The Jack Russell Terrier today is more often perceived as companion dog. But for those who decide to choose a representative of this breed as a pet, it is important to consider that this is not a funny toy, but a brave and capricious fox hunter. Dogs have a need for constant physical activity, require a competent approach to their socialization.
History of the origin of the breed
The breed is named after the English clergyman who selected it. John Parson Jack Russell, was fond of hunting, was a breeder of fox terriers. In 1873, he founded the club and participated in the development of breed standards.
White terriers were in demand among hunters because they cannot be shot if confused with a badger or a fox; their ears protect the ear canal from dirt during burrow hunting. The ancestor of the breed is considered to be a bitch nicknamed Trump. Jack Russell bought her from a market trader because he was fascinated by her unusual appearance. The dog was white with red spots and looked like a fox.
From this moment selection work began. Most likely, the ancestors of the Jack Russell Terrier were old-type fox terriers, English terriers, Welsh corgis, and bulldogs. The breeder believed that the desire to kill and aggression did not correspond to the principles of traditional British hunting.
The dog was not intended to mutilate game. He had to drive her out of the hole by barking. The little hunter's sonorous voice is due to the admixture of beagle blood. The priest conducted a strict selection, aimed primarily at improving the working qualities of the dog, caring little about its appearance.
Neighboring farmers learned about Russell's cunning and hardy dogs. The breed began to spread. In 1974, the priest acted as a judge for the only time at an exhibition of his terriers. He himself considered this breed to be exclusively working, not created for showing.
However, hunters appreciated the advantages of the Jack Russell Terrier. Dogs began to be used to catch foxes, badgers, and game birds. In horse hunting, dogs were used to follow the bloody trail to search for wounded deer or roe deer.
Some have tried to improve the fearless Priest Terriers by adding aggressiveness to them by crossing them with Bull and Terriers. With the ban on dog fighting in the mid-19th century, experimentation ceased.
Some traces of them have survived to this day in individuals with black spots. They look rougher in comparison with their white-red counterparts, have more massive heads and a straight bite.
There was no information about the Jack Russell Terrier dog breed outside Foggy Albion. The dogs gained fame in the 20th century, when several individuals were taken to Australia. Dog handlers from a distant continent liked the funny, brave dogs. They added local terrier blood to them, improving the appearance of British working dogs.
Jack Russell Terriers appeared in Russia in the late 1990s, but were viewed with skepticism by dog breeders. They were mistaken for “rejected” short-haired fox terriers.
After the release of the film “The Mask”, where the Jack Russell Terrier was filmed as the dog Milo, dogs began to be in demand. In 2003, the first National Club of Breed Fans was opened.
Today this is one of the most popular breeds among residents of megalopolises, who appreciate its original appearance, ease of care, and cheerful disposition.
Description of the breed with photos
The final standard for the Jack Russell Terrier breed was approved only in 2012. Dog handlers classified him as a small but hardy hunting dog.
The purebred Jack Russell meets the following characteristics:
- the body is slightly elongated, flexible, strong;
- the back is strong, with a slightly convex loin;
- chest deep;
- muscular limbs;
- nose is black;
- lips fit tightly to teeth, painted black;
- cheeks with developed muscles;
- ears raised, tips tilted forward;
- The eyes are medium-sized, dark, almond-shaped, with a black edge. Convex, with non-closed eyelids are considered a defect;
- powerful neck;
- the tail is set high, straight, and takes a vertical position when moving;
- the jaws are powerful and wide;
- scissor bite.
According to the description of the breed, the dog's gait is light and springy. In general, Jack Russell Terriers give the impression of being strong, active, emotional animals. Sluggish movements are considered a fault. Breed defects include aggression or cowardice.
Size and weight
Jack Russell females and males do not differ much in size. Their height is from 25 to 30 cm . Weight should be proportional: 1 kg for every 5 cm of height.
At first glance, representatives of the Jack Russell Terrier breed look disproportionately long. This shape was deliberately given to the dog by breeders so that the animal could cope with the tasks of burrow hunting.
