If you are looking for a companion dog and have a lot of free time, then the Jack Russell Terrier is for you. This dog was bred in England to hunt burrowing animals.
The initial goal of breeding this breed was productive hunting, so the dog looked unsightly in appearance. As the breed spread and was presented at exhibitions, its appearance began to change in a positive direction.
And today representatives of the breed are harmonious, beautiful dogs.
Description of the Jack Russell Terrier breed
Popularity 140th place among 263 dog breeds
Lifespan:
13-15 years old
Height:
25-30 cm
Country of origin:
Great Britain
Average price:
15-25 thousand rubles
Weight:
5-7 kg
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Key facts
The Jack Russell Terrier, despite its hunting nature, became an inhabitant of city apartments. The characteristics of the Jack Russell Terrier breed claim that the dog is energetic, cheerful, active, and this is true. With such a faithful friend you will never be bored, and Instagram will be filled with funny pictures and videos.
Russell is a hunting dog, but more and more often dogs are noticed in the company of families with children. She is peaceful, affectionate, flexible, and quickly becomes attached to people. However, this animal is too noisy. An ill-trained dog is aggressive, angry, and conflict-provoking, so training must be done from childhood. The dog absorbs information like a sponge - developed intelligence is defined as the second most important advantage of this breed.
It seems that the dog, which only an energetic person can walk, lives at a frantic pace. A dog of this breed requires daily physical activity so that it does not develop problems with its well-being. But at the same time, Jackie sometimes likes to lazily lie around with his owner (especially in bad weather).
The dog's health is excellent, as is the number of future years. The life expectancy of a Jack Russell Terrier reaches 15 years and can even cross this line.
The Jack Russell Terrier is small in size. The growth (height at the withers) of an adult stops at the age of twelve months and usually reaches 23-26 cm in a female, 25-30 cm in a male. Normally, females weigh 5 kg, males 6 kg. The description of the Jack Russell Terrier breed also includes the approximate price at which nurseries sell puppies: it averages 20,000 rubles.
Mating
Males and females are bred after a year. Before breeding a male dog, he must be taught the basic “rules of behavior”: the animal must obey the owner well and obey him unquestioningly. Otherwise, in the future the dog will “break loose” when he senses a female who is in heat. When a male dog is bred for the first time, the owner must help the animal into the correct position.
Bitches before estrus have very heavy bleeding, therefore, in order to avoid infectious diseases, the animal must wear special underpants, reminiscent of children's disposable diapers. They are purchased at veterinary pharmacies, and the size is selected depending on the height and weight of the bitch.
You can knit annually, on the second or third day of estrus . It is better to introduce the animals first to make sure that they do not show aggression towards each other. You can choose a pair from an advertisement in the newspaper or in a kennel club. It is desirable that the bitch and the dog have approximately the same appearance, age, and pedigree. Mating should take place in the dog's territory.
History of the origin of the Jack Russell Terrier
According to one version, the Jack Russell Terrier breed appeared thanks to the enthusiastic breeder John “Jack” Russell. The man loved parfors hunting (when the prey animal is driven to exhaustion), but was not satisfied with the dogs accompanying this action. Some seemed not compact enough, others barked quietly, others lacked excitement and fearlessness.
Therefore, having noticed a farm dog with all these features, John Russell bought the Russell's ancestor from the milkman. From that moment on, the man was engaged in selection. Scottish Cairns, Borders, Lakelands, Irish, White English Terriers - whoever was among the ancestors of the Jack Russell Terrier.
The four-legged friends of our time bear little resemblance to their ancestor - only in color (brown spots on the ears, around the eyes) and a hook-shaped tail. The shape of the skull, muzzle, and the volume of bone mass have changed. The Jack Russell breeder could not tolerate violence, so the terriers did not have powerful jaws, but they developed high speed.
In 1873, with the participation of Jack Russell, the Kennel Club was created, which remains one of the largest kennel clubs of our time. After John's death, his close friend, Arthur Hayman, began to monitor the dogs, and he compiled the first list of the breed's characteristics. In the middle of the twentieth century, dogs began to be crossed with dachshunds and Welsh Corgis, which divided the Jack Russell Terriers into long-legged and short-legged.
