Canine Capers: Breeds: When I was Young, I had the Coolest Jack Russell…

By Lesley Liddle

Lesley Liddle is a certified service and pet dog trainer. First Mate Lulu is a Corgi/Red Heeler with spots like a baby harbor seal; Crewman Leonard is a Chihuahua/Doxie with tall ears like a rabbit. Both dogs have very short legs and were originally found in California shelters.  Lesley has average legs and can be found on Orcas Island.

Well, please just think about it. Back when you were ten, you thought it was fantastic that your Jack Russell buddy could jump up to the ceiling twenty times in fifteen seconds and race half way up the sides of the apartment walls like Evil Kenevil in a motorcycle barrel. He had no “off” switch, and could run as fast as you could peddle. Such dogs are ideal for the circus.  As are most of the terrier breeds.

If you are in your golden retirement years, or fragile and worn out in the least,  you may want to consider adopting a middle sized mellower breed of dog, a dog that is neither hot wired, nor willing and able to stare down an angry bull nor so big and strong as to knock you over easily. You might cleverly and purposefully NOT choose a puppy, for even a mellow breed of puppy has a lot of energy and growing pains – I’m thinking teething and accidents of all sorts – for at least a year if not longer.

Of course there are exceptional dogs in every breed and mix, but don’t imagine, expect or count on what is not likely. Hundreds of expensive purebred dogs of all sizes end up relinquished to shelters, languishing in cages because they have not been properly trained and are not what people imagined them to be and now they are confused and totally out of control.

So think carefully and choose wisely what kind of dog you are getting for your time of life, your life style, and for the long run because a dog deserves and needs a lot of attention, serious training and a life long commitment. If you choose an appropriate age and breed of dog you will be on the path to enlightenment instead of on the path of good intentions. We all know where that leads.