moodychick

Not at this stage Jero. However if we cant find the right tenterfield or mini foxie, then yes we will look at other breeds. We are not completely closing off our options, just investigating the ones that we want first, and then if those options dont work out, we can go to our next lot of options.

Hmm that could be it Aussielover. I didnt even think of that. Thats why im trying to work it out. And yes, you do have a point there. The dog is for all of us, but yes we do hope that he or she will have a bond with our son. Basically we want the right dog for him, but for all of us, if that makes sense lol. As in we will all be responsible for looking after him, well mainly me lol....but we are hoping if we find the right dog, that it may help calm our son down as well, as he is a very active and tactile boy. Very touch feely with everything. I have looked into assistance dogs, but i am assuming that the child needs to be diagnosed before anything can be done. I mean an autism assistance dog would be fantastic. They way they stop the children running off etc, my son could definitely use something like that! But then again, i also think that there are most likely alot more needy families out there then we are, and that the dogs should go to them first.

Hi all. I am new here. I want to ask a question if thats ok. First i will explain our situation. Ok, married 2 children aged 11 and 3. One dog, foxy x maltese (Desexed) 10 years. 1 cat (RSPCA)(desexed) 6 years, and 3 rats. My daughter grew up with our dog Scruffy. He is a lovely tempered dog, very calm, loves to go for walks etc etc, but because he is getting older he doesnt like to play with our son. Our son is 3, and is undergoing assessment for Autism Spectrum. It is not extreme, he has eating issues, very hyperactive and a few other problems. We have been looking into dogs for the past few months, and have finally come to a decision that we want either a Jack Russell, Mini Foxie, Tenterfield or Min Pin. B ut have really narrowed it down to either mini foxie or Tenterfield. We know they can be a bit nippy etc, but we love these dogs! Now today, i was given the number for the secretary (I think) of the mini foxie club. So i rang her to talk to her about pups, and as i was explaining our situation, she said flat out that a mini foxie is not suitable for our situation, and that we should look at a beagle, or a labrador. This is after we had explained to her that we want a small very active dog for our son, as he is very active, can play outside for hours without taking a breather. My parents have had foxies for years, and i had one a few years ago, and to me they are the greatest kids dogs! Not big enough to ride on or jump on, but big enough to pick up, carry around, sit on your lap etc etc. I understand that some of them have issues with children, but to me that is something that is taught to them as they grow up. Now basically any pup we get will be slowly introduced to our son, under strict supervision from either my husband or myself. It would be inside in a crate under the dining table with our other dog scruffy. We have our dining area fenced off from teh loungeroom, as our son really really likes to touch things and get int othings that he shouldnt. We have also explained that when the dog is asleep in his bed, you DO NOT touch him. He has broken that rule a few times and got a little grown and not quite a nip, and has learned that lesson well. But this woman wouldnt listen to me, or what i wanted. She kept telling me to go for a beagle or a Labradore, and basically the conversation ended with her saying there was no way she would sell me a pup if she had one Now fair enough that is her decision, they are her babies, but I am just wondering why she actually wouldn't listen to what we wanted and why we wanted it? I tried to tell her that we dont want just A dog for our son, but we want THE RIGHT DOG for him! One that can grow up with him, and grow used to him slowly. One that can be his best friend and a part of our family. We want a special dog! I dont want to get flamed for any of this, please, i am just trying to understand it a little from a breeders point of view? Because i dont really understand it from my point of view However, i do have to say that i then rang Pam from Tentella about tenterfield terriers. Now Pam was absolutely wonderful! She listeneed to me, to what we wanted, and why we want it. She didnt say flat out no. Pam is going to ask around for us and see what sort of answers she can get with regards to our situation before making any decision. She is going to get opinions and find out if any other breeders have homed pups with special needs kids, and what the situation was etc. So thankyou Pam! I am thrilled that you have taken the time to listen to what we want! And if after you ask around, the answer is that you can't help us then i will understand, because you have at least taken the time to hear what i am saying! So in the end It has all turned out ok, but i am still frustrated by the lady from the Mini Foxie club! Sorry for rambling so much, but just hoping someone may be able to give me a straight answer without flaming me or telling me im an idiot lol.