Color and coat type
Based on coat type, Jack Russell Terriers are divided into three groups:
- smooth-haired with a dense undercoat, a hard pile adjacent to the skin, more suitable for hunters. The fur does not prevent the dog from moving in the hole. Soft to the touch, thin hair is considered a defect;
- wire-haired type has coarse, long hair that sticks out slightly to the sides. This type of dog looks shaggy;
- intermediate view Jack Terrier is called "broken", which means “broken” in English. These dogs have the longest coat, with kinks in several places. The eyebrows and beard of these dogs practically do not grow.
Attention: it is possible to determine what type of coat a puppy will have no earlier than 3 months of age.
Even an experienced breeder cannot always tell from a newborn Jack Russell what type it is. One litter can contain dogs of different species .
The main color of the little hunters is white with spots of black or different shades of brown. The spots are round in shape and should not occupy more than 30% of the animal’s body.
Brief characteristics of the breed
A small but strong burrow dog is the result of the painstaking work of the British priest, after whom the breed is named. During its breeding, selection experiments were carried out, where Bull Terriers, Borders, Fox Terriers, etc. became the ancestors of the Russell.
The main task of the dog was to hunt small and medium-sized fur-bearing animals, the ability to get into narrow animal holes, which influenced the small build with a fairly strong body. According to the standards, the height of males at the withers is from 27 to 30 cm, females - from 25 to 27 cm, weight 5-6 kg. As for the proportions of the body, it is elongated and of medium length. With the correct ratio, the chest is deep, and the volume of the body in the rib area ranges from 40 to 43 cm. The back is short, with muscular shoulders and strong paws. For terriers, three types of dense coat are allowed: smooth, hard and brocken with two types of color: white-red and white-red-black.
Sometimes there are larger “square” representatives, but this is a deviation from the norm or an example of a close relative - the Parson Russell Terrier.
Health and illness
Breeders carefully monitor the gene pool, but there are still some hereditary diseases inherent in this breed.
The most common of them:
- cataract;
- displacement of the lens. Not common, appears at the age of 3 or 8 years;
- deafness;
- hip dysplasia;
- ataxia (irregularity of muscle movements);
- myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness)
- necrosis of the femoral head (Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome);
- displacement of the kneecap;
- Von Willebrand disease (spontaneous bleeding).
Regular visits to the veterinarian and the owner’s attention to the pet will help minimize risks.
Lifespan
Jack Russell Terriers are naturally endowed with a strong immune system and good health . With proper care, their life expectancy is 13-16 years .
In order for your pet to remain healthy for many years, you need to take into account the characteristics of this breed when caring for it. The hunting instincts of dogs push them into contact with wild animals, so timely vaccination of the pet against deadly infections is very important.
Character Flaws
An important feature of Russells is that they always love to be the center of attention.
That’s why they attract him as soon as they can. If they start playing, it is difficult for them to calm down, even after several hours. Another disadvantage of the breed is its inability to live constantly on the street. The Jack Russell Terrier loves warmth, its hair is short, so in the cold season in our climate it freezes. It is worth noting the extraordinary cunning and resourcefulness of the representative of this breed. The owner will have to study his character in order to be more cunning. Due to the hunting temperament, reactions to other animals can be unpredictable. Good training eliminates the problem of chasing cats, and it is even possible for them to live together in the same family.
Character and intelligence
Jack Russell Terriers have a cheerful, playful disposition. At the same time, they are decisive and independent. These are not lap dogs; they prefer constant movement and frequent changes of environment.
The pet must always be busy, otherwise the fidget will find entertainment for itself. He will begin to spoil things, dig holes in the floor or upholstered furniture.
If you do not give your dog enough attention, it may develop nervous disorders and the animal will become uncontrollable.
Many terrier owners “calm down” their baby with long walks and exhausting running after the ball. After active games, the pet gets tired and behaves more calmly at home. The playfulness of such dogs lasts their entire lives.
A characteristic feature of Jack Russell Terriers is their “talkativeness”. Sociable dogs make sounds almost constantly: from weak squeals to loud barks.
They react with their voice to extraneous sounds, the doorbell and others. Because of this behavior of the pet, the owners may have problems in relations with their neighbors.
The Russell Terrier is an owner, he does not tolerate people taking his bowl, toys, or bedding. The jealous attitude also extends to the owner. The dog will vehemently protest if the owner begins to devote time to other pets.
