Amanda Teixeira
They take life at full steam and love the attention of their people as well as their own decisions. Jack Russell Terriers are a challenge that makes every effort worthwhile. Find out everything about the Jack Russell Terrier dog breed here.
Jack Russell Terriers are extremely popular pedigree dogs among dog lovers. Here you will find the most important information about Jack Russell Terriers.
Size: small, up to 30 cm
Weight: up to 6 kg
coat length: short; smooth, rough or bristly hairs
Coat Colors: Predominantly white with black and/or tan markings
Country of origin: Great Britain
The jack russell terrier has the joke written all over his face. The turbo drive is in the muscular hindquarters. He’s certainly not lacking in ingenuity. If you decide to get a Jack Russell Terrier, you definitely need good nerves. Because this little powerhouse is a sly old dog behind its pretty ears.
Origin of the Jack Russell Terrier
The origin of the Jack Russell Terrier dates back to the early 19th century. Back then, the Englishman Reverend John Russell bred a special line of fox terriers that later gave rise to two types: the larger, squarer Parson Russell Terrier and the smaller, longer Jack Russell Terrier, which immortalizes the Reverend’s name. Since then, nothing has changed in the qualities of the sometimes stubborn terrier. The small dogs were once bred to hunt foxes.
The appearance of the Jack Russell Terrier
Jack Russell Terriers are strong, small dogs with a shoulder height of 25-30 cm and a length of 35-40 cm. Their build is muscular with a straight back and a deep chest with good ground clearance. The button or hanging ears sit on the flat and moderately broad skull.
Coat and colors of the Jack Russell Terrier
The Jack Russell Terrier’s coat is short and can be smooth, rough or bristly. White must always predominate in the terrier’s coat color by standard, with black and/or tan markings of all shades. The Jack Russell Terrier’s coat is weatherproof and should not be altered.
Temperament and training of the Jack Russell Terrier
The Jack Russell Terrier combines a passion for hunting, boundless courage and determination. His almost tireless urge to move is reminiscent of times when terriers accompanied fast packs of foxhounds on hour-long hunts. So it is clear what a Jack Russell Terrier is after: Action.
As cute as he looks, a Jack Russell Terrier is definitely not a beginner’s dog. At the very least, attending a good dog school – if you lack experience – should definitely be planned from an early age. But even experienced dog owners sometimes reach their limits and should then seek the advice of dog trainers with experience in terriers. Otherwise there will only be one boss in the future and he has four legs.
Incidentally, enterprising terriers learn best when their training is disguised as an adventure. The training should always be varied and always exciting.
Keeping and caring for the Jack Russell Terrier
However, education alone is far from enough to enable a happy life with a Jack Russell Terrier. The exuberant energy of the lively terrier definitely needs an outlet. There are plenty of opportunities: the terriers give their all on the agility course, and you will also find them eager companions on the bike, on the horse or when jogging. The hunting disposition requires active thinking, attentive observation and sometimes quick action.
Even thorough training is no guarantee of reliable obedience when sighting game in a highly dedicated hunting dog.
On the other hand, Jack Russell Terrier owners relax completely when it comes to caring for their dog. The Jack Russell Terrier’s coat is absolutely undemanding. It doesn’t matter whether the fur is smooth, wire-haired or has bristles. All three variants occurring in the Jack Russell Terrier offer the dog good weather protection, are easy to care for and should never be trimmed because plucking destroys the look typical of the breed.
Health Check for Jack Russell Terriers
There are challenges when it comes to breeding Jack Russell Terriers. Patellar luxation, an unwanted displacement of the kneecap, is just as much a topic as the ataxia associated with movement disorders and myelopathy, which can manifest itself in muscle tremors, among other things. Furthermore, the following can occur:
- Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (bones in the hip area die off)
- Atopy (tendency to allergic skin diseases)
- Cataract
- lens luxation
Therefore, when purchasing a Jack Russell Terrier, make sure that it is reputable breeding.