Jack Russell Terrier: Complete Dog Breed Guide

The Jack Russell Terrier is a small but mighty breed that's perfect for active families.

They were originally bred in England in the 19th century to hunt small game.

Their short coats require minimal grooming, making them a great choice for busy owners.

A typical Jack Russell Terrier weighs between 13-17 pounds and stands about 10-15 inches tall.

The Jack Russell Terrier is a small dog with a big personality. They typically range in height from 10 to 12 inches, and from about 11 to 13 pounds in weight.

Their coat comes in three types: smooth, rough, and broken-coated. The smooth-coated Jack Russell has a short and flat coat, while the rough-coated Jack Russell has a double coat of dense fur underneath and thick, wiry fur on the outside. The broken-coated Jack Russell is a combination of the first two.

Their eyes are almond-shaped and dark in color, with black eye rims. Their nose is black and fully pigmented, and their ears are small and V-shaped, folding over at the midpoint.

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The body of a Jack Russell Terrier is a remarkable thing. It's designed to go to ground, which means it needs to be compact and agile.

A properly proportioned Jack Russell Terrier is slightly longer than tall. This is essential for navigating tight underground spaces. The length of back from withers to set-on of tail is slightly longer than the height, measured from withers to ground.

The Jack Russell Terrier has a chest of sufficient depth to give good heart and lung room, but without so much depth and width that the dog is encumbered underground. This is crucial for its hunting ability.

The well-sprung ribs extend well back, but must be capable of being spanned behind the shoulder by an average man's hand. This is a key characteristic of the breed.

The back is of moderate length, and level, blending into a muscular, slightly arched loin with slight to moderate tuck-up. This shape allows for flexibility and agility.

Serious Faults: Barrel ribs; chest too deep or too broad.

The skin is thick, which is essential for protecting the dog's internal organs while working underground.

A well-proportioned Jack Russell Terrier should always appear balanced and alert, with a muscular build that's perfectly suited to its hunting abilities.

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The Jack Russell Terrier's coat is a defining feature of this breed. It's dense, hard, and weather resistant, covering the entire dog, including the belly and underside of the thighs.

There are three coat types to choose from: smooth, rough, and broken-coated. The smooth coat is short and flat, while the rough coat is a double coat of dense fur underneath and thick, wiry fur on the outside.

Here are the three coat types in more detail:

The coat color is mostly white with brown, tan, or black patches on the tail, belly, face, and ears.

A Jack Russell Terrier's appearance is a key part of its charm. They have small, V-shaped ears that tend to fold over at the midpoint.

Their eyes are almond in shape and dark in color with black eye rims, full of life and intelligence. This breed's face is one of its most distinctive features.

A Jack Russell's tapered muzzle ends with a button nose that's all black in color. They come in three different coat types: smooth, rough, and broken-coated.

Their colors are mostly white with brown, tan or black patches on the tail, belly, face and ears. The Jack Russell Terrier tail is erect and straight and can display a slight curve when the pup is in motion.

Their coat is dense, hard, and weather resistant, and covers the entire dog, including the belly and underside of the thighs.

Here are the key characteristics of a Jack Russell Terrier's appearance:

The neck is clean, muscular, and of sufficient length to enable the dog's mouth to extend beyond its forepaws when working underground.

The forequarters of a dog are a crucial aspect of its physical characteristics. The shoulders are long, sloping, and smoothly muscled, with a well-laid-back structure.

A well-proportioned upper arm is essential, allowing the elbows to be set comfortably under the body and forming an apparent 90-degree angle with the shoulder blade.

The forelegs are strong, straight, and moderately well-boned, with elbows set close to the body to enable free movement in action.

The tail is a distinctive feature of this breed, and it's typically set on high. The tip of the tail should be level with the top of the ears.

Docking the tail is a common practice, and if done, it's usually trimmed to a length that matches the top of the ears. This helps maintain a balanced appearance.

Moving or alert, the tail can be carried straight or with a slight curve forward, often held erect or gaily.

