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Do you want a dog like
Eddie from Frasier?
There's no denying that he's cute, but is he the
right dog for your family? Read this first!
What type of Dog is Eddie?
Eddie is played by
Moose, a Jack Russell Terrier (now recognized as a Parson
Russell Terrier by the American Kennel Club)
What was this breed bred for?
According to the Jack
Russell Terrier Club of America (JRTCA), Jack Russell Terriers
were bred for fox hunting.
They
are bred to go underground,
following scent to locate and bark at quarry until they are dug
down to or the quarry bolts. The JRTCA reminds us that, “ The
traits and skills that make them excellent hunting dogs (i.e.,
digging, barking, aggressive nature, ability to follow scent)
are often interpreted as bad habits” by some and must be
considered by potential families who would like to share their
life with the Jack Russell.
What is their energy level?
High. These dogs are
incredibly independent, clever and athletic. This breed needs to
be kept busy, or they will find ways to keep themselves busy
(which usually means trouble for their family!). Training is a
must to keep their brain active. This is why you will see many
in activities like flyball and agility. Again, the JRTCA reminds
us this breed was, “bred to go underground,
following scent to locate and bark at quarry until they are dug
down to or the quarry bolts. If they do not have an outlet for
their natural instincts, they will invent new and fun jobs for
themselves, which frequently include guardian of the world
and/or their possessions and family, chasing cars, hunting
birds, bugs or leaves, or endlessly digging in the soil.”
What type of grooming will they
need?
There are both
smooth, broken and rough coated varieties. All varieties shed
and require brushing. Rough coated varieties need to have their
coat stripped a few times each year.
What other personality traits do
they exhibit?
Although friendly,
they are also bold and independent. They are often referred to
as big dogs in a little body.
For some other traits to
consider don’t miss this site:
http://www.terrier.com/breed/baddog.php3
Some background about Moose (the
canine actor who played “Eddie”):
According to the
Animal Press, Moose was given up by his original family because
of a long list of behavioral issues: He couldn’t be house
trained; he chewed everything; he dug and barked a lot; and he
was constantly escaping and climbing trees.
Luckily for Moose, he was sent
to an LA trainer working for a show-biz animal company. She
kept him busy with training session and after 6 months he landed
the part of Eddie. With training and a job as an outlet for his
natural drives, Moose did calm down.
Moose passed away in 2006 at the
age of 16. He also appeared in the movie My Dog Skip.
For more on Moose, visit:
http://www.thepetpress-la.com/articles/eddie.htm
For more info visit:
If you are interested
in Jack Russell Terriers, take this profile:
http://www.terrier.com/breed/jrprofiler.php3
For additional info, and for
breeder or rescue referrals visit:
http://www.terrier.com/index.php3
http://www.russellrescue.com/
