Jack Russell Terrier
Should You Buy a Jack Russell Terrier?
Jack Russell Terriers are feisty and energetic dogs that
gained popularity through the Wishbone Series. This dog breed
is not exactly like the series however and the Jack Russell's
temperament can be too much for inexperienced dog owners.
The Jack Russell Terrier is also knows as the Parson Russell
Terrier, named for the creator Reverend Jack Russell. The
animals were bred to chase foxes and their size was kept small
so they could fit into the fox's hole.
This breed is a member of the AKC's Terrier Group. The AKC
registers the breed as Parson's Russell Terriers to
differentiate them from British Jack Russells. This is
required because while American breeders want the animals to
have long legs, British breeders prefer dogs with shorter
legs.
This breed is small but very strong. Their eyes are almond
shaped and have a bright, alert appearance. Most dogs have
short coats, but there are rough coated dogs also. This breed
is always more than half white with tan, black and brown
markings. The tail of this breed stands straight up and is
often wagging. They weigh 13 to 17 pounds and stand 10 to 15
inches high.
Jack Russells have much energy. The breed does not thrive well
in apartments or small homes. This dog thinks it is quite a
great deal larger than it is and will work until it wears
itself out. It needs a securely fenced yard and will go over,
under or around obstacles to escape if it becomes bored. This
dog has even been known to climb trees!
This breed enjoys living in an active family and loves playing
games with children such as fetch. It should not be overlooked
in the bustle of family life.
This breed must be trained as a puppy. It requires the
structure that training provides. Puppy classes will also
socialize the animal and teach it to play well with other dogs
and people.
This breed is healthy for the most part but can suffer from
eye or ear problems.
Jack Russells do not require a large amount of food. If
hyperactivity becomes a problem a veterinarian can assist you
in choosing a food with lower protein content.
Smooth coated Jack Russels require little grooming. The rough
coated variety should be groomed weekly. The dog's nails
should be checked frequently to ensure they aren't getting too
long.
Anyone searching for a high energy smaller dog should consider
a Jack Russell Terrier.
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