The Question of Ears Once and for All...

by Nathalie Benoit
(Montreal, Quebec, Canada)

Yoichi and Me In Bouctouche, New-Brunswick

Yoichi and Me In Bouctouche, New-Brunswick

Hi all!


First of all, I'd like to say I am glad to have stumbled on such a rich site about JRT's!

I'm sorry for the length of this text, in advance.

My JRT is named Yoichi (pronounced YOY-CHEE) and he is 5 years old. I got him from a classified ad in 2003, (he was then 6 months old); found out the day I adopted him from the person who was giving him away (more like selling him away) that she bought him from a flea market breeder...probably a backyard breeder.

Yoichi's ears are pointed, instead of being folded, and that's the most obvious flaw to the breed. Otherwise, his conformation seems OK. I'll send a picture and let everyone else judge for themselves.

Yoichi is the first and best dog I will ever have and he conquered many hearts. Yoichi chose my life partner before I ever did: he pranced his way into his love. Now he's got 2 proud parents and an extended loving family (not only mine, who loved him at first site, but my in-laws and all the uncles and aunts). He conquers (almost) everyone he touches and he is the best gift of life I could ever have offered myself.

In Quebec, the situation with pets and their treatment and mass production has not yet evolved like we'd like to, but minds are being opened to adoption (as opposed to buying in pet shops) and education is beginning, it's a slow but steady process. Had I known what I know now, I might have found my dog another way. At least, he is with me and has been for the last 5 five years and will be 'till his last years and beyond that! My fiancé is so infatuated with Yoichi, that he took a gazillion pictures of the dog and told many anecdotes Yoichi related before we were even together as a couple. Getting to the point...

I had a negative experience yesterday, when I was in a pet fair in Montreal. I was hoping to share with and ask questions to a certain JRT breeder. I told a little bit about my dog's history and his response sounded like my dog was not worthy of being called a Jack Russell, because the so called breeder had no respect for neither "the craft" (breeding professionally I suppose), nor the standards. Actually he meant, without saying it literally but the tone and his manners were clear, that my dog wasn't worth squat. It shook me to the core. It hurt me. I argued that Yoichi showed most of the psychological profile of the breed and he said it didn't mean anything as long as the pup didn't meet the physical standards.

I fully understand the breeder's disagreement or even spite against ruthless people who improvise themselves as breeders and I would know better than to deal with these people now. But I saw many JRT's on the net with pointed ears and would think twice before disqualifying them from being Jack Russells.

My question is this: pointed ears: Jack Russell or not? Could he be mixed, or just this one pup in the litter who was flawed? Usually, when people meet my dog, it's 50/50: half of them recognize Yoichi as a JRT. The other half argue with me that it's a giant chihuahua or a mixed. Honestly, I am sick and tired of endlessly justifying my dog. My friend's mother has a white Boxer; she's not any less a Boxer, it's just a breed defect. Do people who have a pointed eared JRT suffered the same problem?

Thereupon, I salute you, fellow JRT lovers and owners and a special tip of the hat to owners/parents of a Jack Russell with pointed ears.

Nathalie, from Montreal
Jack Russell Lover 4 Ever!

Comments for The Question of Ears Once and for All...

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Jun 09, 2013
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Russels NEW
by: Keith

We have e runt irish a friend got for us through a family friend, What a great dog, she is loyal, friendly and very loving! She is black and white with spots on outside and undercoat, so her name is Dottie, is appropiate I think. She has a spot on back bout 2/3 trds way down, shaped like a heart. She also has pointy ears, not jrt norm, but not unheard of. But have to say again, what great dogs, she a sweetheart, we live in an 8 polex, our neibors all love her, would never think of getting any other kind oif dog !!!

Jun 09, 2013
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Russels NEW
by: Keith

We have e runt irish a friend got for us through a family friend, What a great dog, she is loyal, friendly and very loving! She is black and white with spots on outside and undercoat, so her name is Dottie, is appropiate I think. She has a spot on back bout 2/3 trds way down, shaped like a heart. She also has pointy ears, not jrt norm, but not unheard of. But have to say again, what great dogs, she a sweetheart, we live in an 8 polex, our neibors all love her, would never think of getting any other kind oif dog !!!

