I just recently adopted a 9 month old dog from the local animal shelter. The man said my dog is a Jack Russell Terrier but he looks more like he's a Rat Terrier. He actually looks exactly like a rat terrier except for his legs. I was just wondering, do rat terriers have a lot of problems with their ears?  He rubs his ears and whimpers atleast 3 or 4 times a day. I checked for mites and that isnt it.  I haven't gotten a chance to take him to the vet yet, we had to make an appointment a long time in advance, so we have a week or so. Is there anything i can do for him? Thanks everyone.

Welcome!  Getting the pup to a vet ASAP is really the best advice I could offer. 

You are a good-hearted one to give this little one a chance.  Thank you!  And pictures please?

Hi and welcome!  I agree with the other posts about finding another vet.  A week is a long time to wait, especially if your pup is suffering.  I would try another vet.  You could also try some OTC doggie ear products for some relief.

Thanks everyone for all your help. My new guys name is Jax. We really dont know much about him at all medically and that worries me a bit. We have no idea about shot records or anything. We're only going into this vet to get him neutered because they work with the shelter we got him from, but you're absolutely right i'm going to look into another vet ASAP.  As i looked through a lot of your pictures, i think he looks a lot like a rat terrier. I had only seen long legged pictures before, he has shorter legs. I'll try to get a picture posted so you can all help me determine if he is a rattie, or part rattie or if i'm just invading your place, haha. Thanks again everyone you've all helped.

Who cares??!  

You CARED enough to love a pup when he was down.  We LOVE YOU FOR THAT ALONE!!!!

Pictures!   I WANT PICTURES!!!!

If that is him in your avatar, he looks like a rattie. Type B, the short legged kind. He is adorable!!!!!  My Fuji is a type B as well.

Welcome!  He's a cutie patootie.  I also have a B body Rattie - with the short legs and the boxy body - I call Sandy my tank!  LOL

Sounds like your baby may have an ear infection - please have him seen soon before it gets too nasty!!

Welcome.  He looks like a type B (short legged) Teddy Roosevelt Rattie.  I'd get him to a vet ASAP too.  Have you tried cleaning out his ears with those doggie ear wipes?

Yeah, thats him on my avatar. He's my naughty little boy! I love him so much even though we've only had him a week. I'm glad to finally know what kind of background he comes from guys thanks! I've been putting a little bit of this dog ear cleaner into his ears every night. I got it from the healthfood store. He seems to feel a bit better, but he has an appointment for Tuesday morning anyways. Thanks for all your help everyone!

Welcome to the site.  Jax is a real cutie!  Hope all goes well at the Vet's.

Carrie

Hi and welcome!! I think he looks rattie to me as well. When I rescued my rattie they had her listed as a Jack Russell as soon as I seen her I started snooping to see what she really was.

It's great you adopted, it is so rewarding. I think you may have been to the vet by this point.....how is he??

Jaxxy update!!

We went to the vet and had him fixed (after an incredibly long run around where he didnt get checked up at all but i got charged....we worked it out). Days later Jax refused dog food but ate human food, and the next day he refused food at all. I rushed him to a new vet ASAP. My baby got Parvo from the vet that didnt fix him the first time around and never checked his ears! He stayed in the hospital for two days!! I worried the entire time, it was horrible!! The entire time in the hospital he was full of energy (though he refused food) and it took three people to hold my baby down for an IV (this made me proud for some reason, all 12 lbs of him!!).  He came home to us famished and happy, and full of drugs. After days of crazy eating schedules he was back to normal! Now i'm horribly anal about Parvo. He's being vaccinated and getting what his first parents and the pound never gave him. He's happy and crazy as usual, defending his home and enjoying chasing his laser light pen. He's more spoiled than his daddy and i originally intended but i thought i would lose him. Now we're just working on what i think is worms... throwing up and diarrhea but he's eating and drinking and thats all i can ask for until his appointment monday. Thank you all for all your support and sorry it took so long to update you. We had a big move but now we're all settled and happy!