Jack Russell Terrier: An Owner’s Guide

Remember that a dog is a sentient creature. He is also a pack animal and is happiest when he is surrounded by his family – human or dog. It is not fair on a young puppy, or an adult dog for that matter, to leave him alone whilst you and members of your family are out at work for many hours each day. It is not in their nature to be alone, and, almost certainly, they will get into some sort of mischief from sheer boredom, such as chewing the furniture, their bedding or your cushions. So do think very carefully before deciding to welcome a dog into your household, especially an active dog with a working temperament, such as a Jack Russell.

Which style is right for you?

Because there are two styles of the breed – the Parson Russell Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier – you must consider which type you want. This will depend on what you expect to do with the adult dog.

Parson Russell type

If you want to show and breed from your dog eventually under the Kennel Club (KC) rules, you will need to buy a puppy from a breeder who breeds Parson Russell Terriers, registers them with the Kennel Club and who adheres as closely as possible to the written Standard. Only dogs that are registered with the Kennel Club can be shown at their shows, and only puppies born of KC registered parents can be registered.

This Parson Russell puppy looks adorable but before you acquire one, consider whether it is the right decision for you and your family.

Jack Russell type

If you are not interested in exhibiting dogs in the formal atmosphere of Kennel Club (KC) shows, you prefer country pursuits and do not wish to register any puppies that you may breed, you can buy your puppy from a breeder who breeds under the Jack Russell Terrier Club of Great Britain’s (JRTC of GB) rules and Breed Standard. Their dogs will be known as Working Jack Russells or Hunt Jack Russells. You will still be allowed to show your dog at KC Companion Shows as well as the Terrier shows staged by agriculture societies or the local hunt.

Differences between the types

After reading this, you would be forgiven for asking: ‘So what is the difference between the two types?’ In truth, not a lot, but there is a difference in height. The reason is that the working Terrier has to work the earths that are available: small Terriers fit small holes and big Terriers do not. If you study both the Standards, you will see that:

Activities

The Kennel Club allows non-registered dogs to participate in certain activities, such as Flyball, Obedience, Agility and Heelwork to Music. Because of their intelligence, energy and strength, Jack Russells are able to perform very well in all these disciplines.

• Both types should be capable of the work for which they were developed

• Their chests should be spannable by average-sized hands

• They should be able to run 20–30 miles a day or more with Foxhounds

• They should be brave enough to enter a fox’s earth and face an angry fox.

I do not think that just because the Kennel Club has recognized the breed the hunting instinct has been diluted. It may happen in 100 years’ time, but other Terrier breeds that have not been bred for work since World War I will still have a go if trained. It is doubtful if the genetic structure of instinct can be changed in just a few years.

The problem is that if a breeder has a really fine KC registered dog, which is winning a great deal at the championship shows, then it is unlikely that they will risk putting him to fox, so he will never have the opportunity to prove his metal in the field.

There is also a train of thought that a puppy from working stock will not be as good a pet as one from show stock. However, the Jack Russell or Parson Russell, whatever you call him, is one of the most adaptable terriers. He is highly intelligent and will adapt to all the situations in which he finds himself.

Sourcing a puppy

Before we consider the best sources for Jack Russell puppies, here is a word of warning. Because of the bad mixed breeding and the over-production of ‘counterfeit’ Jack Russells, the following sources should always be avoided:

• Buying from a man in the pub

• Buying from a puppy farmer

• Buying from a white van in a motorway car park

• Buying from a dog dealer

• Buying from a pet shop.

Puppies love to play together, and by going to a breeder’s home you can observe them interacting with each other and their mother and get an idea of their character.

If something should go wrong after the sale – for instance, the puppy is ill or shows a genetic anomaly – you will have no redress and will probably never see the first, third and fourth people listed above ever again. The second and fifth sources will still be there, but they will not be of any help if you do experience some problems.

If you see puppies advertised in local or free newspapers, you should be wary if several breeds are listed within the same advertisement. These small ads are usually placed by puppy farmers and/or dog dealers. The same advice applies to puppies that are advertised on the Internet. If you see an advertisement exclusively for Jack Russell puppies and, when you ring the number quoted, there is resistance to you visiting the puppies in their home, forget it – don’t go.

The puppies should not leave their mother and littermates to go to their new homes until they are at least eight weeks old.

Do your homework

Research the breed thoroughly before you commit to a purchase. The Internet is a good source of information, as are the canine weekly newspapers. For useful addresses, contact numbers and websites of people who will help you find a type of puppy, turn to page 126 (#litres_trial_promo).

For Parson Russell Terriers, the Kennel Club will be your best source of information, followed by the breed clubs. To find breeders of the genuine working type of Jack Russell, contact the secretary of the regional section of the Jack Russell Club of GB. It would be a good idea to go to one of their shows where you can meet the breeders. Other good sources are places where dog owners congregate, such as training clubs. Veterinary surgeons can often help, too, as they will invariably know the local breeders. There are also Jack Russells for rehoming in rescue centres, the best of which try to match the dogs with potential owners. Charities such as Dogs Trust and Battersea Dogs Home do their best to assess a dog’s temperament and match him to a new home.

Viewing the puppies

Good breeders do not sell their puppies before they are at least eight weeks old, and, ideally, you should visit a litter when they are about six weeks old. This is a good opportunity to see the puppies with their mother in their own home. If you are looking for a family pet, take your children with you – these dogs are long lived and will be around for the children’s formative years. Keep them (the kids) under strict control, and remember that the puppies may never have seen small human beings before.

When you go to the breeder’s to see the puppies, it is a good idea to examine them, checking their health and temperament.

Ask to see the puppies’ mother, and do not buy a pup if the breeder cannot or refuses to show her to you. You are looking for a well-balanced dog who has not got short piano legs with turned-out feet. This type of dog is probably a cross breed and, although it may be a good hunting dog, it will not be a real Jack Russell and the puppies will probably end up looking like their mother. Also, check the mother’s temperament and how she responds to you; if she is fearful, cringes or is aggressive in any way, do not buy one of her puppies.

Likewise, take a crafty look around where the puppies are living. If their surroundings and bed are dirty or soiled and foul smelling, consider excusing yourself and just leave. Ideally, puppies should be raised in the breeder’s own home – not an outhouse, barn, garage or outdoor kennels – in a clean, healthy environment where they can be well socialized and become accustomed to all the various household noises and the comings and goings of different people.

Examining the puppies

If you are satisfied that the puppies are of the type that you want and that their home environment is happy and healthy, study them closely. Watch how they play together and interact with their mother as well as their littermates. Try to gauge their temperament.

If you are looking for a bitch puppy, then ask the breeder to remove the dogs – or vice versa if you are looking for a male puppy. The most favoured colours most people look for in Jack Russells are completely white bodies with black and/or tan ears and round the eyes and a coloured patch at the root of the tail.

The puppy you are looking for should be a happy extrovert who is full of life, bold, unafraid and naturally curious. You should examine the puppy of your choice very carefully.

• Start off by checking that the puppy’s upper and lower teeth are in line – the upper front teeth should be just over the lower in a scissor bite

• Make sure that the ears are clean and not smelly

• There must be no sign of mucus from the nose, vulva or rectum.

If you do decide to buy a puppy, the breeder may want to check on your credentials as a worthy potential owner, and you should not be offended if you are asked some pertinent or personal questions about your home, lifestyle, work, etc. The breeder is not being nosey or prying into your affairs; they are protecting their puppy and ensuring that he goes to a good home where he will be loved and well looked after.

Agreement to purchase

The breeder may want you to leave a deposit to secure the puppy you like. By all means, leave a small one but get a written agreement that should the puppy not be in the same good condition in two weeks’ time when he is ready to leave home, there is no contract to buy.

Some breeders, particularly those who register with the Kennel Club, may offer their buyers four to six weeks’ free insurance and a ‘buy back’ agreement should the puppy not be suitable. Many people who breed the hunting-type Jack Russells are just as concerned about the future welfare of their puppies and they may offer similar facilities.

With either type, you must insist on getting a receipt for the money that you hand over and also ask for the puppy’s papers. If they are not forthcoming, get an agreement that the breeder will apply for them and will send them to you in, say, two to three weeks.