Jack Russell Terrier

A member of the working class of dogs, the Jack Russell Terrier is a small dog with a principally white body. It may be rough-coated or smooth and its function is almost exclusive to fox hunting.

The name “Jack Russell” is not exclusive to this particular breed. In fact, there are two more dogs bearing this name: the Parson Russell Terrier and the Australian Jack Russell Terrier, which should not be confused with the Jack Russell dog.

Origins

Jack Russell Terriers got their name from Reverend John Russell, an English parson and hunting enthusiast. As his hobby, he used to breed several small white fox-working terriers, among them is the present day Jack Russell Terrier. But it took a while before the breed was recognized and considered distinct from all other small types of terriers.

According to one account, Reverend Russell bred the Jack Russell Terrier dog from a small white and tan terrier bitch, called Trump. Using Trump as basis, Reverend Russell soon came up with a breeding program with the aim of producing a terrier with the courage and body structure to chase foxes out of their holes and a high stamina for the hunt.

However, on more than one occasion, the Reverend was forced to sell his dogs because of lack of money. Thus, it is highly unlikely that any of the existing dogs today come from Trump’s lineage.

After the impoverished Revered Russell died, Jack Russell Terriers soon appeared. Although there is no direct evidence pointing to the fact that the modern day Jack Russell dog is a descendant of Trump, the story has become a legend that remains to this day.

Appearance

The Jack Russell Terrier is primarily a working dog. Thus, it is bred not for appearance but for function.

The most important characteristic of a Jack Russell Terrier is its chest. It should not be too large. As with any dog of the terrier group, it is important for the dog to be able to get to the ground to chase after its prey. If the Jack Russell Terrier is too broad in the chest, it is virtually worthless as a fox hunting dog.

Because of the emphasis on the function, rather than the coat color, expression or gait, the physical appearance of Jack Russells can be highly varied. Still, most dogs of this breed are predominantly white, or more than 51% of its coat should be colored white. It has markings of black, tan, or tricolors of black, tan, and brown. These markings are often found on the face although they may also be found near the base of the tail.

There are three coat types for the Jack Russell dog: smooth, rough and broken. Regardless of type, the coat should be dense and not soft to the touch.

Nature

The work of the Jack Russell Terrier includes going after prey and barking once they find it and if necessary, digging it out of their underground hiding place. Thus, these dogs are definitely very vocal and have the tendency to become diggers.

Digging seems to be a form of play for Jack Russell Terriers that are kept not as hunting dogs but as family pets, so strong is their instinct to “hunt.” They also like to chase after small animals, especially rodents and other pets. This, coupled with their high energy, suggests that Jack Russell Terriers are not advisable as pets if you live in an apartment or a place where there is no large yard in which the dog can run around in.

The Jack Russell Terrier has a friendly and inquisitive nature that endears them to prospective owners. Jack Russell puppies in particular like to stay with their persons as much as possible, and may even prefer sitting on their laps to sitting on the floor. Note, however, that while the Jack Russell puppy may like to sit on your lap, it does not mean that the dog does not need regular exercise and training. These are two things that every Jack Russell dog requires in order to keep their intelligent minds occupied and maintain their well-being.