Jack Russell Terrier Dog Breed

Below are the common traits and characteristics of the jack russell terrier dog breed.

The jack russell is a small dog breed that is usually 10-15 inches in height from ground to shoulders and weighs between 13-17 pounds. Don't let their small size food you, these dogs are full of energy since they were bred to keep up with the horses on fox hunts and have enough energy left to chase foxes.

The jack russell terrier can be described as a happy cheerful companion that wants to be with its family constantly. They are easily bored by repetition and will find other ways to entertain themselves which when combined with their never ending energy oftentimes gets them in trouble with their owners. Jack russells do well with older children, although their energy can overwhelm younger kids so they should be monitored when around younger children.

Jack russells are considered a low maintenance dog breed when it comes to grooming. Their coats stay relatively clean and rarely need baths although they will need to be brushed weekly to remove dead hair. The breed is known for jumping, so owners should keep their nails trimmed to prevent accidental scratches from an overexcited jack russell welcoming visitors.

Jack Russell Terrier history begins in England in the early nineteenth century, when the Reverend John (Jack) Russell, a student at Oxford University who was also a priest and a hunting enthusiast, sought to create a new type of Fox Terrier. At the time, the English White Terrier (a breed that is now extinct) was commonly used in fox hunts, and hunters apparently had difficulty in discerning between the dogs and the foxes they were chasing. So in 1819, Rev. Russell purchased a small, mostly white terrier from a local milkman. That dog was named Trump, and is considered the origin from which all other Jack Russell Terriers have developed. In the 2000 book The Jack Russell Terrier Handbook by D. Catherine Coile,Rev. Russell is quoted as saying that Trump was "...white, with just a patch of dark tan over each eye and ear; whilst a similar dot, not larger than a penny piece, marks the root of the tail."

Over the next several decades, Russell established a breeding program in order to develop a new terrier breed that would work with larger hounds on hunts; the smaller terriers, Rev. Russell thought, would be able to enter fox dens and drive the foxes out so the hounds could chase them. Russell used selective breeding to develop mostly white terriers that had both stamina and courage. By about 1860, the Jack Russell was considered a distinct breed.

Several breeding clubs arose and by the turn of the twentieth century, the first official breed standard had been published, and dogs of this breed made their way to North America. The Jack Russell Terrier grew in popularity during the 1900s; during this century, though, the breed actually began to be known as three distinct (yet virtually identical) breeds in different parts of the world: the Russell, the Parson, and the original Jack Russell. The Jack Russell Terrier Club of America was formed in 1976; meanwhile, both the Russell Terrier and the Parson Terrier have been officially recognized by the American Kennel Club, while the classic Jack Russell Terrier has not.

A Jack Russell Terrier, though small-sized, has an appearance that characterizes its sturdy, compact power. This agile breed was created for its ability to enter underground fox dens, and its lithe physical makeup describes just such a dog.

The Jack Russell's slim yet muscular body is normally a bit greater in length than in height. The Jack Russell face is alert and well-balanced, with a wedge-shaped skull, almond-shaped, brown eyes, and medium-sized, triangular ears that normally face forward. The neck is fairly long, the chest is broad and pronounced. The Jack Russell legs are fairly long, limber, and are straight in front and angled back slightly in the rear; the paws are smallish and catlike, and parallel to the legs. Jack Russell tails are high-set, long, and curved slightly, and are often docked to half their length.

Jack Russell coats are often smooth, short, and double-layered, though broken and rough coats are possible.

Since the Jack Russell Terrier was first recognized as a distinct breed in the mid-nineteenth century, the breed has diverged into three "sub-breeds"--the classic Jack Russell Terrier, the Parson Terrier, and the Russell Terrier--that are virtually identical, but have slight genetic differences. The original Jack Russell averages 11-13 inches at the shoulders in height, while the Parson height is 12.5-15 inches, and the Russell (sometimes referred to as short-legged "Shorty Jack Russell") is 9-11 inches in height. These height differences also affect each sub-breed's overall dimensions: the Parson is considered squarish in appearance, while the Russell and the Jack Russell are normally greater in length than in height.

No matter the sub-breed, a Jack Russell Terrier has one of three coat types: smooth, broken, or rough. A smooth coat is softer to the touch, is normally short in length, and is absent of any excess hair on the face, head, or legs. A broken coat (some refer to as wire haired) is a little longer and has trace amounts of excess hair. A rough coat is harsher still, is normally medium in length, and has a fair amount of excess facial and leg hair.

A long-haired Jack Russell Terrier puppy, while genetically possible, is rare. Note, miniature, toy, and teacup Jack Russells are surely to be found but are not considered standard sizes of the breed; they may be hybrid crosses with even smaller breeds.

Intelligent, courageous, playful, loyal, and mischievous, the Jack Russell temperament is one of spirit and devotion. These dogs are extremely energetic, and they typically love digging and jumping (some as high as five feet!). JRTs are basically large dogs trapped in small bodies, and they are affectionate towards, and protective of, their human families. Canine experts suggest supervising a Jack Russell as often as possible, because if you turn your back for a second, a dog of this breed will have dug a deep hole or chased a squirrel across the entire neighborhood. The good news is that a Jack Russell Terrier's personality makes it eager to please, so it responds well to commands.

In regards to training, the Jack Russell displays traits and characteristics well-matched to learning. Their intelligence makes training these dogs fairly easy, though they may be stubborn and bored if the training becomes monotonous. Experts recommend mixing up the daily training routines, and using positive, reward-based training methods while doing so.

And though ts small size probably won't subdue any intruders, the Jack Russell's courageous personality makes the breed a terrific watchdog. A typical JRT will bark loudly and often if confronted with a potential threat.

Below are health issues and concerns most common in Jack Russell Terriers

A few random facts:

• Jack Russells are intolerant to some allergy medications. Veterinarians recommend giving dogs of this breed specific allergy tests to determine what medications will be best for them.
• Jack Russells are excellent ratting dogs. Their high prey drives, small size, and dexterity makes JRTs very skilled at catching and killing rats and other types of vermin.
• JRTs are fantastic jumpers. Dogs of this breed are known to jump as high as five feet from a standstill.
• Jack Russells are highly susceptible to sunburn. Because of their mostly white coats (which reflect the sun's rays), these dogs get sunburned easily. Veterinarians suggest using canine sunscreen that is available from most pet stores.
• A Jack Russell Terrier was the first breed of dog to visit both poles. British adventurer Ranulph Fiennes has often traveled with his dog, a JRT named Bothy; the dog accompanied Fiennes on expeditions to both the North ans South poles.