Most people just need pets. Increasingly, the busy population chooses unpretentious pets, such as parrots, hamsters, fish, cats. These creatures are independent, do not require much attention. Only a small percentage of animal lovers have dogs in their care, and in most cases are small in size, which will not take up much space in the apartment, which even a child can easily handle. But are all relatively small doggies so simple? Consider the breed of putterdale terrier, which is increasingly gaining popularity.
Breed history
The rononachals of this breed are bull terriers. The Putterdale Terrier has been known since the 18th century, and the first dogs appeared in England, in the village of Putterdale. There were a large number of them, and they were considered simple mutts.
Deriving the breed, people did not think about the external data of the dog, but focused only on working qualities. The Putterdale Terrier was an assistant to the hunters, he did an excellent job with hunting for gophers and badgers, foxes. This dog was also liked by farmers who bred dogs to guard their possessions.
The breed described became popular only in 1932, since then it has been proudly shown at exhibitions. The cost of a puppy ranges from eight to twenty thousand rubles.
Patterdale Terrier: breed description
There is no standard in color, there are red, black and chocolate hounds, white spots on the chest and legs are allowed. The coat is relatively short, does not require much care, practically does not climb.
The size of the patterdale terrier is small, the dog can resemble an ordinary indoor dog. At the withers, an adult is no more than 32 centimeters tall and weighs between five and six kilograms. In this case, the muscles are quite developed, the dog is stocky and powerful. The dog’s body is flexible, which allows it to easily climb into the most inaccessible places, for example, burrows of small animals.
The ears of the dog are small, triangular, hanging. The tail does not stop, has a vertical position, is located quite high.
Life expectancy with proper care can reach fifteen years.
Character and temper
This dog is just made for hunters. With great pleasure goes to badgers, raccoons and foxes fearless patterdale terrier. The nature of this breed is bold, courageous, furious. He easily penetrates burrows, kills the victim in her den and endures it to the owner.
An active and moving patterdale terrier will appeal to the same people and will absolutely not suit a weak-willed, impatient and lazy person. Also, it should not be started by senior citizens, since the dog is very difficult to keep on a leash. At the sight of any animal that looks more or less like prey, the putteredale terrier will rush in pursuit, and then into battle.
If you bring up such a dog from puppyhood with other animals, then you can count on their further friendship. If you bring a kitten or other small creature to a house with an adult putterdale, then the dog will perceive it as prey.
Gardeners should not start such a dog, as she simply loves to dig huge pits. It is unlikely that after its invasion of the land a good crop will grow.
It is not recommended for maintenance to families where there are children of preschool age. The Putterdale Terrier gets along only with adults and adolescents, and a baby can even bite.
This is a fairly independent dog, sometimes it may seem that it is completely indifferent to household members. It's not like that at all. The Putterdale Terrier will be jealous of his master, protect him from dangers, and immensely love.
An active doggie in puppyhood should not be left alone. He needs attention, the lack of such will lead to gnawed furniture and shoes. Daily physical activity and walking for at least two hours are necessary for the proper development of the dog.
Raising the putterdale terrier
If you evaluate the mind on a five-point scale, then the putterdale terrier will pull only on a weak three. Dog training should be done from a very young age, and a professional dog handler should be engaged in this training.
If you start this breed just for the soul, and not for hunting and exhibitions, then you can independently train the dog the necessary commands. It’s worth starting as early as possible, from the first day of cohabitation. Education will require incredible patience and work.
The Putterdale Terrier is not the smartest dog, but very vain. She will not learn to follow commands if you don’t have anything tasty in your pocket as a prize. After each success, putterdale must be praised and stroked, talk about how wonderful he is.
The first thing you should teach this breed is the commands "You can not" and "To me." They will be useful throughout life, like no other team.
Proper care
The Putterdale Terrier is unpretentious in leaving. It is necessary to comb it once a week, check paw pads for splinters and microcracks daily, since the dog will constantly dig holes.
Once a week, the dog needs to clean the ears with cotton buds, as the breed, like any other with hanging ears, has problems in this area.
Eyes should be wiped daily with a decoction of chamomile, strong tea or a special tool purchased in a specialized store for animals.
Claws perfectly grind themselves, but still sometimes it is worth paying attention to them, cutting them as necessary.
It is worth washing the dog as it gets dirty and only with special shampoo for dogs.
What to feed?
If dry food is chosen to feed the dog, then they should be only luxury and premium. They are already filled with essential vitamins and minerals.
If the nutrition is natural, then it should be balanced. The Putterdale Terrier is a real predator; you should not forget about meat in the diet.
Necessary products for this breed:
- Boiled carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, pumpkin and zucchini + boiled meat. The ratio should be as follows: 40% vegetables and 60% meat;
- boiled buckwheat or rice (40%) + 60% of boiled meat;
- kefir, yogurt and cottage cheese;
- sea fish (boiled).
All fried foods, river fish, pork, sweets and baked goods are contraindicated.
Patterdale Terrier Owner Reviews
There are many reviews about the breed and the behavior of its representatives. Someone says that this is the smartest dog, gets along well with young children and other animals. It lends itself well to training and education.
There are reviews that this is not the best breed, aggressive and uncontrollable.
Hunters especially like the putterdale terrier. They say that with these dogs their "harvest" has become more, they smell the prey perfectly.
I want to say that you can not judge the breed only by reviews. Any dog, whatever the breed, will become what its owners want to see. Any dog will relate to a person exactly as a person will treat him. Having decided to get a dog, do not forget that a toy will not appear in the house, but a living creature, a small child who will require attention, love and affection.