Late in the 20th Century, most "All Breed" registries created variants of the Jack Russell. They are now known by a variety of names: Parson Jack Russell Terrier, Parson Russell Terrier, Russell Terrier, English Jack Russell Terrier, and many more. Regardless, they treat life as the best game in town, and they're in it to win.
Jack Russells come uniquely marked, sometimes a tri color, maybe black and white, or a shade of brown and white, never brindle, but always at least 51% white. The nose is black, and their coal black eyes sparkle with a perpetual mischievous glean. With small "V" shaped ears flipped forward, they can dig to China, climb trees and fences as if they were ladders. They leap any hurdle in a single bound, and run all day, with just a little left over just in case. Few dogs are as agile. They may be short or tall, ten to 15 inches, just as long as it is height to length proportionate. The coat may be smooth or course, short or long, maybe a little of each, it should be hard, preferably a thick double coat (not woolly), that sheds year round. At a pound/inch and in hunting trim, they can be more difficult to wrestle with or contain than any of their 200 pound cousins.
Fiercely loyal, with a fiery temperament, they have more fight then flight bred into them, they'll give as good as, often better, then they get, even with the odds stacked against them. A 12 year old behaves as youthful as a 2 year old. Forever alert, nothing escapes their attention. Intelligent and independent thinking, they tend to be willful, single minded, stubborn, and dominate. Their personalities are as distinct and unique as their markings. You're never sure what you have for at least a year.
Jack Russell Terriers (JRTs) are the old
type of working terrier, bred and used to
help control vermin
(mice, rats, fox, badger, otter, raccoons, opossum, ground hogs,
etc.). Breeders down through the years, introduced a little of
this or that blood into this excellent working terrier hoping to
get that
little extra for the type of quarry they put them too.
Jack Russell Terriers simply excel at what they were bred to
do,
HUNT. The Fox Terrier,
Rat Terrier, American Fiest, are just a few
examples of
the breeds whose roots extend back to this terrier's gene pool.
With nose to the ground, and an eye to the sky, they can run with a pack of hounds. They can bolt the fox from its hole. They can hold the badger and raccoon at bay in it's den. Any hole is worth an exploratory sniff and possible enlargement. They are unbeatable as ratters and mousers, and challenge almost everything, even creatures ten times their size. They hunt by sight, sound, and scent. They are often a common companion of horse men and horses.
Unfortunately a lot of uninformed people refuse to recognize or understand the down side of those working abilities and that JRTs are best kept as farm and country dogs. Many irresponsible breeders would have you believe that these are cute little lap dogs. Thousands have wrongly thought they could keep "Eddie" or "Wishbone" in an apartment, trailer park, or close city neighborhood. These incredible little terriers are too often labeled as untrainable, destructive, hyperactive, and overly aggressive. These terriers are tough. They dig, run, jump, bark, climb, and stand their ground. They put 110% effort into everything they do. The Jack Russell Terrier should have, even requires a dominate handler that will provide it a job and purpose. Failing to do so permits the JR to take control of you, your home, and your life.
With nose to the ground, and an eye to the sky, they can run with a pack of hounds. They can bolt the fox from its hole. They can hold the badger and raccoon at bay in it's den. Any hole is worth an exploratory sniff and possible enlargement. They are unbeatable as ratters and mousers, and challenge almost everything, even creatures ten times their size. They hunt by sight, sound, and scent. They are often a common companion of horse men and horses.
Unfortunately a lot of uninformed people refuse to recognize or understand the down side of those working abilities and that JRTs are best kept as farm and country dogs. Many irresponsible breeders would have you believe that these are cute little lap dogs. Thousands have wrongly thought they could keep "Eddie" or "Wishbone" in an apartment, trailer park, or close city neighborhood. These incredible little terriers are too often labeled as untrainable, destructive, hyperactive, and overly aggressive. These terriers are tough. They dig, run, jump, bark, climb, and stand their ground. They put 110% effort into everything they do. The Jack Russell Terrier should have, even requires a dominate handler that will provide it a job and purpose. Failing to do so permits the JR to take control of you, your home, and your life.
I
hope you understand that this
terrier is a wonderful dog in the hands
of
a properly educated, able handler and in a proper environment.
You should expect that
if
your
children are rowdy or pron to tease animals, there will be instances of
them being nipped. Cage a JR for the
day, and it'll go spastic demanding every moment of your time
after release. Chain the JR, and it will bark and
yap until
you release it. Allow a JR off leash, it will bolt after, and
harass, every
cat, squirrel, and rabbit it sees. Fail to
adequately
exercise the JR and your house becomes the Indy 500, the furniture used
as agility equipment. If you are an inactive
person, this terrier will
challenge you. A 15 min walk in the park, or around the
block,
will never satisfy a JRs
activity needs. If you are an inexperienced dog
person, lack
any sense of humor, live in an apartment or other close quarters
environment, I
strongly suggest you select another type or breed.
If you must have a JR, then the absolute best thing you must do for yourself and this excellent working terrier, is attend a dog obedience course, and then get involved in activities that challenge the JRs' intellect and physical abilities, the reward will exceed your investment.
If you must have a JR, then the absolute best thing you must do for yourself and this excellent working terrier, is attend a dog obedience course, and then get involved in activities that challenge the JRs' intellect and physical abilities, the reward will exceed your investment.
I've heard it said and seen written many
times that a Jack Russell Terrier is a "work
in progress" (it is life long), I'll simply say they enrich my
life, and they can be like potato chips, "having one
JR is just not enough". Owning
a JR can be a wonderful experience, with your dedicated, loyal
and affectionate companion at your side, you'll never sleep, eat, or
travel alone
again. Being owned by a Jack Russell is
either
fantastic or terrible, just what you choose or simply let
happen.