which gender is better for a small child, toddler for Russell terrier

Question
please advise your opinion on which gender, male or female dog for the russell terrier,,, i have a 2 yr. old grandson that is going to get one in few days,,, think they are 4 months, old,,, just wondered which would be best pet for him etc, in your opinion,,, i was under impression that alot of times females makes the best pets,,, thanks,,,, and hopefully,,, you could answer me in next 24 hr, as i will leave for dallas,,, thanks,,,,

Answer
Hi Marge,

You really can't make any board assumptions as to which gender makes a better pet. More than which gender is best, you'd be better off evaluating any dog you're considering as an individual for temperament, and whether or not the dog is dominate or submissive in nature, and how well it's been socialized.

Jack Russells are usually not recommended as a dog small children. The child should always be supervised when in the presence of the dog. Because of it's natural assertive terrier characteristics, a Jack Russell may not put up with even unintended abusive nature from a child. This should be carefully considered, particularly with children under the age of six.

Jack Russells were never intended to be simply household pets. Their strong hunting and chasing instincts are inappropriate in a normal household setting. Trying to suppress these "hardwired" behaviors, without providing alternate outlets for their high energy level, can be difficult.
Many terriers will not tolerate any nonsense from little life forms whom they consider to be below themselves in importance. Many terriers are quick to react to teasing, and even to the normal clumsiness that comes with small children (accidental squeezing of their ears or pulling of whiskers or stepping on their paw). Many terriers are possessive of their food and toys and will defend these from all comers, including children.

A puppy of any breed might be too much for any young child. They simply have too much energy and because of their lack of training, accidents can occur. With a 2 year old baby, a dog over 3 years of age, that's already settled down, and has been evaluated for temperament, and has some training would be a better choice for a pet.

This article might be helpful in what to look for when selecting a dog for a child:

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1531

Best of luck,
Patti