Jack Russell Terrier

General Information - Jack Russell Terrier

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History

The Jack Russell Terrier was developed in 19th century England by a clergyman named John Russell. This feisty little terrier was used to hunt small game, particularly fox, by digging the quarry out of its den. The energetic and playful Jack Russell makes a good family companion. Some of the Jack Russell's talents include: hunting, tracking, agility, and performing tricks.

Temperament

This is a dog that thrives on action and adventure. In the process, it often finds itself in the middle of trouble. It is a true hunter at heart and will explore, wander, chase and dig when it gets a chance. It is very playful and intelligent. It gets along well with children and strangers. It can be scrappy with strange dogs, but is better than many terriers. It does well with horses, but it may chase cats and is not good with rodents. It may tend to bark and dig. It makes an ideal companion for an active person with a good sense of humor who wants a lot of entertainment-and mischief-in one dog.

Upkeep

The Jack Russell needs a lot of mental and physical stimulation every day. It is not a dog that can sit around inside. It needs a long walk or strenuous game every day, plus a short training session. It enjoys the chance to explore on its own, but it must do so only in a safe area because it tends to go off in search of trouble, and some go down holes and must be dug out! It can live outdoors in temperate climates. It does best when allowed access to a house and yard, and it is not a good apartment dog. Coat care for the smooth type consists only of weekly brushing to remove dead hair; for the broken coat it also consists of occasional hand stripping.

Jack Russell Terrier

A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions and exaggerations, as well as being mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

Breed Standard - Jack Russell Terrier

General Appearance: A strong, active, lithe working Terrier of great character with flexible body of medium length. His smart movement matches his keen expression. Tail docking is optional and the coat may be smooth, rough or broken.

Characteristics: A lively, alert and active Terrier with a keen intelligent expression.

Temperament: Bold and fearless, friendly but quietly confident.

Head and Skull: The skull should be flat and of moderate width gradually decreasing in width to the eyes and tapering to a wide muzzle with very strong jaws. There should be a well defined stop but not over pronounced. The length from the stop to the nose should be slightly shorter than from the stop to the occiput with the cheek muscles well developed. The nose should be black.

Eyes: Small dark and with keen expression. MUST not be prominent and eyelids should fit closely. The eyelid rims should be pigmented black. Almond shape.

Ears: Button or dropped of good texture and great mobility.

Mouth: Deep wide and powerful jaws with tight:fitting pigmented lips and strong teeth closing to a scissor bite.

Neck: Strong and clean allowing head to be carried with poise.

Forequarters: Shoulders well sloped back and not heavily loaded with muscle. Forelegs straight in bone from the shoulder to the toes whether viewed from the front or the side and with sufficient length of upper arm to ensure elbows are set under the body, with sternum clearly in front of shoulder blades.

Body: Chest deep rather than wide, with good clearance and the brisket located at the height mid:way between the ground and the withers. The body should be proportioned marginally longer than tall, measuring slightly longer from the withers to the root of the tail than from the withers to the ground. Back level. Ribs should be well sprung from the spine, flattening on the sides so that the girth behind the elbows can be spanned by two hands: about 40 cm to 43 cm. The loins should be short, strong and deeply muscled.

Hindquarters: Strong and muscular, balanced in proportion to the shoulder, hind legs parallel when viewed from behind while in free standing position. Stifles well angulated and hocks low set.

Feet: Round, hard, padded, not large, toes moderately arched, turned neither in or out.

Tail: Customarily docked. May droop at rest. When moving should be erect and if docked the tip should be on the same level as ears.

Gait/movement: True, free and springy.

Coat: May be smooth, broken or rough. Must be weather:proof, preferably unaltered.

Colour: White MUST predominate with black, tan or brown markings.

Size: Ideal is 25 cm (10”) to 30 cm (12”) in height with the weight in kgs being equivalent of 1 kg to each 5 cm in height, ie a 25 cm high dog should weigh approximately 5 kgs and a 30 cm high dog should weigh 6 kgs.

Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree. However, the following weaknesses should be particularly penalised:

• Lack of true Terrier characteristics.
• Lack of balance, ie over exaggeration of any points.
• Sluggish or unsound movement.
• Faulty mouth.

Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Copyright Dogs New Zealand
23 Dec 2013

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.