Australians fell in love with short-legged dogs for their intelligence coupled with their energy - the breed began to be developed on the Green Continent. Long-legged dogs with a square body remained revered in their homeland. In 2001, Australian dogs were given the name Jack Russell Terriers, and English dogs were given the name Parson Russell Terriers. A separate standard was formed for each breed.
There is a version that claims that the ancestors of dogs lived in Great Britain back in the sixth century. Then they lived at court and “guarded” food supplies in rich houses, exterminating mice. In addition, the ancestors of the breed guarded poultry farms in order to repel foxes in emergency situations.
Appearance of the Jack Russell Terrier
General impression
What does a Jack Russell Terrier look like? A compact body, small height (from 25 to 30 cm), average weight, short legs relative to the body are characteristic of this breed. A well-built individual has a kilogram of weight for every five centimeters of height at the withers. Both boys and girls look proportional, this is noticeable from the photos of the Jack Russell Terrier, of which there are an incredible number on the Internet.
Head
The head is proportional, wedge-shaped: a rounded wide skull tapers to an elongated muzzle.
The stop is clearly pronounced. Drop ears are mobile. The color of almond eyes is a mixture of different shades of brown and black. The eyelid fits tightly to the eyeball. The nose is symmetrical, black. The nostrils are open and developed. The jaws are distinguished by strength and power that is invisible to the eye. Dark lips fit to the jaws. Scissor bite.
Neck
The muscular neck is neither short nor long. The dog holds its head proudly.
Torso
The body is muscular, rectangular. The back is straight. Chest moderately let down. The approximate coverage will be 40 cm.
Forelegs
The shoulders are angular, the elbow joints are well fixed. The muscles on the shoulder blades are strong, the bone bends back. They are located under the body with a pronounced tilt back.
Hind limbs
The power of the hind legs is great due to the developed muscles, which makes it possible to make active pushes when running. The hock joint is low, the metatarsals are parallel to each other. The paws are round, the pads are dense and hard. The fingers are normally rounded.
Tail
A high-set tail either hangs down (a relaxed state) or rises up (a moment when the dog is excited). Tapers from base to tip.
Movements
The movements of the four-legged friend are spontaneous and free. When walking, the dog “springs.” When running, it pushes off powerfully with its hind legs.
Wool
Jack Russell Terriers come in smooth coat (the coat lies close to the body), longhair (the coat is voluminous, the hair is coarse) and brocken (an intermediate type).
The wool is pleasant to the touch. The undercoat is hard. The puppy is covered with soft fluff, which is replaced by light hair at three months. The hair of an adult dog is denser and coarser.
Color
What colors predominate in the Jack Russell Terrier? There are two types of colors: white with tan or white with black splashes. The color of the tan marks varies from light caramel to dark chocolate.
Size
Jack is a medium-sized dog with a proportional body. The female Jack Russell Terrier is approximately 23-26 cm tall and weighs 5 kg. Males reach 25-30 cm in height at the withers, the optimal weight for them is up to 6 kg. The weight of the Jack Russell Terrier must be strictly controlled by the owner to prevent obesity. Despite the small size of the Jack Russell Terrier, the dog is capable of much. His small stature is more than made up for by his irrepressible energy.
Breed traits
Breed traits (on a 5-point scale)
| Jack Russell Terrier | |||
| Activity | in the house | 4 | |
| on the street | 4.6 | ||
| Obedience | training | 3.2 | |
| strangers | 3.4 | ||
| Domination | in family | 3.5 | |
| over dogs | 3.9 | ||
| Defending your territory | from people | 3.2 | |
| from dogs | 3.9 | ||
| Sociability | in family | 4.5 | |
| with strangers | 3.5 | ||
| with dogs | 2.8 | ||
| Concentration | in family | 1.7 | |
| in front of strangers | 2 | ||
| with dogs | 1.9 | ||
| Aggressiveness | in family | 1.7 | |
| to strangers | 2.7 | ||
| to the dogs | 3.2 | ||
| to cats | 3.7 | ||
| Family behavior | calmness | 4.1 | |
| demand for affection | 4.4 | ||
| excitability | 4.5 | ||
| playfulness | 4.6 | ||
| excessive barking | 3.3 | ||
| behavioral breakdowns | 2.4 | ||
| Tolerance for children | up to 4 years | 2.7 | |
| over 4 years old | 3.3 | ||
| Institutional use | watchman | 4.4 | |
| bodyguard | 2.7 | ||
This breed is often compared to the following dog breeds: Beagle, Dachshund, Miniature Pinscher (Dwarf Pinscher), Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Yorkshire Terrier.
