Appearance of the Jack Russell Terrier
General impression
What does a Jack Russell Terrier look like? A compact body, small height (from 25 to 30 cm), average weight, short legs relative to the body are characteristic of this breed. A well-built individual has a kilogram of weight for every five centimeters of height at the withers. Both boys and girls look proportional, this is noticeable from the photos of the Jack Russell Terrier, of which there are an incredible number on the Internet.
Head
The head is proportional, wedge-shaped: a rounded wide skull tapers to an elongated muzzle.
The stop is clearly pronounced. Drop ears are mobile. The color of almond eyes is a mixture of different shades of brown and black. The eyelid fits tightly to the eyeball. The nose is symmetrical, black. The nostrils are open and developed. The jaws are distinguished by strength and power that is invisible to the eye. Dark lips fit to the jaws. Scissor bite.
Neck
The muscular neck is neither short nor long. The dog holds its head proudly.
Torso
The body is muscular, rectangular. The back is straight. Chest moderately let down. The approximate coverage will be 40 cm.
Forelegs
The shoulders are angular, the elbow joints are well fixed. The muscles on the shoulder blades are strong, the bone bends back. They are located under the body with a pronounced tilt back.
Hind limbs
The power of the hind legs is great due to the developed muscles, which makes it possible to make active pushes when running. The hock joint is low, the metatarsals are parallel to each other. The paws are round, the pads are dense and hard. The fingers are normally rounded.
Tail
A high-set tail either hangs down (a relaxed state) or rises up (a moment when the dog is excited). Tapers from base to tip.
Movements
The movements of the four-legged friend are spontaneous and free. When walking, the dog “springs.” When running, it pushes off powerfully with its hind legs.
Wool
Jack Russell Terriers come in smooth coat (the coat lies close to the body), longhair (the coat is voluminous, the hair is coarse) and brocken (an intermediate type).
The wool is pleasant to the touch. The undercoat is hard. The puppy is covered with soft fluff, which is replaced by light hair at three months. The hair of an adult dog is denser and coarser.
Color
What colors predominate in the Jack Russell Terrier? There are two types of colors: white with tan or white with black splashes. The color of the tan marks varies from light caramel to dark chocolate.
Size
Jack is a medium-sized dog with a proportional body. The female Jack Russell Terrier is approximately 23-26 cm tall and weighs 5 kg. Males reach 25-30 cm in height at the withers, the optimal weight for them is up to 6 kg. The weight of the Jack Russell Terrier must be strictly controlled by the owner to prevent obesity. Despite the small size of the Jack Russell Terrier, the dog is capable of much. His small stature is more than made up for by his irrepressible energy.
Breed standard
The Jack Russell is an agile and energetic terrier of small size with a stretched or rectangular body format :
- The head is wedge-shaped, the forehead is quite wide, the stop is well defined, but not sharp.
- The muzzle is somewhat shorter than the occipital part of the head and narrower.
- Cheekbones are well defined, but not protruding.
- The nose is exclusively black, the lips are also black, tightly fitting.
- The jaws are quite wide, strong and powerful, with a scissor bite.
- The eyes are almond-shaped, medium-sized and not too protruding, their color is brown.
- The edging of the eyelids is certainly black and continuous.
- The ears are either raised - the so-called “buttons”, or drooping.
- The neck is strong, but at the same time graceful.
- The back is straight, not sagging. The withers are well defined, the loin is short and muscular.
- The tail is of natural length or docked, lowered at rest, raised during movement and held vertically. If the tail is docked, then its tip is at ear level.
- The forelimbs are straight and strong. The hindquarters are strong and muscular. The paws are small, round in shape, with moderately arched toes.
The movements of the Jack Russell should be correct: free and springy, but not dancing.
Character of the Jack Russell Terrier
These dogs were created for constant movement, so sitting in one place does not suit them at all. Therefore, the breed is suitable for active people. If you get a Russell, be prepared to spend most of your day outside rather than in your apartment.
At home, in the absence of other animals or children nearby, the pet will be very bored. Speaking of socialization, if you have a child or other furry friend, it is important to accustom your Jackie puppy to their presence in your life; then the adult dog will treat others adequately. The Jack Russell Terrier's proximity to rodents is not recommended due to their genetic predisposition to hunting such animals.
The character of the Jack Russell Terrier is not very flexible. Even in relations with the owner, the dog will try to dominate, and it will behave the same way with dogs of small breeds.
What kind of leisure does a Jack Russell Terrier need so that all the objects in the house are not arranged chaotically? The dog loves active walks and games with frisbees (especially outside in winter!). Even workouts to release the energy accumulated during the day. Jack Russell Terriers love to explore the world.
The breed gets along well with children 9 years and older. The child and the dog become best friends: they play together, go for walks, beg their parents for toys and treats. To ensure that your son or daughter can take your Jack Russell for a walk, make sure that the pet is obedient to your child's commands. This can be achieved through joint training.
