What breed of pet to get depends on the personality of the owner, on the requirements that he places on him and on what functions the animal will perform.
The Jack Russell Terrier is suitable for those who lead an active lifestyle, like to walk, and have one or more children. To understand for sure whether you should get one, you need to learn about the peculiarities of keeping and feeding, as well as the behavior of these dogs. If the description pleases you, feel free to go to the breeder, and you will never regret your decision!
How to recognize good puppies?
If you decide to add a new member to your family, be careful about his choice. Masculine dogs must meet a standard, otherwise they are not worth the money. Good four-legged animals of this variety have the following characteristics:
- the maximum height at the withers is no more than thirty cm; in males, the height most often ranges from 27 to 30, in females - from 25 to twenty-seven. Overage is considered a marriage,
- the tail is docked at the end and oriented vertically relative to the level of the ears,
- The main color is white, with spots of black or brown tones required. They should not occupy more than thirty percent of the body area,
- The length of the coat ranges from short to long, so much so that eyebrows and a beard appear. You can determine what kind of cover a baby will have starting from two months,
- the body is elongated, the skull is flat, tapering towards the eyes and mouth, it is shorter from the forehead to the nose,
- the chest is deep, ideal proportions,
- in the hips the volume of the body is approximately forty to forty three cm,
- The loin is short and tense.
If you follow these principles, and also look at the photo the day before, you will definitely choose the one you want! All that remains is to make friends with him and enjoy every minute of games and walks. But do not take a kitten younger than two months, because then it is still unclear what he will grow into. Review his documents and parental documents as carefully as possible, as well as medical records and vaccination schedules. You can call a veterinarian so that he can perform an examination in front of you and the owner.
Character
These creatures were originally bred to hunt foxes and rats. The qualities characteristic of a hunter were carefully nurtured and developed in them, but there were no exhibition specimens. But then everything changed - the furry comrades had a cheerful disposition, and people appreciated it. But this species came to Russia only in the nineties, and the National Club was organized in two thousand and three.
That is why their price is quite high. Although this does not prevent real fans from making a purchase, because the little animal is very cheerful, joyful and feels good in the apartment due to its miniature size.
Russells love games, they will need a lot of toys, otherwise they will use any household items as them. Individuals are jumping, get ready for them to wake you up in the morning by jumping and licking. They have a restless character, they cannot live without communication and love to take long walks and run. They easily find a common language with children, entertain them and keep them company. But if the children are very young, your four-legged friend will need to be raised so that he does not become violent if he is hugged too tightly or his fur is pulled.
It is important that he does not wake the child during sleep, understanding that this should not be done. They are smart, they can be taught anything without even resorting to the services of a trainer. They love to go through obstacles, do tricks, and so on.
History of the origin of the Jack Russell Terrier
The dogs appeared thanks to a pastor from England, Jack Russell, who lived in Devonshire. He was engaged in horse hunting and breeding fox terriers. Created the first description of the breed. At exhibitions his opinion was very highly regarded.
The priest bred a special burrowing dog to help in fox hunting. Fox terriers were mixed with border terriers, small bull terriers, and Lakeland terriers. After his death, the work continued, and the resulting animals became known as “Pastor Jack Russell Terriers.”
Long-legged and short-legged representatives appeared. The former had a height of more than 30 cm, the latter – up to 28 cm. The long-legged ones were very popular, they were called Parson Russell Terriers. Short-legged dogs (Jack Russell Terriers) were not so in demand.
Australia is the country of development of the dog breed. Here their first club was formed, where the standard was fixed. It became established at the global level in 2001.
The first representatives were brought to Russia in 1999 from the USA. A couple of years later, offspring appeared and breeding began. The club was formed in 2003, then they organized the first national exhibition. Ten Parson Russells and eighteen Jack Russells were present.
Currently, they cannot be crossed, so the danger of buying one breed instead of another has been significantly reduced. Now these dogs are among the five most popular terriers in Russia.
How long does he live?
The lifespan of these animals is very long - it reaches up to fifteen years. The physiology was not interfered with by breeding them, but the cardiovascular system is at risk. Pay close attention to what your dog eats, otherwise there will not be enough energy for the heart.
If you constantly leave your puppy alone and give him little attention, he will become nervous and hyperactive. He will run around at night, tearing certain objects to shreds. The most common diseases are hip joint diseases, deafness at birth, and eye abnormalities.
The main causes of premature death in dogs
Potential buyers of Jack Russell Terriers need to pay attention to pathologies and diseases characteristic of this breed:
- Diseases of the respiratory system. The most dangerous condition is pneumonia, an inflammation of the lungs of an infectious nature. Jack Russell Terriers often suffer from airway obstruction - collapse of the trachea. This “breathing tube” consists of strong cartilaginous rings - for one reason or another they begin to collapse. This is evidenced by a characteristic buzzing cough. To save a dog from premature death, you need to perform surgery on it.
- Inflammation of the gums. The cause is the accumulation of food debris, minerals, and bacteria along the gum line. This mass turns into a hard brownish plaque - tartar. It irritates the gums and inflammation begins. Jack Russells may also suffer from periodontitis, an inflammatory process that begins when food debris and microbes get into the spaces between the teeth and gums. This is a more dangerous condition: if periodontitis is not cured in a timely manner, the infection will spread throughout the body, affecting the cardiac and renal systems. You can stop the infestation by having your dog have periodic tartar cleanings.
- Pancreatitis. This is the name of an inflammatory disease of the pancreas, an organ of the gastrointestinal tract located between the small intestine and the liver. Pathology develops due to the aggressive activity of digestive enzymes. If you notice the disease at an early stage, you can help your dog by prescribing a special diet that excludes fatty foods. At an advanced stage, medications and droppers are prescribed.
- “Lens luxation” (displacement of the lens). With this pathology, the lens is disconnected from the micro-ligaments that hold it in place. This leads to blockage of blood vessels, increasing intraocular pressure. If the development of this pathology is left unattended, it can result in complete blindness. In mild cases, lens luxation is treated with eye drops (they are often prescribed for life); in severe cases, surgical intervention is required.
- Skin diseases. Like all dogs, Jack Russells most often suffer from allergic dermatitis. Many things cause this reaction in the body - plant pollen, washing powders, dust mites, flea bites, some dog food. The second most common skin disease is pyoderma. This is an infectious disease caused by bacteria and fungi. The dog is prescribed complex therapy until complete recovery.
It is important to monitor the health of the “live animal”:
What is the price?
The minimum amount is seven hundred dollars, and the maximum is one thousand two hundred dollars. But if you don’t need a show winner with a bunch of awards, you can keep it at five hundred, and without documents the dog will have a price of two hundred dollars.
If it is even lower, be careful - it may be a sick creature or a marriage. It’s a rare case that dogs end up in a shelter because they didn’t match the temperament of their former owners or turned out to be too active. Then you can get it for free, but this is very rare. In addition, beware of neuroses in this situation. A professional trainer can handle re-education.
Content
Since this friend of man has hunting roots, he is very unpretentious and does not require special care. Sometimes he will need hair trimming if it is very long, in other cases a comb and shampoo will be enough.
Provide a wide variety of toys, especially those designed for teeth. Also, don't forget about communication. Feed him in a balanced manner, taking into account the amount of energy he expends. High-quality premium food will help with this; you should not buy cheaper ones - they are dangerous. If you want to give him natural food, consult with the breeder and veterinarian to create a diet, and also read up on what they can and cannot do.
Adaptation
Extremely sociable dogs of this breed become very attached to the owner and his family. Therefore, they constantly want to be not only nearby, but also in the center of everyone’s attention.
