Jack Russell Terrier - Origin, Characteristics and Care

Jack Russel Terrier - a fox hunting dog breed originating from England, stands out with its small, intelligent and energetic appearance, very popular.

Jack Russell Terrier - a bright candidate for a smart, agile and active "four-legged friend". Originating in England and derived from a foxhound breed, Jack Russell is known for being active, alert, loyal and easy to train.

In today's article, let's explore all the interesting things about Jack Russell - from its origin, characteristics, personality, and how to take care of this adorable, smart little dog breed !

About Jack Russell Terrier

Learn about the origins of the Jack Russell Terrier.

The Jack Russell Terrier, also known as the Russell Terrier, is a fox hunting dog breed developed in England in the early 19th century by the Reverend John Russell, a hunting enthusiast and dog breeder.

The Jack Russell was bred from the classic Fox Terrier with a few other terriers to create a small, agile, intelligent, yet powerful and durable hunting dog to chase foxes or herd them out of their dens for hunters, rather than kill them.

Nowadays, Jack Russell is not just a hunting dog but it has become a lovely, active and popular pet.

Physical characteristics of Jack Russell terrier

The small, adorable appearance of the Jack Russell terrier.

The Jack Russell Terrier has a compact but extremely muscular body, bright eyes, exuding the alertness and agility of a hunting dog. Below are details about the physical characteristics of the Jack Russell, let's find out more!

Overall shape :

• Height: 30 - 50 cm
• Weight: 5 - 7 kg
• Shape: Compact, body longer than height, flexible, toned physique.
• Lifespan: 14 - 15 years

Body :

• Balanced head, tapering towards the nose
• Almond-shaped eyes, dark brown, intelligent, alert gaze
• V-shaped, soft, forward-folding ears
• Black nose, wide nostrils, sensitive sense of smell
• Tail: Traditionally docked so as not to hinder hunting but today they are left natural, slightly curved.
• Legs: Medium, small, sturdy, well-padded.

Hair:

• Jack Russel Shorthair: Short, smooth, close-fitting coat
• Jack Russel Rough Coat: Longer, wiry, coarse coat
• Jack Russel Mixed Coat: Combination of short and coarse coat
• Coat color: White - black spots, white - yellow-brown spots, white - dark yellow spots, light yellow. The color patches are usually distributed on the head, ears, tail and a few spots on the body.

Jack Russell Terrier Temperament & Behavior

Jack Russell Terriers are very active.

Dynamic and energetic

Jack Russells are high-energy dogs, they are almost always in a state of hyperactivity, running and chasing all day long - this is completely in line with their hunting instincts.

If Jack Russell doesn't get any exercise for a day, he will feel bored, stressed and even become irritable and destructive.

Smart but a bit stubborn

Jack Russell is an intelligent dog, capable of learning quickly, especially intellectual games or training with rewards.

However, that intelligence and independence come with stubbornness, so you need to be patient and experienced to be able to train them from a young age.

Loyal but not clingy

Russell Terriers are very loyal to their owners and family. However, they are not a “clingy” breed – rather than lying around all day, Jack Russells prefer to interact, run around and maintain their independence.

Has high hunting instinct

Originating as a fox hunting dog, Jack Russell has a high hunting instinct, they like to chase small animals such as cats, birds or other pets. Therefore, you need to pay attention when leaving them around smaller animals.

Love to explore and dig

Because of their hunting instincts, Jack Russell loves to dig in the garden, they love to dig the ground to find their “imaginary prey”. Therefore, you need to strictly teach them from a young age to control this behavior if you don’t want to have to clean up the “battlefield” for this dog.

How to care for and train a Jack Russell terrier

Detailed instructions on how to care for a Jack Russell dog.

If you want to raise a healthy and obedient Jack Russell terrier, please refer to the Russell terrier care and training guide shared below.

Suitable living environment

Jack Russell is very active and likes to run and move all day, so they need a spacious living environment such as a house with a small playground or if living in an apartment, they need to be walked every day.

In particular, this breed of dog likes to dig and burrow, so it needs to be carefully fenced to prevent them from escaping.

Full, balanced diet

To help Russell Terrier grow well and always be active and agile, you need to provide a suitable diet, full of nutrients. Specifically as follows:

• Divide food into 2 meals/day
• Prioritize protein-rich foods such as chicken, beef, eggs, and salmon.
• Add vegetables such as carrots, pumpkin, cauliflower,...
• Avoid foods high in fat, salt, small sharp bones or leftovers.
• Can be trained to eat dry food for working dogs.

Grooming & Hygiene

If you want your Jack Russell to have a beautiful appearance and limit hair and skin diseases, you need to pay attention to hair care and hygiene. Please note the following:

• Brush 1 - 2 times/week, because Jack Russell sheds little hair
• Bathe 2-4 times a week or when dirty. Note that you should only use shampoo specifically for dogs.
• Clean ears every week
• Brush your teeth 2-3 times/week
• Trim nails when they are too long to avoid breaking them when running or jumping.

Exercise and release energy every day

As shared above, Jack Russell is an extremely energetic and active dog, so you need to let them run and exercise every day.

• Outdoor exercise time at least 40 - 60 minutes/day
• You can refer to forms such as walking, jogging, throwing balls, intellectual games,...

Note: When taking Jack Russell out for exercise, you need a leash because this dog is often attracted to and chases small animals such as cats, birds, mice,...

Training Jack Russell properly

To help your Russell Terrier be obedient, well-behaved and get along with other pets, you need to focus on early training and socialization. Specifically as follows:

• Ideal training time: Around 2 months old, start with basic lessons such as sitting, lying down, standing up, coming here,...
• Training principles: Be brief, consistent, and use rewards instead of scolding to prevent the dog from reacting negatively.
• Socialization from a young age: Expose Jack Russell to outsiders, sounds, and other pets (if you intend to raise them together) to make them friendly and sociable.

Common diseases in Russell terriers and how to treat them

Below are some common diseases in Jack Russell dogs and how to treat them. Please refer to them immediately so that you can handle them promptly if you get them.

How much does a Jack Russell Terrier cost?

Currently, the price of Jack Russell Terriers in Vietnam fluctuates quite a lot, depending on origin, purity and appearance. You can refer to the following price list.

Beautiful Jack Russell Terrier Pictures

Please enjoy the series of beautiful, adorable and personality-filled images of Jack Russell terriers through everyday moments below. We guarantee you will feel "heartbroken" by these lovely puppies.

The Jack Russell terrier is running around in the field.

The adorable look of the long-haired Jack Russell terrier.

Cute Jack Russell Terrier.

Two Jack Russell terriers are playing in the yard.

Super cute Jack Russell terrier puppies.

Jack Russell terrier mother and puppies.

The Jack Russell terrier is being walked.

Jack Russell Terriers are very friendly with children.

Although the Jack Russell Terrier is a small dog, it is very active and smart. With a lovely appearance and outstanding intelligence, they will be a perfect choice for every family. If you are looking for a lively and lovely "four-legged friend", the Jack Russell is a good candidate.

Goodbye and see you soon in other articles of the Blog section of dogbreed.wiki to learn more about other interesting breeds of dogs, terriers, and hunting dogs.