Jack Russel Terrier Breed Information

A dog with a vivacious personality, the Jack Russell is a popular choice for television shows. Of course there is much more to this dog than what you see on the screen so we've put together the following Jack Russell breed information to give you an idea as to whether this is the pup for you and your family. 
 
Jack Russell Terrier
 
The Jack Russell Terrier has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years. This is actually a bit shorter than one might expect with a dog this size.
 
Origin
 
The Jack Russell Terrier is named for the Revered John (Jack) Russell of Devonshire, England. Russell bred an impressive line of terriers in the 1800s. His goal was to use the dog for hunting foxes.
 
The actual story of the origin is odd because, well, it is known to us. Russell was walking on the campus of Oxford University in 1819. He spotted a milkman with an unusual black-and-white terrier. Russell immediately purchased the dog and named her "Trump." Believed to have been a cross of the Fox Terrier and Black-and-Tan Terrier, Trump would become the "Eve" of the breed from which all Jack Russell Terriers trace their lineage. 
 
Size
 
The Jack Russell Terrier weighs 13 to 17 pounds. It stands roughly 13 to 14 inches in height.
 
Grooming Needs
 
The Jack Russell Terrier has two coat types: smooth and broken. Both the smooth-coated and broken-coated Jack Russell Terrier should be brushed once a week and bathed when dirty. The broken-coated Jack Russell Terrier may also need to have their coat hand stripped a few times a year. Like all dogs, basic grooming of the claws, teeth and ears should be undertaken yearly as well.
 
Character
 
The Jack Russell Terrier is sassy and fearless. If you are looking for a pup with a lot of personality, this is the breed for you. This is not a dog that will be passive and sleep in its crate all day.
 
Temperament
 
The Jack Russell Terrier is bold, confident and willing to take on the world. They like to be in charge and believe they are the center of the world. They are generally outgoing and happy, but have the natural assertiveness associated with most terrier breeds.
 
How does this breed do as a family pet? The Jack Russell Terrier bonds quickly with their family and are quick to alert them to anything suspicious around the house. Not much gets by this breed and they are known for being relentless barkers. They can be trained to minimize their barking, but may never fully be able to control themselves.
 
Training Needs
 
The Jack Russell Terrier is naturally geared to act as the alpha of the household. Training is absolutely a must to counter this or you can end up with an overbearing dog on your hands. The Jack Russell needs a consistent hand to keep it in its place. These pups are stubborn, but also intelligent. With proper training, this pup can become a perfect pet for kids and adults alike.
 
A quick word of caution. All Jack Russells should be socialized with other dogs when they are puppies. Why? They can be naturally aggressive towards other breeds. Socialization can overcome this trait. 
 
Activity Level
 
The Jack Russell Terrier is highly energetic and needs lots of space in and out of the home to release their energy. Despite the size and what you may have seen on television shows, this is not a dog that does well in an apartment given the lack of space. The Jack Russell Terrier should have a long daily walk and regular time in a secure yard to run around and play. They especially love to chase balls and can do so for hours, so warm up that pitching arm!
 
Overall
 
Overall, the Jack Russell Terrier is a great dog. Training is important, but ultimately produces a dog you will enjoy having as a member of your family for years to come.
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