What exactly is a Jack Russell Terrier?



He’s a feisty, incredibly active little terrier who, despite weighing only from 8 to 15 pounds, thinks he is a large dog. Jack Russells vary in height, and can be anywhere from 10 inches at the top of the shoulder to 15 inches. They are usually white with black or tan markings, or a combination of both. They come in two different coat types: smooth or broken-haired.

What else are Jack Russell Terriers called?
The American Kennel Club uses the term Parson Russell Terriers, as they do in England. In this book, we will call them the name they have long been known by in this country, which is Jack Russell Terriers, or the shortened version, Jacks.

What are Jack Russell Terriers used for? Why?
Jack Russells are tough, outdoor dogs used for hunting small animals, for competitive canine sports and for companionship. They have a very powerful hunting instinct that has been bred into them for centuries, making them among the best hunting dogs around.

Jack Russell Terriers were originally bred to “go to ground”—that is, to follow prey underneath the ground. When a fox, rabbit or other rodent tries to escape by running into its underground burrow, the Jack follows the animal into the burrow. The Jack then catches the animal on the run or after it has been cornered, and kills the prey. The prey sometimes fights back, which means the Jack Russell has to be a brave, tough little dog to stand up to this defensive attack.

Today, people are able to use the Jack Russell’s talents in a variety of ways. The dogs compete successfully in terrier hunting competitions (called earthdog trials), do well in sports that require running and jumping and are great for keeping farms and ranches free from rodents.

No comments:

Subscribe via email

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner