JRT.club – Jack Russell Terrier fan club

The Jack Russell Terrier is one of the most popular dog breeds. It was bred for hunting, but this small dog has now become a devoted companion for active owners. This funny, playful dog will be a family favorite. Jack Russell Terrier is ready to have fun and run all day long. Because of his energy, efficiency and fearlessness, he attracts many dog ​​owners. This is a suitable pet for keeping in an apartment, but it will not become a sofa lap dog. To understand whether it is worth getting a Russell, you need to study its description, character traits, pros and cons of its content.

Breed traits

Breed traits (on a 5-point scale)

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

Raising and training a dog

Jack Russell Terrier puppies need training from the first steps in the house. The breed was bred taking into account life in a pack; to raise it at home, you need to understand the principles that are genetically embedded in the character of the dog. Otherwise, you can end up with a completely uncontrollable dog.

The main principle is one leader, whom the dog must obey unquestioningly.

There are a number of simple rules that will teach the puppy to understand who is the boss in the house. John Russell himself described the method of raising terriers as “the principle of carrots and sticks.”

It is better to train your dog with a specialist. Dogs love exercise on the playground and participation in competitions. There are several disciplines suitable for Jack Russells:

• Pitch and Go - in 90 seconds. the dog must bring the “stick” to the owner as many times as possible;
• Dog puller is another type of pitch and go. Puller rings are used as an item to be worn;
• Agility - completing an obstacle course against the clock;
• Tests in natural burrows are carried out in different countries, the rules may vary.

Sports competitions do not count towards qualifying. To obtain a certificate of conformity to the breed, dogs participate in exhibitions.

General characteristics of the Jack Russell Terrier

The Jack Russell Terrier is a born hunter. This variety of terrier was bred for fox hunting. The Russells are very smart and capable. They were used as breadwinners, trackers, and can work in a team. They entered the holes and drove out the foxes. To achieve this, when breeding, attention was paid to small size, jaw strength, and fearlessness. The dog must be smooth-haired so that the earth does not get stuck in the fur.

Natural instincts and hunting qualities, inherent genetically, can lead to difficulties in home maintenance. This is an incredibly active pet, cunning and independent. But these dogs have many advantages, which is why they are among the top five most popular breeds.

Pros of the breed

In the 20th century, small breeds became popular among urban dog breeders. Despite the fact that the Russell is a hunting dog, it has many lovers. There are several advantages in its character and content:

• thanks to their small stature, Jack Russell Terriers can easily live in a small apartment;
• These are smart dogs, well trained, inquisitive and resourceful;
• unpretentious, quickly adapt to any situation;
• this dog is a good guard, fearless and loyal;
• sociable, becomes attached to all family members, loves children;
• hardy, efficient, jumping.

Cons of the breed

But this breed is not suitable for everyone. An energetic, active pet needs long walks and serious training. He cannot stand loneliness, so it is better not to get this pet for those people who do not have time for a dog or energy for active games with it. There are also other disadvantages of the breed:

• high physical activity required;
• with lack of attention it can be uncontrollable;
• requires serious training;
• developed hunting qualities, can run after a bird;
• jealous.

Video with an interesting description of the Jack Russell Terrier:

Video: Jack Russell Terrier. Pros and cons of the breed

Bad habits

The Jack Russell Terrier is a very smart dog, quick-witted and independent. It is important to gain authority and train it from the first time it appears in the house. Owners who failed to cope with the active temperament of the Jack Russell Terrier and raise him correctly are faced with bad habits as adults. These pets often exhibit the following behavior:

• they bark loudly and loudly;
• they are stubborn and cunning, they manipulate the owner;
• run after birds, cats, bicycles;
• they love to dig, they even dig up flower pots;
• prone to chewing on various things.

Interesting Facts

This is the youngest variety of terrier, but these dogs quickly gained popularity. Interesting facts about them speak for themselves:

• included in the top 10 smartest dogs;
• suitable for canistherapy for the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy and autism;
• often act in films;
• very jumping, can jump 1.5 m;
• Jack Russell Terriers are long-lived, living up to 16 years;
• One such terrier killed a ton of rats in a year in the middle of the 20th century.

Health and reproduction

The Jack Russell Terrier breed is in excellent health. But, there are typical diseases of this breed: hip dysplasia, congenital deafness, genetic eye diseases.

Dogs over ten years of age may develop diabetes. In old age, dogs become prone to obesity - you need to monitor their diet more strictly.