Unlike many other breeds, the Jack Russell Terrier does not require a “leader” owner ; he can choose one of the family members as his favorite.
When walking, you need to carefully monitor your dog. The little hunter is distinguished by his unbridled courage and can enter into a fight with a dog much larger than himself . This may result in your pet being seriously injured.
Attitude towards children and others
The restless, cheerful and brave Jack Russell Terrier loves children very much and takes an active part in all their games. But families with children under 3 years old should not have a representative of this breed.
Dogs do not tolerate careless treatment. If a dog is pulled by the tail or ear, it will snap, which can frighten the baby. In addition, with such a pet it will be problematic to follow the baby’s daily routine; the dog will wake him up with loud barking. This breed does not show direct aggression.
Jack Russells are happy to play even with other people's children, but they are wary of adult strangers.
Attention: funny dogs are used in complex therapy of children suffering from autism and cerebral palsy.
They are aggressive towards other dogs. If two terriers live in the house, it is better not to leave them alone. Representatives of the breed jealously guard their territory and can fight. We must not forget that this is a hunting breed.
You cannot breed hamsters or rabbits at the same time as a Jack Russell - dogs perceive them exclusively as prey.
The terrier should only be taken outside on a leash. He may chase the cat, get lost, or get hurt.
Only early socialization and proper upbringing of the pet will help reduce the risk that the dog will get into trouble.
Education and training
Jack Russells are endowed with a sharp, lively mind. They easily remember commands and enjoy training, but only as long as they are interested in them. Dogs love active entertainment; exercise in the form of a game will quickly bring the desired result.
It is important to remember that terriers are very stubborn . When raising a dog, the owner will need patience and perseverance.
Attention: the breed is easy to train, suitable for beginner dog breeders.
Jack Terrier puppy training should begin at two months of age. The baby needs to be taught the rules of behavior in the house.
In order not to take the dog out for a walk in bad weather, he is taught to relieve himself in a special diaper.
The puppy should be placed there immediately after sleep, 10 minutes after eating, when he begins to worry and sniff the floor. During bowel movements, your pet should not be scolded or moved - such mistakes can provoke behavioral disorders. Every time after the dog pees on the spot, he must be encouraged.
The second important point is to wean the puppy from biting. For him, this is part of the game, not aggression. You need to demonstrate to the dog that his actions are causing pain. To do this, you can scream after the bite and leave the room for a while.
Jack Russells strive to please their owner, so they will try not to upset him. When a baby's teeth change and his gums itch, he needs to be provided with a sufficient number of toys.
The third task of the owner is to make sure that the dog does not bark when left alone at home. To do this, you need to leave the room, increasing the time you are absent. Return only when the puppy is silent. You should be patient so that the terrier does not think that the owner is returning to his voice.
A well-mannered dog must follow basic commands:
- "place";
- "ugh";
- "to me";
- "sit";
- "lie";
- "near".
The Jack Russell must be trained correctly. The first workouts should last a couple of minutes, with a gradual increase in exercise time to half an hour. You can start mastering a new command only after mastering the previous one.
For each completed task, the puppy is rewarded with a treat or praise. You can't hit the dog. It is enough to say the command in a stern voice, pause for a second and repeat the order.
Attempts to dominate must be stopped immediately. The dog should not eat from the common table, jump on the bed, or put its front paws on people. The dog must calmly give toys and food to the owner. You can’t give your baby your old things to tear apart, otherwise in the future the terrier will spoil anything, and it’s extremely difficult to wean him from doing this.
The exhibition animal must calmly accept the judges' examination of the teeth, joints, and testicles. Aggression in this case is the reason for disqualification.
For shows you need to learn a special step. It is necessary for the dog to walk calmly at the owner’s left leg with a wide, smooth stride with a straight back.
To train for exhibition running, you should run next to the dog, holding him on a leash, jerking to stop jumping. The desired pace is encouraged by voice.
The problem is training a fidget to do a show stand, in which the Jack Russell Terrier needs to freeze for a couple of minutes. To do this, you need to praise and encourage with treats long-term immobility after the “ring” command.
Training and education
The Jack Russell Terrier dog breed has a specific character that needs to be trained from an early age.