You can get acquainted with the representatives of the breed using the photo:
Jack Russell Terrier
Jack Russell Terrier
Character of the Jack Russell Terrier
These dogs were created for constant movement, so sitting in one place does not suit them at all. Therefore, the breed is suitable for active people. If you get a Russell, be prepared to spend most of your day outside rather than in your apartment.
At home, in the absence of other animals or children nearby, the pet will be very bored. Speaking of socialization, if you have a child or other furry friend, it is important to accustom your Jackie puppy to their presence in your life; then the adult dog will treat others adequately. The Jack Russell Terrier's proximity to rodents is not recommended due to their genetic predisposition to hunting such animals.
The character of the Jack Russell Terrier is not very flexible. Even in relations with the owner, the dog will try to dominate, and it will behave the same way with dogs of small breeds.
What kind of leisure does a Jack Russell Terrier need so that all the objects in the house are not arranged chaotically? The dog loves active walks and games with frisbees (especially outside in winter!). Even workouts to release the energy accumulated during the day. Jack Russell Terriers love to explore the world.
The breed gets along well with children 9 years and older. The child and the dog become best friends: they play together, go for walks, beg their parents for toys and treats. To ensure that your son or daughter can take your Jack Russell for a walk, make sure that the pet is obedient to your child's commands. This can be achieved through joint training.
At the same time, you don’t need to think that Jack Russells are such uncontrollable and unbalanced animals. On the contrary: their energy, directed in the right direction, will turn the dog into the dream of all people and children. The charm that comes from Jackie is so strong that it is impossible to resist it.
Jack Russells captivate not only with their cuteness, but also with their lively mind. The owners of these dogs note their pets' extreme intelligence and even a penchant for cunning. The latter should not be openly encouraged, but in some cases it looks hilarious.
Russell Terriers love to travel. A car, a train, a plane - your pet will perceive everything with interest. But the main thing is to let the dog stretch its paws at all stops along the way.
Socialized and well-mannered Russells are very friendly, they easily make new acquaintances with children and people. Moreover, they immediately begin to check their new friend: will he treat him to something tasty? Will he play catch-up with him? After all, the evil owners do not feed the poor dog and do not pay him any attention... Do not fall for such tricks - this is another trick of the dog.
How to choose a puppy?
It is best to buy a puppy of this breed from a nursery or from a breeder, and the puppy must have a birth certificate and a veterinary passport, and its parents must have a complete pedigree, which indicates the names of its ancestors up to and including the sixth generation.
A purebred dog cannot be cheap, and by saving on buying a pet, you can end up with a sick dog or a mixed breed, or even just a mongrel that looks like a Jack Russell.
A good puppy should be playful, active and inquisitive.
He will certainly want to get to know a stranger who comes to the house, and will not run to hide from him in the far corner, but at the same time, he will not show aggression towards people or towards his mother and littermates.
When buying a show dog, it is better to choose a medium-sized baby rather than the largest one . In this case, it is more likely that it will grow to a standard size.
It is not recommended to adopt a puppy that shows even minor signs of ill health, for example, a slight runny nose or conjunctivitis.
The color of the baby should be standard and, preferably, the markings on the head and face should be symmetrical.
The puppy should look quite strong and robust: it should have short, thick legs and a straight topline.
If the tail is docked, then the wound on it should be completely healed by the time of sale.
And one more thing: when choosing a puppy, you need to take into account not only the exterior and health, but also the temperament.
