When choosing a Jack Russell Terrier puppy, you need to examine the baby you like for defects and observe how he behaves with other puppies. This will help you choose a puppy without physical and psychological flaws. Along with this, you need to make sure that the breeder provides the necessary set of documents for the dog, including a pedigree. You can learn more about all this from this article.
Advantages of the Jack Russell breed influencing the choice
A very energetic and smart dog is suitable for an equally active family. Miniature sizes are ideal for keeping even in a small apartment. An intelligent and active disposition will surprise you. Children will be delighted with such a friend, and he will be delighted with them. But these are not all the advantages of the breed. Let's look at them in more detail:
- Intelligence. Jack Russell grasps everything on the fly. Therefore, there is no need to fuss with it during training; even a puppy will understand the commands. However, it is worth keeping in mind that, in addition to intelligence, boys and girls are also cunning. The owner needs to be on guard so as not to become a victim of the insidious manipulations of the Jack Russell.
- Attitude towards children. A dog is simply necessary for an introverted child. Communication with her will benefit those with developmental delays or disabilities: cerebral palsy, autism, etc. But it is worth keeping in mind that the Jack puppy will not tolerate disrespectful treatment; he may growl or bite if he is hurt.
- Activity. The dog is suitable for people leading a sporty lifestyle. Therefore, any outdoor games are beneficial for both the owner and the pet.
- Grooming. The Jack Russell has no odor and comes in two types: smooth-haired and wire-haired. In the first case, no special care is required, but during shedding it should be combed every day. In the second case, it will be necessary to remove dead, coarse hair, since it does not fall out on its own, but after the procedure the dog will look neater and shed less.
- Unpretentiousness in food. But you shouldn’t overfeed and you shouldn’t give too fatty foods either.
- Lack of aggression. Even to strangers. The breed is very friendly, so it is worth paying attention to training.
How to choose a Jack Russell puppy. Basic recommendations
Before choosing, you should decide on its future fate. If a pet is purchased for the soul, then the selection criteria may be softer. When you plan to participate in competitions, exhibitions or further breeding, it is best to find out the breed standard and carefully search for a suitable nursery that would meet all the required criteria.
We don’t choose a Jack Russell baby from the first breeder we come across. Although they have good health, pathology can still manifest itself - hip dysplasia. Kennels that care about their reputation do not allow such dogs to be bred, however, this does not stop others. Therefore, an animal with bad genes will be a frequent visitor to veterinary clinics.
You should carefully inspect the place of detention. Are the dogs kept in separate enclosures or enclosures? Is it clean there? The toilet and place for games must be located separately.
The space for games must be spacious, preferably in the fresh air. Floors should not be slippery, otherwise there will be problems with the formation of joints.
You should meticulously ask the owner about the health of the animals, about the parents, conditions of feeding, maintenance, etc. It is advisable to be skeptical about excessive praise of your shelter. The answers should dispel all doubts of buyers.
Jack Russell must have a set of necessary documents that the breeder must provide:
- Puppy card.
- Pedigree. To understand that the breed is pure.
- The act of mating breeding dogs.
- Inspection report.
- Veterinary passport. Puppies must be vaccinated.
Please note that there must be a stamp or chip.
Whom do we choose? Boy or girl
The character of dogs is individual. However, before you decide which gender to take, you need to know what awaits you in a given case. When choosing a girl, you need to be prepared for estrus and pregnancy. The breed can also have false pregnancies. However, the female half is most attached to home and family. Bitches are smarter and better trained than males.
Boys are larger than girls, so they have many chances to win at exhibitions or competitions. Although male dogs do not become pregnant or give birth, they can break loose and run away when they smell a female. They are also aggressive towards members of their own sex.
Breed standard, appearance and health
Dogs stop growing between 10 months and 1 year of age. They live on average up to 16 years, but it all depends on the quality of life. According to the standard, the Jack Russell Terrier must have the following description:
- Weight. An adult animal weighs 5-6 kg and grows to 25-30 cm. A puppy at the age of 1 month weighs approximately 1 kg. Jack Russell puppies measure up to 9 cm at one month of age.
- Appearance. Flexible body of medium length. The muscles are developed. The body is stretched in length and has the shape of a rectangle.
- Muzzle. The transition to the nose is clearly visible. The head is wedge-shaped: tapering from the skull to the tip of the nose. The lips are pressed tightly to the jaws, black, well pigmented. The nose is black. Scissor bite. The eyes are small, dark almond-shaped with well-pigmented eyelids that close tightly. The ears are mobile, hanging on cartilage.
- Wool. Animals can be smooth-haired or wire-haired.
- Color. The main color is white, with spots ranging from chestnut to black. Jack Russell Terrier at any age is the same color of a small puppy no different from an adult.
- Body. The back is straight, the loin is short, but muscular and strong. The chest is deep, but not wide, but the sternum is clearly visible.
- Tail. Stands upright in an excited state. May be cropped.
- Limbs. The front ones are straight with well-developed muscles, the rear ones are muscular but balanced.
To understand what an adult animal looks like, it is better to have a photo.
Behavior and character
Jack Russell Terrier, especially a boy, will become a companion to an active person. Thanks to his intelligence and insight, the puppy will make friends with any person. Commands will be given easily when trained. However, due to the fact that the breed was originally bred for hunting purposes, namely for hunting in holes, the dog will show independence and initiative. You need to be prepared for this.
The Jack Russell Terrier boy will make friends with other members of the owner's family. However, you should be careful and from puppyhood teach him to fight back against strangers, because with his good disposition he can become a victim of thieves.
Lively character requires long walks and active games. You definitely need to throw out the accumulated energy. Otherwise, the animals will damage the furniture in the house and become withdrawn and aggressive. You need a lot of toys.
At what age should I pick it up?
How to choose a Jack Russell Terrier puppy by age? Don't take him away from the family too early. The optimal age is 2-3 months. It is by this time that he already shows independence and receives his first training in simple commands. And most importantly, he is already independent of his mother.
If an animal is purchased for the purpose of attending exhibitions or competitions, then it should be purchased even later. This is done at about 5-7 months, or even after a year. This is done in order to fully appreciate the description and necessary characteristics of the puppy of the breed. It is by older age that they will already be distinguishable.
If taken too early, his connection with his mother can be disrupted. This will lead to improper formation of the nervous system: an adult may become too aggressive or cowardly.
Immunity will also suffer because the process of breastfeeding, which is important for the formation of the body's resistance, will be disrupted.
The right diet
Keeping jacks involves not only hygienic care, but also proper timely nutrition. A healthy diet is the key to strong bones, a strong immune system, energy and good mood.
You can feed Russells with ready-made dry food. It is convenient to store, transport, pour and easily measure the required amount. In addition, the granules contain the necessary complex of vitamins and minerals.
But low-quality dry food leads to gastrointestinal imbalance and serious health problems. Therefore, it is better to opt for super-premium products for small active breeds.
Natural nutrition should consist of raw (thawed or scalded) lean meat and complex carbohydrates. Chicken, turkey, beef, rabbit are suitable. By-products can be used. Not all Russell Terriers love fish, but you can pamper your Jack with seafood.
Allowed cereals:
- oatmeal;
- buckwheat;
- barley porridge.
Vegetables:
- carrot;
- zucchini;
- beet.
If Russell loves fermented milk products, then you can add kefir, cottage cheese, fermented baked milk, and sour cream to the diet.
One of the features of keeping Jack Russell puppies is feeding them 4–5 times a day. Up to 3 months, babies are fed 5-6 times, up to 5 months - 4 times, only by the age of one year are they transferred to two meals a day. The serving size is determined by the formula: 20 g of food per 1 kg of Russell Terrier weight.
Remember. You cannot mix dry food with natural food. It is forbidden to give your pet sugar, butter, pork, bones. Do not feed with fatty and fried foods, flour products, and sausages.
How to choose a puppy for exhibitions and breeding
To become the owner of such an animal, you should understand that you will have to pay a considerable amount. Because from the entire litter only 1-2 individuals can be born that meet the standards. In addition, knowledge of the latter is a prerequisite before purchasing. The weight of a purebred Jack Russell puppy should not weigh less than 700 grams by one month. It is advisable to consult a veterinarian. You should only choose trusted nurseries that can provide all the necessary documents.
Parents must also be winners in various competitions and exhibitions. Mating must be planned and carried out through the club.
Conditions of detention
A bed for a small Jack Russell should be located in an area away from drafts and heating devices. A playpen or cage is best. For the dog’s comfort, a mattress with a changing pillowcase is placed on the bed. The baby should also be provided with toys. Toys made of latex or wood are recommended, without small parts, because... the animal bites and can swallow small items.
How to choose a Jack Russell for your family
In this case, you don’t need to pay too much attention to breed standards. It will be enough to choose one with average characteristics. For the home and the child, it is best to take the calmest one. A small Jack Russell puppy, especially a girl, is suitable for a low-active person.
You need to do an inspection before purchasing. You need to check the condition of the mucous membranes, the presence of discharge, and look at the bite - it should be scissor-shaped. If you plan to adopt a boy, you need to check for undescended testicles. Erect ears, crooked paws and a muzzle that is too long indicate defects in the breed.
When to pick up
If you plan to participate in various exhibitions or breed Jack Russell Terriers, then you should not pick up the puppy from the kennel before four months. Ideally, it is best to take your baby home when he is six months old.
At this age, it will become clear what size, bite and other features your pet has. In addition, he will already have basic parenting skills - accustomed to cleanliness, adapted to the world around him. It also becomes clear what kind of character the Jack Russell Terrier has.
By purchasing a dog ahead of schedule, you risk not noticing any flaws, both psychologically and physically.
