Advantages of the Jack Russell breed influencing the choice
A very energetic and smart dog is suitable for an equally active family. Miniature sizes are ideal for keeping even in a small apartment. An intelligent and active disposition will surprise you. Children will be delighted with such a friend, and he will be delighted with them. But these are not all the advantages of the breed. Let's look at them in more detail:
- Intelligence. Jack Russell grasps everything on the fly. Therefore, there is no need to fuss with it during training; even a puppy will understand the commands. However, it is worth keeping in mind that, in addition to intelligence, boys and girls are also cunning. The owner needs to be on guard so as not to become a victim of the insidious manipulations of the Jack Russell.
- Attitude towards children. A dog is simply necessary for an introverted child. Communication with her will benefit those with developmental delays or disabilities: cerebral palsy, autism, etc. But it is worth keeping in mind that the Jack puppy will not tolerate disrespectful treatment; he may growl or bite if he is hurt.
- Activity. The dog is suitable for people leading a sporty lifestyle. Therefore, any outdoor games are beneficial for both the owner and the pet.
- Grooming. The Jack Russell has no odor and comes in two types: smooth-haired and wire-haired. In the first case, no special care is required, but during shedding it should be combed every day. In the second case, it will be necessary to remove dead, coarse hair, since it does not fall out on its own, but after the procedure the dog will look neater and shed less.
- Unpretentiousness in food. But you shouldn’t overfeed and you shouldn’t give too fatty foods either.
- Lack of aggression. Even to strangers. The breed is very friendly, so it is worth paying attention to training.
What age should you choose a Jack Russell Terrier?
If you want to get a promising puppy with far-reaching plans, then ideally this should be done no earlier than 5-6 months from his birth. By this time, the baby will have already formed, his teeth will change, and his bite will develop.
By 6 months, it will be clear what kind of character the tailed dog has, color, size, shape and position of the ears. The dog will be fully vaccinated and microchipped. And, most likely, he can even take part in exhibitions and receive an assessment from an independent expert. Of course, such a dog will be very expensive. But, if you plan to seriously engage in breeding, then this is exactly the dog you need. But this, of course, is ideal.
You can find and choose Jack, the future champion, in 1.5 months. But in this case you are taking quite a risk. After all, little jack is a kind of “semi-finished product”.
At 1.5 months, all the puppies are very pretty, doll-like, with a beautiful face, correctly positioned ears and a cute tail. At this age, you can only see the most obvious flaws.
But from 2 to 5 months everything can change. This is the so-called adolescence, when the dog becomes an ugly duckling. At this time, the proportions of the head, body, ears, teeth bite and even character can change beyond recognition. In turn, this may upset you.
And only by 6 months all these roughnesses either remain or disappear. By 6 months the dog is fully formed.
Therefore, if you decide to get a Jack Russell Terrier and raise him from a very early age, be sure to ask to see as many photos as possible of the puppy’s parents, ancestors, and previous litters. The more dogs with ideal structure and color among relatives, the greater the likelihood that the puppy will grow up to be the same.
For example, we also adopted our Jackushka at 1.5 months of age. But despite this, he already has a championship title!
How to choose a Jack Russell puppy. Basic recommendations
Before choosing, you should decide on its future fate. If a pet is purchased for the soul, then the selection criteria may be softer. When you plan to participate in competitions, exhibitions or further breeding, it is best to find out the breed standard and carefully search for a suitable nursery that would meet all the required criteria.
We don’t choose a Jack Russell baby from the first breeder we come across. Although they have good health, pathology can still manifest itself - hip dysplasia. Kennels that care about their reputation do not allow such dogs to be bred, however, this does not stop others. Therefore, an animal with bad genes will be a frequent visitor to veterinary clinics.
You should carefully inspect the place of detention. Are the dogs kept in separate enclosures or enclosures? Is it clean there? The toilet and place for games must be located separately.
The space for games must be spacious, preferably in the fresh air. Floors should not be slippery, otherwise there will be problems with the formation of joints.
You should meticulously ask the owner about the health of the animals, about the parents, conditions of feeding, maintenance, etc. It is advisable to be skeptical about excessive praise of your shelter. The answers should dispel all doubts of buyers.
Jack Russell must have a set of necessary documents that the breeder must provide:
- Puppy card.
- Pedigree. To understand that the breed is pure.
- The act of mating breeding dogs.
- Inspection report.
