The Jack Russell Terrier is a breed of dog originating from
the United Kingdom, and whose development was based on the standard of the Work
Club in Australia. It is a basically white dog, more compact than tall, agile,
and that despite its small size It has a lot of strength and endurance. It is a
working terrier, alert, tenacious and independent. An excellent companion dog
for active people. There is a variant called Parson Russell terrier that is
larger.
The breed was recognized in 2000 by the FCI, in 2009 by the
United Kennel Club, and in June 2012 the same breed was recognized by the
American Kennel Club under the name "Russell terrier".
History
England, country of origin
This breed of dog owes its name to the Reverend John
"Jack" Russell. Born in 1795 in Darmouth, England, he was a pastor
for many years in Swymbridge Parish, County Devon. Terrier lover, during his
studies at Oxford he bought his first dog of these characteristics, a white
female with hard hair with markings on the head called "Trump", which
by the description and photo that are preserved of her is quite similar to the
current one Jack Russell terrier FCI standard.
Fox hunting was widely practiced in Devon County at the time
Reverend Russell lived, and he was passionate about this activity. His hobby
led him to breed dogs. Thus, he began to cross hunting dogs, more exactly
terriers of different single-colored and multi-colored breeds. What he was
looking for ways to improve the aptitude of the specimens, not to homogenize
the physical aspect of them and therefore when he died he did not leave a
specific standard. The crossbreeds and the non-standardization of the breed
have caused divergences about the current appearance of the Jack Russell
terrier.
Australia, developing country
It should be noted that Australia was the country that
actively contributed to the development, and subsequent recognition, of this
breed internationally. There are no specific data on when the first Jack
Russell terrier arrived in Australia, but there is information about specimens
that came as a gift and contributed significantly to the breed. As for example
in 1964, "Hardy" (JRI-5) which was a gift from the Duke of Beaufort -
Beaufort Hunt Club in the UK - to the Australian equestrian winner of the Olympic
gold medal: Bill Roycroft. So was the "Kiss Me Kate" (JRI-6) of the
Duchess of Bedford - Bedford Hunt Club in the UK.
In 1972 the Jack Russell Terrier Club of Australia was
officially formed. This specialized club instituted a comprehensive
registration system along with a formal breed standard. This club also started
discussions with the Australian National Kennel Council about the possibility
of recognizing and registering the breed. On October 25, 2000, the
International Cynological Federation - Europe Division - finally officially and
definitively recognized the Jack Russell terrier breed using the standard from
Australia.
Some work clubs refuse to recognize this breed, despite
recognition from the FCI, UKC, AKC, ANKC and many other countries. These clubs
carry out their own breeding records and competitions, like the Jack Russell
Terrier Club of Great Britain (JRTCGB) or the Jack Russell Terrier Club of the
United States (JRTCA), these types of clubs describe in their highest terriers
standard Parson Russell terrier type, like a Jack Russell.
Appearance
Its basic and
predominant color should be white - a minimum of 51% - although it may have
brown, tan or black spots on various parts of the body. Dropped ears with good
texture and great mobility. Its average height is between 25 and 30 cm in
height at the withers. The depth of the body from height to the withers and
chest should be equal to the length of the front leg from the elbow to the
floor. The dog as a whole is longer than it is tall. Its approximate weight is
between 5 and 7 kilos. They usually have around 4 to 6 offspring, and their
gestation lasts 2 months.
Fur
Like most
terriers, they have water-resistant hair, which protects the dog when it enters
burrows or lakes. Its coat or coat can be of three types: smooth, hard and
semi-hard. Depending on the type it presents, it will be maintained and cared
for. JRTs with hard and semi-hard hair require more intense maintenance than
those with straight hair.
Normally a
smooth-haired dog only needs a weekly brushing. While hard and semi-hard hair
JRTs require the technique known as stripping, which is the extraction by hand
and consists of pulling dead old hair by the roots, and it must be done during
the spring to remove the winter coat already late summer to allow the winter
cloak to grow - keeping the animal warm during the cold months. Extracting the
dead hair in this way allows it to grow again maintaining the texture and
function of the coat. If the animal participates in dog shows, it will need a
specific calendar to attend to its coat and thus allow its coat to present the
required standard texture.
Temperament
The standard
describes him as: “A lively, alert and active terrier, with a sharp and
intelligent expression. Bold and brave, friendly and confident. They are
extremely active, inquisitive, lively and hunter dogs, so they require open
spaces where they can exercise in order to unleash their inexhaustible energy
and endless curiosity. They need constant, consistent and patient training that
allows them to stimulate their sharp intelligence. They are not recommended for
sedentary people, first-time owners or families with very young children.
They can be
trained for a large number of activities, especially if they use their natural
tendency to jump, trail, hunt for prey, and deep dig: they are excellent
hunters of rodents and vermin such as rabbits, ducks, and other types of small
animals. They have also been used successfully as actors; fact that has earned
them the popular sympathy because they are dogs with a charisma difficult to
match.
training
Being a working
and hunting dog, it will present a natural tendency to bark to indicate the
location of its prey, it will also dig with tenacity at the same time that it
will use its jaws to tear pieces of grass and dirt so that it can open a hole
that allows it to Dig underground where their target is, which could range from
a bone buried by another dog to directly cornering a fox in its burrow.