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The Jack Russell Terrier has a rich history that dates back to the mid-1800s. It was developed by Reverend John Russell, a British gentleman with a passion for fox hunting.

The Reverend Russell wanted to create a dog that could venture everywhere a fox could, so he bred an almost all-white dog with a small chest and sturdy body. This allowed the dog to burrow below ground and stalk small animals like groundhogs, raccoons, and squirrels.

In England, Ireland, and Australia, the longer-legged square dog is known as the Parson Russell Terrier, while the lower, longer dog is called the Jack Russell Terrier. The UKC recognized the short-legged dogs as Russell Terriers in 2001 and later revised the breed name to Jack Russell Terrier in 2009.

The Jack Russell Terrier's hunting skills were less needed after World War II, and the breed transitioned to become more of a family pet. They've also made a name for themselves on the silver screen and in television, including roles in "The Artist" and "Frasier".

Here's a brief comparison of the Jack Russell Terrier and its relatives:

If you're thinking of bringing a Jack Russell Terrier into your family, you can find reputable breeders through the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America (JRTCA).

A Jack Russell Terrier's grooming is relatively fuss-free, thanks to their short coat. You can easily comb out loose hair, and an occasional bath will keep them clean.

Bathing your Jack Russell Terrier once a month is usually sufficient, but if they've been digging in dirt, they may need a bath more often. Bath time is a great opportunity to clip their nails.

Daily teeth brushing from puppyhood is ideal, and regular dental care is essential for fighting plaque and preventing dental disease. Be sure to schedule a professional teeth cleaning with your vet once a year.

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To give your Jack Russell terrier the best life possible, you'll need to commit to regular exercise. This means walking your pet at least a few times a day, totaling about an hour, with more walking being even better if you can swing it.

A healthy Jack Russell terrier will appreciate vigorous exercise, so lace up your running shoes and get ready to hit the trails together. Hiking and running are excellent physical activities for your Jack Russell, as is a romp in a fenced-in yard where your pup can roam safely.

To combat boredom and keep your Jack Russell occupied, consider a variety of toys that will give your pup lots of opportunities for enrichment and fun. These playthings can include ones that squeak, bounce at odd angles, hold a yummy snack, or light up when they roll.

You should also keep a close eye on your Jack Russell's weight since an overweight dog is at risk for numerous health problems. With all that energy and training, it's safe to say you'll be giving your Jack a lot of treats, but those treat calories count!

To fuel their latest and greatest adventures, Jack Russell terriers need a quality diet that's well-balanced and properly proportioned. A high-quality commercial dog food that meets nutritional standards set forth by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is a great place to start.

A Jack Russell terrier's short fur requires minimal maintenance, but the time you save on coat care will be spent on training and in the great outdoors.

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Grooming is a breeze with a Jack Russell Terrier, thanks to their short, easy-to-maintain coat.

Their coat can be smooth, rough, or a combination of both, but regular combing will keep loose hair at bay.

You'll need to bathe them occasionally, but once a month is usually sufficient - unless they've been digging in the dirt, of course.

A stripping comb is a great tool for removing dead hair from the top coat every six to eight weeks.

Nail trimming and ear cleaning are also essential to keep your JRT happy and healthy.

Daily teeth brushing from puppyhood is ideal, and don't forget to schedule a professional teeth cleaning with your vet once a year.

Jack Russell Terriers are generally a healthy breed, but like any breed, they can be prone to certain health issues. They can live up to 18 years or more with proper care.

One health concern to be aware of is patellar luxation, a condition where the kneecap slips out of place. A dog with this problem may lick their knee, keep their leg bent at an unusual angle, and limp.

Eye problems are another issue to consider. Jack Russell Terriers can be prone to congenital deafness, which is sometimes associated with a white coat color. They can also develop cataracts, glaucoma, primary lens luxation, and progressive retinal atrophy, which can lead to blindness.

Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is a congenital orthopedic disorder that affects the hip joint. Symptoms include lameness, stiffness, and restlessness, and a dog might also lick or chew at the hip area.

