Our Jack Russell Terrier dog breed information profile includes characteristics, traits, Jack Russell Terrier personality and temperament, lifespan, suitability for children, exercise needs, training, health problems and much more. Enjoy our Jack Russell Terrier pictures gallery, and send in your own cute Jack Russell Terrier puppy photos!

Meet the Jack Russell Terrier Dog Breed

The Jack Russell Terrier dog breed is very popular and spirited. JRT’s have won the hearts of canine owners nationwide. This rather small breed of dog has a rather disproportionate amount of spunk and vitality which makes them both a joy and a handful to handle at times.

Jack Russell Terrier Dog Breed Facts | Jack Russell Terrier Dog Breed History
Jack Russell Terrier Appearance
Jack Russell Terrier Temperament | Jack Russell Terrier Exercise Needs
Jack Russell Terrier Grooming Needs
Jack Russell Terrier Training | Jack Russell Terrier Dog Breed Health Issues
Is the Jack Russell Terrier Dog Breed the Right Choice for You?

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Jack Russell Terrier Dog Breed History

The Jack Russell Terrier dog breed is named after it’s founder, Reverend John Russell. It’s a well known fact that the Rev. John Russell was a  fox hunter. As such, he was no doubt disappointed when the quarry ran down into the foxhole, or ” went to ground,” disappearing where the hounds could not flush the fox out. Because of this, he set out to develop a small, brave dog that was capable of going down into the foxhole and flushing the fox back out above ground. In order to achieve this, the dog would have to the athletic enough to run over ground and keep up with the hounds, and yet still be small enough to fit down into a foxhole. Additionally, he would have to be narrow in the shoulders and hips, to allow him to move in tight spaces, as well brave and determined to chase the fox out of his hole.

His inspiration for the Jack Russell Terrier dog breed would come from a small dog that he purchased from the local milkman. Called Trump, she would become the foundation bitch for his breed. Sadly however, due to financial problems, the Rev. would have to sell his dogs on several occasions – while Trump was his ideal, it’s highly unlikely any current bloodlines trace back to the milkman’s dog.

It’s believed that the modern Jack Russell Terrier was created by breeding several types of local terriers. This included a now-extinct breed of White English Terrier and possibly the popular English Black and Tan Terrier. Regardless of the ancestry behind these magnificent little dogs, the Jack Russell Terrier dog breed has continued to gain popularity and is one of the most well known dogs in the world today.

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Jack Russell Terrier Appearance

Coat: There are two varieties in the Jack Russell Terrier dog breed; Smooth Coat and Rough Coat Jack Russell Terriers. JRT’s are usually white with tan, black, or lemon, or with markings in three colors (called Tri-Color Jack Russell Terriers). Markings restricted to the head and base of the tail are preferred and the color should amount to no more than 49% of the dog, with his predominant color being white.

Jack Russell Terriers vary a good bit in height and weight – these dogs are bred for what they do – not how they look. For this reason you’ll find short-legged Jack Russell Terriers, which are also known as Miniature Jack Russell Terriers and Toy Jack Russell Terriers.

Jack Russell Terrier Temperament and Personality

The Jack Russell Terrier is intelligent.

The Jack Russell Terrier dog breed is considered to be one of the more intelligent. This means they are quite responsive to training. If you want a dog that has limitless potential to learn clever tricks, the Jack Russell Terrier dog may be for you. Unfortunately, their intelligence can be a double edged sword. If you don’t stimulate their mind and keep them occupied, Jack Russell Terriers can become bored and destructive around the home. This can mean chewing up things or digging endless holes in the back yard. JRT’s are also well-known as escape artists who can crawl under, jump over, or slip through fences.

The Jack Russell Terrier dog breed is good with children.

The Jack Russell Terrier has a reputation of getting along well with children. Despite their boundless energy and rather high strung personalities, they also have a kind and gentle side especially when they are exposed early to children. The Jack Russell Terrier dog breed, in general, responds well to children. Nevertheless, children should be taught to respect a Jack Russell since they will defend themselves if they are given abusive treatment by a child.

The Jack Russell Terrier dog breed is affectionate.

The Jack Russell Terrier tends to be affectionate with both adults and children and are tolerant of strangers. Their loving nature makes the JRT a very popular dog breed.

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Jack Russell Terrier Exercise Needs

The Jack Russell Terrier dog breed is high energy.

This dog breed was bred to be a working dog which means the Jack Russell Terrier needs to stay active. If you do not have the time or energy to devote to daily walks and exercise sessions, this may not be the breed for you.

That being said, if you love to get out and meet people, you and your Jack Russell Terrier will enjoy participating in the many sporting opportunities available nation-wide for JRT enthusiasts and owners. These `terrier trials` or Dirt Dog Events include a wide range of fun activities. Your Jack Russell Terriers can show what he’s made of in `go to ground`, racing, agility trials and other fun events. Check out the JRTCA web site for more information on Jack Russell Terrier dog breed clubs and events near you!

Grooming Jack Russell Terriers

The Jack Russell Terrier dog breed does not require special grooming.

You can generally get by with a daily brushing and a bath carried out at home whenever he gets dirty. There is no need for professional grooming or fancy cuts with this princely pooch.

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Training Jack Russell Terriers

Training your JRT is essential. It’s advisable that you start your Jack Russell training as young as his early puppy years. Jack Russell puppy obedience classes will do wonders for helping  your puppy learn. They will also assist you in learning about your new puppy. In addition to puppy and basic obedience classes for your Jack Russell Terrier, you might also consider enrolling him in some agility classes and competitions to help him expend excess energy.

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Jack Russell Terrier Dog Breed Health Concerns

The Jack Russell Terrier dog breed has a long lifespan.

The Jack Russell is one of the longer living breeds of dog. It’s not uncommon for a Jack Russell to live more than fifteen years. They also tend to have fewer of the genetic diseases that are seen in extensively inbred purebred dogs.

Despite this, it’s always very important to find  highly responsible Jack Russell Terrier dog breeders from which to obtain a Jack Russell Terrier puppy. JRT’s, like all popular dog breeds, have been abused by puppy mills and back yard breeders. Bad breeders who breed solely to make as much profit as possible. These breeders have little without for the health of the dogs they are breeding, or health problems that can arise in puppies from these breedings. These breeders rarely take proper care of their dogs and puppies. More often than not, the breeding dogs are kept in horrid, inhumane conditions without adequate care, nutrition, shelter, comfort, interaction or nutrition. Puppy Mill puppies usually have some sort of problem, whether it`s a health issue or a behavior problem that will affect your Jack Russell Terrier puppy and your family for years to come.

Don’t buy a JRT puppy on a whim. Always carefully research any breeder from which you are thinking about buying a puppy. A good breeder will raise their dogs and puppies in the home with lots of love and attention. They will screen their dogs for health problems prior to breeding. And they will ensure that puppies are healthy and well-socialized prior to being placed with you.

In addition, a good Jack Russell Terrier breeder will be careful about with whom their puppies are placed. They will want to know all about you and your living arrangements before agreeing to place a puppy in your care.

Adding a Jack Russell Terrier dog or puppy to the family is an important decision with many added responsibilities. Make sure you are ready to take on the responsibilities of JRT ownership. Be sure t0 get the right puppy from the right breeder.

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Is the Jack Russell Terrier Dog Breed the Right Choice For You?

The Jack Russell Terrier dog breed is not generally good with other pets.

The Jack Russell does not get along  with cats or other furry pets like guinea pigs or rabbits – it’s their natural hunting instinct. If you have other dogs in your household, you may want to reconsider adopting a Jack Russell. They can often be aggressive with other dogs, particularly those of the same sex.

The Jack Russell Terrier is not a good apartment dog.

Due to the Jack Russell Terrier dog breeds high energy level, apartment living does not suit the energetic, high strung Jack Russell.

The Jack Russell Terrier dog breed can be an excellent choice if you are looking for a loving family pet and have the time to devote to exercise and training. Caution is in order if you have other pets in your household. A Jack Russell Terrier adoption may be ideal for a household that only wants one pet.

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Additional Jack Russell Terrier Dog Breed Information Resources

• The Jack Russell Terrier Club of America offers an insightful Jack Russell Terrier dog breed profile.
• Wikipedia offers a detailed Jack Russell Terrier dog breed information article.

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