About the breed
The Jack Russell Terrier is one of the best-known dog breeds in the world due to its characteristics and personality. Its origin is in the United Kingdom, although its development was based on the standard established by an Australian work club. It is an excellent hunting companion for hunting enthusiasts, is intelligent, cunning and fast.
Energetic, cheerful, active! Thanks to his cute, amusing appearance, Jack Russell is a frequent guest of television screens, which only the famous films “The Mask” and “The Artist” are worth!
Jack Russell Terrier
The Jack Russell Terrier, originally from England, is a small energetic race known for its daring and lively personality. Raised for hunting, they are intelligent, athletic and full of energy. Jack Russells are affectionate with their families but can show sworn behavior with other dogs. They need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to avoid boredom and flourish in homes with active owners who can offer them coherent training and socialization opportunities.
Breed at a Glance
- Origin: England
- Size: Small
- Weight: 11-17 lbs (5-8 kg)
- Head shape: long
- Lifespan: 14-16 years
- Coat Type: Smooth or rough, weather-resistant
- Colors: Predominantly white with black, brown, or tan markings
- Temperament: Energetic, intelligent, and fearless; can be independent but is affectionate with family
- Grooming Needs: Low maintenance; regular brushing required
- Exercise Needs: High; needs daily physical and mental stimulation
- Best For: Active families, people with experience in dog training, or those living in rural or suburban areas with space to play
The Jack Russell Terrier is a lively, adventurous breed known for its agility and strong hunting instincts. This small dog requires ample exercise and thrives in environments where it can explore and burn off energy. Its bold, curious nature makes it a great companion for active individuals or families who can provide consistent training and engagement.
The standard of the breed
The Jack Russell Terrier is a small but sturdy dog. The height at the withers is 25-35 cm. There are no strict weight standards, however, experts note that the Jack Russell Terrier looks harmonious, which has 1 kg of weight per 5 cm of growth, i.e. the desired mass of an adult representative of this breed is 5-8 kg.
Exercise requirements
Compassion for the owner
Friendship with strangers
Energy level
Playfulness
With other pets
Characteristics of the breed
Family
Representatives of this breed are friendly and positive. Dogs get along well with children of school age; the Jack Russell Terrier will not allow the child to squeeze them like a toy. The dogs get along well with children over 10 who will play with them, but they are taken seriously.
Getting along with other animals can be problematic, as the Jack Russell Terrier has a hunting instinct. In cats and rodents, the dog sees potential prey. The Jack Russell Terrier does not get along well with other dogs as they tend to dominate and will constantly engage in skirmishes to prove their superiority.
Physical qualities
The head structure is generally proportional to the body and in a balanced position. He has almond eyes on a flat skull and ears moderately spaced with each other and wide. The muzzle is long and the color of the nose is black. His cheeks are bone and muscular. The upper and lower teeth close in harmony. It has a scissor articulated with a strong jaw and sharp teeth.
His ears, located in the median part of his head, are of average thickness and width. It has button -shaped ears that fold forward, resembling a small V. Their ears are folded at their end to the forehead or both sides of the head.
This dog has dark almond -shaped eyes. Their looks are full of energy, positive, joyful and intelligent. He makes the other person feel different emotions with his appearance and can understand what people feel from their appearance.
The dog’s jaws are strong. Powerful teeth. Scissor bite.
Jack Russell is a robust, robust, strong and compact burrow. The length of the body is proportional to the size. The structure of the neck is muscular, of medium length and widens towards the shoulders. His shoulders are tilted and relaxed. The chest part is not deep, but it has an athletic appearance. It has a balanced appearance with its slightly curved size, its right and strong back structure, its whole size and body. It has impeccable beauty with its generally formal and athletic body structure.
The Jack Russell breed has two different coat structures: right and fringed. The two types of feathers are double layer, coarse and smooth. However, their feathers have no woolly structure. Its coarse and soft fur resists bad weather and water. In the fringed fur type, long hairs on the eyebrows and the chin look like a beard. Its feathers are always straight, never curly or wavy. The structure of the fringed fur of the dog Jack Russell is formed by the long, rights and coarse hairs of certain parts of his body.
The previous legs are strong and flat, with a structure not too open. The joints are properly aligned and the elbows move independently perpendicular to the body. Its hind legs are quite strong and muscular. It has a good driving and push capacity thanks to the harmony of its front and rear legs. Their knees must be rights seen from behind. Their feet are wide, round and padded. The position of their feet is neither completely interior nor exterior. They have a lively, free, active and coordinated approach.
At least 51 % of the body of the dog Jack Russell Terrier must be white. On the color of the coat, which is mainly composed of white, black, beige, yellowish or brown spots, patterns and marks are visible on the head, body and tail. The colors and brindle brands are slightly rarer than the varieties of current colors. Their predominant white color is one of the features appreciated by hunters because they are easily visible in the field.
Lifespan
Standards & Classifications
The Jack Russell Terrier is recognized by various canine clubs around the world, including the American Kennel Club (AKC), the United Kennel Club (UKC) and the International Cynological Federation (FCI). However, it should be noted that there are different variants of the breed and that recognition can vary depending on the specific standards and registers.
- Group 3 Terriers.
- Section 2 Small Terriers.
- Working trial optional.
What to expect when taking care of a Jack Russell Terrier
Taking care of a dog involves daily exercise, regular diet, grooming and veterinary care. Expect camaraderie, loyalty and joy, as well as responsibilities such as training, cleaning after them and the supply of a safe environment.
The most common health issues in jack russell dogs are:
- Ataxia and basal myelopathy. Being a direct descendant of the Fox Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier can suffer from hereditary ataxia or myelopathy of the nervous system. They can develop during the first months of life and after reaching old age, the main symptoms being a lack of coordination, difficulty walking and even standing.
- Patellar dislocation. It occurs when the kneecap, the bone located just in front of the knee joint, moves, causing pain in the animal and, consequently, difficulty in walking. It can be a hereditary disease or a trauma.
- Dislocation of the lens. This happens when the lens is not attached to the eye through the zonular fibers and, therefore, moves and moves from its natural position. This dislocation can be inherited or caused by other eye problems, such as glaucoma or cataracts.
- Deafness Problems with the jack russell hearing system are often closely linked to ataxia, although they can also appear in isolation due to age.
The Jack Russell Terrier has a short coat and therefore hardly needs combing – this should be done once a week and that’s enough. You need to trim the nails three times a month, keep the ears and eyes clean, and bathe the dog 1-2 times a month.
Making short daily walks with Jack Russel Terrier will not be enough for them. He needs an exercise routine that includes long steps, run and jump freely. They should be able to expel their great energy thanks to an intense exercise program. In addition to the exercises, you can also help your dog spend a pleasant time by buying dog toys.
60 minutes of activity or a walk of 2.5 to 3 kilometers with the owner during the day will meet their exercise needs.
The Jack Russell Terriers can adapt to life in houses and apartments, but they prosperate better in houses with access to a secure and fenced courtyard where they can spend their abundant energy. However, they can also adapt to apartment life provided they receive enough exercise and mental stimulation thanks to daily walks, recreation and interactive toys. Whatever the living space, the Jack Russels need a lot of attention and company from their owners.
Character and behavior
In the Jack Russell Terriers, a real hurricane is revealed. Dogs cannot sit in one place for a minute, they will constantly attract the attention of the owner. Representatives of the breed know well how to behave in a house or apartment, but they can deliberately do harm in order to attract a person’s attention.
Representatives of the breed clearly understand where their own is and where a stranger is. Despite its small size, the dog is always ready to rush to the defense of the owner. Russell Terriers never bark for no reason. But if you’re not careful enough and the dog gets bored, especially if he lives in an apartment, he may bark incessantly, trying to get attention.
Sociality
Relationship with the human family
Attitude towards loneliness
Tendency to bark
Friendship with dogs
Adaptability
City life
Suitable as the first dog
Tolerance for hot temperatures
Tolerance for cold temperatures
Did you know?
- The white fur of Jack Russell is due to the need for former hunters to have an animal that could easily be distinguished from foxes during hunting.
- Jack Russell’s muscles are so powerful that he can jump up to 5 times his own height.
- It is easy to confuse the Jack Russell terrier with the Parson Russell terrier, and in many cases the dividing lines between the two are blurred. However, the second is a slightly larger dog than the first, which also does not have such short legs.
- Although they may have spots of different shades, all copies of Jack Russell must have more than half of their body in pure white, whether the coat is hard or smooth.
Price and budget
Here’s an overview of the Jack Russell Terrier prices and estimated annual maintenance costs across various countries:
| Country | Purchase Price (Mini) | Purchase Price (Maxi) | Annual Maintenance (Mini) | Annual Maintenance (Maxi) |
| France | €700 | €1,500 | €600 | €1,200 |
| Canada | CAD 900 | CAD 2,000 | CAD 700 | CAD 1,500 |
| Belgium | €700 | €1,500 | €600 | €1,200 |
| Switzerland | CHF 800 | CHF 2,000 | CHF 700 | CHF 1,500 |
| USA | $800 | $2,000 | $700 | $1,500 |
| Germany | €800 | €1,800 | €600 | €1,300 |
Explanation:
- Purchase Price: The cost to acquire a Jack Russell Terrier puppy from a reputable breeder. Prices can vary based on the breeder, pedigree, and health certifications.
- Mini: Lower range for standard pet-quality puppies.
- Maxi: Higher range for show-quality dogs or puppies from top bloodlines.
- Annual Maintenance Cost: Includes food, vet visits, grooming, and general care.
- Mini: Basic care, including regular food, standard vet visits, and occasional grooming.
- Maxi: Premium care with higher-quality food, specialized health treatments, and more frequent vet visits.
Additional Considerations:
Jack Russell Terriers are small, energetic, and highly intelligent dogs known for their tenacity and playful spirit. They require regular exercise, mental stimulation, and training to keep their energy in check. While their size makes them relatively affordable in terms of food and grooming, they can have high energy-related needs that may influence training and activity-related costs.
History of the breed
Although the standard is currently set, there are many differences of opinion on the physical appearance of the Jack Russell Terrier. This is precisely due to its origin, full of crosses between different types of burrows that were not looking for specific characteristics, but rather to improve the ability to hunt new specimens.
The mother of the breed as it is known today is believed to be a female named Trump, who belonged to the Reverend John Russell, from whom the entire breed takes its name. This man, born in England, was a pastor in the parish of Swybridge for a long time and always shared his life with a terrier dog because of his taste for hunting. His love for burrows and his taste for fox hunting led him to breed Trump puppies, which he crossed with males of different types and colors. From this breeding comes precisely the Jack Russell terrier, as well as another very similar canine variety but of slightly larger size: the Parson Russell terrier.
Over time, the descendants of this first female arrived in Australia, where they went through a process of breeding and improving the breed until they reached the current standard. However, it was not until 1972 that the Jack Russell Club of Australia appeared, and it was not until 2000 that the FCI recognized the breed according to the Australian standard.
Today, Jack Russell Terrier is one of the best known and most numerous breeds in the world. However, there are some countries where it is particularly popular, including England, the United States and Australia. In addition, it is one of the majority breeds in Germany and the Netherlands, where there are specific clubs for this breed of dogs. It is also in the Scandinavian countries and in South Africa, where more than two thousand copies have been recorded in the genealogical book of origins. Likewise, in other countries, the Jack Russell continues to gain popularity.