Compulsive behaviors are also common in Jack Russell Terriers. They may exhibit behaviors like excessive licking, chewing, and barking due to boredom, anxiety, and lack of social interaction and structure.

Here are some common health issues to look out for in Jack Russell Terriers:

It's essential to work with a reputable breeder who can provide CERF clearances for a dog's eyes and OFA clearance for the dog's knees. Meeting the parents of the litter can also give you valuable insight into the puppy's genetic background and potential health issues.

Training a Jack Russell Terrier requires patience and consistency, as they can be quite naughty if not properly trained from an early age. They quickly learn tricks, but it's essential to instill proper pack order in their mind and set clear boundaries within the house.

Jack Russell Terriers are highly motivated and eager to have fun, making them easy to train with positive reinforcement. Use short, frequent training sessions to engage their active minds, and reward good behavior with treats.

A designated sandbox can be a great outlet for their natural digging behavior, redirecting it towards a positive activity. This way, your lawn and tulip bulbs will be safe, and your pup will have a fun place to dig.

Obedience classes are highly recommended for Jack Russell Terriers, as they can be stubborn at times and aggressive towards other animals and humans if not properly socialized.

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If you're considering bringing a Jack Russell Terrier into your life, you have two main options: adopting or buying.

You can buy a Jack Russell Terrier from a breeder, but be prepared to pay a price tag of $800 to $1,500 for a puppy or adult, with some breeders charging up to $2,500 for a show-quality dog.

Finding a reputable breeder is crucial, so make sure to look for one with high standards for the health and well-being of their canines. The Jack Russell Terrier Club of America is a great resource for identifying committed and quality breeders.

A benefit of buying from a breeder is that your Jack Russell Terrier could be better socialized than a rescue dog.

If you decide to adopt, you can start your search with the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America Rescue and Russell Terrier Rescue organizations.

Here are some organizations to contact when searching for a Jack Russell Terrier:

Bothie, a Jack Russell, became the first dog to travel to both the North and South Poles in 1982.

Explorers Ranulph and Ginny Fiennes owned Bothie, who was part of the Transglobe Expedition.

Dogs in Rescue

A Jack Russell named George saved five children from an attack by two pit bulls at a carnival in New Zealand in 2007.

George was posthumously awarded the PDSA Gold Medal in 2009 for his bravery.

Dogs in Politics

Boris Johnson and his partner Carrie Symonds adopted a Jack Russell cross named Dilyn from an animal rescue charity in Wales in 2019.

Well-known Jack Russell terriers have been involved in some incredible feats. A Jack Russell named Bothie made history by becoming the first dog to travel to both the North and South Poles in 1982.

This remarkable journey was part of the Transglobe Expedition, led by explorers Ranulph and Ginny Fiennes. Bothie's achievement is unlikely to be repeated due to the ban on dogs in Antarctica since 1994.

A Jack Russell named George saved five children from an attack by two pit bulls at a carnival in New Zealand on 29 April 2007. He was posthumously awarded the PDSA Gold Medal in 2009 for his bravery.

A statue has been erected in Manaia, New Zealand, in George's memory. A former US Marine also donated a Purple Heart award he had received for service in Vietnam to George's owner.

In 2019, a Jack Russell cross named Dilyn became a famous dog at a polling station in the general election in the UK. He was taken in by Boris Johnson and his partner Carrie Symonds from an animal rescue charity in Wales.

If you're looking for breeds that share similarities with the Jack Russell Terrier, you might want to consider the Havanese. This breed is known for its friendly and outgoing personality, which is similar to the Jack Russell Terrier.

The Havanese is a small dog breed that originated in Cuba and is known for its silky, hypoallergenic coat. It's a great choice for families with allergies or for those who want a low-maintenance coat.

Other breeds that are similar to the Jack Russell Terrier include the Bichon Frise and the Australian Terrier. These breeds are all small, energetic dogs that are known for their friendly and outgoing personalities.

Here are some breeds that are similar to the Jack Russell Terrier: