Jack Russell Terrier

Reverend John “Jack” Russell of Devon, England crafted the original breed of Parson Russell Terrier to be his hunting partner. Foxhunts were able to use this determined pup for its ability to flush out foxes from their burrows. With a greater requirement for canines with longer legs that could navigate tumultuous terrain, an evolved version emerged known as the Parson Russell Terrier.

After Rev. Russell’s passing, two distinct breeds emerged from the original terrier breed: the Jack Russell Terrier and Parson Russell Terrier. Hunts that ran over hilly landscapes required dogs with longer legs to keep up with the hunting party; conversely, shorter-legged breeds remained at home as rat catchers, watchdogs and pets. These longer legged varieties grew into what we now know as Parson Russell Terriers while their counterparts became known by us today as Jack Russells!

Although one of the most popular breeds in America, the Jack Russell Terrier is not officially recognized by the AKC, which was determined in part by its founding club, the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America. This decision was made out of a concern that permitting registration would cause changes to their originally bred standard and take away from its hard-working roots.

Complicating matters further, the Parson and Jack Russell Terrier were once considered part of the same breed. That changed when the latter was consciously excluded from American Kennel Club (AKC) standards, subsequently creating two distinct breeds.

Jack Russell Terriers and Parson Russell Terriers share a common ancestry, making them look very similar. However, there are some subtle distinctions that can be seen – Jack Russells have narrower chests and more rectangular bodies while their legs tend to be slightly shorter than those of Parsons.

Jack Russell Terriers come in two distinct coat types, the smooth and broken. Both boast a double-layered, coarse exterior that is never curly or wavy. The broken variety has more extended hair around its eyebrows and beard area as well as some owners opting for an even longer ‘rough’ option. This breed can be seen with white fur accompanied by black or tan markings, or tricolor (white/black/tan). Their mostly white coats help make them visible to hunters when outdoors in their natural environment – ranging anywhere from 13 to 17 pounds in weight.

Jack Russells are bursting with self-confidence and vitality, so they need an active home in the city or countryside to stay content. Unfortunately, if not given proper stimulation on a regular basis, these smart pups will become mischievous and destructive as well as bark excessively out of pure boredom.

The Jack Russell Terrier is a friendly and loyal dog that children can learn to respect. However, they are not tolerant of excessive prodding or poking. This breed has an abundance of energy and boldness, together with a powerful desire for chasing small prey – so it would be ill-advised to have them in households where cats reside due to their high prey drive. Despite the typical amiable nature of Jack Russell Terriers, they can be quite aggressive towards other dogs – even bigger ones. Therefore, it is imperative to socialize and train them from an early age so that they don’t become unsociable with other pooches.