Written by Silvia Capelli
September 8, 2023
The Jack Russell Terrier is a small dog that is impossible not to fall in love with. It has a proud and playful character, is a natural entertainer, and is very intelligent.
Originally a hunting dog, what remains today of its working dog instincts is a high level of energy and vitality, leading to a need for lots of physical activity.
But let's get to know this little four-legged friend full of courage and as cunning as a fox!
The Jack Russell originated in Devon, England, in the early 1800s, and owes its great popularity and even its name to the Reverend John Russell (John “Jack” Russell), the vicar of Swimbridge and an enthusiastic fox hunter and dog breeder.
This gentleman dedicated his life to the breeding of new breeds (the Jack Russell isn't the only legacy he left behind) and after much work, he created this breed of small dogs, specifically for fox hunting.
It was by pure chance that Reverend John Russell purchased from the local milkman a small white dog with tan spots above the eyes, which he named Trump. It is from this fortunate hunting dog that the entire lineage of the Jack Russell Terrier as we know it today derives.
The Reverend decided to engage in breeding dogs with the same characteristics as Trump, to achieve the perfect fox hunting breed: short legs, a waterproof coat, a height that allowed it to enter a fox's den, ease of training, and an active temperament.
And he succeeded, introducing bloodlines from Bulldogs, Border Terriers, Lakeland Terriers, and Beagles. He even created two breed varieties: first the Parson Russell Terrier, taller and therefore suitable for chasing carriages and horses, and then the Jack Russell Terrier, with short legs, which was carried on horseback near the den in case it was necessary to flush out the prey.
The Jack Russell Terrier was only classified by the FCI in 2000 and has become one of the most beloved small companion dog breeds among private owners and breeders. Neither of the two breeds is used as a working dog anymore, except by some English farmers with too many mice in the barn!
The Jack Russell Terrier is lively, energetic, and very stubborn. It is intelligent and brave, showing great affection for its owner.
Although it has primarily become a companion animal, it retains those characteristics for which it was created and to which it owes its origins: it remains a hunting dog, with a high level of energy and a strong need for movement and running free in the fields.
It has a highly developed sense of smell, great vitality, and is always ready to launch into the discovery of new places and adventures. It is not the typical apartment dog, and even if it adapts well to life at home, it still needs to do as much exercise as possible.
It must be trained from a puppy, because having a hyperactive temperament and easily getting bored, it could develop destructive tendencies and take it out on household objects.
It likes to dig, so be careful with the garden, not so much for the plants but because it could get under the hedge or fence and escape. And it is a decent guard dog, so it barks.
A famous Jack Russell? Milo, the co-star with Jim Carrey in The Mask!
This dog is also very loved by many public or show business figures, among whom are Prince Charles, Megan Markle, Blake Lively, and Mariah Carey; Karl Lagerfeld and Audrey Hepburn also had one.
As mentioned, the Jack Russell Terrier only became a distinct breed from the Parson Russell Terrier in 2000, but this has allowed for a clear definition of the basic characteristics of the breed.
We will try to clearly explain everything we have learned about this delightful terrier.
NB: These are the standards set by FCI and ENCI, and therefore valid for Europe. Different standards of size, color, or coat may be accepted by AKC and other federations. For more information, check the standards of the country you are interested in.
The photos on this site may represent both FCI and AKC standards or other federations.
Group 3 Terriers.
Section 2 Small-sized Terriers.
Optional work test
The Jack Russell Terrier is a small and lightweight breed, slender and flexible yet well-built. To meet breed standards, specific dimensions are required:
Height at the withers: 25/30 cm, weight: 5-6 kg.
The terms "nano Jack Russell Terrier," "Toy Jack Russell Terrier," or "mini toy Jack Russell Terrier" do not refer to officially recognized varieties. Animals below the standard size may suffer from dwarfism and other pathologies affecting proper growth.
The Jack Russell Terrier can have three types of coat:
Smooth Coat: Short and close, evenly distributed over the body.
Rough Coat: A hard, coarse, and strong coat, perfect for running through brambles and insects. It is also waterproof, which is very useful during hunting expeditions.
Broken Coat: This can be classified as a short coat, but it is more coarse and rough than the standard and thicker on the limbs, tail, muzzle, and abdomen.
According to breed standards, the coat of the Jack Russell Terrier should be white/tan and tricolor, but there are also various categories and combinations:
White/Tan:
- A white base with light brown (lemon), tan, and dark brown (chocolate) spots. Black spots on the muzzle are accepted, but not on other parts of the body, in which case the coat falls into the tricolor category.
Tricolor:
- A white base and body with black or tan patches, but the head must be entirely black. Tricolors have a characteristic tan mask on the muzzle or on the eyebrows, cheeks, and ears. This is because they have a separate gene responsible for the degree of tan color on the muzzle. If present, ticking is tan on the chest and legs and black on the neck and coat.
White/Tan/Brown:
- Dark enough to appear almost black, with the same gradations as the tricolor. (in other breeds, this is called white/sable, or sable). The head can be tan and the spots black, but normally the undercoat is tan and the spots are a mix of black and tan. In the sable variant, brown and black hairs are distributed without a particular pattern. It's an uncommon variant.
Pure White:
- A totally white dog is accepted only if the nose, eyes, and eyelids are correctly pigmented, but it is not highly favored by breeders.
A Curiosity about the Coat of the Jack Russell Terrier
Interestingly, and as a clarification: the definition of "white base" is incorrect, and we used it only to describe the animal more easily. In reality, the Jack Russell is a colored dog with white spots.
Sometimes the head may be tan, and the spots on the body black, the undercoat tan, and the marks on the coat black and tan. Reverend Jack Russell wanted a dog visible from a distance and not too camouflaged, hence the need to increase the white patches.
The head of the Jack Russell is flat and moderately wide, wedge-shaped. The eyes are almond-shaped, the nose black, the lips tight and black. The ears are drooping with good mobility.
Strong and muscular, with a deep chest, it fits within a rectangle. The neck is strong with good head carriage. The limbs are short.
The tail of these dogs is generally upright when active and drooping at rest.
The Jack Russell can have a remarkably long lifespan. The life expectancy of a Jack Russell is around 15-16 years. And if that seems modest, an online search will reveal that the oldest dog in the United Kingdom was a Jack Russell named Daisy who passed away at the age of 23.
Providing your dog with everything it needs - good food, health care, and sufficient physical activity - will ensure it remains a part of your family for many years.
The Jack Russell Terrier is a naturally healthy and robust breed, but it can suffer from hereditary diseases common to these types of dogs or the usual canine illnesses. Among the most frequent are:
Ear infections and congenital deafness
Hydrocephalus (fluid accumulation in the brain)
Knee dysplasia
Food and coat allergies
Dental problems such as tartar, cavities, gingivitis
Cryptorchidism (undescended one or two testicles)
Cardiomyopathy
Aseptic necrosis of the femoral head
Congenital myasthenia (a muscular system pathology reducing mobility)
Lens luxation
Glaucoma
Cerebellar ataxia, a degenerative and lethal cell pathology for the dog.
Jack Russell Terriers are dogs with very high energy levels, but domestic life and lack of physical activity can lead to overweight issues.
Therefore, it's important to pay attention to what you feed your dog to avoid future problems such as obesity, diabetes, and cholesterol, not forgetting that the care of an animal starts with its diet!
Weaning of the Jack Russell starts around 4 weeks of age. From the first month of life, you can start introducing specific junior first-months food or finely ground meat, starting with one meal a day in combination with mother's milk.
Between the first and second month, solid food meals should be given about 3/4 times a day, and three from the second month of life.
For a small breed dog, it is advisable to provide two meals a day to avoid the dog suffering from hunger for too many consecutive hours. Meals must be balanced and contain the right amount of protein, carbohydrates, fats, and minerals.
The easiest choice is to opt for high-quality dry food, adhering to the recommended doses for weight and age, and choosing one designed for small breeds with characteristics suitable for the breed (there are even some varieties specific for Jack Russell Terriers on the market).
Always check the ingredients and especially the vitamin and mineral content, essential for keeping our dogs in shape. Using wet food as the only alternative is not advisable, but a small amount can be added to make dry food more appealing.
If you prefer a less industrial diet and want to cook for your dog, the ideal choice for preparing homemade food falls on primary products to be mainly boiled.
