Patterdale Terriers *UPDATE*

EmptyPockets

Yep, me again

As some of you here may remember from a few weeks ago, DH and I lost our dog, Suki. It hasn't been that long since she passed, but we do feel that we have dealt with the grief and helped each other through it with lots of talking, crying, and more talking. Although we will miss her dreadfully every single day forever, we are very aware of how much love we have to give to another dog, and of the good home we can offer to a doggy that needs one.

We find ourselves in the position to be able to do this right now, potentially: On Monday a lady offered her 7-month-old Patterdale Terrier on our local Freegle/Freecycle. Her reason for rehoming is that she is moving and cannot take the dog with her. If Freegle isn't successful she would have to put the dog into a shelter. The dog is vacinated and chipped.

To cut a lot of emails short, DH and I are going round to meet her and the pup tonight. We have never had any type of terrier before, and whilst we are keen to take this slowly and err on the side of caution (don't want to make the mistake of coming home with a dog that isn't right for us) the lady seems less bothered. She was quite happy for us to turn up on the Monday night and just take the dog away, which we never would have done. Now I'm not judging her or her situation, but am nervous of feeling 'rushed' into this. We have initially asked her if she will keep hold of him until Sunday, as we are refencing our garden and it is not currently secure enough to bring a dog home.

Are there any members here who have/have owned a Patterdale Terrier? I would like to know of your experiences with this breed: I have done my research online regarding their temperament and character but nothing is as good as first-hand acounts.

chris_n_tj

I cant help you with any info on Patterdale Terriers, but and its a big but, Please be careful here.
Firstly a puppy on freecycle, makes me wonder what type of person would do this and why.
Maybe i am cynical but its a good excuse isnt it, moving and cant take with her.
Please try and use your head tonight not your heart, that might seem harsh but beware. Have you tried the breed rescue? I would give them a quick call and ask a few questions. These might be of help to you.

http://www.terrierrescue.co.uk/page11.htm

Whatever you decide I wish you good luck, let us know how it goes wont you.
Chris x

EmptyPockets

chris_n_tj wrote: »

I cant help you with any info on Patterdale Terriers, but and its a big but, Please be careful here.
Firstly a puppy on freecycle, makes me wonder what type of person would do this and why.
Maybe i am cynical but its a good excuse isnt it, moving and cant take with her.
Please try and use your head tonight not your heart, that might seem harsh but beware. Have you tried the breed rescue? I would give them a quick call and ask a few questions. These might be of help to you.

http://www.terrierrescue.co.uk/page11.htm

Whatever you decide I wish you good luck, let us know how it goes wont you.
Chris x

Thanks Chris, and I completely agree with everything you have said. I most certainly will be using my head tonight, DH and I were discussing it lastnight and both said pretty much what you have about being careful. I'm not saying the lady is lying, I have no right and no grounds to say that, but I do have the right to be cautious - if only for the dog's sake. We can't just pick him up, bring him home without knowing a thing about him, and expect it to all go smoothly. If I have any doubts at all after tonight I shall be emailing the lady to regrettably pull out. Will feel terrible for the dog but ultimately, he is not yet my responsibility.

I just hoped someone here with experience of these dogs might offer some advice on their experiences...

Thanks again. I will let you know what happens :eek:

EmptyPockets

I'm already rather dubious as it was me who had to ask to arrange tonight's meeting: she did not offer this herself. Also, in my initial email I said she would be welcome to visit us at our home to see where her pup would live, but she did not take me up on this offer..? If I were giving away my dog I would want to know everything possible about the people and where they live.

orlao

Ok, patterdales - IME lovely little dogs but they are bred to work - all the usual terrier traits and most of the ones met have been *ahem* rather strongwilled

The only thing I would say about any dog of that age is that training may take a little longer (could be the real reason for rehoming?) as most dogs are right in the middle of their obnoxious "Kevin" stage at that age......

HTH

hethmar

Patterdales are probably the most energetic of the terriers. You will need to constantly keep him active, he will be able to run all day or fetch a ball all day. You could have a look on Patterdale forums for advice. Terrier rescue often have patterdales. TBH, I nearly got one myself before my disabled dog as I saw some for sale in a grotty old house and my heart went out to them. They are hunting dogs, so small furries would be a bit iffy round them.

The womans attitude is pretty common Im afraid - at least she appears to be trying to find a home, most dogs we see in the pound have just been thrown out on the streets without a thought for their future. People arent all like us

Take the dog for a walk when you go to see him. Talk to him and call him, look at his condition.

Wishing you the very best xxx


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patterdale_Terrier

chris_n_tj

I'm not saying the lady is lying, I have no right and no grounds to say that,

Of course there is really no way of knowing is there, it just seems odd to me.
Of course its the poor dog, and I know it would pull at my heart strings, as it is bound to yours. I do hope some one can give you an idea of the breed before your visit.
CHris n TJ x

EmptyPockets

Thank you guys, some really helpful points to think about there. Keeping him active and giving him adequate exercise, I am not too concerned about. I work at home so he would have company all day. I could take him for a morning and afternoon walk. DH and I religiously go for a 30-45 minute walk every evening aswell, so there's more exercise opportunity.

There's just something prickling at me, and not sure what it is. Maybe it's just caution because I've no experience with the breed.

DH and I have always wanted to rehome a rescue dog. Even before we lost our Suki we knew we wanted to adopt a dog needing a new home. If things do go well tonight, well at least we may have saved this pup/dog from the experience of a shelter...

EmptyPockets

hethmar wrote: »

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patterdale_Terrier

Thanks hethmar - I sat and read that page two or three times yesterday

EmptyPockets

orlao wrote: »

Ok, patterdales - IME lovely little dogs but they are bred to work - all the usual terrier traits and most of the ones met have been *ahem* rather strongwilled
HTH

I think that might be one of my concerns: when you say strongwilled, do you really mean strongwilled, or do you mean 'can be aggressive'..? I understand that each dog is different but I think that is the thing concerning me the most. The lady says that he is good with children, and other dogs, but I guess we wouldn't really know that until we got him home.

hethmar

No Im sure orlao doesnt mean aggressive! She means pig headed! I dont think Ive ever known an aggressive pat, but you will have a job on your hands with training. Ask the woman how his recall is. That is sometimes hard work with terriers.

Ask to take him for a walk in a nearby park or something - that should give you an idea of how he is with kids and other dogs.