- Veterinary passport. Puppies must be vaccinated.
Please note that there must be a stamp or chip.
Whom do we choose? Boy or girl
The character of dogs is individual. However, before you decide which gender to take, you need to know what awaits you in a given case. When choosing a girl, you need to be prepared for estrus and pregnancy. The breed can also have false pregnancies. However, the female half is most attached to home and family. Bitches are smarter and better trained than males.
Boys are larger than girls, so they have many chances to win at exhibitions or competitions. Although male dogs do not become pregnant or give birth, they can break loose and run away when they smell a female. They are also aggressive towards members of their own sex.
Breed standard, appearance and health
Dogs stop growing between 10 months and 1 year of age. They live on average up to 16 years, but it all depends on the quality of life. According to the standard, the Jack Russell Terrier must have the following description:
- Weight. An adult animal weighs 5-6 kg and grows to 25-30 cm. A puppy at the age of 1 month weighs approximately 1 kg. Jack Russell puppies measure up to 9 cm at one month of age.
- Appearance. Flexible body of medium length. The muscles are developed. The body is stretched in length and has the shape of a rectangle.
- Muzzle. The transition to the nose is clearly visible. The head is wedge-shaped: tapering from the skull to the tip of the nose. The lips are pressed tightly to the jaws, black, well pigmented. The nose is black. Scissor bite. The eyes are small, dark almond-shaped with well-pigmented eyelids that close tightly. The ears are mobile, hanging on cartilage.
- Wool. Animals can be smooth-haired or wire-haired.
- Color. The main color is white, with spots ranging from chestnut to black. Jack Russell Terrier at any age is the same color of a small puppy no different from an adult.
- Body. The back is straight, the loin is short, but muscular and strong. The chest is deep, but not wide, but the sternum is clearly visible.
- Tail. Stands upright in an excited state. May be cropped.
- Limbs. The front ones are straight with well-developed muscles, the rear ones are muscular but balanced.
To understand what an adult animal looks like, it is better to have a photo.
Behavior and character
Jack Russell Terrier, especially a boy, will become a companion to an active person. Thanks to his intelligence and insight, the puppy will make friends with any person. Commands will be given easily when trained. However, due to the fact that the breed was originally bred for hunting purposes, namely for hunting in holes, the dog will show independence and initiative. You need to be prepared for this.
The Jack Russell Terrier boy will make friends with other members of the owner's family. However, you should be careful and from puppyhood teach him to fight back against strangers, because with his good disposition he can become a victim of thieves.
Lively character requires long walks and active games. You definitely need to throw out the accumulated energy. Otherwise, the animals will damage the furniture in the house and become withdrawn and aggressive. You need a lot of toys.
At what age should I pick it up?
How to choose a Jack Russell Terrier puppy by age? Don't take him away from the family too early. The optimal age is 2-3 months. It is by this time that he already shows independence and receives his first training in simple commands. And most importantly, he is already independent of his mother.
If an animal is purchased for the purpose of attending exhibitions or competitions, then it should be purchased even later. This is done at about 5-7 months, or even after a year. This is done in order to fully appreciate the description and necessary characteristics of the puppy of the breed. It is by older age that they will already be distinguishable.
If taken too early, his connection with his mother can be disrupted. This will lead to improper formation of the nervous system: an adult may become too aggressive or cowardly.
Immunity will also suffer because the process of breastfeeding, which is important for the formation of the body's resistance, will be disrupted.
What to look for when purchasing
When choosing a puppy of this breed, it is important to pay attention to a number of factors. First of all, you should examine the baby you like. Observe how he behaves with his brothers. By behavior you will understand whether the puppy has any physical or mental pathologies.
Even at a young age, such dogs are very active, playful, and display a cheerful and friendly character. How to choose a Jack Russell Terrier puppy? Visit several nurseries where this particular breed is bred. Do not buy a pet from a dubious store, and especially not from a market. If you want to buy a puppy cheaper, it is better to contact private breeders. However, this option is risky, since many breeders prefer to keep purebred babies for themselves for subsequent breeding and sale of offspring. At the same time, they put up dogs for sale that do not fully comply with breed standards.
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Ask the breeder to show the pedigree. Inspect the litter and the area where the puppy is kept. Each puppy should have a separate place. It is important that the floor in this area is not too slippery to prevent damage to the paws.