Hyperactive and sedentary puppies should not be adopted: the first will not go well, and the second may have health problems or simply have a character that does not correspond to the breed standard.
Education and training
A miniature pet wagging its tail hardly gives the impression of a loud-voiced bully, because of which all the slippers in the apartment were damaged (dogs really like to chew shoes). But the problem of raising and training the Jack Russell Terrier is urgent because of its typical waywardness, deceit, stubbornness, and excessive energy. All you have to do is let your guard down, and Jackie will become the master of the house.
Socialization is an important point in raising a Jack Russell Terrier. The authority of the owner must be inviolable, otherwise the dog will begin to show negative qualities of its character. No amount of training will help if the dog barks at every person or animal it meets.
Teaching basic commands (for example, “sit!”) can begin at the age of three months; more complex commands are introduced later. After completing the exercise, reward your Russell with a treat. Thus, the training will be comfortable for the owner and his faithful friend.
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What is the difference between boys and girls?
Jack Russell boys look stocky and muscular: they have a wider chest, which makes them appear more powerful.
Girls have a graceful physique, the head is smaller and not so wide.
At the same time, females have a slightly more elongated body format than males.
Health and disease of the Jack Russell Terrier
Possible diseases
Jack Russell Terriers are not deprived of good health, but, like any other animal, they are prone to certain diseases. These small terriers belong to the category of long-livers - the life of Jack Russells ends at fourteen or sixteen years. Dogs often suffer from diseases of the musculoskeletal system, but are not susceptible to obesity due to their hyperactivity. Diseases to be wary of:
- hip dysplasia is a hereditary disease;
- congenital deafness, which may not be noticeable at first because Jackies rely on their nose;
- aseptic necrosis of the femoral head - the dog begins to limp on one leg;
- anomaly of the eyes, most often the sclera, retina, choroid are affected;
- diabetes mellitus - manifests itself at the age of eight years and older;
- arthritis;
- epilepsy;
- heart diseases.
In addition, Russells, especially light-haired individuals, are susceptible to allergies. This may be a reaction to food (feed component, vegetables, fruits), vaccinations, medications, external irritants (insects, flowering plants).
Reproductive health
Jack Russell Terriers are a popular dog breed, so many owners try to have offspring.
The first heat in female dogs occurs at the age of 10-12 months. It is believed that the most favorable age for planning pregnancy is from two to eight years. During this period of time, the female is still energetic, she is even ready for a difficult birth. The birth of puppies will bring pleasure to the female. If pregnancy is not planned, then it is better to sterilize the dog. This way she will remain healthy and will not cause unnecessary trouble to her owners.
Types of terriers by coat color
The breed was specially bred for hunting, especially small animals living in burrows. These rather small dogs can quickly climb into animal shelters and drive them out.
Pets of this species rarely have solid dark fur.
For your information! This species was named in honor of the ardent English hunter, part-time priest D. Russell, on whose farm terriers lived. The man himself never presented them at exhibitions or other similar events.
Regardless of the species, these pets are no more than 35-40 cm tall. They have a very strong muscular body and dark almond-shaped eyes. The nose lobe of all varieties is black, but the thick and smooth fur of purebred dogs does not have a particular variety of colors. The most characteristic thing about them is their white coat with spots of various red tones. However, modern science is developing more and more different hybrids of this variety.
Black
The black Jack Russell Terrier also exists among representatives of this breed. Many consider such fur to be a defect, and this is absolutely true, because the standard of the species is considered to be a color with a predominance of white wool. However, for true lovers of the breed this is not a problem, because plain dark fur looks very elegant and beautiful.
The dark color of terriers is not always continuous throughout the pet's body. The animal's paws may have a brownish-brownish tint, and there are small pale spots on the abdomen and chest.
Note! If you don’t want to deviate from the rules and buy a purebred puppy, you can buy an animal with small black spots.
Most sought after but very rare solid fur
White
White Jack Russell Terrier is a common occurrence for dogs of this species if the fur has additional spots of a different shade. However, there are colors that are completely white. These animals look very cute and friendly, which makes it hard to believe that this type of dog is intended for hunting.
