The Jack Russell Terrier is a terrier breed that has been developed in the United Kingdom, primarily by hunters of foxes and rats to catch small game, and also as a watchdog. welcome to the ultimate Jack Russell Terrier Guide!
Breed Overview
The Jack Russell Terrier breed was first recognized by The Kennel Club (England) in June 1874. Currently there are an estimated 170,000 dogs worldwide with just under 50% living in the U.K., where they are continuing their long standing reputation for hunting vermin and protecting property – particularly from snakes which are common targets of this dog’s skills both on land or close to water both near home or abroad in the show ring.
Terrier Characteristics
The Jack Russell is an intelligent, energetic dog. They are not intended to be housed in apartments and do best with a yard to explore in. While this breed can live outside they should always have access to shelter and it may be very important during cold weather or when left for long periods of time that the dog has access to water at all times even if it must be heated.
Do they Shed?
This breed has extremely short hair which is highly energy efficient requiring minimal grooming: simply a brush weekly or more often as needed will suffice. Their coat also helps protect them from sunburns, wind, dirt and brambles making them an excellent choice for active owners living close to or in nature.
They are considered a low-shedding breed but this varies depending on the level of coat maintenance provided by the owner. I once had a JRT that shedding a hell of a lot! They won’t need too much grooming but you will want to brush them with a slicker brush maybe weekly or fortnightly. The longer haired or short hair will need slightly more grooming and sometimes may warrant a trip to the pooch parlour.
How long do Jack Russells live?
They have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years which is an average for most breeds. However, I once met one Jack Russell who was 21. Also one of my university friends had a JRT called Digger that lived to 22 years old!
Are Jack Russells OK with Children?
many JRTs can be fine with children as long as the child knows how to behave around the dog whether playing or just visiting but should never be left unsupervised.
In general these dogs react off leash as if they were on one behaving like terriers do: curious, excited, sometimes aggressive in protecting their owners even from those outside the family – making training essential for any new owner. It is important to establish yourself as alpha early through consistent methods such as positive technique or training to make sure that the dog knows who is in charge.
Feeding your Jack Russell
A cup of dry food a day will generally be sufficient for most adult Jack Russells and can be fed in two meals for adult dogs still growing or one meal daily as an adult. Puppies however may require three meals per day and while it is never recommended to allow puppies free access to water at least until they are fully grown this breed – like all others – needs plenty of clean fresh water available at all times with no exceptions. For more information on feeding visit our diet section below.
They require approximately 1 cup of two meals per day split into dry food or kibble depending on preference though some dogs do better with a moist diet such as canned food or raw meat with some cooked veggies mixed in. Some special diets are even designed to fatten them up when they are too thin if this is the case talk to your vet before making any changes.
Jack Russell Terrier Guide on Health
There is a low risk of hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, hemophilia, von Willebrands disease, and kidney disease but as with all breeds it is important to research and know health risks before purchase or breeding.
They may not thrive without enough mental and physical stimulation simply because they are bred to work. While some dogs do okay with no exercise whatsoever if you choose one of these breeds for your family be prepared for daily walks based on your lifestyle: younger dogs will need more exercise than older ones, puppies will require even more time and attention to be well adjusted adults but will calm down once they are mature.
Do Jack Russells Bark a lot?
Their alert nature makes them excellent watchdogs but while most will bark when someone comes by others may not so this should be considered during your purchasing options: they are known for barking excessively at times if left alone too long or bored – especially when young. They are smart dogs though not always easy to train because they do things on their own terms; an owner must firmly establish themselves as alpha early on in the dog’s life to get the best behavior but patience is required with this breed as training may be a ongoing process.
Exercise
Exercise needs to be based on their age and breed – these guys need at least thirty minutes of physical activity each day though puppies will require more rest before beginning again the next day so it is hard to say how much time is best for them without knowing their health level: you should always take your dog’s level of exercise into consideration when exercising other pets in the home including cats, because while they may appear okay now they can develop stress disorders from exercise that surpasses own limits; this may be more prevalent in breeds that suffer from breathing problems like pug or bulldogs.
I hope that you enjoyed this Jack Russell terrier guide. You might want to find out more about the Jack Russell terrier and Are Jack Russell Terriers Smart?
