Origin: United Kingdom (England)
Origin of Name: The Jack Russell Terrier is a small terrier that has its origins in fox hunting in England.
Size | Temperament | Shedding | Drooling | Monthly keeping cost | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Small | Zero High |
Negligible Hair Everywhere |
Zero Excess |
|
The Russell and Parson Russell Terriers share a common heritage in the mid-1800s as fox-Working Dogs from the Rev. John "The Sporting Parson" Russell's kennel. Since Parsons Day, the lines of the two terriers have diverged and are now recognized as two distinct breeds. Russell was bred to be fast enough to run with the hound, and to be strict but compact for going to the ground and hunting.
The rough and finished appearance of the Russell Terrier persists with ease. There are three types of coat: smooth, broken and rough. A dense, short, smooth coat can be placed once a week with a soft brush or hound glove to look great with full rubdown. Rough and broken coats will need to be brushed weekly or with a dog comb, but they are kept mostly natural with minimal grooming. Russell's nails should be cut monthly, and his ears are checked weekly for debris or excess wax and cleaned as needed.
The first tool when training the Russell Terrier is a good sense of humor. They are highly intelligent and like to work on problems and play games. They get bored easily, so training sessions should be entertaining if you want to learn them. They do tricks easily and like to entertain people by performing. They throw themselves into any job or activity with the same dedication that they were born for hunting purposes. They are great choices for dog sports in the form of agility, flyball, obedience, rally, and even greed.
The Russell Terrier is not bred for a couch-potato family. The high energy level and a strong personality make it an excellent choice of breed for an outdoor family that does a lot of hiking, bike riding and long daily walks. Finding the sport he loves to play will help his brain and his body to exercise. A tired Russell Terrier is a good RT. With an almost unlimited supply of energy, it makes a great Companion Dog for children who understand dogs. The breed has retained a strong hunting drive, so should be socialized very well early to prevent any problems from that trait.
Russell Terrier should perform well on high quality dog food, whether it is commercially manufactured or prepared at home with the supervision and approval of your vet. Any diet should be appropriate for the age of the dog (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are at risk of being overweight, so watch your dog's calorie consumption and weight levels. Treatment training can be an important aid, but giving too much can lead to obesity. Know which human foods are safe for dogs and which are not. Contact your vet if you have any concerns about your dog's weight or diet. Clean, fresh water must be available at all times.
Most Russell Terriers are happy, healthy small dogs. Responsible breeders screened their stocks for health conditions such as patellar laxation (loose knees), deafness, and eye disease, and are dedicated to preserving the genetic health of the breed by conducting health tests on all of their breeding stocks.
Recommended health tests from the National Breed Club: