Jack Russell Terrier

14-18 lbs
9-15"
England
Parson Russell Terrier, Parson Terrier, Russell Terrier, JRT, PRT

The Jack Russell Terrier is best known from television shows like Frasier and Wishbone. Many people have fallen in love with cute and quirky personalities of Eddie on Frasier and Wishbone; however the reality of a Jack Russell Terrier is much different. Dogs seen on television have full time trainers and a specific job to accomplish. The Jack Russell Terrier desperately wants something to do and will find a way to occupy their time if you are too busy for them. He is an energetic dog who loves to run, dig and find mischief. He is easily trained and can be a sweet companion when he is given an appropriate outlet for all his energy. 

purpose Purpose
Ratter
history Date of Origin
Unknown
ancestry Ancestry
Terrier

Jack Russell Terrier Health

Average Size
Male Jack Russell Terrier size stats
Height: 9-15 inches Weight: 14-18 lbs
Female Jack Russell Terrier size stats
Height: 9-15 inches Weight: 14-18 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cataracts
  • Glaucoma
  • Legg-Calve Perthes Disease
  • Subaortic Stenosis
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
  • Canine Cushing’s Disease
Minor Concerns
  • Epilepsy
  • vonWillebrand’s Disease
  • Cerebellar Ataxia
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Deafness
  • Degenerative Myopathy (DM)
  • Primary Lens Luxation (PLL)
Occasional Tests
  • Dna For Vwd
  • CERF
  • Physical Examination
  • Eye examination
  • Brain Auditory Evoked Response (BAER)

Jack Russell Terrier Breed History

The Jack Russell Terrier is a true working terrier. He was given the name from Reverend John Russell who worked to cultivate bloodlines of these terriers to work fox. Reverend Russell lived in Devonshire, England and died in 1883. He was said to be a flamboyant man who had a passion for hunting fox. Reverend Russell’s first terrier, named Trump, is thought to be the foundation stud for his bloodlines. The Jack Russell Terrier was also identified as the Parson Russell Terrier or simply Parson Terrier. The Jack Russell Terrier is in a sense not pure bred since over the years their genetic make-up has remained broad and their breed standard is still loosely interpreted by breeders, therefore, they do not breed true to type. Breeders of the Jack Russell Terrier have not been overly diligent in setting a true type for this fun loving, hard working terrier. The Jack Russell Terrier was made strictly for hunting. He had to be sturdy, fast, flexible and tenacious to hunt fox. Where ever his quarry goes, he must also be able to go, even underground. He is a versatile working terrier and was not used only for fox but for woodchuck and raccoon also. Many Jack Russell Terrier owners and breeders did not initially want the breed to be recognized by the American Kennel Club. There was already a special registry for them through the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America. However, there was a small group of breeders who wanted the Jack Russell Terrier to be recognized. They formed the Parson Russell Terrier Association of the United States and became the AKC parent club for the breed. In 1997, the AKC did officially recognize the Jack Russell Terrier. In 2003, the name was officially changed to the Parson Russell Terrier. 

Jack Russell Terrier Breed Appearance

The Jack Russell Terrier is a very active, well muscled small dog. He is a confident dog and faces any new situation head on. Tail docking for the Jack Russell Terrier is optional. His coat can be smooth, broken or rough. His coat must be weatherproof with a softer undercoat and a harsh topcoat. The smooth coat is short, coarse and smooth with a dense undercoat. The broken coat has an intermediate length, between the smooth and rough coat. Sometimes the broken coat has a ridge down the back and longer facial hair. The rough coat has longer coat that is harsh to touch and a dense undercoat. The coat should never appear thin, curly, silky or woolly. His color should be predominately white with black and/or tan markings. He must be at least 51% white, any less is considered a major fault in the breed. The tan coloring can vary from lemon to mahogany and ticking or freckling is acceptable.

Eye Color Possibilities
brown Jack Russell Terrier eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Jack Russell Terrier nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
black Jack Russell Terrier coat
Black
white Jack Russell Terrier coat
White
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Jack Russell Terrier straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Jack Russell Terrier Breed Maintenance

The smooth and broken coated Jack Russell Terrier generally requires minimal grooming. The rough coat Jack Russell Terrier does require more grooming, however, he is still considered to be a low maintenance dog. All three coat varieties should be brushed a few times each week to keep any shedding under control and remove any dirt and debris from his coat. The rough coated variety will take longer to brush. Brush him using a natural bristle brush. The rough coated variety may require the use of a comb to remove any tangles. Trim his nails as needed, generally every two weeks or so. His ears will need to be cleaned weekly, checking for any redness or foul odor that may indicate an infection is starting. Teeth should be cleaned often by brushing them with approved toothpaste. If he has excessive plaque buildup, a professional teeth cleaning may be required. Be sure to begin a grooming regimen at a young age so he can become accustomed to the routine and willingly accepts being groomed. 

Brushes for Jack Russell Terrier
Pin Brush
Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Slicker Brush
Comb
Comb
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Jack Russell Terrier requires weekly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Jack Russell Terrier Temperament

The Jack Russell Terrier is friendly, outgoing and very energetic. He is playful and affectionate with his family. He makes a great family companion as long as his family understands his needs. The Jack Russell Terrier is not a dog who can be left in the backyard to entertain himself. He will quickly become destructive and excessively vocal. He does excellent with interactive toys that make him think. The Jack Russell Terrier is ideal for dog sports such as agility, earthdog trials, dock diving and terrier races. He does great with older children; however he does not usually do well with toddlers. He will not hesitate to be growl or bite a child or even an adult who aggravates by pulling on his ears or tail. He should always be supervised when around cats and other small pets. He does see cats and small pets as prey. Some Jack Russell Terriers do alright with indoor cats when they are raised with them from puppyhood. He should never be aggressive with other dogs. 

Jack Russell Terrier Owner Experiences

Bob
6 Years
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Clever dog, very excited and super energetic. Very friendly with people but very territorial and not so friendly with other dogs when on a ride.
1 year ago
Future
1 Year
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Running outside laying togerher bathing him
1 year, 1 month ago
3 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
The Jack Russell's that I have walked are not aggressive but not overly friendly. When I arrive they are excited to go on a walk but do not care for any affection when I arrive. They do like to lead the way on the walk and the males seem to mark their territory often. They do not really care to interact with other dogs or humans along the way, but they are sweet pups overall.
5 years, 5 months ago
6 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Spa day
Fetch
Run
Frisbee
Hide & Seek
Each jack russel I’ve walked has given me grief. They’re very territorial of their home. I’ve had my shoes bitten multiplied times by these little guys. They just love to protect their homes. Once on a walk they’ve got a lot of energy and love to run it off. They’re excellent at fetch, chase and find.
5 years, 5 months ago
9 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Playing
Jack Russel's have a ton of energy. They will bark until you greet them, and then they want to be your best friend. They are hyper and love going on walks. It is best to keep them away from other dogs, but they do well with people.
5 years, 5 months ago
11 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
I walked a jack Russell/Pug mix. He was very well-trained and great on a leash. Jack Russell’s tend to be smarter so it was clear that he had been trained well. He had energy like a jack Russell, but not too much. Very friendly with dogs.
5 years, 5 months ago
3 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Dressing up
Tug-of-war
Run
I realized through this particular experience that Jack Russell's can be very territorial / affectinate with their one specific owner in mind. Even the husband who owns the app doesn't get as much niceness as his wife. He seemed to be very sweet and kind with the wife, but the husband and I on the other hand... Something else. I would go through 'airport security' and take off my shoes for him to smell. They need to make sure that your scent is present, and not a perfume of some sort. Otherwise when on the walk he is fine and in his own zone. And as well making sure he gets his "pee spots" back in his own scent.
5 years, 5 months ago
14 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Explore the woods
Road trip
Hike
Chase
Look out the window
Dog Parks
I have had my JRT since she was 6 months old. She's very loyal and loving but she is quick to run if you leave a door open because she just loves to explore. She is friendly with all dogs and cats and people of all ages. She used to have a ton of energy and still does given her age. She is still completely house trained as well.
5 years, 5 months ago
3 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
The dog was small and hyper. But all well he was a great dog to walk.
5 years, 5 months ago
1 Year
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
treats
Running
They have a lot of energy but in my experience, in comes in short spurts, almost cheetah like. They would want to run for a few minutes but then sit in the middle of the sidewalk and get scratches and treats. Usually not a fan of other dogs, but doesn't mind the random human who passes by.
5 years, 5 months ago
4 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Walk
Chew
Run
She was super sweet a little timid maybe because I was new but I really think because of my size. She loved going out for the walk and listened real well while we walked. She was super excited and a bit jumpy once we got back to the house. She was really happy all around and really kind. Even though she may have been afraid at first which can be dangerous with the wrong dog she just kept her space.
5 years, 5 months ago
5 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Go to Park
Play
They are very excited and can occasionally be aggressive. For the most part they are sweet but some nip if they get overly excited or feel threatened in some way. Need a lot of running to release their energy. Mostly very sweet.
5 years, 5 months ago
4 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
Running
The Jack Russell Terrier I walk is my easiest walker. His owner requests a 60 minute walk every time because he realizes that his little guy has lots of energy to burn throughout the day. So I take him (let’s call the dog Max) out for a nice long walk. He has a retractable leash, which works very well for him as he waits for me before he crosses a street. We walk quickly and cover a lot of ground - usually walking 4 miles in an hour. As far as friendliness, he seemed to realize right away that I was there to walk him, and didn’t see me as a threat, but Max has NO interest in my attentions. One day, when we returned from our walk, Max rolled over to show his belly. I thought he wanted a belly rub. I was wrong. He growled but I missed it, and then he turned and gave me a little warning nip. After that I realized that Max, like most Jack Russells, was more interested in walking with me than in snuggling with me. He loves his owners, and that’s enough for him. If we pass another dog on our walk, Max will go fully aggressive. He will growl and attack - no matter that he is a quarter of their size! And fortunately, since he is so small it is no problem for me to keep him away from the other dog, and to keep the situation from escalating. Max also seems very intelligent. I think normally his walks aren’t for a full hour unless I’m walking him, so sometimes he will head back home. When I turn down a side street he will stop and look at me, confused, assuming maybe I’ve gotten lost. But despite his confusion, he will never stop walking for me. Unlike so many other breeds that I walk, Max just keeps going and going, like an Energizer Bunny, never really seeming to get very tired. Once we return to his home, he may sit with me on the couch for a bit, though he clearly still isn’t all that interested in snuggles. Sitting near me, he just seems to want to indicate that he’s ok with me being there, and to say “thank you” for our walk. I think a Jack Russell is a good idea for someone who wants a small dog (maybe for a small space) who has big-dog energy. A Jack Russell is a good exercise buddy who doesn’t take up too much room.
5 years, 5 months ago
1 Year
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
Fetch
skateboarding
Tricks
Beach
Running
I love this breed! Probably another one of my top breeds of choice for dogs. Perfect mid size dog with all the loving, athleticism, energy, obedience, and quick learner to proper behavior. I can’t say how many times I’ve walked these dogs but out of all the walks I’ve never once had any difficulty or trouble with these breeds. They are super bouncy and love to move their legs. They are true sweethearts of a dog too! I’ve ran stairs with them, skateboarded, biked, played fetch, swim at the beach, and even got some soccer in. You put any type of a ball in front of them no matter the size, and they will and are bound to make fun happen with it. Just can’t say enough about this dog breed. They really are the definition of small things in big packages as they embody everything I want in a dog.
5 years, 5 months ago
1 Year
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Chase
running,
Jack Russell Terriers are very energetic dogs. They need their daily dose of physical activity. While a stroll around the neighborhood may be great for some but the Jack Russell need much more than that. They do better with long walks or runs at the park. While the JRT are incredibly smart they can also be incredibly stubborn. They will sit and wait until you follow their orders as much as you want them to follow yours. They are incredibly social and friendly so don't be afraid to let them greet a neighborhood pup as long as it seems safe. They make for great family dogs and they love children and will enjoy the energy that a child has. The key for a Jack Russell is exercise, socialization and consistency with training.
5 years, 5 months ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Running
The Jack Russel I walked was very energetic and slightly suspicious of me at first. After I showed him the leash he was happy to go out. He pulled slightly, but for being a small dog, it is not hard to hold him back. The owner had a retractable leash, which I do not recommend, because of the weight he would put while pulling. I ran with him to give him a good exercise and get his energy levels down. I could tell he was smart and stubborn when he found a chicken bone scattered in the garden and wouldn't leave it by any command. I had to "trade" it for a treat to get it out of his mouth.
5 years, 5 months ago
7 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
chasing squirrels
Playing fetch
I had a recurring walk with a sweet girl named Bailey. She was 7 years old but so full of energy and always so excited to see me! She loved to chase squirrels and chase leaves that blew in the wind. She also loved to play fetch and run around her house. I find this breed had energy for days and doesn’t let their age show. Very sweet and motivated dogs. Very trainable too, bailey would spin on her hind legs for treats. Lovable dogs!!
5 years, 5 months ago
10 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walk
My experience with a Jack Russell was with an older Jack Russell who had mammory growths, so she was not in the best of health. She was also somewhat overweight, so when we went walking, she set a fairly slow pace. She was not a yapper like most Jack Russells, but she would occasionally go outside and bark once or twice. She would howl whenever she thought that she was going to get treats.
5 years, 5 months ago
8 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking, chasing balls, looking for squirrels
I've had Jack Russell Terriers for over 20 years. I love it when I get a walk with JRT's as I like to compare how they are to mine. They are bundles of energy, lovable, loyal, funny, smart, and fierce when they have prey in their vision. I've had both broken coat and smooth coat Jack Russells and find they smooth coat sheds more hair than the broken coat one. I love that they are very portable. We have traveled all over with ours. We rent homes so that we can take them with us rather than put them in a kennel or my girlfriends will watch them. But now with Wag, which offers boarding and sitting, I have no worries at all with someone taking care of mine if the need be. I walk mine a mile everyday to work out his energy. He'll take naps with you and watch TV with you. He does bark a the TV when there are animals or even the minnions on it! Just love the breed, they're fantastic little ones!
5 years, 5 months ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Scenting
High energy, but well trained, this lady was mostly satisfied with sniffing around the perimeter of a park. Very friendly toward other dogs, and was disappointed and stubborn when I would not let her join some off-leash dogs playing. Near the end of an hour-long walk I could tell she was getting over-stimulated and anxious.
5 years, 5 months ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Run
They've always been super energetic and lap dogs too at times. The three that I've spent the most time with always had a quirk about them! One of them was so nice and friendly and excited to see you come through the door, but soon as you started to leave turned verocious haha and tried to bite your ankles. The other one would just invite herself to lay on your lap and you better not move. And in a group setting they were usually just marking their territory and chasing other dogs around while barking I didn't really see them playing with dogs.
5 years, 5 months ago
johgff
28 Years
1 People
Studio
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
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4 years, 8 months ago
Benjamin Pharoah Smith
11 Years
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
I have had my dog since a baby
3 years, 6 months ago
Jess
11 Months
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Playing
Walks
wrestling
Running
She barks at people but is very affectionate with known people and doesn't mind other pets. She requires constant 24/7 energy and attention.
3 years, 1 month ago
Rosie
3 Months
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Playing fetch
Cuddling
Learning new tricks
We got Rosie at 9 turning 10 weeks old, she’s now 15 weeks and we’re first time owners, it’s been tough but things are getting better! She’s a lovely dog, loves everyone and every dog, not aggressive, loves to play and sleeps in bed with me and warns me if she needs the toilet, we snuggle on the sofa every evening and we walk 2 times a day and do some training such as “leave it” or “stay” she’s a very fast learner and if is all round lovely. She has her puppy flaws but that’s not her fault! Amazing companion
2 years, 7 months ago
Millie
2 Years
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Playing
Walking.
She is the most amazing thing ever, so funny sweety , brilliant with kids, will do anything for you.
2 years, 5 months ago
Rudy
4 Years
4 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Playing
Sleeping
going on long walks
These kind of dogs are the perfect fit for anyone that wants motivation to start exercising. We have him for four years now and he is the most energetic creature in our house. He likes belly rubs and games. The only downside is his coat. We brush him almost everyday and he still has so much fur! We are used to it now but consider this before getting one. We get by this, with a swiffer haha!
2 years, 3 months ago
Zack
7 Years
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Food,walks,hugs, kisses, kill
2 years ago
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