Jack Russell Terrier History of the Breed

The Jack Russell Terrier is an active and athletic dog. Peaceful, devoted to its owner and its entire family.

Country of origin: England
Size: small
Height: 25 to 30 cm at the withers
Weight: 5-8 kg
Age: up to 14 years
FCI breed group: Terriers

Basic information

In the popular movie called “The Mask” (1994) you can see a dog named Milo. His breed is a Jack Russell Terrier. Although the creators of the film initially planned to film a larger animal.

Breeding a dog with a predominantly white color was very important for English hunters. Such a pet would be perfectly distinguishable in the fog.

The breed was named after its founder.

These terriers come in smooth, hard and mixed coats (broken). The first type of pet is considered the most popular.

History of the Jack Russell Terrier Breed

These animals appeared a long time ago. The breed was developed by English breeders.

But the dogs received their recognition relatively recently, after 1900. The breed owes its appearance to a priest named John Russell. It was he who bred the terriers that bear his name to this day.

This man was known to his friends as an avid hunter. Therefore, he needed an ideal four-legged companion for this activity. The man spared no effort and time to carry out a grand selection work and improve the qualities of the breed.

In ancient times, dogs were valued primarily for their fearlessness and courage. These dogs were mainly used for fox hunting. Dog breeders of that time valued Jack Russell Terriers for their short stature, special ear shape that prevented debris from getting into them, powerful jaws, and white coat color. The color made it easy to distinguish the dog from its prey even from a long distance.

In 1818, John Russell, nicknamed Jack, made the most successful deal of his life – he bought a female wirehaired terrier. She became the founder of a new breed. John crossed this bitch with other dogs to get an individual with improved qualities.

In particular, he used bulldogs , Sealyham and Lakeland terriers in breeding .

So in the 1870s, a priest nicknamed Jack registered a new breed. Moreover, he organized a club for its lovers. In addition, this man developed the first standard for Jack Russell Terriers.

The breed began to spread in European countries much later, only in the 20th century. During this period, animals came to the French, and then to other European countries. After that, clubs of breed lovers began to emerge in many countries. These dogs are used both for their intended purpose – for hunting, and are kept as family pets. The breed is very popular today.

Description of the Jack Russell Terrier breed

These are small-sized dogs. The animals have well-developed muscles. The body is shaped like a rectangle.

The coat of these animals varies: smooth, hard and broken. Smooth-haired individuals are most common.

Head
Head. Should look harmonious with the body of the animal. The skull is flat, moderately wide.

Muzzle. Slightly shorter than the skull. Stop is clearly visible, but not very sharply defined.

Ears. Small in size, have a bend in front, triangular in shape. Their tips are hanging. Very mobile, the angle of rotation can reach 180 degrees.

Nose. Small in size, looks neat. The nose lobe has rich pigmentation. The nostrils are open and well developed.

Mouth. The jaws are distinguished by their power and strength.

Teeth. They look strong. According to the standard, only a “scissor” bite is allowed.

Lips: Painted black, tightly closed.

Eyes. They are almond-shaped. The iris is a rich dark brown shade. The eyeballs of Jack Russell Terriers do not bulge, the eyelids fit tightly to them. They have a darker color at the edges.

Neck: Well muscled, strong.

Frame
Body. Has clear outlines and rectangular shape. Quite elongated. The croup should be level, the loin looks strong.

Chest. According to the standard, it cannot be excessively wide. The ribs are clearly visible under the animal’s skin.

Tail. Straight, vertical. Set at right angles to the topline. Hangs down when at rest, raised when moving.

Limbs

Forequarters. Straight, look the same from the back as from the front. Shoulder blades with a pronounced backward slope. Paws should not be too large, look rounded. Toes are straight, slightly rounded.

Hindquarters. Strong, well muscled. Standing parallel to each other. Thighs well developed.

Wool
Dogs’ coats can be:

Smooth . The coat lies close to the skin. The guard hair is short. There is no undercoat.

Hard . The coat is longer and much harder than that of smooth-haired representatives of the breed. The animals grow a “beard” and “eyebrows”.

Broken . Pets with this type of coat are a kind of “mix” between the first two varieties. The coat is short, somewhat harsh. There is no characteristic “beard” or long “eyebrows”.

Colors
White should be the predominant color in the color of such a pet. There are two types of Jack Russell Terrier coloring – two-color and three-color.

