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anneh

Newbie

09/14/2008 5:06 PM
Hi, thought I would come to the experts I have a very sweet natured neutered 50lb mix breed that is really good with dogs of all sizes and is well loved at the dog park. I am in the process of adding another dog to our household. I used to have JRTs and altho I loved mine they did tend to be bossy and fiesty in nature so I was avoiding terrier breeds for my dog as a friend. However a rescue friend has taken in a RT and say she is wonderful, in fact the shelter she came from raved about how sweet and nice she is with humans/other pets. She is a cross altho other than being too big (26lbs) she looks just like a RT. I would like honest advice about whether bringing her into our home could mean that she will be a good companion for our dog (of course they have to meet and am presuming they hit it off). Bottom line, do you think its possible for them to be good buddies? Thanks for your help, actually terriers are my favorite but for his sake i had not looked into adopting that breed until my friend told me about this one and how sweet she is anneh

milly

Terrier Terror

09/14/2008 5:39 PM
Murrys best friend is a 76lb ridgeback mix...and they have a blast together he also plays with a border collie down the street...he is not the boss they all play very well together and Murry is only 10.3 lbs...good luck..Milly

Milly.....Owned by Murry!!!

Noodles n Me

Terrier Terror

09/14/2008 5:54 PM
I have 3 other dogs in my house including a grouchy old lady/heeler, besides my rat Noodles. She has won their hearts. She has become "the boss" because they have let her. She use those cute little eyes on them, with her little lay down crawl and 90% of the time has her way with them. No bossy with them, now with me it's a different story! Good luck and remember...Once you choose rat there is no going back!!

There is no joy greater than being owned by a Rattie!! cat

Baileydukedavis

Terrier Terror

09/14/2008 5:58 PM
Well we have 3 ratties in the house! With my expierence ratties are the BEST. We also have an outside dog he is mixed lab/heeler. I must say the bigger dog is more scared of the ratties. The ratties are the bosses. They all get along well so I would say go for it. You wont regret it I promise Keep us updated

"If your dog doesn't like someone you probably shouldn't either." - Unknown Bailey Duke Tazman Davis, Sydney Grace Davis and Chance Tazman Davis.

tiggarat

Bratty Ratty

09/14/2008 6:10 PM
I have 2 ratties...one is 26 lbs and the other is 32 lbs (Deckers). The rattie your friend rescued could be 100% rattie, just a large standard...we'd have to see pics. When I got my ratties, I wanted smaller dogs, but still big enough to handle playtime with our dobie. I had lost 2 dogs in 5 months, but still had an older male dobie mix and a young female dobie...the 2 I had lost were the younger ones playmates, and with them gone, she was making life miserable for my older guy. These ratties play with Rosie (dobie) all the time and they are the best of friends. They had even learned how to be nice and gentle around Buddy(dobie mix) and I know they brought him a lot of joy in his last year...he loved to watch them run and play. I couldn't have asked for better dogs. Is you male dog older? I pretty much let my older guy set his own limits with the pups (within reason...no one got hurt)...he would flash his teeth or nip at the air to let them know his boundaries. After a few times, the girls knew that they could only be near him if they were calm and gentle (Buddy loved to give them kisses ), and that they had to pay attention to their surroundings when they played with each other (no jumping on Buddy allowed). It's amazing how smart ratties are.

Lisabeth furbabies: Lucy and Molly (1 1/2 yr old decker ratties), and Rosie (3 yr old dobie) Buddy - gone but never forgotten. "I don't think he has any idea he's a dog, really. Of course, he thinks he has a rather odd figure for a man" - Dodie Smith

LadyLes

Terrier Terror

09/14/2008 6:12 PM
I have two ratties, and one is the boss and the other is not. Oddly enough, the smaller, female is the boss and my male is the submissive one. I think you just have to set ground rules with them, and things will be just fine. My two can fit into any pack that I bring them into because they know that I am the boss!!! Good Luck!

There is nothing better than wine and chocolate! ~Ashley~

kp_in_scott

Firehouse Big Dog

09/14/2008 9:15 PM
Well, my heart was won by a rattie mix named Amos. He was supposed to be full blooded rattie, but apparently he just LOOKS full blooded, because he grew up to be 50lbs! He is an awesome dog and I've just brought home a tiny rat terrier puppy whose parents I KNOW only weighed 6lbs and 8lbs. Amos seems to really want to play with her, but he is a little rough. Not aggressive, just rough. It's gonna take some time for my little one to start bossing her big brother around but I know it will happen. I love this breed and I don't think you will regret adopting this dog, even if she IS a Rattie mix. They are welcome here!

Kim, owned by one sweet Rattie mix and one sweet Toy Rattie and a house full of parrots

anneh

Newbie

09/15/2008 10:10 AM
Thank you all for great responses, so helpful. My current dog is actually only 2 1/2yo, may be a lab mix, very sweet with other dogs which is why I got all worried that adopting a bossy dog could make his life a misery. However will meet the RT this week and hopefully will know what she is like with strange dogs, have been told she is great and has lived in the foster home for several months with no attitude probs. Would be nice if she would play with him but as long as they are friends it doesn't matter. Yes I am wondering if indeed she is full RT , will know more when I meet her I did want a smaller dog but if this one is as sweet natured as they say I am not going to worry about that. My dog is very timid sometimes, this morning he heard the fridge make a strange noise and he won't come back in the kitchen, having another dog around will give him more confidence anneh Posted By tiggarat on 09/14/2008 6:10 PM I have 2 ratties...one is 26 lbs and the other is 32 lbs (Deckers). The rattie your friend rescued could be 100% rattie, just a large standard...we'd have to see pics. When I got my ratties, I wanted smaller dogs, but still big enough to handle playtime with our dobie. I had lost 2 dogs in 5 months, but still had an older male dobie mix and a young female dobie...the 2 I had lost were the younger ones playmates, and with them gone, she was making life miserable for my older guy. These ratties play with Rosie (dobie) all the time and they are the best of friends. They had even learned how to be nice and gentle around Buddy(dobie mix) and I know they brought him a lot of joy in his last year...he loved to watch them run and play. I couldn't have asked for better dogs. Is you male dog older?

singingpilgrim

Ratastic

09/16/2008 11:10 PM
Well I just adopted my Sophie (rattie) from the shelter and we have Radar, a 60 pound german shepherd mix and they get along great! He's ten, but he's been acting like he's six or seven again! Sophie is 16 1/2 pounds. Definately they can get along. I think your dog will probably do great, and I know ratties are fiesty (ha) little dogs who don't like something like size get between doggie friendships.

Pamela ~Sophia Abigail's Mom~ Ratbones Rescue Volunteer

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