The Jack Russell Terrier is one of the most popular terriers in the world, and it's not hard to see why. Dogs of this breed are active and playful, love to go on adventures, and tend to have a generally positive attitude. It's important to be prepared for plenty of activity and exercise with your four-legged friend, which is why they are a good fit for active families.
race facts
Family friendly
Activity level
Fur care
Training needs
Clearing
Size
Facts about the breed
The Jack Russell Terrier was originally bred in England in the 19th century by a clergyman named John Russell. He wanted to breed a dog that was good at hunting foxes, weasels and other small game, and that also had a strong personality and a good temperament. The result was the Jack Russell Terrier, a dog that quickly became popular with hunters and dog sports enthusiasts in England. It is a small and compact dog with a muscular body and short legs.
What can you expect as the owner of a Jack Russell Terrier?
Personality
Personality
Jack Russell Terriers are known for being lively and playful dogs that love to go on adventures. They are intelligent and eager to learn, and enjoy “working” for their owners. At the same time, they can be quite stubborn and independent, and training can therefore be somewhat more demanding. With Jack Russells, it is therefore important to be patient, consistent and clear. They have an innate hunting instinct, which is part of the reason why they are both fit, energetic and willing to work. However, this instinct can lead to the breed being aggressive towards other dogs and animals, especially if they resemble prey.
Activity level
Activity level
When you combine a high energy level with a muscular and resilient body, you get a dog that loves activity. This is especially true of the Jack Russell Terrier. In other words, this is not a cuddly dog that thrives on lazy days on the couch. On the other hand, the Jack Russell is a very active dog that needs a lot of exercise and stimulation to be happy. They love to run, play and hunt, and can therefore be an ideal companion for those of you who are active and like to spend time in nature.
Training
Training
As mentioned, the Jack Russell Terrier's independent and stubborn personality can make training a bit more demanding compared to other breeds. At the same time, the dog's curiosity and intelligence can make it quickly bored if training becomes too repetitive. Aim for structured and routine training from a young age, but keep the sessions short and interesting. Remember, however, that no amount of training can take away the innate hunting instinct - this is something you have to expect the dog to have throughout its life.
Health
Health
Weight and size
Jack Russells have small but compact and muscular bodies. Both females and males have an average weight of 6 to 8 kg. Their height is between 25 and 30 cm.
Hereditary diseases
The breed is known for being in good health, and the life expectancy is between 13 and 16 years. However, as with all other dog breeds, there are some genetic health problems. Diseases and challenges to watch out for include Legg-Calve-Perthes disease , deafness , patellar luxation , developmental cataracts , and lens luxation .
Fur
Fur
The breed comes in three different varieties: smooth-haired, wire-haired and broken. All varieties require weekly brushing, but the smooth-haired has a short, smooth coat, while the wire-haired has a long, rough coat. The broken is a mix of the two. The color of the coat can vary from completely white, to white with black or brown spots.
Food and nutrition
Food and nutrition
Considering that the Jack Russell is a fairly active dog, dog food and eating habits should be adapted to this. Furthermore, portion sizes and serving frequency will vary depending on weight, general health and other individual needs.
Jack Russell Terrier
Does the Jack Russell Terrier sound like a puppy to you? As with all other dog breeds, it is important to buy your dog from a reputable breeder who tests their dogs for hereditary diseases to ensure you get a healthy and fit dog. You can read more about the breed club's breeding guidelines here .
It is important not to contribute to uncontrolled or illegal dog trade. Therefore, you should always choose a seller who provides good information about how the puppy was bred. Unfortunately, not all breeders do this in a responsible manner, and it can lead to serious illness in the dog. Good preparation is essential when purchasing a dog, regardless of breed!