Being a straightforward and stubborn dog, Russells are jealous of other representatives of the fauna, sometimes expressing open aggression. If the terrier of this breed is not adapted to the world around him from an early age, the dog will simply become uncontrollable and will attack all animals. During their first walks, Jack Russell Terrier puppies are taught not to chase cats and yard dogs.
Despite such features in the pet’s character, at home he will easily make friends with both other dogs and cats. But a terrier of this breed will still try to dominate, that’s his character.
"Russells" can treat passers-by during a walk calmly, while they greet guests in their home with a little aggression and loud barking.
Diet
As soon as you take the little one into your home, offer him the same thing that he ate before. If this is a club representative, then most likely he is accustomed to dry food from a trusted manufacturer. But it happens that the breeders put natural food in his bowl, then you will have to sweat. 75% of the menu is protein - dairy products and meat. The remaining 25% must be filled with cereals, vegetables and even fruits.
Do not give your baby a lot of food, otherwise he will become overgrown and have many health problems. Even if he asks, be able to refuse. Before he turns one year old, you need to offer him an amount of food equal to 10% of his weight.
Infants up to four months old need to be treated six times a day, and each time is different. For example, this is porridge with milk, beef with millet, cottage cheese, cucumber and tomato salad, apple, soup or omelette. It is necessary to give all this every day - the dog needs raw meat, vegetables and milk. Twice a week treat him with boiled yolk, fish and boiled giblets. If he is less than three months old, such food should be given once every seven days.
At first, dishes must be liquid, and with age they must harden, so that five moons after birth the pet eats solid food. His molars will begin to develop, and this will prove beneficial. When he is six months old, he needs to eat three times a day, and after another ninety days - twice.
Adult dogs need three to five percent of their weight in food if they live at home, and more if they live outdoors. You can feed him 50x50 meat and plant products, adding milk and low-fat sour cream.
Care and maintenance
You can keep a Jack Russell in an apartment or a private house. In apartment conditions, the dog especially needs to be provided with physical activity in the form of long walks and games outside.
Other care tips:
- Brush your dog's coat once a week to remove dead hair.
- Wash your Jack Russell no more than once a month or when dirty. Wash your dog's paws or clean them with a damp cloth after walks.
- Wipe your eyes with a cotton pad soaked in tea to remove natural secretions.
- Brush your teeth 2-3 times a week using a special brush and dog toothpaste or a bone for cleaning teeth.
- Gently wipe the ears with a damp cloth once a week to remove wax and dirt. Try not to touch the membrane.
- Monitor the condition of the nails and trim them 1-2 times a month.
- The dog's sleeping place should be in a secluded place away from cold and drafts.
- Walk at least twice a day. The duration of the walk is at least half an hour.
In general, the dog is easy to care for.
Advantages and disadvantages
These animals have many advantages, but there are also negative aspects. To be prepared for whatever you encounter, it's best to familiarize yourself with these lists in advance. So, the pros:
- Cheerfulness. But this positive trait easily turns into a negative, since gullibility encourages dogs not to be afraid of strangers and malicious people. They could steal him and he wouldn't even think about resisting,
- Mind. Thanks to their intelligence, they easily learn, find a common language with people, are trained,
- Compatible with children. Every child will be happy to have such a friend. They will actively play and communicate,
- Positive impact on the psyche. Terriers often help get out of depression, and they also become good companions for people with cerebral palsy, autism and similar diseases, especially children.
Minuses:
- Ability to manipulate. High intelligence allows them to invent various tricks to achieve their goals,
- Need for attention. They cannot be left alone for a long time, this leads to nervous breakdowns and melancholy. Because of this, they become aggressive and tear things.
If you raise your pet correctly, it will delight you, and all shortcomings will be reduced to a minimum. The main thing is to love him, take care of him and devote enough time to him.
Story
The first ancestors of these hunters looked rough, had a short neck and a large head. Their function was to catch foxes, and they were angry and hardy. But in 1859, exhibitions became fashionable in England, so they also began to care about the appearance of catchers.