There is ongoing debate that the solid white color of terriers may be a sign of disease in the animal. Moreover, many are sure that such fur indicates that the puppy is defective. However, if the edges of the pet’s lips and eyelids are black, we can say with confidence that this is a real purebred dog.
Black and white
Black and white animals of this species can be considered a standard if the main snow-white tone dominates in the color. Typically, such dogs have pale fur with black spots on the head, near the ear, around the eyes, at the base of the tail, and on the back near the base of the neck.
There is a non-standard dark shade of fur, which was mentioned above. When the pet has a predominantly rich black coat, and only small areas of white tint on the chest and abdomen.
Brown
In contrast to small areas of red color on the main background, brown is most pronounced in representatives of this breed. Sometimes the entire head with ears and the back of the animal can be painted in this tone. In this case, the shade of brown can be light in some areas and dark, even dark brown in others.
Note! Light brown fur is considered to be red in color.
Tricolor is a very rare occurrence.
Tricolor
The tri-color color is a very rare, uncharacteristic and non-standard occurrence for Jack Russells. Real purebred dogs intended for hunting, as a rule, do not have this color. The tricolor is considered a deviation from the standard, although such animals look very impressive and beautiful.
In tricolor dogs, white is the predominant tone; the second most common are, as a rule, various shades of red, even brown. The third color can be black or brown.
For your information! Sometimes the colors overlap each other and merge, which is also not typical for the colors of a purebred dog of this type of pet.
Ginger
Red color, as a rule, can be of different tones. The true color of the Jack Russell is considered to be a combination of red spots and the main snow-white coat. The spots are located predominantly on the upper parts of the body, rather than on the abdomen or chest. Shades of red range from light to dark, almost brown. In a purebred dog, the tones should not merge with each other.
There are dogs with fur where the red tint predominates or has a solid color. Such wool is considered a defect by experienced dog handlers. However, this does not prevent lovers of this breed from purchasing puppies of similar colors.
Features of feeding and diet
What to feed your active friend? The Jack Russell Terrier's diet should be well balanced and selected by a veterinarian. The quality of food also comes first. Feeding food is the best option, since it is already balanced in nutritional value and calorie content, while the diet of a dog on a natural diet is carefully thought out by the owner.
Is it possible to give a terrier on a natural diet vitamins? Veterinarians say that the danger of a lack of trace elements is not noticeable without tests; Vitamins should be given only as prescribed by a doctor.
Natural nutrition includes cereals, fresh vegetables and unsweetened fruits, dairy and meat products. The protein a dog gets must be at least 75% animal. If the jack is accustomed to drying, then the food should be premium; it is selected based on the age of the animal and its level of physical activity.
The breeder informs you how many times to feed the puppy (usually the first months of a dog’s life eat five to seven meals a day). You also need to find out what food to feed your puppy from the owner of the kennel, because changing food can be difficult for a young body. An adult Jack Russell Terrier should receive two or three servings of food per day.
Care and maintenance
The Terrier's toilet routine consists of weekly brushing, monthly trimming for wire-haired individuals, and washing as needed. It doesn’t matter what season it is - winter, summer, spring, autumn - the condition of the coat must be constantly monitored.
How to care for a Russell? The Jack Russell Terrier is unpretentious in care and maintenance, as it is not a long-haired breed. Weak molting accompanies urban animals throughout the year; village dogs shed once or twice a year, but much more heavily. Daily combing and washing are unnecessary. This will only harm the terrier.
But examination of the oral cavity, cleaning of teeth and ears should be performed every day. Grooming (a set of dog care services, including trimming hair and claws) is required only for dogs participating in exhibitions.
Dogs of this breed are hyperactive, so keeping them in an apartment brings a lot of problems. Lack of activity (walking, playing outdoors or at home) results in chaos reigning in the apartment. The best option for keeping a Russell Terrier is a house with a fenced area.
Walking with your Jack Russell Terrier tends to turn into a bit of a chase. Walking with a leash will save your nerves and strength. The dog loves active games with a ball.