The Jack Russell Terrier should not be given the following foods as food:

• Grapes, raisins - contain toxins harmful to dogs;
• Products made from yeast dough - lead to bloating and colic;
• Fatty meat - regular consumption causes pancreatitis;
• Fish and poultry bones - a dog may choke;
• Potatoes, potato and tomato tops contain oxalates.

Knitting. Males can be bred no earlier than after 12 months.

By the time of mating, the male must be able to obey his owner unquestioningly, otherwise, at the smell of an empty bitch, he will run away and become uncontrollable.

• The first heat in bitches begins at 6-8 months, but it is better to breed at the age of two. After four years, Jack Russell bitches are no longer bred.
• Usually a bitch gives birth to 5-6 puppies. The birth is going well.
• The price of a Jack Russell Terrier with a pedigree is 50-60 thousand rubles. You can pick up a puppy at the age of 1 month.

History of the origin of the breed

The Jack Russell Terrier is a fairly young breed of dog. But their ancestors, fox terriers, have been known since ancient times. You can find drawings and images of small dogs from Roman times. Terriers were used for hunting, and there are now many varieties of them. Russell's homeland is Great Britain. In the 19th century, Pastor John Russell, who was fond of hunting, began breeding hunting dogs. He wanted the perfect dog for fox hunting.

Selection work began with one dog that Russell liked. She was a descendant of English white terriers. It differed from modern Jack Russells in its thin bones and small skull. But the pastor used other breeds: fox terriers, border dogs, beagles, and Scottish cairns. His main goal was the dog's working qualities: intelligence, fearlessness, efficiency, energy, poise, and a clear voice.

No attention was paid to the exterior; the appearance formed on its own. The pastor considered it important only to preserve the white color so that hunters would not confuse the dog with a fox. He bred wire-haired terriers; they turned out to be unsightly and short-legged. Therefore, Russell did not exhibit his pets.

But they quickly became popular and were actively used in hunting. They could track prey, sneak up silently, and climb into a hole. Dexterity and speed made it possible to grab a small animal, and strong jaws made it possible to hold it. These dogs hunt rats better than cats. They understand the meaning of hunting and respond correctly to their owner’s signals. They are used in hunting foxes, badgers, hares, birds, and can follow the scent of a wild boar or deer.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the first club was created, the breed was named after its creator - “Parson Jack Russell Terrier”. Those first dogs were long-legged. Gradually, Welsh Corgis and Dachshunds began to be used for breeding. Such short representatives of the breed were considered defective and would not have become widespread if not for dog breeders from Australia. In the middle of the 20th century, they began to breed short-legged terriers, seeking their recognition.

Only at the beginning of the 21st century were the short Jack Russell Terriers and the tall-legged Parson Russell Terriers separately identified. The dogs turned out to be cute, unusual and very smart. Since that time, Jack Russells began to be used as pets and companions, and can guard the house.

Character and habits

In addition to being an excellent companion dog, it is also an excellent terrier, capable of going into a hole after prey. The cute-looking dog is actually a fearless predator, cunning and deadly to foxes, badgers, hares and otters.

• The breed was bred to be strong and resilient enough to participate in the hunt together with the pack, fearlessly climb into a fox’s hole, work with its voice, and calmly tolerate the company of other dogs. To perform such tasks, the dog had to be purposeful and aggressive.
• Its small size allows you to keep a dog in a city apartment. Jack Russell, when properly raised, is a very obedient dog; you can safely walk with him in city parks; he behaves friendly towards other dogs.

Future Jack Russell owners should keep the following features in mind:

• Jack Russells love to dig. In a matter of minutes they can dig a hole or tunnel under a fence;
• They have a fairly clear voice and can bark for a long time;
• Even very obedient dogs may not be able to stand it if potential prey - a cat or bird - comes into view;
• They love to jump and can jump to a height of up to 1.5 m.

Exterior features of the Jack Russell Terrier breed

The modern breed standard was formed in 2001. Belongs to the group of terriers. Russells appeared in Russia in 2000, and their breeding began in 2003. This is a small, strong dog with a muscular build. She has an elongated body and short legs.

According to the standard, the size of a Jack Russell Terrier should be no more than 30 cm. An adult dog weighs 5-6 kg. Males have a higher weight, up to 8 kg. But the standard does not allow this. For every 5 cm of height of the Jack Russell Terrier there should be 1 kg of weight, then the dog will be harmoniously built.

Head

The skull is not wide, flat, tapering towards the nose. The muzzle is quite short, the stop is smooth. The nose is black and large. The jaws are powerful, with a scissor bite. The teeth are sharp, the grip is strong. The lips are black and close tightly. The eyes are dark, oval, deep-set.

