Description:
Merlin is a very playful spirit. When he came to us, he stuck as close to Judy as he could - he is much more relaxed now. We long to place him in a home that will give him the love he deserves. Here's a little something we have learned about Merlin ~ he is afraid of men, especially tall men! It seems reasonable to guess that sometime in his past he was subjected to some form of abuse by a tall man. Because of this we would prefer to place Merlin in a testosterone-free home.... Here are a few comments from one of our volunteers:
"When Merlin didn’t get adopted at the event where I was volunteering, I decided to take him home with me for the night. Merlin reminds me of a meerkat. The shape of his little head and face are too cute! He is very much a woman’s dog, and he is also very spoiled. Merlin feels entitled to rule the house from his throne (your lap) and makes it very clear to other dogs that he is the king. He does have a tendency to nip at some dogs, but he got along pretty well with Bud the Lab/Boxer mix. And when he didn’t, Bud let him know not to mess with him. (If you ask me, it was just a little too much testosterone!) Merlin loves to play — with toys, with other dogs, you name it. That playful energy is the only real Jack Russell trait I saw. The rest of the time, he slept in my lap on the couch. He also protested his crate when it was time for bed, and I gave in and let him sleep with me. As soon as I lay down, he curled up next to me, put his head on my back and fell right to sleep. I think Merlin would be a great dog for a single female or family of females that doesn’t have another dog or has a very easy-going dog who will tolerate his highness. "
She e-mailed me four different videos of Merlin, one at a time. I'd no sooner download one to You Tube and then this page when, bling!, I'd get another video, funnier then the last. So I'd download it to You Tube.... yada yada yada.... I think I now have the funniest ones posted on Merlin's and Bud's webpages, but if you want to see them all, you're going to have to go to our You Tube list!


According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, the Jack Russell Terrier was developed in 19th century England by a clergyman named Jack Russell. This feisty little terrier was used to hunt small game, particularly fox, by digging the quarry out of its den. Breeders have emphasized its working ability, so the standard is very broad, encompassing a wide range of accepted body types. On English hunts, the Jack Russell Terriers were supposed to be long-legged enough to keep up with the hounds. The energetic and playful Jack Russell makes a good family companion. The Jack Russell Terrier is a perky, merry, devoted, and loving dog. Spirited and obedient, yet absolutely fearless. Careful and amusing, he enjoys games and playing with toys. Friendly and generally kind to children who have been taught not to tease or strike the dog. They are intelligent, yet willful and determined. They have strong hunting instincts (stronger than your average terrier) and should not be trusted with other small animals. They like to chase and explore. Be careful not to let them off the lead unless they are very well-trained. Jack Russells like to bark and dig. They tend to get restless and destructive if not kept fruitfully occupied and well exercised. Jack Russells climb, which means they can climb over a fence, they also jump. A Jack that stands 12 inches high can easily jump five feet. JRTs are not the breed for a inexperienced dog owner. This is a BIG dog in a little dogs body. The owner needs to be as strong-willed as they are, or this little guy will take over.