Adopting a Jack Russell Rescue Dog

Many conscientious pet owners these days are aware of the problem of dog overpopulation. Because of irresponsible breeders and owners, millions of dogs around the world are put down every year in animal shelters and vet clinics for no other reason than the fact that they do not have a loving home to go to. The simple fact is that there are more dogs in the world than loving pet owners.Jack Russell Terriers (JRTs) are especially prone to meeting such a fate. Because they are small and very cute, many people mistakenly believe they would make good dogs for young children. Either that, or they don't anticipate the exercise requirements needed by this highly active breed. What these people are not aware of is that the Jack Russell was bred to hunt. It is a very active, energetic dog, and often does not get along well with other pets such as cats, unless properly socialized at an early age.Because of these factors, there are now many JRTs in shelters and Jack Russell rescue organizations around the world. If you're interested in helping to save one of these plucky little pups from a terrible fate by offering it a loving home, here's what you need to know about adopting a Jack Russell.

1. Consider the age of the dog you adopt. The care requirements for a puppy are very different to those for an adult or aging dog. Also, remember that Jack Russells can live for upwards of 15 years. This is a long-term commitment.
2. Adoption is generally a lot cheaper than buying a new puppy.
3. Make sure you check out any health problems that may exist in the dog. Rescue workers are usually volunteers and will be very honest with you on this matter, as opposed to some puppy breeders who are only concerned with money.
4. Try to get some idea of the life the dog has had up until this point. If the dog has been severely mistreated and poorly socialized, you may have to be prepared for a rough ride as far as training out bad behaviors that have built up over time. But remember that no dog is ever a lost cause - you might be the only person with the heart and patience to adopt a "problem case."
5. To find a dog to adopt, you can try to contact local Jack Russell clubs, breeders, vets, or contact a Jack Russell rescue club directly by finding them in the phonebook or online.
6. Remember that rescue dogs will typically be neutered and microchipped when you adopt them. These are both good things. Microchipping means that if your dog is lost of stolen you have a good chance of getting it back. The fact that these dogs are neutered means that they won't contribute any further to the overpopulation problem. If you have plans to breed then an adoption dog is not right for you, but you should not breed unless you have researched the subject and the breed itself and have the advice of other experienced breeders to guide you through. Breeding should only be done out of a commitment to maintain and improve the breed.
7. If you already own a dog, be aware that a rescue dog may not get along well with it. Many rescue dogs are not socialized well with other animals. With some dogs, however, this will not be an issue. Most Jack Russell Terrier rescue organizations will allow you to have a trial run to see how well the dog fits into your home.
8. Don't be surprised if someone from the rescue organization wants to ask you a lot of questions and check out your house. These people are passionate about JRTs and they want to ensure these animals will not end up back at a shelter or rescue centre, so they are often very selective about who they will allow to adopt their dogs. Don't be offended by this as it's standard practice.