Barking and
digging are some of the most prized qualities in this terrier, although
ironically they can become a serious problem in the hands of inexperienced
owners or with little information about their nature. Hence the emphasis on
exercising and training it daily, otherwise it will begin to exhibit annoying
behaviors such as: excessive barking, trying to escape from the garden, digging
deep holes in undesirable places, destroying plants, hyperactivity,
aggressiveness, etc. A recommended alternative, which will not only delight
this terrier, but also allow him to jump and run, is to enroll him in agility
courses.
Health
In general, the
JRT is a healthy, happy and exuberant dog, but being a breed that descends from
the Fox Terrier, it has a predisposition to suffer Ataxia and Myelopathy
terrier (hereditary Ataxia) in the locomotor system. This rare inherited
disease develops in the first months of life and is associated with movement
disorders and increased deafness. You can also have diseases of the eye such as
dislocation of the lens. To reduce these risks to a minimum, responsible
breeders should only breed between specimens whose genealogical history is
known and rigorously certified. Males and females destined for reproduction
should be medically reviewed and declared free of these conditions.
The average life
span of the Jack Russell terrier, based on a recent survey, is approximately
13.6 years.
Jack russell
The Jack Russell
terrier is one of the best known dog breeds in the world due to its characteristics
and personality. Its origin is in the United Kingdom, although its development
was based on the standard set by an Australian work club.
The most striking
thing about this breed is its compact size, which at the same time has large
doses of energy. It is characterized by its usual white fur and its permanent
alertness, in addition to a sympathy that has earned it to be one of the
favorite pets on the planet.
Although the
standard is currently defined, there are many differences of opinion about the
physical appearance of Jack Russell. This is precisely because of its origin,
riddled with crosses between various types of terriers that were not looking
for specific characteristics, but rather to improve the hunting ability of the
new specimens.
The mother of the
breed as it is known today is believed to be a female named Trump, who belonged
to the Reverend John <> Russell, from whom the entire breed takes its
name. This man, born in England, was a pastor for a long time in the parish of
Swybridge, and he always shared his life with a terrier dog due to his fondness
for hunting. His love for terriers and his love of fox hunting led him to breed
puppies from Trump, whom he crossed with males of various types and colors. The
Jack Russell terrier comes from this breed, as well as another very similar but
slightly larger canine variety: the Parson Russell terrier.
Over time, the
descendants of that first female arrived in Australia, where they followed a
process of breeding and improving the breed until reaching the current
standard. It was not, however, until 1972 when the Jack Russell Club of
Australia appeared, and it was not until 2000 that the FCI recognized the breed
following the Australian standard.
Today, Jack
Russell is one of the best known and numerous breeds in the world. However,
there are some countries where it is especially popular. Of course, led by the
United States and Australia. Furthermore, it is one of the majority breeds in
Germany and the Netherlands, where there are breed-specific clubs. It is also
in the Scandinavian countries and in South Africa, where more than two thousand
copies have been recorded in the genealogical book of origins. Likewise, in
other countries it continues to grow in popularity, so it is a breed to keep
track of, because it is not known where it can go.
Jack Russell
Characteristics
Jack Russell is
without a doubt a very active, intelligent, brave, friendly and self-confident
dog. It is a dog destined to work, and as such it is always waiting to fulfill
some task. It requires a lot of exercise and proper control by its owner, so it
is not recommended for people who have little experience caring for a dog.
Among all the
characteristics of the Jack Russell Terrier, it is necessary to highlight those
that are most striking and representative of the breed. For example, there is
no doubt that the Jack Russel Terrier has short legs for which it stands out.
So there is no need to think that the Jack Russell has several types, but
rather that there is a wide variety of possibilities in the configuration of
the breed, although always maintaining some specific characteristics.
It is a small
breed animal, short legs and compact, slightly longer than it is tall. However,
behind that fragile appearance is a strong and energetic dog, ready for any
task involving hunting or chasing prey. Despite being small, he is very
muscular and tough, and is always prepared to run towards his prey. Do not
think that because Jack Russell has short legs he will not be able to run and
jump like anyone else.
The
characteristic shape of its body had a very marked purpose in its origin, that
of being able to easily enter burrows to hunt rodents and foxes, something that
could be done with great ease. It also has droopy and highly mobile ears, in the
shape of a V that also in hunting prevents dirt or dirt from entering them. In
the same order, its flattened head, long snout, and powerful jaws served its
purpose without question.
Jack Russell size
The standard size
of the Jack Russell is between 25 and 38 cm at the withers, and it weighs
between 5 and 7 kilos approximately. It is a small puppy, however, it is not
recommended to live in too small apartments if you do not have the availability
to exercise it for a long time, since all its energy would be translated into
unwanted behaviors indoors.
Jack Russell fur
The Jack
Russell's coat is its most variable physical characteristic, and that there are
up to three varieties of hair, which can be smooth, hard and semi-hard. In all
cases it is quite resistant, and serves as protection when swimming in water or
digging in the ground. Depending on the type of hair, the dog will need more or
less care, but generally it is an animal that maintains itself in a good
aesthetic state on its own.
