oscarsdad Posted July 13, 2010 Report Share Posted July 13, 2010 My border terrier is just 11 months, he has a fantastic temperament and is fearless... but there is not an aggressive streak in him (unless you are a rat / squirrel / bunny)... He loves all other dogs but he has this week has a proper fight....(bear with me, he is my first dog). He met what looks like a lab sized springer cross something outside the house (we live by the canal towpath) and they were quite happily playing together until the cross turned on him and pinned him down biting his back and his front leg.... I then got quite a surprise as my terrier really kicked off and retaliated in a big way resulting in a torn ear for the other dog and a considerable amount of white fur from the other dog being removed by my little terrier! I separated them for fear of Oscar (my border) doing the other dog some real damage. The other owner was very apologetic as he knew his dog had caused the problem...but do I need to be concerned from a behavioural point of view? Oscar was fired up afterwards but his tail was wagging and he just wanted to carry on playing with his ball! He appears to be completely unharmed as has met similar sized and coloured dogs since with no hint of aggression or fear. He has never even so much as growled at me or another dog - was he just being a proper terrier and sticking up for himself? I dont want him damaging other dogs in future! Apologies for the novice questions... Anthony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apache Posted July 13, 2010 Report Share Posted July 13, 2010 Do you intend to breed from him? Castration does help this sort of aggression in terriers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAULT Posted July 13, 2010 Report Share Posted July 13, 2010 all terriers are nuts watch he doesnt get into a fight he cant handle like my jr had his throat nearly torn very nearly died with a ruptured aesophagus this happened in about 2 seconds flat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarsdad Posted July 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2010 Do you intend to breed from him? Castration does help this sort of aggression in terriers. I am considering it....he has a great pedigree. I am not sure it would be fair on him to describe it as an aggression problem - he was playing with a much bigger dog which then started on him and he simply put it in its place! I know I shouldnt have done, but it did make me smile to see a much bigger dog trying to bully him and then backing off with his tail between his legs lol! It is literally the only time he has shown any form of aggression...even if other dogs snarl at him he ignores them - I think this cross just pushed him a little too much and got his **** kicked! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stiv24 Posted July 13, 2010 Report Share Posted July 13, 2010 I wouldn't worry too much. When I was a kid we had a Golden Retreiver who was the most gentle dog you will find. At a family party my uncle turned up with my cousins american pit bull. Not long after, the pit bull pitched into our GR who surprised everybody by giving far better than he got. Pit bull was put in the car and our GR went back to being placid. Never saw that aggression before or since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxnet22 Posted July 13, 2010 Report Share Posted July 13, 2010 (edited) he,a a terrier mate and thats what they do.i have that problem every time i take mine out for a walk he can never be let off the lead.he thinks whatever has four legs and a tail he can kill it.it can be akward but its the way they where bred to work in days gone by if not these days to.also of past experience of working terriers borders usually start of slow and start to show there true colours around 12-15 month. Edited July 13, 2010 by foxnet22 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarsdad Posted July 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2010 he,a a terrier mate and thats what they do.i have that problem every time i take mine out for a walk he can never be let off the lead.he thinks whatever has four legs and a tail he can kill it.it can be akward but its the way they where bred to work in days gone by if not these days to.also of past experience of working terriers borders usually start of slow and start to show there true colours around 12-15 month. They are brilliant little dogs tho! I think he would stand between me and a lion, he is like my shadow and never leaves my side. The little ****** seems to be able to chew through anything! it was the TV remote last week...tiny little pieces all over the floor, PCB and everything - he has even dented my gun cabinet chewing on it when it was first delivered and not installed! lol! no wonder the dog which picked on him now has one ear smaller than the other lol! Osc does a lot of exercise but it is good to hear he may calm down - he does retrieve for me but I am yet to get him to bring a whole bunny back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apache Posted July 13, 2010 Report Share Posted July 13, 2010 I am considering it....he has a great pedigree. If you are going to have him done, get it over with whilst he is still in puberty and not stuck in behaviours. It does really help at this age [not so in older dogs]. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted July 14, 2010 Report Share Posted July 14, 2010 he,a a terrier mate and thats what they do.i have that problem every time i take mine out for a walk he can never be let off the lead.he thinks whatever has four legs and a tail he can kill it.it can be akward but its the way they where bred to work in days gone by if not these days to.also of past experience of working terriers borders usually start of slow and start to show there true colours around 12-15 month. this is the true answer, its inbred in a lot of them and you will struggle to stop it, nuts off may help but I've known a fair few bitches exactly the same. Funnily enough met a 10 month pup this morning that tried it on with mine and is being a handfull with other dogs. sadly its likely to be a case of keeping on the lead round other dogs however do as much socialisation work as possible and you may crack it but I wouldn't bet on it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richie10 Posted July 14, 2010 Report Share Posted July 14, 2010 Socialise it. Get the nuts taken off too early they remain puppyish and heard that even taking the nuts off only is a temporary thing. Do you intend to work it? Or like most dogs, let it get fat and lay around? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulpicide Posted July 14, 2010 Report Share Posted July 14, 2010 Forget castration there is no need for it the dog only defended itself after being attacked by a larger dog its not showing any signs of aggression but you have seen the other side of dogs. They are animals not little people you know your dog is not aggressive but remember the dog running up to it in the park may be. I have been working terriers for 40yrs and my terriers are kept on the lead until there are no other dogs present.Pm me if you need any more advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coupe312 Posted July 14, 2010 Report Share Posted July 14, 2010 terriers are terriers and have a heart twice there physical size. he was been bullied and turned round and delt with it! He bound to be a bit fired up after something like that happens , just as even a human would in such a situation. if he's fine with other dogs don't worry. i have springers now and they are nice and soft very little aggression, but if attacked they would only try to hold there own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarsdad Posted July 14, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2010 Thanks for all the replies guys... Osc is very very well socialised and has been since 8 weeks both with other dogs, cats and horses and he can even tell the difference between pet rabbits which he plays with (yes, I know this is risky and one day he may eat one!) and wild rabbits which he catches. He has known a friends fox red lab bitch since 8 weeks and he spends 5 days a week with her when i am at work in the day - he thinks she is his mum so he has a bit of an identity crisis as he thinks he is a labrador! As mentioned, i think he just defended himself and i cannot see him doing anything else other than in self defence. I was just a little surprised at how scary my little mate came across for a little dog - i had been surprised with him being a terrier how patient he is when other dogs have become aggressive...normally has just ignores them, i think this particular one just took too much of a risk, took it too far and regretted it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickyspringer Posted July 14, 2010 Report Share Posted July 14, 2010 get it castrated No need for that in my opinion, if the dog is generally okay around others and only give as good as he got and put the dog in its place I applaud him Been around BT's for a good while and they are a well rounded terrier, keep him as he is and just look out for tell tale signs of a scrap occuring, he will be fine, anyways get an image up of him and whats his breeding? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulpicide Posted July 14, 2010 Report Share Posted July 14, 2010 The original borders were known to be slow to anger but deadly in battle thats how they were used as working terriers thats what they were bred to do unless you have seen a terrier at its work you will never know just how tough resilient and deadly these little dogs can be. Yours seems to have a decent temprament dont underestimate him hope you enjoy him for a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bignoel Posted July 15, 2010 Report Share Posted July 15, 2010 all dogs do this starts off as play fighting then one try's to dominate the other .and a fight breaks out its called sorting out the pecking order who is boss at that moment in time .the terrier has a bit more go in them and makes it look like they are the cause of it . it does and will happen every now and then cutting his gonads off wont make any difference only slow him up and turn him into a wee fat barrell .borders are great terriers and have a fantastic tempermant . but being dominated he will retaliate its in his nature Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordieh Posted July 15, 2010 Report Share Posted July 15, 2010 Do you intend to breed from him? Castration does help this sort of aggression in terriers. Hi All Sorry this was not aggression he was defending himself you cannot blame any dog for this, and as for having his nuts off it will make no difference to him defending himself. My mate had his patterdale castrated and he still wants to fight anything that moves. If your dog turns out to be a good one you will forever regret it Geordie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted July 15, 2010 Report Share Posted July 15, 2010 Terriers were bred to be feisty and there isnt a lot you can do to take this away.Castration might help,but to be hones he didnt start the ruckass so why should he loose his balls? All he did was defend his corner like most dogs do. Just chalk this down to experience and move on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted July 15, 2010 Report Share Posted July 15, 2010 Keep it on a lead to avoid a repeat. I have two large Akitas - one of which has been attacked quite a few times. The other dogs owners always complain afterwards, despite mine being on a lead and theirs were not. In this instance, the other owner accepted fault, but few people do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarsdad Posted July 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2010 As requested a picture of the border terrorist in question...out trout fishing with me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarsdad Posted July 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2010 (edited) As requested a picture of the border terrorist in question...out trout fishing with me Sorry, double post Edited July 16, 2010 by oscarsdad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apache Posted July 16, 2010 Report Share Posted July 16, 2010 grand little dog. Did he catch anything? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazza Posted July 16, 2010 Report Share Posted July 16, 2010 He looks like a right handful. Is that a life jacket he has on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted July 16, 2010 Report Share Posted July 16, 2010 Looks a little character. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickyspringer Posted July 16, 2010 Report Share Posted July 16, 2010 cracking head on him, do you know about his lines, is he out of workers?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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