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The Jack Russell terrier, or ‘Jack’ as they are commonly known, is one of the most popular breeds in Britain. Originally from the rural areas of England, this breed was bred from a mix of fox hounds and old terriers, who had to work hard on small farms. The Jack Russell was named after an English huntsman called John “Jack” Russell. They were originally bred in England as the working Jack Russell.
Introducing the Working Jack Russell
This enthusiastic little dog has become a household favourite over the years thanks to its friendly and loyal nature. It’s extremely intelligent as well as being very loving, making it one of the best dogs to have around the home. The Jack Russell is a dog that loves to play with people and is always happy to be by your side – especially if you’re taking part in a game of fetch! But he will also love to work on a farm.
The working Jack Russell is a small dog, with a lean build. The Jack Russell coat comes in different shades of tan or gold depending on what part of England it was bred from. The long topcoat has fox-like markings on it. These markings can vary from black, red and grey through to white, brindle and mottled. This coat has dense undercoat which makes doggy hair more water resistant.
What are Working Jack Russells used for?
The Jack Russell has a short, muscular and slightly longer than tall body. It has very small ears that sit at the top of its head and are covered in fur. It’s a strong dog with a high energy level – bred with a high prey drive. That makes these dogs perfect for bushing (flushing vermin out of bushes) and ratting (clearing farms of rats). They enjoy this kind of work because it satisfies their natural prey drive. It’s fun for them and a natural way for them to get exercise.
Originally, the working Jack Russell was bred for fox hunting both above and below ground. However, fox hunting is now banned in England as it is seen as a cruel sport. But a Jack Russell has the prey drive for anything small and fast moving such as squirrels, rabbits or rats!
Does a Jack Russell make a good Family Pet?
The Jack Russell is incredibly friendly and confident with people so is great for beginner dog owners.
The temperament of the Jack Russell is cheerful and loyal to its owner. It’s a true companion and will happily sit by your feet for hours, but it does need to be exercised regularly so it doesn’t become too lazy!
This active, energetic breed is only recommended as a family pet for experienced dog owners and those who have an active outdoor lifestyle with a training focussed mindset. A Jack Russell is ideal for someone who wants an intelligent and confident dog that can be trained on its own. You can still satisfy his/her prey drive by playing with a flirt pole with your dog.
- Dog Flirt Pole: This flirt pole dog exercise toy keeps your dog entertained and active by changing directions and jumping! Great for dog chases and tug-of-war. Lots of fun for you and your dog
- Training Tool: This is a great interactive outdoor toy that acts as a training tool and provides the physical exercise your dog needs
- New Update Interactive Stick Toy: Our dog extendable teaser wand are suitable for the vast majority of dogs, you can play with your dog in the yard, garden and anywhere else, it can promote mutual communication while playing
The Jack Russell needs regular exercise and isn’t suited to life at home with people (adults or children) who may push the dog around too much. This breed has many traits of the terrier family, which means there are many different training methods for this breed of dog. We always like to recommend positive reinforcement dog training which is reward based.
If you enjoyed this article you might also like to read about Training a Jack Russell