Jack Russell Terrier Dog Breed Information - All About Dogs

Jack Russell Terrier

Jack Russell Terrier

Jack Russell Terrier

Description:

The Jack Russell Terrier (or Parson Russell Terrier) was bred for hunting, born in England in the 19th century. Its name was given in honor of the late Reverend John Russell, a real hunting enthusiast who first brought this dog breed for hunting foxes. They perfectly adapt at digging and can quickly dig into foxholes or den.

Weight: 13-17 pounds Height: 10-15 inch. Life expectancy: 10-15 years.

Character:

The Jack Russell Terrier is extremely strong, even in regard to its appearance.  These dogs are absolutely fearless and seem to be completely unaware of their small stature. They never refuse a walk. Curious by nature, this compact breed is in possession of excellent vocal abilities and they never allow themselves unnecessary barking.

They are energetic, cheerful, funny, and full of enthusiasm. They also get along well with older children in the house – if they know exactly how to handle the dog.  However, they are not on same wavelength with other pets because of their strong-willed natural instinct, which causes them to be occasionally aggressive.

This is a very clever and certainly courageous dog. But, unfortunately, their courage often leads them to dangerous situations that can lead to fatal results. Thus, the Jack Russell Terrier requires an extraordinary amount of human attention.

Coat / Care:

The coat of Jack Russell Terriers is quite dense and double. There are three different types of this breed, which differ in the type of coat: smooth-haired, long-haired and wire-haired.  Smooth coat hair is short and pretty tough, long-haired fur is of the same structure, but longer. By haired breed are those like the Jack Russell, whose fur is not the same length, or those who have more long locks in certain parts of the body.

Color: white “background” with black, brown, or tri-colored markings. Molting constant. Jack Russell Terrier requires minimal maintenance; regular cleaning with a dense bristle brush. Bathing of this dog should be only in case of urgent need. Additionally, to prevent any problems, regularly cut claws.

Health Problems:

Jack Russells are well known for living long and healthy lives.  The Jack Russell Terrier is generally healthy dog breed, but like all breeds, they can be prone to Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease, Patellar Luxation, Deafness, Lens Luxation and Glaucoma. The Jack Russell Terrier has a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years.

Weight / Height

The male Jack Russell Terrier dog breed’s height is around 12 – 15 inches and weighs around 15 and 17 pounds. Female Jack Russell Terrier dogs can reach a size from 10 – 14 inches and weighs between 13 and 16 pounds.

Training:

Training can be quite difficult since it is an inflexible and stubborn breed. Because of its short attention span the Jack Russell requires a steady hand and permanent employment. It is important that the dog knows exactly who the master of the house is, otherwise, it will very quickly take over the turf. As already mentioned, it is quite an aggressive breed, and therefore, it is necessary to hold early socialization and obedience training sessions. The Jack Russell shows its best side in hunting disciplines where it can showcase its tracking ability and agility.

Activity:

The Jack Russell Terrier just can not exist without daily exercise. They are extremely active and behave in the same manner also indoors, which requires constant stimulation. This dog can adapt to live in an apartment, on the condition that you will pay a lot of time training, but it is much better if you have a spare yard just for your Jack Russell Terrier.

Photo credit: B Napa/Flickr

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