do you think they would kill a kitten?

[Anonymous]

We live with my parents and my daughter wants a kitten. That's fine with my parents but they fear their Jack russels will kill it. What do you think? They are outside dogs and ankle biters. They bark at everything

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't risk it, I don't trust those dogs.

[sucker4myloves]

My grandparents jack russell was too scared of other animals to do it, but I hear it happens. Gauge it first.

[cLanief]

Have they ever been around cats?

[Anonymous]

Yep...they will unless theyve been raised around cats.

[wolfybaby]

jack russels have a pretty high prey drive.. they may be fine if the cat is laying down or standing next to them content. but as soon as the cat jumps onto the couch or chases a fly, hes probably a goner.

[Anonymous - Original Poster]

Nope. 1 is 3 years old and the other is 1. They've never been around other dogs except when puppies

Quoting cLanief:

Have they ever been around cats?

[mlg1989]

Aw my sil had a cat name Garfield(she's 8 so she's not original lol) but he went outside then one day the neighbors 3 Jack russels murders the crap out of him!! They punctured his brain and internal damage and ripped half his tail off. Me and dil found him under our jetskis. It was sad I held "g" while he took his dying breath. So I personally wouldn't get a Jack Russel. But they might be different in a different scenario

[Anonymous - Original Poster]

Well the dogs stay outside all the time if that makes any difference. The cat would be indoors most of the time but I would like it to be allowed out sometimes without being nervous

Quoting wolfybaby:

jack russels have a pretty high prey drive.. they may be fine if the cat is laying down or standing next to them content. but as soon as the cat jumps onto the couch or chases a fly, hes probably a goner.

[Anonymous - Original Poster]

What does gauge it mean?

Quoting sucker4myloves:

My grandparents jack russell was too scared of other animals to do it, but I hear it happens. Gauge it first.

[cLanief]

They're still pretty young... Id see if any friend who had a cat would like to try an experiment... One person holds a dog.. One a cat... Let them sniff at each other.. Etc.. See if the dogs lunge or just sniff and figure it out. ...