Training is very important for this breed, unless you want to end up with a completely independent and uncontrollable dog. For novice dog owners, the best option is to ask a professional for recommendations. As soon as a puppy appears in the house, there is no time to waste, but begin training immediately, instill in him good habits and stop inappropriate ones. Before a puppy finds a new home, its owners must prepare in advance for its move. The first thing to take care of is the place where the new family member will live. Give him his own corner, introduce him to it right away and teach him gradually, every day. Also, don’t skimp on buying your puppy a few toys. Let him chew them better than furniture or slippers. Trainers also recommend avoiding playing with your dog with your own hands, but only holding some object that he will regard as a toy. Otherwise, he will develop the habit of involuntarily biting, which will turn out to be a very unpleasant omission in education when the puppy turns into an adult dog, and small teeth become sharp fangs.
In general, attempts to bite should be stopped from the very beginning. The dog must understand that using teeth on a person is unacceptable. Even if you perceive your puppy as a child, do not allow weaknesses and a condescending attitude towards his puppy pranks. What you can teach him to do in childhood will remain with him forever; it is unlikely that you will be able to re-educate him. The dog must understand who is in charge in the house and put up with this, without claiming a dominant role in the family.
When training, use persistence and moderate severity. There’s probably no need to say that you can’t hit a dog. This rule applies to absolutely all breeds. The Jack Russell Terrier is very responsive to affection and praise, so if you use them wisely, you can achieve a lot. The main commands that the owner must teach him are “fu”, “near”, “come”, “sit”, “place”, “lie down”, “fetch”, “give”. Be prepared for attempts to evade commands and use tricks in order to get a treat for “just like that.” Be patient, act confidently and persistently until you achieve results.
Pros and cons of the breed
Before you get a Jack Russell Terrier, you need to consider the positive and negative aspects of this breed.
We present the main ones in table form.
| pros | Minuses |
| cheerful, playful disposition | restlessness |
| sharp mind | ability to manipulate |
| the hunter's instinct is developed | does not get along with other animals |
| easy to care for | constant shedding |
| ability to train | stubbornness |
| bravery | desire to fight |
| good guard | loud barking |
| devotion to the owner | jealousy, possessiveness |
| loves children | a baby can be frightened by barking |
In order for Jack Terriers to demonstrate positive character traits to a greater extent, it is important to provide them with proper education and care.
Jack Russell Terrier – interesting facts
The long history of the breed has led to the accumulation of a large amount of information about Jacks.
- A dog named Vampire, living in England in the 70s, killed 1 thousand rats in a year.
- Representatives of the Jack Russell Terrier breed are recommended to be kept in private homes where there is a yard for games.
- The animal has sensitive skin and thin light hair, so it can get sunburn.
- With a relatively short stature, the dog is able to jump up to 150 cm.
- Due to their looks, they are the darlings of the film industry.
- The Jack Russell Terrier is a mini-dog with three-layer coat: smooth, rough and broken.
- A dog named Boti and his owner traveled from the North to the South Pole in 1982.
Maintenance, care and nutrition
The ideal place of residence for a Jack Russell Terrier is a country house with a garden plot where the dog can frolic and bark to its heart’s content.
It is important that the area is surrounded by a high fence. Even in this case, you will have to make sure that the dog does not dig under the fence.
You can keep your pet in a city apartment when it is possible to provide him with long, active walks.
In maintaining hygiene, the main difficulty is caring for the pet’s specific coat, especially if it belongs to the long-haired variety. Such dogs need to be trimmed regularly (pluck out dead hairs).
Russell terriers with any long coat should be combed and brushed with a hard mitten (or a damp towel). You shouldn't bathe your dog often. Constant washing destroys the hair's natural oils and spoils the hair. Dogs must be bathed before the exhibition, bitches - after estrus.
The Jack Russell Terrier's ears are cleaned weekly with a sterile swab containing a special solution, which can be purchased at a veterinary pharmacy or pet store. The ear canal itself cannot be cleaned; only the visible part of the cartilage needs to be wiped. After the procedure, the ear is blotted dry with a clean napkin.
Nails should be inspected regularly and trimmed if necessary to prevent damage to the paw pads.
If the dog's eyes become dirty, wipe them with a cotton swab moistened with a weak solution of boric acid. If the whites and eyelids are red, your pet most likely has conjunctivitis. In this case, you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible and treat your eyes only with the medications he prescribes.