The Jack Russell Terrier's ears are triangular. Very mobile, rotates 180˚. The ears are set deep. They hang down, touching the inside of the skull. “Button” ears – bent in half – are also acceptable.

Torso

The physique is muscular and strong. The body is elongated, rectangular in shape. The length is always less than the height at the withers. The chest is deep, the chest circumference behind the elbows is at least 40 cm, the neck is powerful and long. The back is narrow, the loin is short, convex, the belly is tucked. The tail is thick at the base, set high. Usually docked at 13 cm. In a calm state it is lowered, while moving it rises vertically.

Limbs

Straight, parallel, strong. The hind legs are more developed and muscular. The hock joints are strong. The paws are small, round, the toes are closed.

Exterior features of Jack Russell Terriers in the photo:

Appearance of DRT

Appearance of a Jack Russell Terrier

Jack Russell Terrier coat and colors

The coat is very dense, with a short undercoat. It protects well from bad weather, but not from cold. Can be smooth, but wire-haired Jack Russell Terriers are more common. These dogs are ideal for people with allergies.

The breed does not have a variety of colors. The Jack Russell Terrier should be white with dark spots. They can be red, brown or black, clearly defined. White color occupies more than 50% of the body. Single-colored dogs are rare. Pure white or pure red color is not allowed by the standard. At the end of the 20th century, pure black Russells became popular.

Varieties

There are three varieties of representatives of this breed based on the type of coat.

• Long-haired or wire-haired. These dogs have hard, dense hair that sticks out to the sides. It forms a beard and eyebrows on the muzzle.
• Smooth-haired cats have short, smooth hair. It fits snugly to the body and is soft to the touch. She sheds twice a year.
• Brocken - medium length coat, close-fitting, smooth. Sometimes the hairs are broken, such dogs are called “raf”.

The 2001 standard identifies another type of Russell - Parson Russell Terriers. Their peculiarity is their higher paws. And recently, some breeders have begun to breed a dwarf variety of the breed. Such small Jack Russell Terriers up to 3 kg are not recognized as a standard.

From the photo you can see the varieties of colors and coat types of Russells:

Longhaired Jack Russell Terrier

Brocken

Smooth-haired DRT

Description of the character of the Jack Russell Terrier breed

Russell is a friendly, active and cheerful dog. He cannot sit still, he is constantly in a good mood. The owners call the pet a “perpetual motion machine.” He is inventive, finds a way to attract a person's attention. Russell is capable of becoming a devoted friend and companion. But representatives of this breed have a complex character. They have the following characteristics:

• good-natured;
• devotees;
• sociable;
• inquisitive;
• smart;
• cunning;
• stubborn;
• independent;
• fearless;
• playful.

The Jack Russell Terrier knows how to behave, he quickly learns the rules of behavior. But he often deliberately violates them in order to attract the owner’s attention. He is very sociable, does not tolerate boredom and loneliness, and loves to be the center of attention. Attached to all family members, does not single out anyone.

Dogs of this breed love children and will accompany them everywhere and participate in games. But if a small child hurts the dog, he may snap back. Therefore, you should not leave your pet alone with children. Russells perceive children as their friends; they have fun playing together.

This is an excellent watchman, treats guests with caution, and quickly responds to any threat. Although he does not show aggression towards strangers on the street. The Rasel has no natural anger towards humans; with proper upbringing, he is a good-natured, affectionate dog.

But they don't get along well with animals. They only treat representatives of their own breed normally. They try to dominate with other dogs and often get into fights. They hunt rodents and birds; they also do not like cats.

Education and training

Dogs of this breed are easy to train. They are smart, quickly learn commands, and understand what not to do. But thanks to their high intelligence, they are capable of independent decision-making and stubbornness. The owner needs to show ingenuity and patience to interest the pet. Inexperienced owners are better off turning to a dog trainer for help in training.

Due to the hyperactivity of these dogs, they will also require a lot of time for physical training. If Russell is bored and lacks walks and games, he will develop bad habits. This will cause a lot of problems. Only serious education and regular training will help avoid this. During training, it is necessary to show persistence and firmness, but not raise your voice at the dog. Moreover, you should not hit your pet. The best way to train Russells is through play. They respond well to affection and praise.

Timely socialization of the pet is also important. From puppyhood you need to show who is boss in the house. Russells strive for dominance; if a person has not become a leader, they will be uncontrollable. Therefore, from an early age you cannot forgive your pet’s pranks and be lenient towards his tricks. It will be very difficult to re-educate an adult Russell. As punishment, you can grab the dog by the scruff of the neck and shake it.

