Breedology

Feisty bundle of energy and love

The Jack Russell is an active and bold little dog, named after the Reverend John Russell, who bred them in the 1800’s in England to flush out foxes.

They are happy, fun-loving, and energetic dogs who are also extremely loyal, intelligent and assertive. Their greatest attribute is their working ability, closely followed by their excellent qualities as a companion. Jack Russell’s have a sense of humour and their funny antics will continually amuse you. That being said, they are not the breed for everyone as their assertive nature and boundless energy can at times be overwhelming. Jack Russell’s like to be kept busy. Whilst they can adapt to a variety of lifestyles, remember that they are first and foremost bred to be hunting dogs. A confined or sedate lifestyle, will not always meet the needs of a Jack Russell as they require lots of human attention, outdoor activity, exercise, and discipline. Hunting-type terriers love to dig and can wreak havoc in a garden if unsupervised and not kept active and amused.

Sadly the majority of dogs in rescue shelters are unwanted simply for being Jack Russell’s by nature and behaviour. Owners often find that they were unprepared for the care required for this feisty little terrier and did not understand the nature of the breed and their instinctive desire to hunt. The Jack Russell can make a wonderful family pet, and gets along well with children. One of the Jack Russell's best qualities is a kind and gentle nature.

Health and wellbeing

The Jack Russell needs little grooming and no special physical care. There are few health issues but one needs to ensure that if you want a puppy, you only purchase one from a reputable breeder. A Jack Russell needs to be obedience-trained and socialised as a puppy as he has his share of terrier aggression towards other dogs and will sometimes hunt small animals that he considers to be prey. A Jack Russell’s lifespan is thirteen to sixteen years.

Famous Jack Russells and their owners

Eddie on "Frasier" is possibly one of the most famous Jack Russells. Eddie was played initially by a dog named Moose , then by one named Enzo after Moose retired at age 10. Moose and Enzo also appeared with Frankie Muniz in the 2000 feature film My Dog Skip. Moose made numerous television appearances and had several magazine covers to his credit. There is even an official 'autobiography' on Moose entitled – My Life as a Dog. Unfortunately Moose passed away on June 28th 2006.

Celebrities who own Jack Russell’s include Mariah Carey, Bette Midler, Paul McCartney, Goldie Hawn, Lindsey Lohan and Prince Charles and Camilla who recently adopted Beth, a Jack Russell Terrier, from an animal shelter in London.