It is important to show the puppy a place where he can rest. This can be a large bed in a warm but ventilated place. Everything that can brighten up a Jack Russell Terrier's leisure time should be nearby.
Tips for choosing a puppy
The Jack Russell Terrier breed is “promoted”. Almost every owner of a dog of this breed wants to make money by selling puppies. This situation makes it possible to purchase a puppy with defects in appearance or character as one of the possible scenarios. Instead of a faithful and active hunter, you can buy an inadequate sleeper.
How to choose a terrier puppy? Before purchasing, make sure that the place where the pet is purchased has a good reputation - that is, it is a trusted nursery. After meeting the breeder and the puppy’s parents, if the future owner is satisfied with everything, the young dog’s documents are checked and a purchase agreement is concluded.
If the goal is to acquire a future show winner, then it is better to postpone choosing a puppy until the age of six to eight months. By this time, the dog’s teeth will change, the “baby fuzz” will come off, and its virtues and vices will appear. You can also purchase a puppy of this level in the company of a dog handler or an experienced breeder. The price of show-category Jack Russell Terrier puppies is usually higher than average.
When buying a Jack Russell Terrier puppy, make sure you have the following documents: RKF puppy certificate, veterinary passport with vaccination records. The cost of dogs sold without these documents is lower, but no one can guarantee that in the future this dog will not turn out to be a crossbreed.
Dog's temper
By nature, the dogs are cheerful, nimble and positive. This breed has a lot of energy. They inherited determination and independence from terriers. These qualities must be taken into account during the training period of the dog, because situations arise when the dog does not want to train and is difficult to cope with.
The breed requires early socialization, otherwise aggression towards other animals may occur. The breed has a very positive attitude towards children, especially if it grows up with them from puppyhood.Therefore, professional dog trainers recommend starting training in the basics of Jack Russell training as puppies.
Since the breed is a hunting dog, natural instincts do not allow the dog to be friendly towards other animals, this especially applies to cats and small pets.
You should not test the friendliness of this dog by trying to make him friends with other pets, because they may suffer from his excessive activity.
Describing the characteristics of the Jack Russell breed, it should be noted that these dogs should always be on the job. Otherwise, the animal’s bad behavior cannot be avoided, which manifests itself by barking, damaging things and trying to dig a tunnel.
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It is best if the dog constantly exercises and participates in competitions.
Given the personality characteristics, it is necessary to carefully consider the ability of you and your family to meet the needs of this active dog.How much does a Jack Russell Terrier cost?
Kennels offer three categories of puppies: pet, standard, show. Dogs are divided according to the principle of compliance with the breed and the possibility of admission to breeding.
- The pet dog will become a loyal friend, but will not be able to participate in exhibitions due to serious defects in appearance or character (the seller must warn about this). Not allowed for breeding. Often retains the iconic qualities of the breed. The price of a pet class Jack Russell Terrier is below average - 15,000 rubles.
- A standard puppy can participate in exhibitions and is allowed for breeding. The appearance and character of such pets are without flaws. The cost depends on the region where the nursery is located and the living conditions of the parents and the puppy; is 25,000-40,000 rubles.
- Show dogs attend exhibitions with enviable regularity and become winners. Their appearance and character are ideal. Puppies of this class are considered elite and are sold for 50,000-60,000 rubles. The price for a good specimen can reach 100,000 rubles.
The more a dog meets the breed standard, the higher its value.
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Popular colors
The most popular color is the white-red color, which can be either with or without darkening on the face..
The tricolor, in which markings of black and red shades are scattered on a predominant white background, is also popular.
The white and black color is less common, although due to the pronounced contrast of the white background and black spots it looks simply magnificent. Pure white color, in which the dog has a black nose, black edging of the eyelids and lips with black pigmentation, is also considered standard, but due to the ambiguous attitude of show experts towards it, it is less popular.
It is not common to see Jack Russells whose predominant color is not white, but brown or black.
These colors are considered non-standard and are a serious drawback.
And an extremely rare non-standard color is brindle, most likely inherited by Jack Russells from the old-type bulldogs with which they were crossed to improve their fighting qualities.