The first ones have only red marks on their body. Another color variant also includes black spots.

Jack Russell Terrier Personality

These dogs have long been considered ideal hunters. They are distinguished by their intelligence and quick wits. It is believed that training such pets is not easy, since they often have a tendency to be willful. This is especially true for “boys”.

It is important for a dog breeder to know that a Jack Russell Terrier is not just a family dog. It is a real family member who is ready to take part in all of its affairs.

It is important to consider that these animals need active physical exercise. Boredom and lack of exercise can turn a cute dog into a hurricane that sweeps away everything in its path, from shoes to interior items. To prevent this from happening, the owner needs to walk a lot with the pet, providing it with active games. These dogs will not mind chasing a ball, catching a frisbee, overcoming an obstacle course, etc.

Jack Russell Terriers are very sociable and will not miss the opportunity to be present when guests arrive: at first they will watch warily, but then they will easily and quickly make contact even with strangers.

It is better to have a Jack Russell Terrier as the only pet in the house. Due to the well-developed hunting instinct, such a dog will not get along well with poultry, rodents, cats. However, these dogs most often behave non-aggressively with their relatives.

Despite their small size, pets have a loud and clear voice. They are weaned from the habit of barking from puppyhood.

Education and training

These small dogs are considered to be real “lively ones”. As a representative of a hunting breed, the dog has a natural tendency to show willfulness. This feature is very important to take into account when starting to train your pet.

Dogs are smart and quick-witted, so they learn new information quickly. If you find the right approach to your pet, the dog will be able to master the skill or command after several repetitions.

Jack Russell Terrier needs an owner who can be a leader in the relationship. Training is a regular process. The dog owner should be prepared for the fact that training the dog will take a lot of time and effort. You should be patient.

The process of training a puppy should begin from the first days. It is wrong to think that a dog of such small dimensions is not capable of causing trouble to the owner. This cute creature has a very difficult character. So that the pet does not bark at passers-by and other dogs, does not get scared of passing vehicles, it needs to be socialized and trained.

If the owner understands that he/she cannot cope with training on his/her own, then it is necessary to contact professionals – dog trainers. You can take a general course of training and obedience. Classes with a dog trainer can be both individual and group.

But don’t think that a specialist will do all the work for you. The owner also needs to work with the pet. The classes will not only help raise an obedient pet, but will also allow you to establish a trusting relationship with it.

Train your dog to sleep on its own bed . Buy a soft kennel or bed for your pet. From the first days, let the puppy understand that this is his personal space. Place the bed in a quiet and calm place, not in the passage, away from your bed. Jack Russell Terriers love to sleep at your feet. If the owner is against the dog being on his bed, this behavior must be stopped from the first days.

Be strict and patient . Learn to tell your pet “No” when it is required. Do not think that this will offend him, the main thing is to not allow unwanted behavior. It is important to set the boundaries of what is allowed: the dog must clearly understand what it is allowed to do and what it is not. Any prohibitions must be categorical.

Socialize your pet . Communication is important for any breed of dog. It is not limited to the owner’s company. The dog must be able to interact with its relatives. It is important that the pet does not try to dominate other dogs and does not behave aggressively. A poorly socialized Jack Russell Terrier can bark at everyone, regardless of the animal’s size. To avoid conflicts in the walking area, it is important to socialize your pet in a timely manner.

You should not allow the dog to jump on furniture . If such behavior of the pet is left unattended, the Jack Russell Terrier may take a fancy not only to sofas and beds, but also to other pieces of furniture. These jumping animals will easily climb onto tables, nightstands, etc.

It is not recommended to carry a pet in the front seat of a car . Today, you can buy a special device for this purpose, which is installed in the back. This will ensure complete safety for the animal. You should not train a terrier to stay next to the driver while driving. The pet may try to climb onto his lap, disturbing the person.

You should not feed the animal at your table . From the first days, you should explain to the dog that it has its own dishes and place to eat. A Jack Russell Terrier who is fed at least once at your table will accept such behavior as the norm and will become an eternal beggar. From then on, the owner will have to eat while whining, barking, and jumping. To prevent such behavior, it is important to warn your guests and other family members about this rule. Prohibitions should be categorical.

