Varieties of the Jack Russell Terrier, Parson and Brocken breeds, their descriptions and photos

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

Education and training

Personality traits make the process of working with a Jack Russell difficult, especially for a beginner.

You need to learn the basic commands:

• "to me";
• "ugh";
• "sit";
• "place".

The phrase “fetch” is necessary for daily walks. The dog will happily run after a toy and even an ordinary stick, bring it and shower it on the owner.

Expert opinion

Anna Abramenko

An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.

Ask a Question

It is advisable to accustom the puppy to the litter box and the street. It is important that he does not pick up food from the ground or take food from the hands of others. Education is supposed to be strict, but without violence.

Whether or not to allow a dog on the sofa is a question that causes a lot of controversy. If you allow her everything, then it will be difficult to prove your superiority to the dog. You need to decide this point before purchasing a puppy. Family members should behave equally in terms of education.

Read the article: Basic rules for raising and training Jack Russell Terriers

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.

Pet Personality

Jack Russell Brokens are active and lively dogs who love active games . They are loyal to their owners and friendly if they have been raised and trained correctly.

These dogs make wonderful companions for children who are ready to play with them for hours and run with them.

Considering that the Brocken is an intelligent and quick-witted dog and that it is easy to train, the training of this dog can be entrusted to a child who has reached at least ten years of age.

NOTE!

But it should be taken into account that these dogs have a highly developed hunting instinct, which is why the Brocken can rush to chase another dog, cat, or even a person.

This is why it is not recommended to let Jack Russells off leash in unfenced areas.

Brockens should not be allowed to do whatever they want: these dogs very quickly understand that the owner can be manipulated and then there will be no end to their tricks and pretense..

Read more about the character of Jack Russells here.

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.

Feeding the Brokens

Experts advise feeding Jack Russells with commercial food of premium class and higher, intended for active dogs.

IMPORTANT!

If your pet eats natural food, then you need to make sure that he gets enough protein foods, such as meat, fish, and dairy products.

During the period of growth, pregnancy, feeding offspring, as well as in old age, vitamin and mineral supplements should be added to the Brocken’s food.

The Jack Russell should also eat fresh or boiled vegetables and finely chopped greens, seasoned with vegetable oil..

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

Reviews

All owners speak fondly of this breed. Her ingenuity and fervor are noted, thanks to which you will never get bored. Also, according to many reviews, another undeniable advantage is their unpretentiousness in terms of care. Their fur rarely sheds, their claws wear down on their own given enough walking, and their health is very strong by nature.

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

Character and appearance

The dog is endowed with an incredibly strong body that is always in motion. Jack Russell and children get along great. We are talking about ten-year-olds and older, since young children cannot cope with an energetic companion.

The dog has bad habits associated with the hunting instinct, which manifest themselves as aggression towards rabbits, rats, and cats.

The short-footed terrier strives to follow its owner all the time. He loves to be in the center of events and look for adventures.

In terms of color, the Kurt Russell Terrier does not stand out for its variety. There are only two colors: black and white, light and tan. The latter has various tones, including red.

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

Features of maintenance and care

Brockens need to have their ears and eyes cleaned from time to time, and if their nails are not worn down, they need to be trimmed or filed.

There is no need to bathe these dogs often, and it is better not to wash them at all unless necessary..

After returning home, just wipe your paws and all dirty areas with a damp towel.

Broken Jack Russells need trimming, and dogs of the light variety can be trimmed by the owners themselves. But it is better to entrust the groomer to tidy up the brocken or rough.

Trimming should not be replaced with a clipper or scissors: this will irrevocably damage the structure of the coat..

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.

Life expectancy and health

Under good maintenance conditions, the Brocken will delight its owners for 13-16 years of its life, while remaining an active and healthy dog ​​until old age..

Read about how to extend the life of your pet here.

The most common diseases among Brokens are eye diseases and diseases of the musculoskeletal system, although, in general, they are a surprisingly healthy breed and they rarely get sick.

How to care for your pet

The Jack Russell Terrier is unpretentious in care; a necessary condition is systematic combing and trimming in individuals of the wire-haired or long-haired type. Smooth-haired representatives of the species require less effort. A special feature of dogs is the ability of their coat to clean itself. Claws are trimmed as they grow so that they do not interfere with the pet’s walking.

Trimming and combing wool

Caring for your coat depends on what type it is. The smooth-coated variety sheds all year round. Once or twice a week, the animal should be combed with a furminator (a metal comb with thick teeth that captures dead undercoat) and excess hair should be removed daily with a rubber brush. The Brocken and Wirehaired Terriers require trimming to keep their coat in good condition.

Bathing Jack Russell Terriers

Dogs are bathed only in cases of heavy soiling, but not more than once a week. Too frequent bathing negatively affects the hypoallergenicity of dogs. There is a protective layer on the animal's skin that serves as a barrier to the penetration of pathogens. In bad weather, you can really only get by by washing your paws. For bathing, use herbal baby shampoo or a special product for dogs. The foam is thoroughly washed off with plenty of water, after which the pet is wiped dry with a towel, and then wrapped in a dry, warm cloth or blanket for 30 minutes.

Caring for your pet's ears, eyes and teeth

The terrier's ears need special care - once every two weeks, the inner and outer surfaces of the ears should be cleaned with a cotton swab. The swab is moistened with a weak soda or saline solution, chlorhexidine or hydrogen peroxide to disinfect and prevent ear diseases. The pet's teeth are cleaned twice a month using special bones, dog toothpaste and a brush placed on the finger. It is better not to touch healthy eyes, but if they are watery, you can wash them with Diamond Eyes or chamomile.

Interesting facts from the life of the Jack Russell

Short-legged pets are incredibly jumping. They easily end up on the table, on the other side of the fence. They repeat their attempts to take the obstacle many times. If they do not achieve success, then they make a dig.

These hunters by nature have always saved the cities of Great Britain from the invasion of rats. The most famous one, nicknamed Vampire, managed to exterminate hundreds of rodents.

And the public's favorite dog, Anastasia, burst 100 balloons in 44 seconds, conquering representatives of the Guinness Book of Records.

These dogs are also often featured in films.

Pros and cons of the breed

Before you get a Jack Russell Terrier, you need to consider the positive and negative aspects of this breed.

We present the main ones in table form.

In order for Jack Terriers to demonstrate positive character traits to a greater extent, it is important to provide them with proper education and care.

Vaccinations and susceptibility to disease

The Jack Russell Terrier is one of the ten longest-living dogs, their life expectancy is on average 14–16 years.

They are considered a breed with good health, but are still susceptible to some “breed” diseases:

• allergy;
• hip dysplasia;
• diabetes;
• cardiovascular diseases;
• cataract;
• dislocation of the kneecap;
• Perthes disease (damage to the head of the femur);
• congenital deafness.

In addition to all grooming procedures, it is necessary to vaccinate representatives of the breed from a very early age. Newborn Jack Russell Terrier puppies gain immunity from their mother's milk, but this disappears by about two months of age. At this time, the puppy needs to have its first vaccination, before which mandatory deworming is carried out.

It is important! Before administering the vaccination, the veterinarian must provide the owner with information about the name of the vaccine and its expiration date.

Vaccinations for puppies of this breed are carried out strictly according to schedule. The Jack Russell Terrier vaccination table by age will make life easier for an inexperienced dog breeder:

In the future, the pet is vaccinated annually with complex vaccines against rabies and other deadly infections.