The video will help you understand how to properly raise these dogs:

Video: How to train a Jack Russell Terrier

Dog trainer for Jack Russell

The most correct solution would be to train the Jack Russell under the guidance of a professional dog handler.

Jack Russell training is, first of all, proper joint interaction with your dog, gaining its trust and respect, and only then explaining commands to it. In this case, your Jack Russell, knowing perfectly well the various commands, will carry them out not only when he wants it, but when you need it, in the presence of other dogs and other distractions.

Our specialists will teach you how to behave in a given situation when communicating with your dog, what to allow, what to prohibit, how to praise and how to express your disapproval in case of unwanted actions on the part of your dog.

When studying obedience commands, our dog trainers will teach you all stages of practicing commands, and your dog will clearly follow commands even with strong distractions.

Caring for Jack Russell Terriers

This breed is unpretentious and gets along well both in a private house and a small apartment. You cannot keep a Russell on a chain, in a small enclosure or cage. The only problem with its maintenance is the need for long walks. Your dog needs to be active for at least 2 hours a day. But in the cold season, she needs warm clothes, since short hair will not protect against frost. A leash is also necessary, jacks often run away, so you can only let them go in the dog park.

Jack Russell Terriers have strong, sharp teeth and love to chew on everything. Therefore, many toys are required. You can’t buy plastic ones, as they quickly get chewed. We need rubber toys and chewing bones. Dog handlers also recommend giving Russell soft toys. This will help show your hunting instincts.

Hygiene

The peculiarity of Russell wool is that it is self-cleaning. Therefore, the dog does not need frequent bathing. 3-4 times a year is enough, and for females even after the end of estrus. But you need to wash your paws and belly after a walk, or at least wipe them with special napkins. Smooth-haired varieties require brushing every week with a stiff brush or a special mitten. During molting - daily. Long-haired dogs require regular trimming - plucking of hairs.

The eyes also need to be examined once a week and wiped with boiled water or chamomile decoction. The ears are wiped with lotion; cotton swabs should not be used. Every month it is recommended to brush your teeth with toothpaste purchased at a veterinary pharmacy. To prevent tartar, give your dog chewing bones regularly.

Diseases

Jack Russell Terriers are dogs with good health. But they may have congenital or acquired diseases:

• osteochondropathy of the femur;
• hip dysplasia;
• dislocations or arthritis of the knee joints;
• deafness;
• epilepsy;
• diabetes;
• heart failure;
• eye diseases.

Puppies often suffer from neuroses. They are hyperactive and react poorly to shouting and rude treatment. If not properly cared for, your pet may develop obesity or allergies. Therefore, it is important to feed your dog correctly, choosing high-quality food. Timely treatment for worms, fleas, and ticks will also be required. Regular examinations by a veterinarian will help to identify health problems in a timely manner. And vaccination will protect against infectious diseases.

Nutrition

When feeding Rassels, many owners give preference to natural food. You need to understand how much food your dog needs to prevent overeating. You need to feed twice a day. You cannot give canned food, spicy and fried foods, fatty meats, baked goods, sweets, and smoked foods. The diet should include meat, offal, boneless sea fish, fermented milk products, cereals, and vegetables. You should give an egg yolk 1-2 times a week.

Additionally, you need to include vitamin supplements in your diet as recommended by your veterinarian. Representatives of the breed have an active metabolism, so natural food cannot satisfy all the body's needs. For the same reason, 75% of the diet should consist of protein.

If you feed dry food, you need to choose super-premium varieties. They contain sufficient amounts of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. The following food is suitable:

• Orijen;
• Acana;
• Artemis Maximal Dogs;
• Innova EVO;
• Bosch.

The video will show you how to properly care for your Russell:

5 features of caring for a Jack Russell Terrier

A little about education

Characteristics and skills make Jack Russells excellent hunting dogs, but owners do not always like digging holes and following prey. The sight of running cats, rabbits, rats, mice or flying birds awakens the hunting instincts in these dogs. In such situations, it is important that you are able to call the dog back or divert his attention to something else. Innate traits and impulsiveness can be kept under control by giving your pet regular exercise, as well as patience and foresight. Jack Russell Terriers get along well with other pets if they are used to them from puppyhood. However, it is best not to leave them alone with guinea pigs or hamsters.