It is important to build respectful relationships . The owner should strive to be not just a leader for the dog, but also a true friend. To do this, it is important to show restraint, consistency in the training process, and strictness. However, any rudeness should be excluded. You cannot raise your voice at the dog, and especially beat it.

Physical activity . A representative of this breed needs long walks. These “lively ones” do not get tired for a very long time. It is not recommended to lock the dog at home. Walking with a dog should take 2-3 hours a day. If you do not provide the Jack Russell Terrier with exercise, he may start to spoil the owner’s things. This is how he will get rid of accumulated energy. In addition, you need to buy the dog a sufficient number of dog toys.

The Jack Russell Terrier, despite its tendency to stubbornness, is considered easy to train, thanks to its well-developed intelligence. However, this breed is unlikely to suit novice dog breeders. An owner who has no experience in training will most likely not be able to calm the dog’s temperament. In this case, the only way out is to contact a dog trainer.

Another problem that Jack Russell Terrier owners may face is their love for digging holes. And we are not only talking about digging in the ground. The terrier can dig it in the floor, in a chair. To prevent this from happening, it is important to train your pet in a timely manner, as well as provide it with enough exercise.

Thanks to a well-developed hunting instinct, these “lively ones” can show increased interest in small animals. Such problems can be eliminated if you socialize the Jack Russell Terrier in a timely manner.

During the training, it is important to use “tasty” rewards to motivate your pet. As treats, you can give granules of dry food, which are part of the dog’s main diet, or buy ready-made industrial treats. Today, they are produced by a variety of brands.

Maintenance and care

Grooming these pets usually does not take too much time. The coat can be combed with a silicone brush with short bristles. It is not necessary to wash Jack Russell Terriers completely too often.

The smooth-haired representative of the breed requires the simplest care. It is enough to remove dirt from its fur with a damp towel. But it should be taken into account that dogs shed twice a year, this process lasts about a month. The hairs of the fur are quite stiff, they look like small needles. In order not to constantly remove them from clothes and furniture, during the period of active shedding, the dog’s fur should be groomed more often.

Grooming a wire-haired Jack Russell Terrier will be different. These dogs do not shed, so they need to be trimmed. This procedure involves removing dead hair. It is usually done once every 3-4 months. Trimming can be done independently, but the procedure is quite long and labor-intensive. Therefore, most owners of wire-haired terriers prefer to seek help from a groomer.

If you do not trim your Jack Russell Terrier on time, the coat will begin to dull and break. The dog may feel discomfort and will look unattractive.

What really deserves special attention from the owner is providing the animal with a sufficient level of activity. The Jack Russell Terrier needs physical exercise. A regular walk around the house will not be enough for him. The dog needs to be offered various active games.

By the way, an owner who is involved in sports can take his pet with him on daily runs – the dog will be happy to keep him company.

A representative of this breed can be kept in a city apartment, but the best solution for him would be a country house with a fenced area. It is important to understand that the fence should be as reliable as possible. Jack Russell Terriers are very jumping pets. Therefore, the dog will easily jump over a low fence, and will dig under an unreliable one.

These pets will feel better living inside the house. They love warmth and comfort, and they also need communication with “their” person. The dog needs to have its own bed for rest and sleep. This can be a house or a warm mat.

If you intend to keep the dog outside, it will need a warmed kennel. This breed is sensitive to frost, so take care of the dog’s comfort and health in advance.

During the warm season, terriers need to be treated against ticks . In addition, after each stay outside, it is important to check the pet’s body for such parasites. Anthelmintics are given once a quarter. Adults are given preventive vaccinations once a year.

Nutrition

When choosing a feeding plan for a Jack Russell Terrier, many dog breeders prefer complete industrial feeds. And this is the right decision, since such food is perfectly balanced. You do not have to cook anything, buy additional vitamin and mineral complexes, look for suitable products in stores. Dry food is easy to store and transport. It does not require a refrigerator.

Natural nutrition can be quite a difficult option, especially if the dog owner has never independently calculated the calorie content of a portion, the ratio of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. It is extremely difficult to independently balance food in the same way as specialists from large companies producing ready-made food do.

It is important to choose the right diet so that it is suitable for your pet. It is better to consult a specialist – a nutritionist – to choose a nutrition plan.

The portion size is calculated based on the dog’s weight, its activity, whether it has any health problems, etc. Recommendations are always indicated on each package of ready-made food.

Only feed the amount of food recommended by the nutritionist that your pet can eat in one sitting. It is better to feed the Jack Russell Terrier, like any other breed, after a walk.

It is advisable for an adult animal to eat twice a day. There are also dogs that feel great eating only once a day. Puppies are usually fed often – 3-5 times a day.

It is also always worth remembering that there are a number of products that are considered harmful for dogs: smoked, salted, sweets. In addition, it is not recommended to give pets raw meat, fish, bones.

Any kind of bone is dangerous for Jack Russell Terriers, as well as for any other breed. They can not only injure the oral cavity with their sharp edges, but also harm the internal organs of the dog. For example, a traumatic perforation of the intestine may occur. That is, a through hole is formed in it. This condition is extremely dangerous and requires immediate treatment at the clinic.

Health
The Jack Russell Terrier is a dog breed that is quite healthy. However, there are a number of diseases that are more common in it than in others.

These dogs suffer from the following congenital diseases:

• Perthes disease, which manifests itself in a pathology of the femur. The defect can be noticed at the age of 4 to 10 months. With Perthes disease, the dog will limp.
• Dislocation of the kneecap, which is also accompanied by limping.
• Hip dysplasia. This disease is more common in large dogs, but it is also often diagnosed in the Jack Russell Terrier breed.
• Deafness.
• Heart defects.
• Epilepsy.
• Pathologies of the optic nerve and retina.

To be sure that your dog is healthy and feels well, it is necessary to undergo preventive examinations with a veterinarian. It is better to do this regularly – at least once a year.

If you notice symptoms of a particular disease, you should not self-medicate and delay a visit to a specialist. It is important not to miss precious time, because at the initial stages any disease is more treatable.

Who is this breed suitable for?

The Jack Russell Terrier breed is not the best option as a first pet. If you have absolutely no experience in keeping dogs, it is better to give up such a dog in favor of another breed that is less prone to willfulness.

Perseverance and a tendency to make decisions independently are the characteristics of these animals. The Jack Russell Terrier needs to constantly demonstrate its authority, otherwise the pet will definitely try to become the “leader of the pack”. The owner of the dog must be a self-confident person with a strong character who is able to insist on his own.

You should devote time to socialization and physical activity of the dog. If you work a lot, then this breed is not for you. It needs constant loads and long walks. For example, if you like to ride a bike, then the Jack Russell Terrier will be happy to accompany you.

The dog is more suitable for young and energetic people; for elderly homebodies, he will not be the best companion.

Those who live in small city apartments should not get a Jack Russell Terrier. But if you decide to take this step, be prepared to spend two to three hours a day in the fresh air.

A well-mannered Jack Russell Terrier gets along well with children. He happily plays active games with them. But with other animals there may be problems. Especially if we are talking about rodents or cats.

Of course, the Jack Russell Terrier is the ideal choice for those who enjoy hunting. The dog will be an excellent companion and assistant. When hunting, he will be able to demonstrate his best working qualities.

Famous Dogs

One of the most famous Jack Russell Terriers was a dog named Boti. He belonged to the famous English explorer Ranulph Fiennes. The dog became famous when he visited the North and South Poles with his owner.

How to choose a puppy

The popularity of the Jack Russell Terrier breed has not had the best effect on its breeding. When these dogs appeared on TV screens around the world, demand for them increased dramatically.

And then came the uncontrolled breeding of dogs by unscrupulous breeders who did it only for profit. The health of the animals of such sellers was of little concern. Therefore, today it is easy to buy a non-purebred puppy with a set of genetic diseases if you take this step thoughtlessly.

You should buy a Jack Russell Terrier only from a trusted nursery or a breeder with an ideal reputation and positive reviews. Naturally, these puppies will cost more. But by purchasing a dog, you can avoid many problems in the future. After all, a dog is a family member who will live with you for many years.

Be sure to get to know the breeders of Jack Russell Terriers. Talk to them in person, not over the phone. Pay attention to the behavior of the animal you like. The dog should not be cowardly and timid, nor lethargic and lacking in initiative. The puppy should be energetic and interested in exploring the world around him. Apathy may indicate some kind of illness. And fear or aggression is about the unstable psyche of the animal.

Pay attention to the conditions in which the Jack Russell Terrier bitch and her puppies are kept, what they eat. This room must be clean. It is also important that only high-quality food is used.