[Lara's mom]

Well, it's been a little over a month since I had to rehome Lance (my male 9 month old shorty JRT). I don't know why because I've raised all my dogs exactly the same way but, he is VERY dog aggressive and attacked my Border Collie X causing $300 worth of damage to her face. If he'd bit her just a little higher, she'd have lost her eye. I knew at that moment that there was no way that I could keep him.

The good news is that I found a home for him with a lovely couple who live in my building. We've been friends for years so, I still get to see Lance and take him out to play with his sister Lara (another shorty JRT) who is just about the only dog he is NEVER aggressive with.

I've kept him and all of his "stuff" in my name up to now, just in case the placement didn't work out but, they love him to bits so, as of October 1st, I'll transfer everything having to do with Lance into their name. I'm really blessed to have found such a loving family for him because his breeder was unable to take him back. She had 2 litters of very small puppies at the time and, I needed to rehome him a.s.a.p. Even so, it took over a month and I turned down several potential homes that I didn't think were suitable for him. I wanted to make sure that this home would be his forever one and, I found him an amazing one.

Although he is still dog aggressive, his overall behaviour has improved 100%. He LOVES being the only dog in the house with two parents to fawn over him!!! I guess I got the best of both possible worlds; Lance got a great home and, I still get to spend time with him.

Anyway, that's why I haven't been around for a while. It was a very stressful time. Nice to be back though...I missed you guys!!!

[cigwyllt]

I am sorry you have had to let him go. It just goes to prove that these dogs are not blank slates and that they all have their own characters/attitudes regardless of how they are brought up. My dogs are all treated the same and I have one that is a totally independent play monster and one that is terrified of everything from a new pair of shoes in the house to his own reflection in the glass door.

So what is happening about Lance's stud work? With his aggression issues it would surely be better for him to be neutered?

[Lara's mom]

If it were up to me, he would be neutered. However, that is now between Lance's new parents and the breeder. The problem is that there are so few pure shorty jacks in Canada and, particularly in Ontario where I live. There are loads of Parsons but VERY few shortys. One hesitates to spay/neuter a potential breeding dog. I don't know if dog aggression is something that could be passed down to a litter of puppies. He's wonderful with people, even kids.

[cigwyllt]

I don't know - if he had a less than ideal background, inexperienced owners, and his behaviour was born out of frustration then perhaps it wouldn't matter but as he was yours, in the hands of an experienced owner, and the issues still developed I wouldn't have thought he was a candidate for breeding. OK so the breed is quite rare but it does no favours to the breed to use a dog that is not of good temperament. As you say, it is out of your hands, but hopefully the breeder and his new owner will think seriously about his temperament and whether or not it is worth the risk.

[Yogi]

Glad to see you back. Missed you...Sorry for the problems with Lance.
As for the breeding, unfortunately temperament is something that is a serious consideration when breeding. With Lance's disposition with dog aggression, he would not be one I would use. Neutering would be the best for him in the long run.

[Lunareclipse]

Glad to have you back on here.

[Lara's mom]

If a "bad attitude" can be passed to any future puppies, I absolutely agree he should be neutered. I'll speak to his new parents. I actually doubt they'd want to go through the whole process involved with breeding a dog so, chances are that when he has his yearly physical which is coming up in the next couple of months, they'll neuter him.

Thanks for the welcomes. Nice to be back!!!