Whether a Jack Russell Terrier's tail needs to be docked depends on what the dog was purchased for. The procedure was carried out for hunting dogs for safety reasons, to avoid injury to the animal in the fox hole.
Nowadays, dogs are more often used as companions; there is no need for surgical manipulation. The decision to dock the tail or not must be made by the owner himself.
The operation is best performed at the age of 3-10 days. At this time, the circulatory system and nerve endings of the limbs are not yet fully formed, the procedure, as well as the rehabilitation period, will be almost painless. You can dock an older pet, but not older than six months. In this case, you will have to use anesthesia.
In order for your dog to grow up healthy, it is important to provide him with proper nutrition. Jack Russell can eat commercial food or natural food. In the first couple of weeks, it is advisable to feed the puppy the same thing that he ate from the breeder. Your pet should be transitioned to a new diet gradually, following certain rules:
- dry food in a soaked form must first be mixed into canned food or homemade food;
- add any new product little by little, starting with a teaspoon;
- translation into “natural” should start with meat broths, then include vegetables, then cereals;
- Give vitamins only in consultation with a veterinarian.
The diet of an adult dog should include the following foods:
- beef;
- buckwheat;
- pumpkin;
- boiled chicken;
- beet;
- rice;
- carrot
- dairy products;
- thoroughly boiled heart (the terrier should not be given other offal products);
- zucchini.
Those who prefer to feed their pet industrially produced food should choose at least premium products. To feed Jack Russell Terriers, breeders recommend using food from the following brands:
- Canide;
- Innova EVO;
- Akana;
- Artemis Maximal Dog;
- Orijen.
Dry food is good because it contains all the vitamins and microelements the animal needs.
It is forbidden to feed your pet food from the common table, fatty, fried, hot, spicy dishes, as well as sweets.
How to choose a puppy
A purebred puppy should only be purchased from specialized nurseries or from trusted breeders. The cost of such a Jack Russell Terrier is 500-1200 dollars, depending on the title of the parents.
You can, of course, purchase a puppy without documents from an ad on the Internet for $100-300. This should not be done, as there is a high risk of getting a defective or diseased individual.
Attention: parental championship does not guarantee that all animals in the litter are show class.
When choosing a Russell Terrier puppy, you need to pay attention to the following characteristics of the animal:
- mobility, lack of fear. Lethargy or cowardice are disqualifying characteristics for this breed;
- the color is predominantly white;
- no extra fingers;
- The teeth are straight and white. Scissor bite;
- Males have two testes completely descended into the scrotum.
Any elite puppy has a brand (or microchip), a veterinary passport, and a medical certificate.
It is better to buy a dog for exhibitions at 5-6 months. By this age, all breed characteristics are fully formed in the baby. It is advisable to purchase a working dog at the age of two months in order to raise it “for yourself.”
If you are not very well versed in the breed, carefully study the standards before purchasing and consult with specialists.
Video about the breed
The choice of breed is crucial, determining the future life of not only the dog, but all members of the family into which it ends up. Phlegmatic people who like to spend time in a quiet home environment should not get a Jack Russell Terrier - a lack of activity will negatively affect the dog’s character, behavior, and health.
This breed is for those who love sports, walks, and outdoor games. In a comfortable environment, little hunters will show their best qualities and become a devoted friend and reliable companion for a loving owner in any life situations.
Jack Russell Terrier training
It is recommended to start training a dog from the first days of its appearance in the house. The peculiarity of the Jack Russell Terrier breed is that it quickly understands what is allowed and what is not, so it is important to exercise your pet regularly. The first habit you need to develop is identifying a place for the toilet. In addition, it is worth accustoming the baby to the nickname, constantly voicing it when calling. Training is important and must be consistent and regular. You should immediately show your pet who is in charge, but you should not show aggression. Rules for a successful workout:
- They start with training at home. The duration of the first lessons is no longer than a couple of minutes.
- All actions must be consistent. Until one command is learned, you cannot start another.
- Positive results should be rewarded with treats.
- The commands are clear, consisting of no more than two words.
- Training should be done before feeding.
- At the end of the lesson, it is recommended to play with the puppy to lift your spirits.