They are now more elegant and reduced in size. They were officially recognized eleven years later, and ten years later the British could not imagine life without these tailed cuties. There were one fifth of them among the exhibition participants, and it was them that the audience eagerly watched.
The race for beauty has had a slight impact on the killer's qualities. The head is longer and narrower, the chest is deeper, the shoulders are straightened. They cannot do burrow hunting; their occupation is to show off. But for business, they grew a side branch that did not take part in competitions. Competition arose. Jack Russell, judge and founder of the British Kennel Club, respected workers and did not like their appearance being changed for the sake of fashion. He created the Parson Russell Terriers. He got his first kitten named Trump at the age of nineteen, which he bought from a milkman. He had just started serving in the church and was interested in chasing foxes, and his new acquisition was very successful in this. This is how the origins began. To this day, these excellent hunters pursue rodents and badgers - the genes make themselves felt.
The reverend from Devonshire, who created this family, did not pay any attention to the appearance of his shaggy creatures. All that was important to him was their main occupation, endurance and calm character.
Most likely, he crossed variegated and monochromatic representatives. He managed to achieve a good grip of the jaws, a comfortable ear shape that prevents clogging, a loud voice and a body prone to maneuvers.
His offspring even outperformed hounds, were distinguished by their intelligence and courage, so they quickly became loved even outside the county, and the owner won universal respect.
The work of Pastor Arthur Heinemann, who laid the foundation for short-legged animals, continued the work. He also formulated the first standard. These representatives were convenient for traveling on foot - horseback riding lost its relevance due to unsuitable terrain and the fencing of private plots that were previously open. They were even more angry, but not as fast as their brothers. They were not welcomed at competitions, but many people bought them. However, one day they were brought to Australia, and there they became regular participants in competitions and members of many families. These were the Jacks, and their long-legged relatives were the Parsons.
Breed characteristics and standards
Dimensions
Jack Russell Terriers are short in stature. The male should be 25-30cm, the female – 23-25cm. Weight in dogs is calculated simply: for every 1 kg of weight there is 5 cm of height, so the weight of an adult dog varies from 4 to 6 kg .
Color
Dogs are divided into two subtypes based on color .
- White color with tan.
- White color with black.
The main body is usually white with red or black spots.
How long do Jack Russell Terrier dogs live?
Unlike their larger counterparts who have a lifespan of 8-10 years, Russell Terriers live 13-16 years .
Interesting Facts
An actor of this breed starred in the famous film “The Mask” with Jim Carrey. There he showed remarkable dexterity, intelligence and devotion, for which he fell in love with all spectators.
Now many people dream of having the same friend. Prince Charles, King Edward the Seventh, as well as Audrey Hepburn and Michael Douglas had a similar handsome man.
Interestingly, the genes do not go to sleep in these excellent hunters, and they constantly catch someone. But the Vampire, who lived in 1977, surpassed everyone - he managed to destroy about a ton of rats in Great Britain.
Short story
The Jack Russell Terrier is a relatively young breed, originally from Great Britain. Information about this breed appeared in the eighteenth century. It was then that they began to bred it to hunt small animals directly in the hole. The Jack Russell Terrier must reach, for example, a fox through the narrow channels of a hole, grab it with its powerful jaws and pull it out.
The breed of hunting dogs was developed by the English priest John Russell, whose middle name is Jack. He loved hunting very much, so he devoted all his free time to breeding hard-coated terriers. Since smooth-haired breeds were at the peak of popularity at that time, John Russell did not participate in exhibitions with his pets.
Nowadays, terriers of this breed are often purchased as family friends, but their hunting character makes itself felt. Therefore, the owner of such a dog will have to learn to control the pet’s primitive instincts.
You can learn more about this from the article “History of the Jack Russell Terrier Breed.”