Meat
Organs
Fish
Cereals
Fruits and vegetables suitable for dogs
Occasionally eggs and a bit of cheese.
Sweets
Baked goods
Fatty and oily foods
Tubular
Bones
Spiced and smoked food
Onions and garlic
Mushrooms
Avocado
It's important to remember that a homemade diet does not mean kitchen leftovers, but rather food specifically prepared for your pet, which can be frozen and thawed as needed.
Cooking at home is not difficult; you'll just need to prepare a mix of proteins, carbohydrates, and vegetables (50% - 25% - 25%) and add a multivitamin and supplements of glucosamine and omega-3.
The proportions of components in homemade dog food can vary, but the majority should always be protein, which is fundamental for a correct diet.
For more information on how to correctly feed your dog with homemade food, you can follow the suggestions in our guide: "Homemade Diet for Dogs." However, it's always recommended to consult a veterinary nutritionist.
Dogs are creatures of habit when it comes to diet, so it's better to choose one from puppyhood and maintain it as long as possible.
It's essential to regularly deworm both puppies and adult dogs, especially if they are adopted from shelters, kennels, or private individuals. Choose a dewormer suitable for your dog's weight and age.
The Jack Russell Terrier requires daily walks and loves to roam and play outdoors. Therefore, if you live in an area prone to ticks and fleas, it's advisable to perform regular preventive treatments.
Also, be cautious about grass awns, especially if you have a rough or broken coated Jack Russell: remember, it’s a breed with hunting origins and temperament, and it will try to get into all sorts of places in pursuit of prey.
Even if the dog doesn’t go out much, its nails should be trimmed regularly to prevent injury when it runs.
The Jack Russell is prone to ear canal infections and deafness. Cleaning the ears is essential to avoid unpleasant odors or conditions such as:
Ear mites
Bacterial ear infections
Fungal ear infections
Ear wax
Foreign body ear infections
Although it can be challenging, dental cleaning is very important as poor oral hygiene can lead to serious disorders like:
Gingivitis
Stomatitis
Periodontitis
Mouth tumors
Halitosis (bad breath)
Ideally, teeth should be cleaned daily to avoid costly sedation sessions in the future. Besides classic toothbrushes, there are finger glove brushes, brushes that clean both the inner and outer arches simultaneously, and various flavors of enzymatic toothpaste specially designed for your pet!
Try to keep the mouth clean at least once every two days to prevent tartar buildup.
It can also be helpful to give a dental cleaning snack every day; there are many different flavors and shapes available on the market. However, these snacks alone are not a solution – teeth still need to be brushed regularly.
Remember to periodically check the state of the anal glands to avoid issues such as:
Anal sac abscesses
Tumors (adenomas and adenocarcinomas)
Atypical bacterial infections
Fungal infections
You'll know it's time to check because the dog will start to scoot its anus on the floor, scratch or lick repeatedly, and have a bad odor.
Spaying or neutering your four-legged friend can protect them from future problems: a female spayed before her first heat cycle is much less likely to develop malignant breast tumors, while a neutered male will be less aggressive and less prone to wander.
This breed tends to chase anything that catches its attention and might leave the property to chase dogs, cats, or other animals for miles before you can retrieve them.
Practically for everyone: it bonds strongly with all family members and is sociable, intelligent, and obedient.
It’s a good companion dog and is a breed with a very fun and playful character. It's the perfect companion for an active owner who loves long walks.
For those who don't have the time to take the dog for frequent walks. The energy level of the Jack Russell is very high, so it might not be suitable for people looking for a predominantly indoor dog.
For those who don't know how to train a Jack Russell or don't have the time: for this breed, a good level of training is necessary to avoid sudden escapes.
Therefore, it's necessary to respect the dog's pace and train it to respond to the owner's calls, as among its many qualities and good character, it also has some flaws: it's a very stubborn dog and if it decides not to listen, there's nothing to be done!
For those who suffer from allergies, as it has a significant shedding. And for those who are at work for long hours, because if the dog gets bored, it might take it out on household objects.
Do you like this dog a lot, but are not sure if it's the ideal choice for you? Come and discover many other small dogs with us!
