You like hound,too so what about a basenji.
A friend of mine has 2 basenjis and her red and white male,is the 3rd basenji in the USA,for agility and he competes with border collies so not bad!.

[Sabledog]

what about a lakeland terrier? those seem realy spunky and cute... but dont know anything about them...

[nic_brandy]

I have a jack russell cross yorkie and she does agility, is v v v quick and loves it!

[AnimalHouse]

hmm personally with my experiances, Parson terriers, are a bit of a pain, they can be total butt heads with dogs, and some are super around them, But they seem to more or less human type dogs... And I am not familier with the wire fox terrier... hmm there is a Border Terrier.. I have seen them in agility.. Lol ;)

[musky hunter]

Mini Poodle

[Jake2006]

There's also spaniels and of course poodles!

You could always try an Irish/American Water Spaniel. They are just like having a teenage kid - but without the cheek - they like to be into everything and they are intelligent.

[Sabledog]

im not a poodle fan, dont get me wrong i like them as dogs but i wouldnt own one, i have also had bad experiences with spaniels i still have a 4 inch scar on my forearm from a springer spaniel(not mine) and we had a springer spaniel that bit my sister in the face and humped everything, i also had a freind that had a viscious cocker spaniel, not saying they are a bad breed but i think spaniels are more suited to a home without kids, and i have 2 small daughters and i would not trust it. im really liking the lakeland terrier or the rat terrier right now, i may opt for a rat terrier because there are so many of them around here at the shelters (overbreeding)

[spiritxx]

Hiya sabledog, :)
I am an ownwer of jack-russell dogs, i have had them all my life with other breads of dogs, yes they can be difficult for the 1st 6-8 months, but once the puppy stage is over it get easier, they LOVE agility, they are small enough to tuck under your arm lol, they fear nothing, they are very protective, and loyal especailly the bitches, i could go on, and on, and on, but i wont lol lol......
You'll make the right choice :thumbsupsmileyanim:

[Borzoi mad]

I agree the Border Terrier might be an option for you for agility, but can I just say that I know a guy who has hounds, borzois actually and he also has a Min Schnautzer and they get on really well together. In fact schnauzer's seem to get on with most other dogs though just like any other breed there will be the odd exception to the rule.

[dlambertz]

My groomer competes in agility with her Parson Terriers. They are delightful little dogs with the right owners :)

[Sabledog]

i have been looking at puppy adds in the papers and online to see what there is available localy (i will not order a dog online because i want to see and meet the puppy in person and also see the parents ) and there are quite a few good breeders of the true parson terriers around here as well as a few good rat terrier breeders.

borzoi mad, i too love hounds, i would love a pure rhodesian, but i want a smaller dog for agility, (less running for me lol) and i have never owned a small dog and have always wanted too. if i ever figure out which kind i want i just love the color pattern of the jacks/parsons and the rat terriers.