Apr 26, 2009
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Ears- yes
by: Anonymous

My dog is purebreed, AKC parents and comes from a good blood line. He is beautiful and I also have an older sister of his. Both of my JRT have great markings and form, how ever one day Bronx woke up and one of his ears was perked up. I thought it would be just a bad ear day but it has been stuck like that for two days. I also have had a husky from a blue ribbon champion bloodline, I showed him for a while but eventually his tail started to curl to much. He would win amature shows and one best of breed because of his training but eventually I got to the point were I didn't want to command him to stop curling his tail. I love them still but even the best lines develope flaws. Their personalities are amazing how ever my lil girl bailey is very calm in the house, great with kids and small pets. Is that a flaw no thats just training. So to me if your proud to take on the JRT even one thats possibly a hybrid your brave. (HOWEVER ON A SHOW ROOM FLOOR I WILL BE VERY AGIANST YOU, but remember JRT cannot befaulted if they have scars or injuries)

Jan 27, 2009
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Ears, Schmeres
by: Robyn

My lovely JRT Boadecea (see pictures on site) has prick ears and turned out toes. So what? I love her, she loves me, I don't want to show her, she is de-sexed so won't breed and is as brave and gorgeous as only JRTs can be - apologies to my three non-JRTs.

Dogs are family, who cares what they look like?

Robyn and Boadecea (also Aladdin, Attilla and Sinbad)

Dec 03, 2008
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The Question of Ears Once and for All...
by: Anonymous

Dear Nathalie,

Sure, we have our album. Welcome for visiting and please comments on my pictures. Yoda Photo Album

Dec 03, 2008
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The question of ears...reply to Patricia
by: Nathalie

Dear Patricia, I will use some parts of your message and put them inside quote signs, to reply to them; just to keep the relevance going. ;) Just a friendly warning: I am quite a chatterbox, so please bare with me.

"That's such a bad experience! I understand your feeling and I would say those nonsense shouldn't be bothering you never ever...! "

I know I should be over that by now, seeing how many people reacted condescendingly towards my dog and me, but I thought I could have a mature, intelligent conversation with the guy. My mom later told me she found him rude and not very sociable, even before I started talking to him. Sometimes being a good breeder doesn't always guarantee social skills lol...in his case, I mean. I believe it caught me off guard and left me disappointed. I'm part of a "club" which gathers dog lovers with dogs of any kind, size, breed, number, color, markings, etc. People of any background and of any region in Quebec are reunited by their love of their dogs, regardless if the animals are purebred or mixed. Basically, we are joined by a website who organizes doggy events or outings. We gather for christmas, Valentine's day, Halloween and outdoors events. It's really fun and I've made some friends that way. Well even among that group, I found that kind of people who's seen it all, done it all and know it all, and they will no better than you that your dog is not pure Jack Russell. I don't care if my dog is pure or not: he is JRT, no matter the percentage of it. Even my boyfriend, who's never had an animal in his life, and admits knowing very little about dogs, will recognize Yoichi in most JRT'S he saw...especially the behaviour! ;) I just don't get people, especially those from a group that focus on open-mindedness and tolerance, who has to act like dog show judges and dissect other people's dogs. If someone tells me what his dog is, or the dog is obviously a mixed...I don't care! I know this person loves his/her dog and I respect other people enough not to make it my business to know how pure it is.

"Rather-a-pure-breed is important to many superficial people who don't really LOVE and RESPECT LIFE, but I guess never to be on you. Everyone wishes to be beautiful..."

Amen! Someone said something in a forum that spoke to me: "Some people own dogs like they would own a Picasso: not for their love of animals or art but to enhance their social standing...pure ego".

"My JRT Yoda met all PHYSICAL STANDARDS and got FOLDED EARS"

I like how you've named your dog. :) I thought about it and it would've been appropriate for Yoichi (once again, the ears), but it was already chosen.

Think about all good things he has brought you, everybody has a reason to love his/her pet!

I agree with you! And I think about the good things he had brought me. Like I already said, he makes us laugh so much! So many loving memories he had brought me. He has a unique presence in our lives.

Can we see Yoda on this site?

Cheers!
Nathalie

Dec 03, 2008
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Reply
by: billy

Hi,

Glad we got that cleared up. What I meant was, I would not be to worried about ears as long as the dog is happy and healthy. When I got Paddy, my second terrier, I went to see the litter and at once said no because of their heavy markings. However, the woman had a monkey in her house and Paddy was out of the basket standing his ground and barking at it while the other pups cowered in the corner. I took him home and as we say in Scotland, "he was a braw wee dug". He once saved a pup someone had put down a storm drain and was in the local press. I will post the article. You can see my dogs under Mickey, Murphey, Mindy and Paddy. Also rabbiting and mindys pups.

P.S. Regarding ears, Mickey was frowned upon by the Jack Russell club because of scars on his back legs witch led me to join the Fell and Mooorland club.

All the best, Billy

Dec 02, 2008
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The question of ears, etc...
by: Anonymous

Hello Mr Mcleod,

I don't know how I might have misled you into thinking I was offended by anything you said: I really wasn't at any time. :):)

Anything that I might have said was towards myself, because I judge myself upon past decisions, while trying not to be too hard also. ;) The way I found Yoichi was not criminal. and there were options, but looking back now, I feel I was kinda clueless.

