Adopting an Older Jack Russell Terriers

Jack Russell puppies are undeniably cute. However, as anyone who has ever raised a puppy knows, these little bundles of joy can be as labor intensive as a small child. If you’ve been searching for a JRT, but are not sure you have the time, energy and patience it takes to properly train a puppy, consider the advantages of adopting older Jack Russell Terriers.

• Convenience. Training a puppy means starting at ground zero; an older dog will most likely be housebroken and may have had previous training. At the very least, an older dog will not have to be fed or taken outside as often as a younger one, and can be left alone for longer periods of time. The older the dog, the more independent they can be.
• Older Jack Russell Terriers often make great companions for older people, who don’t have the stamina to keep up with a young, energetic dog.
• With an older dog you know what you’re getting in terms of size, physical appearance, health and temperament. There is no way to know whether the tiny puppy you adopt today will be 90 pounds of hard-to-manage dog a year from now, or if she will shed constantly or fall victim to a genetic disease. An older dog has already gone through the destructive phases of adolescence and puppyhood, and will most likely be more focused and self-disciplined.
• Can you teach an old dog new tricks? Sure. In fact, older dogs have a longer attention span, and often give more recognition to their trainers than puppies and young dogs do.

With all the superb qualities possessed by older dogs, it is unfortunate that they are of often overlooked. Before heading to the nearest puppy kennels in search of your next companion, take a moment to ponder the possibilities of an older dog. You may be surprised what (and who) you find.