These dogs must be raised under constant and strict discipline. In order to fit into your family, a terrier must learn at least a course in the basic rules of obedience (leash habit is one of them) and understand basic commands - such as “fetch”, “sit”, “lie down”, “fu”. " and "place". This training will be more effective if you and your family give your dog enough attention and give him the opportunity to expend his accumulated energy. But games can be both fun and destructive. Such an active dog as the Jack Russell Terrier is perfect for any walks, hikes, jogs, cross-country bike rides, horseback riding tours or hunting with the owner. In addition, representatives of this breed like sports in which they can show their dexterity. A tired Jack Russell Terrier will be the most obedient and gentle pet.

These are big dogs in a small body. They need even more careful training than dogs, which are much larger. Jack Russell Terriers think like big dogs. They are gentle with children and great for families. They love to be outdoors and are always ready to play. But it is very important that you teach your children how to play with these dogs. They should not push their pets around or tease them. Children should not disturb the dog when he is eating or sleeping. Like any other dog, the Jack Russell Terrier will never leave a child in danger or unattended. Small children often try to ride a dog, but they should not be allowed to ride a pet of this breed.

Jack Russell Terriers need a high and strong fence. Otherwise, they can easily dig a passage under it or jump over a fence or low wall. If you leave your pet unattended and do not play with it in the yard, you must make sure that when it gets bored (and this will happen very quickly), the dog does not sneak onto the neighbors’ property.

If you love the Jack Russell Terrier (or at least show tolerance towards it), you will never regret your purchase and will not be disappointed in it. No wonder these dogs have millions of fans around the world! You can find out more about how to care for a Jack Russell Terrier and what you can feed it on this website.

How to buy a Jack Russell Terrier puppy

This breed is young, but very popular. There are many unscrupulous breeders selling mixed breeds. To buy a real purebred Jack Russell Terrier puppy, you need to choose a good kennel. The price of such dogs is more expensive, but there is a guarantee that the pet will grow up without defects and genetic diseases. It is recommended to study reviews and photographs. Before purchasing, ask the breeder for documents confirming the purebred and good health of the parents.

The price of a purebred Russell in Moscow starts from 35 thousand rubles, the cost of a show-class puppy is more than 50 thousand. If exhibitions and prizes are not of interest, you can buy a pet-class dog. They are also purebred, but have some disadvantages that do not affect their health and character. The price of such a puppy will be 15-25 thousand rubles. It is not worth buying cheaper Russells; the dog may not be purebred.

When choosing a puppy, first pay attention to the conditions of keeping the animals in the nursery. It is important how the bitch behaves, what condition she is in, how many dogs live together. Puppies must be dewormed and given the necessary vaccinations. Then you need to watch the kids. The puppy must have:

• black nose;
• dark eyes without discharge;
• smooth coat without bald spots and dandruff;
• white color with brown spots;
• straight limbs, back;
• the stomach is not bloated;
• active behavior.

It is better to take a playful, curious baby who does not show aggression or cowardice. When choosing the gender of a dog, you need to understand that males are smart, energetic and courageous. They tend to mark territory and run away. Bitches are calmer and more affectionate, but they go into heat twice a year.

You need to study the features of Russell puppies from the photo:

Jack Russell Terrier puppies

DRT puppy

Jack Russell Terrier puppy

Video shows funny Jack Russell Terriers:

Video: These funny and funny Jack Russell Terriers

This breed is ideal for active people and families with children. The dog can become a devoted friend and family member. If you pay attention to it and raise it correctly, the breed’s shortcomings will not appear. And communicating with a smart, cheerful pet will bring many happy moments.

Jack Russell training in Moscow. Required commands:

Team "Come to me"

- if your dog knows how to carry out this command, then you can be sure that it will never get lost or run far in pursuit of another dog, cat or pigeon, but will return to you as soon as necessary.

Command "Stand"

— You will need it to protect your Jack Russell from passing cars or an aggressive dog coming towards you.

Team "Fu"

- needed to wean the dog from picking up from the ground. In this case, your Jack Russell may no longer be afraid of food poisoning.

Team "Nearby"

— you need to ensure that the dog does not pull on the leash and that walking together brings pleasure not only to your pet, but also to you.

Command "Sit"

- will come in handy when you need to leave him to wait for you, or simply while you are busy with something else.

Team "Quiet"

- useful if your pet likes to bark at noise outside the door or at passing people and dogs.

Team "Place"

— you need your pet not to distract you when doing chores around the house or greeting guests.

Our instructors will offer you a large number of interesting and, most importantly, useful commands during the first lesson when drawing up a training program for your dog.