Our particular approach to 'working type' terriers, our specialism, is our own. It is based on respecting our terriers and adoring their character. Put a terrier in with a family who are not dog savvy and they're totally misconstrued and could easily lose their lives on the road or via the vets. We can be accused of cynicism, but please bear in mind we are dealing with homing breakdowns day in, day out and hear the same stories repeatedly. This builds up an awareness of these dog's strengths and vulnerability. 'Working Terriers have become popular by being found stray, then being taken home by rescue families who then discover them to be the wonderful dogs and when they die they come back for a Patterdale or a Parson's Jack only then appreciating what they were called.

Breeding terriers! So who is breeding terriers today? The four main sources:

1) Pedigree specialists who often breed for show and sell on pups to support their work and promote the breed.

2) Working specialists: 'Fanciers or terrier type specialists' who breed for performance rather than just physical specifications alone. They aren't so interested in lineage or keeping to 'breed type'. 'a Border with a Jack'; 'a Patterdale with a Bedlington'. They monitor and utilise characteristics.

3) Earn a bob: Failure to neuter then finding a market for offspring. The travellers are big breeders of Lurchers, Jacks and Fell terriers/Patterdales and often sell them via free ads.

4) Earn a mint: Our villains the puppy farmers, mainly in Wales and Ireland. Van loads, off loaded into England and Scotland and sold through irresponsible pet shops or 'agents' working through commercial websites and press. You've seen the adverts "pups of all breeds". Cheat and cheap! Their main care is money. The dogs they breed from often have dreadful prostituted lives and they don't give a damn. Neither for that pup in their care nor where it goes. So buying on price and supporting that abominable activity makes it a growing market!!!!!!! No you don't rescue a pup from a pet shop, you hand them money to exploit again and again.

There are far too few rescue places to support the displacement of home failures - rescues run at a loss, unless they are large concerns with legacies to provide for them. Don't begrudge supporting your local rescue, that money is invested in care and welfare, not callous exploitation.

Terriers and babies: Difficult one; can go fine with an even placid terrier, happy to keep all feet on the floor whilst baby is held in arms, placed in pram or behind playpen. However all terriers need close and constant supervision around small children. You are very lucky if you can build a trusted relationship. Most of our types of terrier are not cut out for mother care. We do not home terriers in with babies and toddlers unless the terrier has a proven history or the family have very recent terrier ownership experience where they are confident and competent to take on a pup in that situation. We occasionally get in exceptional terriers also. Sometimes you have to recognise that different phases of your life need different components. Maybe deciding on a more trustworthy breed such as Staffies, Shepherds, Labradors or Greyhounds at this stage of the family's life and then go for a second dog, a terrier, as the children reach 6 or 7 years.

Terriers and children: As above, not an easy natural mix, but with a more mature child terriers can be great fun and will be laughing with delight at the children's involvement in their antics. Terrier can nip. Terriers often really don't like running children or moving wheels, hoovers, brooms and garden hoses. When you witness this phenomenon, you are made aware this isn't a game to them - they are 'lost to it' - beware. So visiting children are usually fine, as long as they are conscious around the dog and stand still if the terrier appears from nowhere, joining in, in a highly excited state. Don't play tug of war with terriers, teach fetch and only allow on furniture when invited. And offer them stability and security around their food. Some terrier we have no qualms about placing with children, others we would advise against. Heed our caution we only have the dog and your interests at heart.

