Jack Russell Information
Welcome to Terrier Answers! I have set up this website to help folks that either own or are thinking of owning or training a Jack Russell or just want more Jack Russell information. I will add new articles pertaining to general problems, training, health issues and more, so check back often!
First, I want to give you some history behind the Jack Russell Terrier, which is officially called Parson Russell Terrier according to the American Kennel Club or AKC. The breed was started in the 1800′s by a fox hunt loving parson in England who crossed the fox terrier with a variety of other rough-coated breeds to flush foxes from their dens.
The breed standard wasn’t drafted until 1904 followed by the formation of the Parson Jack Russell Terrier Club in England in 1914. Jack Russell Terriers were not recognized by the AKC until around 1997, and in 2003 AKC changed the name to Parson Russell Terrier. The AKC and UKC still differ on their standards for the breed, but for the purposes of this website, I’ll call them all Jack Russell Terriers whether 10″ or 15″!
The larger version, called the Parson Russell Terrier according to AKC standards, should stand between 12-15″ and be mostly white with tan or black or tricolor markings on the head and base of the tail. His coat may be smooth or broken. The Parson should have a narrow chest which would enable him to “go to ground” to flush out a fox from his den. His ears should be V-shaped and the tips should not fall past the corner of his eyes. A Parson that matches these requirements would be ideal for fox flushing.
It is said that the shorter legged version, now commonly called a Jack Russell, may have been bred more as a pet with less emphasis on hunting. The Shorty Jack, as they are sometimes referred to, more closely resembles a Corgi, and might have difficulty keeping pace with a longer legged fox. In the US, these short legged versions are called Russell Terriers according to the UKC, but called Jack Russell Terriers internationally. How confusing!
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Understanding that your Jack Russell Terrier was originally bred to hunt and “go to ground”, may help explain how your dog’s mind works. Digging is a common problem with any terrier, especially the Jack Russell Terrier. They can rid your yard of moles and voles, and have no regard for your flower beds or gardens! They also tend to be fearless, though there are some shy exceptions. Jack Russells are not afraid of cars or dogs larger than themselves which can lead to scary situations. All but one Jack Russell that I’ve ever seen (I’ve seen quite a few!), were very energetic and active dogs, always looking for a good game of chase. They are very good at escaping from their enclosures as they love to dig and some can learn to climb fences as well.
Jack Russell Terriers are very people oriented and loyal, which can lead to separation anxiety when their owner is away. They can be destructive out of sheer boredom, if not given the opportunity to exercise daily. They can be a menace to any small animals, like chipmunks, birds, pet hamsters, and often, cats. I have seen my Jack Russell Terrier take on a large black snake, possum, and found the remains of a couple of cats that made the fatal mistake of entering my fenced backyard! They are true terriers that were bred to hunt!
Jack Russell Terriers are very intelligent dogs and can be easily trained, though distractions can be hard for them to ignore. They can be defiant, too! They are especially well suited for agility, because of their speed and energy, and earthdog competitions because it requires very little training since there’s probably nothing they would rather be doing anyway!