At the same time, you don’t need to think that Jack Russells are such uncontrollable and unbalanced animals. On the contrary: their energy, directed in the right direction, will turn the dog into the dream of all people and children. The charm that comes from Jackie is so strong that it is impossible to resist it.
Jack Russells captivate not only with their cuteness, but also with their lively mind. The owners of these dogs note their pets' extreme intelligence and even a penchant for cunning. The latter should not be openly encouraged, but in some cases it looks hilarious.
Russell Terriers love to travel. A car, a train, a plane - your pet will perceive everything with interest. But the main thing is to let the dog stretch its paws at all stops along the way.
Socialized and well-mannered Russells are very friendly, they easily make new acquaintances with children and people. Moreover, they immediately begin to check their new friend: will he treat him to something tasty? Will he play catch-up with him? After all, the evil owners do not feed the poor dog and do not pay him any attention... Do not fall for such tricks - this is another trick of the dog.
How to choose a puppy?
It is best to buy a puppy of this breed from a nursery or from a breeder, and the puppy must have a birth certificate and a veterinary passport, and its parents must have a complete pedigree, which indicates the names of its ancestors up to and including the sixth generation.
A purebred dog cannot be cheap, and by saving on buying a pet, you can end up with a sick dog or a mixed breed, or even just a mongrel that looks like a Jack Russell.
A good puppy should be playful, active and inquisitive.
He will certainly want to get to know a stranger who comes to the house, and will not run to hide from him in the far corner, but at the same time, he will not show aggression towards people or towards his mother and littermates.
When buying a show dog, it is better to choose a medium-sized baby rather than the largest one . In this case, it is more likely that it will grow to a standard size.
It is not recommended to adopt a puppy that shows even minor signs of ill health, for example, a slight runny nose or conjunctivitis.
The color of the baby should be standard and, preferably, the markings on the head and face should be symmetrical.
The puppy should look quite strong and robust: it should have short, thick legs and a straight topline.
If the tail is docked, then the wound on it should be completely healed by the time of sale.
And one more thing: when choosing a puppy, you need to take into account not only the exterior and health, but also the temperament.
Hyperactive and sedentary puppies should not be adopted: the first will not go well, and the second may have health problems or simply have a character that does not correspond to the breed standard.
Education and training
A miniature pet wagging its tail hardly gives the impression of a loud-voiced bully, because of which all the slippers in the apartment were damaged (dogs really like to chew shoes). But the problem of raising and training the Jack Russell Terrier is urgent because of its typical waywardness, deceit, stubbornness, and excessive energy. All you have to do is let your guard down, and Jackie will become the master of the house.
Socialization is an important point in raising a Jack Russell Terrier. The authority of the owner must be inviolable, otherwise the dog will begin to show negative qualities of its character. No amount of training will help if the dog barks at every person or animal it meets.
Teaching basic commands (for example, “sit!”) can begin at the age of three months; more complex commands are introduced later. After completing the exercise, reward your Russell with a treat. Thus, the training will be comfortable for the owner and his faithful friend.
Health and disease of the Jack Russell Terrier
Possible diseases
Jack Russell Terriers are not deprived of good health, but, like any other animal, they are prone to certain diseases. These small terriers belong to the category of long-livers - the life of Jack Russells ends at fourteen or sixteen years. Dogs often suffer from diseases of the musculoskeletal system, but are not susceptible to obesity due to their hyperactivity. Diseases to be wary of:
- hip dysplasia is a hereditary disease;
- congenital deafness, which may not be noticeable at first because Jackies rely on their nose;
- aseptic necrosis of the femoral head - the dog begins to limp on one leg;
- anomaly of the eyes, most often the sclera, retina, choroid are affected;
- diabetes mellitus - manifests itself at the age of eight years and older;
- arthritis;
- epilepsy;
- heart diseases.
In addition, Russells, especially light-haired individuals, are susceptible to allergies. This may be a reaction to food (feed component, vegetables, fruits), vaccinations, medications, external irritants (insects, flowering plants).
Reproductive health
Jack Russell Terriers are a popular dog breed, so many owners try to have offspring.
The first heat in female dogs occurs at the age of 10-12 months. It is believed that the most favorable age for planning pregnancy is from two to eight years. During this period of time, the female is still energetic, she is even ready for a difficult birth. The birth of puppies will bring pleasure to the female. If pregnancy is not planned, then it is better to sterilize the dog. This way she will remain healthy and will not cause unnecessary trouble to her owners.
What is the difference between boys and girls?
Jack Russell boys look stocky and muscular: they have a wider chest, which makes them appear more powerful.
Girls have a graceful physique, the head is smaller and not so wide.
At the same time, females have a slightly more elongated body format than males.
Features of feeding and diet
What to feed your active friend? The Jack Russell Terrier's diet should be well balanced and selected by a veterinarian. The quality of food also comes first. Feeding food is the best option, since it is already balanced in nutritional value and calorie content, while the diet of a dog on a natural diet is carefully thought out by the owner.
Is it possible to give a terrier on a natural diet vitamins? Veterinarians say that the danger of a lack of trace elements is not noticeable without tests; Vitamins should be given only as prescribed by a doctor.
Natural nutrition includes cereals, fresh vegetables and unsweetened fruits, dairy and meat products. The protein a dog gets must be at least 75% animal. If the jack is accustomed to drying, then the food should be premium; it is selected based on the age of the animal and its level of physical activity.
The breeder informs you how many times to feed the puppy (usually the first months of a dog’s life eat five to seven meals a day). You also need to find out what food to feed your puppy from the owner of the kennel, because changing food can be difficult for a young body. An adult Jack Russell Terrier should receive two or three servings of food per day.
Care and maintenance
The Terrier's toilet routine consists of weekly brushing, monthly trimming for wire-haired individuals, and washing as needed. It doesn’t matter what season it is - winter, summer, spring, autumn - the condition of the coat must be constantly monitored.
How to care for a Russell? The Jack Russell Terrier is unpretentious in care and maintenance, as it is not a long-haired breed. Weak molting accompanies urban animals throughout the year; village dogs shed once or twice a year, but much more heavily. Daily combing and washing are unnecessary. This will only harm the terrier.
But examination of the oral cavity, cleaning of teeth and ears should be performed every day. Grooming (a set of dog care services, including trimming hair and claws) is required only for dogs participating in exhibitions.
Dogs of this breed are hyperactive, so keeping them in an apartment brings a lot of problems. Lack of activity (walking, playing outdoors or at home) results in chaos reigning in the apartment. The best option for keeping a Russell Terrier is a house with a fenced area.
Walking with your Jack Russell Terrier tends to turn into a bit of a chase. Walking with a leash will save your nerves and strength. The dog loves active games with a ball.
It is important to show the puppy a place where he can rest. This can be a large bed in a warm but ventilated place. Everything that can brighten up a Jack Russell Terrier's leisure time should be nearby.
Tips for choosing a puppy
The Jack Russell Terrier breed is “promoted”. Almost every owner of a dog of this breed wants to make money by selling puppies. This situation makes it possible to purchase a puppy with defects in appearance or character as one of the possible scenarios. Instead of a faithful and active hunter, you can buy an inadequate sleeper.
How to choose a terrier puppy? Before purchasing, make sure that the place where the pet is purchased has a good reputation - that is, it is a trusted nursery. After meeting the breeder and the puppy’s parents, if the future owner is satisfied with everything, the young dog’s documents are checked and a purchase agreement is concluded.
If the goal is to acquire a future show winner, then it is better to postpone choosing a puppy until the age of six to eight months. By this time, the dog’s teeth will change, the “baby fuzz” will come off, and its virtues and vices will appear. You can also purchase a puppy of this level in the company of a dog handler or an experienced breeder. The price of show-category Jack Russell Terrier puppies is usually higher than average.
When buying a Jack Russell Terrier puppy, make sure you have the following documents: RKF puppy certificate, veterinary passport with vaccination records. The cost of dogs sold without these documents is lower, but no one can guarantee that in the future this dog will not turn out to be a crossbreed.
What do the puppies look like?
Jack Russell puppies may be born with a lack of pigmentation: many of them may not have color on their nose, lip rims, or even the edges of their eyelids at first.
In addition, all Jack Russells, regardless of coat type, are born smooth.
The differences between smooth-haired and wire-haired babies become visible around the third week, but the Broken Light can look smooth-haired for up to a month and a half or longer.
As puppies grow, they become more like their parents: their paws lengthen, although they remain quite large in relation to the puppy's body.
The head looks quite large, the muzzle is slightly shorter than in adult dogs.
If the color changes, it is only slightly, for example, small marks in the form of specks may appear.
How much does a Jack Russell Terrier cost?
Kennels offer three categories of puppies: pet, standard, show. Dogs are divided according to the principle of compliance with the breed and the possibility of admission to breeding.
- The pet dog will become a loyal friend, but will not be able to participate in exhibitions due to serious defects in appearance or character (the seller must warn about this). Not allowed for breeding. Often retains the iconic qualities of the breed. The price of a pet class Jack Russell Terrier is below average - 15,000 rubles.
- A standard puppy can participate in exhibitions and is allowed for breeding. The appearance and character of such pets are without flaws. The cost depends on the region where the nursery is located and the living conditions of the parents and the puppy; is 25,000-40,000 rubles.
- Show dogs attend exhibitions with enviable regularity and become winners. Their appearance and character are ideal. Puppies of this class are considered elite and are sold for 50,000-60,000 rubles. The price for a good specimen can reach 100,000 rubles.
The more a dog meets the breed standard, the higher its value.