Terrier nips: All terriers can nip that is certain. If that is an absolute no-no, don't go for a terrier or a collie. Wake up to these breed's integral make-up, they are not soft toys, but domesticated working breeds of dogs. Be very clear about the difference between mouthing, nipping and bite types. So often alarms ring through a family suggesting a terrier has bitten and suddenly everyone is down on the dog like a ton of bricks. On further investigation they have caught clothing, made flesh contact, and 'nipped' with or without marking. To pierce skin is to bite. Then there is biting accidentally, inadvertently with clear communication and warning. Very infrequently intentionally! A terrier can be protective of its space, food or possessions; each terrier's character is different. If you know your terrier and respect them, they can be managed without further incidence. 'In the heat of the moment' i.e. post arriving or an altercation with another dog, they are not in control and inexperienced people get bitten in the process. Incidentally, if breaking up a terrier fight- if one has locked on please don't tear them off or prize open their jaw. Hold it out and be prepared to pull up and away on release. They hold on to get the message to the other dog; they have disabled them from attacking "and when I release clear off!" Having been bitten many times, we see it as an occupational hazard and take responsibility personally for that. Society is so 'hyper' and so 'precious' you would think the terrier has committed murder or will, given a chance! Fear drives - the imagination flies! Terrier people understand their 'friends'. Each is an individual, some like their space more than others. Be forgiving and learn from the incident. Some terriers are no risk at all, others are cheeky chappies … so they need homes that are prepared to respect them, manage them and work around their quirks. We do help terriers who have 'sinned' in all these areas. In the heat of the moment our friends can make mistakes. Having given clear body language, eye or vocal communication to warn off … push them harder and they may carry through their threat. Why push further … respect their space or need for ownership. One of our terriers was nearly put to sleep by a behaviourist pushing him beyond his clear warnings and into his areas of discomfort; we knew our terrier and this was provocation not assessment.

Terrier with other dogs: Hum no guarantees! Whether you've owned your dog from a puppy or have 'taken it into' your family as an adult dog, let's be clear, terriers are not famed for being good with other dogs ... they can have their moments. Some have many more moments than others. Behind all the bravado often you find a frightened terrier that is feeling vulnerable and creating to warn off the other dog or their sheer excitement to meet is being misconstrued. Terriers are pack animals, but rarely do they grow up mixing within a pack of dogs where they can develop their skills and have their corners rounded off by competent role models. England in particular love their animals, but treat them like babies and then ask them to behave like skilled dogs. We rescue from Wales and Ireland and their dogs tend to come with much more fluent dog skills as they are moving around neighbourhoods as packs or entertaining each others family's mutts from a young age. We often have brilliant terriers in our rescue that are not fully skilled with dogs, but they miss out on a home time and time again as people will look for the fluent & easy dog. If you have confidence in dog ownership consider offering a terrier the chance. We will support you, and often in the right hands, within a dog community where friendships can be developed, these skills can come late in life with a confident owner behind them.

Terriers with cats and small furries: Terrier Rescue stands up for mainly working type terriers that, in the wrong hands, bounce from home to home and can end up being 'euthanased (murdered) on advice of professionals who purport to 'know'. Often they haven't a clue about terriers let alone working types. We request the completion of a comprehensive questionnaire as the first step to 'finding your next terrier'. We have to say we stand in amazement at how many first time dog owners, with cats or small furries, apply for a 'Patterdale or a Lakie'. Some terriers, about 10% could handle it, if the cat has also been tested or has proven itself to stand its ground and tolerate interest. So often terriers that have grown up with cats, now losing their homes, are suggested "not for cats" as its really hard work. Westies, collies and shepherds have far greater chance of success. Let's be 'realistic' small furries and cats are at risk, these working type terriers (Fell terriers, Lakelands, Jacks and Borders) were bred for vermin control in the small and larger varieties. We have had them having grabbed and some have even killed cats. People can make it work, but it needs focus and the right type of temperament, but you can't be casual with these types of dogs.

So why Terrier Plight? As you have read terriers are so often being placed in homes without thought for their needs and welfare. They have appeal; they are 'good looking', athletic dogs with character and charm. They need intensive work to bring them through into well balanced, all rounded dog and not all terriers will become conversant. Some come through from deprived backgrounds with splendid temperaments and exemplary manners. You will not know what dog you are getting until the 12-18 month mark because terriers are instinct bound and their instincts have to manifest, be assimilated and accommodated into their 'raison d'ete' . You are safer homing an older terrier as their issues will be clear and that makes it easier to match them to your lifestyle. Terriers live to 12-18 yrs. The smaller, the longer their life expectancy generally. An 8 yr old is still full of gumption and can still be a terror with cats!

We need good terrier homes were we can home our terrier with the confidence that they are understood and are safe. Many a terrier fails to reach their natural death. So stand firm and think carefully are you really up for a terrier, don't be the one to impulse buy and regret later. Don't compare the cost of a pup with a donation to a rescue. We get weary when people have no idea of the huge vet and kennel bills we pay to support our terriers whilst they await their homes and present them as neutered, vax'd and chipped. We aim to offer a terrier carefully matched to your lifestyle so that you can have fun together.