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The Jack Russell Terrier is a small, principally
white-bodied, smooth- or
rough-coated
terrier that has its
origins in
fox hunting. The name
"Jack Russell" has been used over
the years to describe a wide array
of small white terriers, but now
after a drawn-out legal battle, the
JRTCA (Jack Russell Terrier Club of
America) and its affiliates have won
the exclusive rights to use the name
Jack Russell Terrier to describe
their particular variant of the dog,
in the US.[1]
Commonly confused with the
Parson Russell Terrier --
the AKC and affiliate variant -- and
the
Russell Terrier (a
shorter legged, stockier variety),
the working Jack Russell Terrier is
a unique terrier which has been
preserved in working ability as well
as appearance much as it existed
over 200 years ago.
Jack Russells are sturdy and tough, measuring between 10"
and 15" at the shoulder. The body
length must be in proportion to the
height, and the dog should present a
compact, balanced image.
Predominantly white in coloration
(more than 51%) with black and/or
tan markings,
[2] they exhibit a
smooth, broken or rough coat. The
skin can sometimes show a pattern of
small black or brown spots --
referred to as "ticking" -- that do
not carry through to the outer coat.
All coat types should be dense
double coats that are neither silky
(in the case of smooth coats) nor
woolly (in the case of rough coats).
The head should be of moderate width
at the ears, narrowing to the eyes,
and slightly flat between the ears.
There should be a defined but not
overpronounced stop at the end of
the muzzle where it meets the head,
and a black nose. The jaw should be
powerful and well boned with a
scissor bite and straight teeth. The
eyes are almond shaped and dark
colored, and should be full of life
and intelligence. Small V-shaped
ears of moderate thickness are
carried forward on the head. When
the dog is alert, the tip of the V
should not extend past the outer
corner of the eyes. The tail is set
high and in the past was docked to
approximately five inches in order
to provide a sufficient hand-hold
for gripping the terrier. It is a
serious fault for the dog to have
its tail down when in the show ring.
The Jack Russell should always
appear balanced and alert,
[2] As the Jack
Russell is primarily a working
terrier, its most important physical
characteristic is its chest size,
which must not be so large that it
prevents the dog from entering and
working in burrows. The
red fox is the
traditional
quarry of the Jack
Russell Terrier (JRT), so the
working Jack Russell must be small
enough to pursue its quarry. Red
foxes vary in size, but across the
world they average about 14 pounds
in weight and have an average chest
size of 12-14 inches at the widest
part.
[3]
Jack Russells are first and foremost
a working terrier.
[4] Originally bred
to bolt fox from their dens during
hunts, they are used on numerous
ground-dwelling quarry such as
groundhog, badger, and red and grey
fox. The working JRT is required to
locate quarry in the earth, and then
either bolt it or hold it in place
until they are dug to. To accomplish
this, the dog must bark and work the
quarry continuously. Because the
preservation of this working ability
is of highest importance to most
registered JRTCA/JRTCGB breeders,
Jack Russells tend to be extremely
intelligent, athletic, fearless, and
vocal dogs. It is not uncommon for
these dogs to become moody or
destructive if not properly
stimulated and exercised, as they
have a tendency to bore easily and
will often create their own fun when
left alone to entertain themselves.
Their high energy and drive make
these dogs ideally suited to a
number of different dog sports such
as flyball or agility. Obedience
classes are also recommended to
potential owners, as Jack Russells
can be stubborn at times and
aggressive towards other animals and
humans if not properly socialized (a
process that should be continued
throughout their whole lives).
Despite their small size, these dogs
are not recommended for the
condominium or apartment dweller
unless the owner is ready to take on
the daunting task of providing the
dog with the necessary amount of
exercise and stimulation. These are
truly big dogs in small packages, a
fact which can sometimes lead to
trouble involving larger animals.
The JRT owner must be aware of these
tendencies and keep an eye out for
trouble in many situations.
[5]
*- source- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Russell_Terrier |
