Interview with Briar Patterdales

How did you first get involved in your Patterdale Terriers?

I was participating in a trial in KY and a small black terrier was competing at the trial.When I inquired about the dog & learned of its history and it temperanment I felt I wanted to own one of these dogs. And as they say ...the rest is " history " !

What was the most appealing part of Patterdale Terriers?

The most appeling part of the breed is their personality & willingness to work.

What were the drawbacks to the breed?

One of the drawbacks of the breed is teh fact that they are terriers & require a very firm hand in dealing with them.They are assertive by nature and require an outlet for their natural prey drive.

Would you recommend Patterdale Terriers to the novice dog owner?

I would recommend a Patterdale only under specific conditions ; a fenced yard, an active lifestyle & the willingness to train the dog/learn to give the dog the outlets he needs to be socialized and content.

What are the known problems in the breed?

No known health problems.There is same sex aggression in the breed.

What are you (and other breeders) doing to help with those problems?

We try to educate new /prospective owners of the nature of the dog before they purchase the breed.

Sadly there are pet stores/backyard breeders nearly everywhere now, you do you get people to understand about the quality of your dogs compared to those?

Patterdales are not usually found in pet stores.Because it is a rare breed and the group of Patterdale breeders is so small we are able to police our own ranks.The biggest problem is making buyers understand that this ia a WORKING dog !He can adapt nicely to a pet situation ( with an outlet for his prey drive ) but thye need to understand that first & foremost he is a working/hunting dog who was bred with that sole purpose in mind & his prey drive will come out.

Do you recommend Patterdale Terriers to people with children of all ages?

We do not recommend Patterdales to families with children under six years of age ( which is the age suggested by the Patterdale club ) & only then to responsible children who have had some experience with dogs.

What type of excercise schedule to you recommend for Patterdale Terriers?

Patterdales require daily exercise as well as an outlet for their prey drive such as Go to Ground ,Lure Coursing etc.

What type of feeding do you recommend?

I feed dry kibble to my dogs once a day ( evening ).Senior dogs also get canned meat & vitamins daily.Bitches in whelp are feed " puppy " kibble for the extra protein & vitamins.

When selling a puppy, how do you decide on the sale price?

I try to price my puppies fairly.I usually price them in the median range of the other breeders.All pups are priced the same whether they are show or pet quality,male or female or " colors. I try not to price the average dog owner out of being able to buy a dog.

What is your greatest expense with your dogs?

The greatest expense is feeding the dogs.Vet bills can surpass this however if you have a situation that requires surgery or extended medical care.

Would you recommend Patterdale Terriers to people with other animals (cats, dogs, rodents)?

No I would not recommend a Patterdale to owners of cats or rodents or anything small & furry.As for dogs, that would depend on the age,sex & temperanment of the other dog.

Would you recommend Patterdale Terriers to someone without a fenced in yard?

No I would not recommend a Patterdale to someone without a fenced yard.It is a MUST !

What is the best way to keep Patterdale Terriers coat looking great?

The best way to keep the coat looking great is to feed the best quality food you can afford & brush the coat weekly.Broken & rough coated dogs will need to be HAND stripped ( please do not shave them ! )If the dog gets extremely dirty he will need to be bathed.Also be sure to have the dog on a once a month flea preventaive to prevent flea infestation.

When your dogs have finished with their show career and are no longer being bred, what do you do with them?

When I am no longer breeding dogs I retire them & thye live here with me.The only exception being dogs that I have put with other breeders,usually on a co ownership & then they live out their life with the co owner.

What measures do you take to screen potential puppy buyers?

When someone contacts me about getting a puppy I spend time talking with them,educating them on the breed & getting a feel for the person. I "interview" them casually to see if this is someone that I would want to have one of my puppies. If they are pushy or make demands I just suggest they try someone else.I make sure they fill all the requirements I feel are necessary for the dog to live a safe,healthy & happy life.

Anything else you would like to add?

Yes.I would like to add that people need to be aware that buying a puppy is not like shopping at Walmart.Buying a dog is a big committment.If you get tired of the pup you can not just dispose of it.You will be making a committment that will last about 13-15 years...everyday 24/7.When the novelty wears off the dog will still need feed ,groomed,exercised & loved. That is why I will not sell puppies as Christmas presents.I abhor the practice !

Fox Briar Patterdales
( Fox Briar Fells )
Fox Briar Patterdale Terriers * For quality and ability Fox Briar Patterdales are beyond compare !We have been breeding quality Patterdales since 1995.

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