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If a puppy's paws are constantly spreading on the floor, this can cause their curvature and problems with the joints. Puppies should have their own toys. They need a lot of space due to the activity of this breed. Also pay attention to the availability of space for a toilet.
Similar article: Wire-haired and smooth-haired Jack Russell Terrier
All these conditions must be met, since this is the key to the normal development of the puppy. In addition, you must be provided with a package of documents confirming the absence of congenital defects and the purebred of the puppy. You must also be provided with the terrier's birth certificate, pedigree, certificates of mating and examination by a veterinarian, as well as a veterinary passport. Please read all information carefully. If the puppy is 1.5 months old at the time of purchase, it must have a brand.
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At what age should I pick it up?
If you plan to participate in exhibitions or breed this breed (including “mini”), it is not recommended to take a baby under the age of 4 months.
By this time, the breeder will provide and accustom the puppy to basic parenting skills and teach cleanliness. The Jack Russell will already be adapted to the environment. At this age, it will be possible to determine the character and characteristics of a particular Jack Russell Terrier puppy. The same applies to the “mini” variety.
Boy or girl
How to correctly determine which gender of the puppy is best for you? Let's look at the features of the appearance and behavior of girls and boys. Males are larger in size.
They are distinguished by their impressiveness, and therefore have a greater chance of winning at the exhibition. It is worth considering that boys mark territory. In addition, they can be overly aggressive towards other dogs.
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Wire-haired and smooth-haired Jack Russell Terrier
Bitches are considered more obedient and intelligent. They are easier to train. However, when buying a girl, you must be prepared for the fact that she will go into heat, become pregnant and give birth. In addition, there is a risk of false pregnancy. This applies to both standard and mini breeds.
Behavior and character
When answering the question “How to choose a Jack Russell Terrier puppy?”, it is also worth noting the dog’s behavioral characteristics. Look how she behaves. If he constantly gets into fights and bites his fellow animals, it means that there is aggression in the animal, which will be difficult to pacify later.
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Pick up the dog. If he shows friendliness, and at the same time tries to play with you, it means that he has an easy-going character, the puppy is not too stubborn and aggressive. These dogs are characterized by their cheerfulness. They are positive and very active. If your dog doesn't take any action when you pick him up, he probably has some kind of health problem or psychological problem.
Appearance
Be sure to inspect the puppy before purchasing. The paws should be straight and strong. They must confidently support the body, which, in turn, must be proportional.
Look at the ponytail. Feel it. It is important that there are no creases in it. Do the same with the ribs. Make sure there are no protruding parts or bumps. Examine the bite. In purebred representatives of this breed it is scissor-shaped. The upper jaw covers the lower jaw.
Health
The most important selection criterion is health. Feel the puppy's belly. If it is swollen and hard to the touch, your dog probably has worms. The dog's belly should be soft. Feel the navel to make sure your baby doesn't have a hernia. Look how the dog relieves himself. This way you will make sure that he has no problems with the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. There should be no dirt under the dog's tail.
Touch your nose. It should be cold and damp. Your pet's mouth should not smell unpleasant. The color of the ears in a healthy individual is pink. Same tongue color. Look at the condition of the coat. It is important that it shines and is clean. If there are signs of scratching, it means the dog has an allergy. Most likely, these are signs of an allergic reaction to food.
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Care and maintenance of a puppy and an adult Jack Russell Terrier
How to choose a puppy for exhibitions and breeding
To become the owner of such an animal, you should understand that you will have to pay a considerable amount. Because from the entire litter only 1-2 individuals can be born that meet the standards. In addition, knowledge of the latter is a prerequisite before purchasing. The weight of a purebred Jack Russell puppy should not weigh less than 700 grams by one month. It is advisable to consult a veterinarian. You should only choose trusted nurseries that can provide all the necessary documents.
Parents must also be winners in various competitions and exhibitions. Mating must be planned and carried out through the club.
How to choose a Jack Russell for your family
In this case, you don’t need to pay too much attention to breed standards. It will be enough to choose one with average characteristics. For the home and the child, it is best to take the calmest one. A small Jack Russell puppy, especially a girl, is suitable for a low-active person.
You need to do an inspection before purchasing. You need to check the condition of the mucous membranes, the presence of discharge, and look at the bite - it should be scissor-shaped. If you plan to adopt a boy, you need to check for undescended testicles. Erect ears, crooked paws and a muzzle that is too long indicate defects in the breed.