Feeling a little frustrated today! I ran a lady from the mini foxie club to make enquiries about puppies etc etc. She flat out told me (without meeting my son) that a mini foxie would NOT suit our situation, and that she wouldnt even sell me one of her pups if she had one available. Then told me that i should go for a beagle or a labrador :S She didn't even take any notice when i said we want a small dog! And that we like foxies! Or the fact that the pup would not be with my son 24/7, that it would slowly be introduced with myself and my husband there at all times........ I was so angry that she just didnt seem to listen. However on a good note, i then decided to ring Pam from The Tenterfield Terrier club (Tentella). Now Pam was fantastic! She talked through the situation, she listened to me, she didnt make any snap judgements, and then told me that they are having a show tomorrow, and that she will talk to other tenti breeders, and see what they think. Whether any of them have homed dogs with Autism or special needs children, and what sort of results they have had etc etc. She then emailed me a couple of pics of some of her dogs. Pam was fantastic, and even if it turns out that she agrees and says a Tenti may not be suitable, at least i feel like she has listened to me!

Jerojath i vcouldnt even begin to count the amount of half full kids trolleys hubby would have to have left behind lol. My son is undergoing autism spectrum testing, and he is one of those kids that has to touch everything, and pick things up no matter how many times you say no. So hubby just lets him fill the trolley to his hearts content with all sorts of bits and pieces and then leaves it behind. Not really fair to the staff but sheesh it keeps the kid quiet lol

Tsk tsk tlc lol. Shopping wiyh the opposition. I am shocked! Just shocked! I cant stand the place, and every time hubby says i need to go pick up something, i will just be 5 minutes, i make sure i have the phone or a good book with me lol. A

I personally try to avoid Bunnings like i would the plague lol. However My husband would live there if i let him! Like most husbands it is his paradise, and he has corrupted the 3 year old boy as well! All because of the little trolleys you guys have there, now every time we head out that way of town, my son says, "are we going to bunnings?"

Hi TLC, and thanks :D Have been researching breeds for a few weeks now. Its amazing how many people in your life want a say on what sort of dog you should buy :S lol So some advice on one of them would be greatly appreciated :D I shall wait for Tenties to come online, I am online most days anyway

Thanks Tim & Tanya, that would be great to meet some people in the area. I have lived here for about 8 years now and still don't know many people, but then again im not really a "people person" most days lol. However I am sure scruffy would love having a playdate :D

Thank you JeroJath, love your new store by the way! We know the breeds we are interested in, however it is a matter of finding a breeder who is close to us. Hubby doesn't want to spend too much, and i made a few inquiries on Min Pins, only to find out they were $900 and upwards, and hubby just laughed. But after reading Leo's story, i think we have both decided that purebred is worth the cost. I think a terrier breed will be the best for us. Which is why we are looking at the JR, Mini Foxy, Foxy and Tenterfield. Hubby did say that we may end up having to travel to Melbourne or Adelaide to find a pup, but i was hoping that someone local may be able to recommend someone to us. We don't want to waste hours driving all over the state looking at all different dogs, only to find that none of them will suit our situation, if that makes sense without sounding stupid.

Hi all. New to the forum, but have been reading for a while. I am in West Warrnambool. Married with 2 kids, one cat, one dog, 3 rats, and lots of tropical fish :D THought i would introduce myself and say hi, and also state that we are looking to buy a dog in the area. After reading through leos story, we have pretty much decided pure bred! We are looking for a small dog, Foxy, Tenterfield, Jack Russell, Miniature Pinscher. Husband said he would prefer a male, but really it doesnt matter, as S/he will be desexed! The reason we are after a small dog, is that we have a 3 year old son who is currently undergoing assessment for Autism Spectrum. He is a lovely boy, but very very active, and sometimes very loud! So we are hoping a pup may grow up with him and become used to being around him, and also help him a little. Our other dog is a foxy x Maltese, and is 10 years old in about a month. Unfortunately Scruffy doesnt have the energy or patience for our little boy, and so spends most of his time in the dining room with me, unless our little bloke is in bed. So we want a little dog that can be loved and carried around by a 3 year old. I am a stay at home mum, so there is someone home most of the time, and the dining room is fenced off from the lounge to give our dog his own space away from the 3 year old lol. Just wondering if any of you may know of any breeders around the area? We want to match our son with the right dog, not just take a dog and hope for the best. There is no huge hurry, but would like a pup soonish if possible.