Breed Description
The Jack Russell Terrier is a small dog originating from England and bred mainly for hunting. The terrier type enjoys great popularity in Germany as a companion and family dog.
Origin And Breed History
The Jack Russell Terrier, like most terrier breeds, comes from England. There he was first purposefully bred by the theologian John Russel over 150 years ago. The prospective pastor was nicknamed “Jack”, after which the dog breed was later named. John Russel pursued the goal to create a terrier for fox hunting by crossing with other breeds. This terrier should not only chase foxes and other animals, but also chase them right into their den and drive them out again.
Over the years, two types of the Russell Terrier evolved, a high running variety and a low running one. The high running one is the Parson Russel Terrier and the low running one is the Jack Russel Terrier described here. The low running variety found its followers mainly in Australia, which used them mostly for hunting in the rabbit hole. Because of the crossbreeding with other breeds and the breeding exclusively for hunting purposes, the recognition as an independent breed was relatively late.
Thus the dog was listed for the first time by the Australian National Kennel Council in 1991 and in 2000 the dog was recognized by the FCI. In Germany, the Jack Russell Terrier is used less for hunting, but more as a companion dog, for example for horses. These dogs are used to living in confined dwellings such as horse stalls and offer good protection against any vermin.
Appearance Of The Jack Russell Terrier
The appearance of the Jack Russell Terrier is relatively easy to recognize. Thus, he has a coat covered mainly with white, which bears black or tan markings. A completely white coat is theoretically also possible, but rather rare. The hair is short and can be either smooth or coarse.
The Jack Russell Terrier has an almost rectangular build and has a height at the withers of up to 30 cm. Thus, he is on average 5 cm smaller than his direct relative, the Parson Russel Terrier. The weight of a Jack Russell Terrier can vary between 7-10 kg. The head of the Jack Russel is rather thin and flat built. The dog’s eyes are almond-shaped and normally surrounded by black eyelid rims.
Character And Temperament
The Jack Russell Terrier is an agile and lively dog, which loves running in nature. He has a healthy self-confidence and is very courageous. In Germany he is used less for hunting. Instead, he enjoys great popularity with equestrian farms. There he lives with in the stable and is present on the riding excursions. Even though his legs seem relatively short, he loves to take long walks in nature. The dog is quite energetic and needs his run. In addition to sporting activities, the dog also wants to be challenged on a mental level. This can be best done in dog sports. There he is fully committed and pursues his goal tirelessly.
At the same time, the Jack Russell Terrier is also ideally suited as a family dog. In a quiet and familiar environment, the dog is child-friendly and social.
Husbandry And Diet
Even though the Jack Russell Terrier is a smaller dog, there is a lot of power in him. The hunting instinct is still firmly rooted in him. He needs the extensive run in the nature. The Jack Russell is a dog that needs to be both encouraged and challenged by the owner. To really push the dog to its limits, doing dog sports such as agility is ideal.
Keeping the dog in an apartment is generally unproblematic. However, it is practical to have a large garden where the terrier can let off steam in between. The Jack Russell is also a super family dog, which becomes a loving family member with the right education.
The Jack Russell Terrier does not normally have any special preferences when it comes to food. It is important that the dog is fed a balanced diet. This means that when feeding the combination of high meat content plus the addition of vegetables, fruit and cereals. The choice of dry or wet food is up to each owner. The food ration should be adapted to the size and the workload of the dog.
Education And Care
Jack Russell Terriers need a loving, as well as consistent education. Already with the puppy one should determine the rules and borders for the living together. This is how you set the building block for the future together. Early carelessness will be regretted later. The Jack Russell Terrier is a smart dog that wants to be challenged. Therefore, it is important that you clearly hold the reins in dealing with the dog.
Because of its origin as a hunting dog, it wants the guidance of its owner. Clear instructions and a positive reward system will best encourage the dog’s development. With proper training and enough exercise for the dog, he is very well suited as a family dog and integrates into them in an exemplary manner.
The care of a Jack Russell Terrier is usually uncomplicated. With the rough or stockhaarigen variant must be trimmed occasionally the fur. Otherwise, regular brushing is highly recommended. Cleaning the dog can be done with a damp cloth. The use of shampoo should normally be avoided, as it attacks the natural protection of the coat and skin. In the case of strong odors and high levels of dirt, mild dog shampoo should be used.
Health And Typical Diseases
The small four-legged friends are unfortunately often very susceptible to disease. Therefore, you should have the dog checked as often as possible at the vet and have the parents tested for possible hereditary diseases before buying. Possible disease patterns in the Jack Russell Terrier are: Ataxia and myelopathy, atopy, dermatophytosis, cataract and cataract and other hereditary diseases.
Life Expectancy Of The Jack Russel Terrier
The life expectancy for Jack Russel Terriers is about 15-18 years.
Buy Dog Breed Jack Russel Terrier
Jack Russel Terriers can be purchased from numerous breeders. However, before buying one should make sure that the breeder is officially recognized. Jack Russel Terriers from responsible breeding can be bought from a price of about 500€.
Another option is to adopt a lonely dog from an animal shelter. If this option comes into question for one, one should be sufficiently advised by the staff of the respective animal shelter. The history of these animals is usually not quite problem-free. Therefore, it is important to deal intensively with the dog beforehand and to prepare yourself optimally for keeping it. The dog will thank you for taking such a dog into your life in numerous hours together.
Decision Support
Even if they have a cute and inconspicuous appearance, Jack Russell Terriers are very sporty and self-confident animals. Therefore, the acquisition of such a dog requires a certain basic athleticism. These dogs can be optimally utilized in dog sports such as agility. There they not only reach their physical limits, but are also mentally challenged. In return, a dog that is well exercised will be much more pleasant and calmer to hold. Also one should not disregard the education of the terrier. This should be led already from the outset consistently by the owner. The most effective method of education consists of consistent action and a loving approach to the dog.
So if you want to get a Jack Russell Terrier, you should plan enough time as well as common activities. The Jack Russell Terrier is not a couch potato, but needs enough exercise. However, if the dog is sufficiently exercised, he will tend to be calm and balanced even in his own four walls. He is also well suited for interacting with children due to his playful nature.
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