Regarding shades,
any specimen of the Jack Russell breed must present at least 51% of its body in
white, which can also be combined with brown, tan or black spots on various
areas of the body. Hence, this breed is known on many occasions as a Jack
Russell terrier, although the truth is that it cannot present another majority
coloration on its body.
Jack Russell
Behavior
Jack Russell is a
dog with a very strong personality, which will test the patience and
determination of his family. He is tireless, and will always want to run, jump,
or do any other physical activity. They are always alert and eager to exercise,
and they also need constant education and training to focus all that energy on
behaviors that are not disastrous for people.
Its ability to
learn new tricks thanks to its intelligence is one of its most outstanding
characteristics, which makes it an animal highly valued in cinema and other
artistic disciplines that require a high level of concentration by the dog. In
addition, they are easy to train in all kinds of activities, especially for
those that require physical effort, jumps, chases or digging.
Is it easy to
train a dog of the breed Jack Russell?
The Jack Russell
terrier has enviable characteristics. Added to his intelligence is his ability
and his ability to learn. As well as obedient genetics that make it very easy
to train. Hence, it is common to see specimens of this breed in movies and
other exhibitions. If you have ever wondered about the Pancho dog and its
breed, you should know that it is a smooth-haired Jack Russell terrier.
Pancho's breed is also that of many other dogs in the cinema, since they are
easy to train and work comfortably with them.
You can know more
about the Jack Russell and its personality, and the Jack Russell and its
characteristics if you decide to approach this breed beyond the information
that you can find on the internet.
Main diseases of
Jack Russell
One of the
advantages of the Jack Russell is that it is a healthy and happy dog, which
rarely gets sick. It has a tendency or genetic predisposition to suffer ataxia
and myelopathy of the terrier due to being a descendant of the Fox Terrier,
although luckily it is not something excessively habitual, and it decreases
with the responsible breeding by the breeders. It can also present some
diseases in the eyes, such as dislocation of the lens, although in the same
way, the possibilities are reduced by previous studies carried out on the
specimens destined for reproduction.
In addition to
this, you only have to pay attention to your skin, since you can have it
sensitive and present allergies, especially in completely white specimens. In
these cases, it is recommended to apply sunscreen on the muzzle and on their
ears to prevent them from burning.
Jack Russell
basic care
This breed
requires minimal care compared to other breeds. They barely shed hair, and they
tend to stay in good shape, so brushing once in a while is usually enough to
make it look perfect. Remember that you should always follow the vaccination
and deworming schedule, this way you will have the guarantees that it will
always remain in the best state of health. In addition to that, you should take
note of some care of the Jack Russell so that it is always in the best
conditions.
Brushed
In general, it is
recommended to perform a minimum of one brushing per week on any dog. Depending
on the type of hair of the Jack Russell, these brushings could be more spaced
in time, and only be done in times of molting or when the coat appears dirty or
dirty.
Bathrooms
A bath every six
to eight weeks is enough to keep the dog clean. It is possible to increase the
frequency in the case of a specimen that spends a lot of time outdoors or tends
to get dirty. In any case, it is always convenient to do the bath with a
specialized shampoo, because one of humans could cause you to suffer allergic
skin reactions.
Feeding
The feeding will
depend especially on the amount of exercise that the animal performs.
Obviously, the more energy you spend, the more need you will have to recover
it, always within limits so that it is not excessive and can present other
problems. The most important thing is to always bet on a quality diet that
meets all your nutritional needs.
Exercise
Without a doubt,
exercise is one of the things that the owner of a Jack Russell should have the
most influence on, in addition to her education. Whether living in the country
or in the city, this animal needs to give out all its energy through outings, sports,
races, chases, and all kinds of activities. These animals are ideal for very
sporty people who want a companion for daily adventures.
Education
Education is very
important and basic to maintain a good relationship with Jack Russell. Her
temperament is quite strong, so it requires a person with determination and
firmness in her education. They are friendly and sociable by nature, but it is
also convenient to socialize with other dogs as a puppy, because the adult
specimen can present some aggressiveness and territoriality.
Their high
intelligence allows them to easily learn commands and tricks, so they can be
suitable for obedience contests if trained correctly. Work always pays off, and
with these smart little animals the reward will be a unique relationship.
The Jack Russell
is undoubtedly a very special breed, which needs specific care and prior
knowledge from its owner in order to meet all its needs. If you have that
predisposition to do it, you can share your life with one of these animals, who
will know how to reward you with love for everything you do. The most advisable
thing if you want to get a copy of this breed, is that you go to a reputable
breeder with enough experience to be able to give you all the information about
the breed and the necessary guarantees about the puppy and its good health. Do
not forget that his personality is unique, so you will have to be very clear on
how to act with your new best friend if you want him to grow up to be a loving,
friendly and balanced dog in his way of acting. Never wonder how much a Jack
Russell Terrier costs. If you really want to share your life with one, you will
have to be in a position to invest as much as necessary.
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