How long do Jack Russells live?

jackrussellworld.co.uk is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Affiliate links may be used on this page and in jackrussellworld.co.uk articles, but they do not impact on the price that you pay.

Jack Russells are generally healthy and sturdy dogs and you will get a good lifespan out of a terrier. In fact, a terrier will live longer than larger breeds such as Alsatians and Great Danes. So exactly how long do Jack Russells live?

How long do Jack Russells live?

It is said that the average lifespan of a Jack Russell Terrier is 10-12 years. However, they are considered to be one of the healthier dog breeds so it’s possible that they could live longer than this. It really depends on how well you take care of them and their genealogy. Some dog breeds are expected to live longer than others because they are healthier and less prone to health problems.

My last Jack Russell Terrier Milo lived until the age of 15 when he started to display heart problems. He was a rescue and said to be roughly 5 when I got him so we can’t be sure. But I had him for 10 years.

Does their Lifespan vary according to health and diet?

It’s also true that some dogs live a shorter lifespan than others due to the way they are treated and/or their diet. The same can be said for human beings as well. It also really depends on your dog’s environment and the people they interact with, especially if you have kids. I have seen smaller Jack Russells live longer than larger ones, just because of the extra stress placed on their bodies from carrying around more weight. Regardless, there are numerous factors that can affect an individual’s lifespan aside from genetics such as: nutrition, environment, stress levels, overall health etc.

How old is the Oldest Jack Russell?

I kid you not, I have met Jack Russells in their 20s! I met one once in a Supermarket car park who was sitting on his owners lap at the grand old age of 21! Someone who I went to University with had a Jack Russell called ‘Digger’ and he lived to 22! In fact The oldest dog in Britain was a 25-year-old Jack Russell from Somerset, which died in 2014.

You might also like to read our article about Jack Russell health.