Jack Russell Terrier Dog Breed Facts & Information

By Dakota Mackey

The Jack Russell Terrier, also known as the Parson Russell Terrier, packs quite a lot of spunk and personality into their fairly small frame. Endlessly amusing, bouncy, and fun, these dogs are known to be on the independent side (so you’re going to definitely want to invest in training), and not necessarily the best fit for brand new dog owners. However if you are prepared for this bright, feisty pup, you’ll soon have an energetic best buddy to take with you everywhere.

Is a Jack Russell Terrier the right kind of dog for you? There are a lot of things to consider when adding a dog to your life, so we’ve covered just about everything you’ll need to know in this in-depth breed profile.

Breed Characteristics

Key

Low
Medium
High

Origin: England
Size:
Weight: 13-17 pounds
Lifespan: 10 to 15 years
Breed group: Terrier Group
Activity level:
Barking/howling level:
Good with kids: yes
Good with cats:
Shedding:
Easy to groom:
Easy to train:
Protective:

Jack Russell Terrier Appearance

Jack Russell Terriers are easy to spot with their small but strong bodies, intelligent faces, and straight, coarse coats.

Their coat can be white, white with black or tan markings, or white, black, and tan. Their white coats are actually so hunters could clearly see them in the field when they were out hunting. Their double coats are straight, and can also be smooth or broken, with the broken coat a bit longer and including cute eyebrows and a beard. Some pups also have a rough coat, which is even longer than the broken one.

Jack Russell Terrier Personality

When it comes to personality, these pups have plenty to offer! They’re goofy, affectionate, protective, and ready to take on the world. Be warned though – they aren’t the best fit for first time dog owners since they can be challenging and strong-willed, and will definitely take charge if given the chance.

Jack Russell Terriers are also famous for their incredible energy, which means they require multiple walks a day, and plenty of games and shenanigans. Though this energy is often fun and amusing, it can also turn into destructive antics if your pup isn’t getting enough attention and time to be physical.

Overall these dogs are the life of the party and adore spending time with their loved ones.

Ideal Environment for a Jack Russell Terrier

Jack Russell Terriers do best in houses with yards since they have an abundance of energy and would love to have their own area to zoom around in. Just make sure the yard is properly fenced, and that your pup isn’t able to dig under the fence, or climb over it (they can reach surprising heights). You also need to account for their super high prey drive, so doing outdoor activities while not on a leash isn’t a great idea since they may spot a small animal and be off in a flash.

They can also be recreational barkers which means they aren’t great for apartment dwellers who live within close earshot of their neighbors.

Ideal Human for a Jack Russell Terrier

A confident and experienced dog owner is usually the best fit for a Jack Russell Terrier, since they are such a strong-willed and independent breed. It’s important that anyone who invites one of these pups into their home understands they they’ll need to invest in consistent dog training in order to help their dog really thrive.

They’re also best suited for a person who is active and outdoorsy, since they have so much energy to burn every day and love doing activities with the favorite humans. They are not a good match for couch potatoes – which is definitely something to keep in mind.

Jack Russell Terrier Dog Training

Though these are clever, sweet, intelligent dogs – they can be a bit of handful when it comes to training them. Their independent streak will sometimes get in the way of them following directions, so you have to have a firm and confident hand when it comes to teaching them. You’ll also need to be very careful about losing their interest, since a bored Jack Russell Terrier is nearly impossible to keep focused. Just make sure he’s entertained with short, fun training sessions, and you’ll be on your way to having a civilized dog.

As mentioned earlier, this breed is super smart so they’ll love learning tricks, running agility courses, playing games, and throwing themselves completely into anything that stimulates their mind and lets them frolic around freely.

Jack Russell Terrier Grooming

Jack Russell Terriers don’t require too much when it comes to grooming routines. Essentially you just need to brush them weekly to remove any dead hair and cut back on their shedding (which does happen to some degree). Those Jack Russel Terriers with broken or rough coats should be stripped a couple of times a year.

You’ll also want to focus on keeping their teeth nice and clean, and making sure their nails are regularly trimmed.

Jack Russell Terriers don’t require frequent baths—in fact, bathing them just a few times every year will help keep them clean, while also ensuring that their coat and skin stay healthy and don’t get stripped of essential oils.

Jack Russell Terrier Health

Jack Russell Terriers are a fairly healthy breed, but they do have a few possible health issues that you should keep an eye out for including glaucoma, deafness, and patella luxation.

Despite sometimes encountering these health issues, using a reputable breeder (if you’re using a breeder) can help cut down the possibility of your dog having these problems. Jack Russell Terriers generally live from 10 to 15 years, and with the proper exercise, food, and regular trips to the vet, your pup will have a good chance at a long and happy life.

Jack Russell Terrier Breed History

The Jack Russell Terrier has a fairly straightforward history, having been bred in England in the 1800’s by Parson John Russell (hence the name). They were initially bred as working terriers that could hunt alongside foxhounds – getting foxes out of their dens so that the hounds could chase them down. They were bred to be independent problem solvers, which is still a clear trait of the breed to this day.

Getting a Jack Russell Terrier

Jack Russell Terrier breeders

It’s always a good idea to meet the parents of your puppy, and to see how the litter interacts with each other. Also, a good, trustworthy breeder should have records of the parents’ lineage, too and should be able to tell you more about the specific mix of the litter.

If going to a breeder be sure to find one that supports early socialization such as ENS or Puppy culture. And one that health and genetic tests including eyes and hips of parents. Make sure you wise up on puppy mills and internet scams—following some simple steps can help avoid further funding of this terrible practice, and help you end up with a pet whose breeding and early-life experience will more reliably result in a well-adjusted dog.

Adopting a Jack Russell Terrier

As with many highly popular breeds, Jack Russell Terriers often find their way to rescue centers for a variety of reasons, including dogs being rescued from puppy mills. But often it’s the simple fact that their previous owners simply felt unable to care for them any longer, perhaps due to a change in lifestyle or health. In fact, there are many Jack Russell Terrier-specific rescues across the United States because many pet owners aren’t prepared for the high energy of this breed.

A Jack Russell Terrier can make for a wonderful friend and they’re sure to be a source of joy, with plenty of laughs and perhaps a little bit of mischief along the way. Surrendered dogs are often already well trained and simply in need of a new, loving home, so rescuing is always a wonderful option.

Whether you’re planning on adopting or finding a breeder to find a puppy, prepare yourself, your home and your heart to welcome a dog with plenty of personality and energy.

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