GROUP 2 - TERRIERS

Brief History
The breed takes its name from one of England’s hunting parsons, the Reverend John (or Jack) Russell from Devon, who established the breed in the early 19th century.  The Reverend, being a keen fox hunter, needed an agile dog with plenty of spirit that could keep up with hounds and have the courage to face up to its quarry underground. The Jack Russell Terrier Club of Australia was entirely responsible for the development of the breed up until 1991, when it was officially recognised by the ANKC as a pure breed.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime. The average life span is 15 years of age. Some live much longer.

Temperament
Active, strong willed, brave.

Jacks are generally a fearless or quietly confident dog, neither aggressive nor shy. He is lively, active and alert.  They can be strong willed, independent and dominant.  They are also loving, loyal, and incredibly brave for their size.

General Breed Description
The Jack Russell should be a slightly longer than tall dog in shape. His ears fold forward.  As a hunter he requires a strong head.  He has a straight back finished with a tail that’s carried up not out.  Jacks do not have an overly deep body as they have to squeeze down burrows. Jacks come in three coat types, smooth, broken and rough. White must always be the predominant colour, with black, tan or brown markings.

Coat and Care Requirements
While all coats benefit from regular brushing at least once a week, the broken and rough coats can be stripped (this involves removing the loose hair) or clipped and they will not shed. Stripping needs to be done regularly to keep the coat weatherproof. The easy care, smooth coated Jack Russell does shed and he will lose hair all year round. Always check ears and nails when brushing to ward off any problems.  It is important to socialise a Jack puppy with lots of different experiences, people, sights and sounds. Jacks must be given structure and kept busy. This can involve obedience, flyball, agility (which they love) and daily walks.  A bored dog is a destructive dog.  Always supervise your dog with children.

Size
Height: 25 to 30cms (10 to 12ins).

Weight: equivalent of 1kg to each 5cms in height, i.e. a 25cm high dog should weigh approximately 5kgs and a 30cm high dog should weigh 6kgs.

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about breed health and what health testing the breeder does.

Suitability
Jack Russells make great pets for families, with owners who have the time to train them. They are an intelligent breed and pick up directions quickly. They are not for everyone though.  They should be taugh, from the moment when they are bought home, with the basics like’’ sit ‘’and ‘’come’’.  They can be very rough when playing, so be aware of this with young children, as they like to nip when playing.  Jacks like nothing better than being with their families and can live quite comfortably in a house or unit, so long as they are given daily attention and exercise.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard: https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/48