Nonetheless, like I said before, Yoichi is a healthy and happy dog with lots and lots of love.

That's why I wanted to mend myself by trying to be an ethical owner.

Once more, I'd like to point out I replied to your comment, because I agreed with it and not because it was in any way offensive, because it was not. :)

Cheers
Nathalie

Dec 02, 2008
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Reply
by: Anonymous

Hi Nathalie,

Sorry if my comment offended you. I did not mean to. Most of my dogs have been bred with gamekeepers bitches and as a result I get one pup. I have never sold a pup to a stranger in my life so that's hardly lucrative. The 3 pups I bred myself went to friends and family. My mate has two of my pups and my oldest daughter has a pup from Murphey and another bitch. I know where everyone of my pups have gone and would not have given them to my friends if I did not think they would not be looked after.

Hope this clears up any misunderstanding.

Once again, I appoligise. If you go on this site and in search type mcleod you will see my dogs. My youngest daughter posted them under Megan Mcleod.

Dec 02, 2008
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Ears
by: Anonymous

If you are keeping them as pets, I can't see a problem with prick ears. It may be a problem if you intend to breed.

All the best,

B. Mcleod

Hello Mr. Mcleod

Effectively, breeding was never an issue for me, 'cause I get my pets sterilized, the moment they get the proper age. Once, some guy passing by approached me, to see if A-Yoichi was indeed a JRT and B-If Yoichi was neutered...'cause he needed a male to "sire his dame" and of course make some lucrative pups. I answered yes to both questions; the guy obviously had no clue about the standards of the race and cared little for that matter. Even if my dog was whole, I would have gracefully declined the offer, since I did not want to encourage such careless business. I might have been naive and uneducated when it came to adopt a dog then, but I had read and researched enough to know that Yoichi was not "breeding material". And thank God for that! I have a clear conscience now! :):)

As you said, they make wonderful pets, nonetheless. :) I'm always curious to see pics of other Jack Russells. Do you have pics of yours, and what are their names?

Cheers!
Nathalie


Dec 02, 2008
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Ears
by: billy mcleod

The reason a Jack Russell is meant to have drop ears is because when they are working and going to ground, their ears will not clog with earth. If you are keeping them as pets, I cant see a problem with prick ears. It may be a problem if you intend to breed.

All the best,

B. Mcleod

Dec 02, 2008
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The Question of Ears Once and for All...
by: Patricia

Dear Dog Lover Nathalie,

That's such a bad experience! I understand your feeling and I would say those nonsense shouldn't be bothering you never ever...!

Rather-a-pure-breed is important to many superficial people who don't really LOVE and RESPECT LIFE, but I guess never to be on you. Everyone wishes to be beautiful...

My JRT Yoda met all PHYSICAL STANDARDS and got FOLDED EARS, but too hyper active to all those ex-owners and got dumped. I fostered him at his age of 11 months, before that he had went through 6 different owners...! Everybody has a reason to abandon his/her pet...

It was tough duty to get along with my JRT at the very beginning since he has no confidence in people, yet we learn from each other everyday. I love my JRT whatever he is...

Think about all good things he has brought you, everybody has a reason to love his/her pet!

Dec 02, 2008
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The Question On Ears
by: mary-harborview jrts

Thank you for your comments on my dogs. Tennille is a very special little girl. She took Best Open Terrier out of over 250 dogs. I have her daughter Echo and I am going to be breeding her this spring to an amazing little guy I just got from Canada. I also love the contrast of the black and whites. Keep pics coming of your little love bug. We love seeing pics.

Dec 01, 2008
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The Question
by: Nathalie Benoît

Thank you for your kind comments about my dog! I went to see your Jacks and they are lovely...especially Tenille; I have a soft sport for soft coated JRT's. That black and white contrast is awesome!

I really appreciate it and also your answer to my question.
Will look forward for posting more pics of my Yoichi. He makes me so proud, at times!

...And he makes me laugh. Dogs are such natural comedians, especially JRT's.

Cheers!
Nathalie

Dec 01, 2008
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The Question
by: Harborview JRTs

First let me say he is adorable. I can see why he has stolen many hearts. From the picture I see, he looks like a cross of jack russell and chihuahua which is very common unfortunately. Not saying this mix is a bad mix, they can steal hearts just like any other mix. Prick ears is a fault in the JRT but many a reputable breeder can get them in a litter. Please don't let other people's ignorance bother you. You have found your loyal and devoted friend and for that you are the lucky one. Just keep loving him for what he is. There are a lot of imperfect people out there and we try not to judge by the cover. This little dog is truly a special joy in your life no matter what he looks like. Heck, I'd take a dog with imperfections over a lot of so-called perfect people.

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