1. You want a nice, obedient dog like Eddie on Frasier or Wishbone on PBS.
2. You want a companion for your pet cat, rabbit or bird.
3. You want a companion for your other small dog.
4. You want a dog to hang out and watch TV with you.
5. You want a small dog who is easy to handle.
6. You have never owned a dog before, and think a Jack Russell would be a good first choice.
7. You are not an experienced dog trainer, but want a dog you can teach to do all kinds of tricks.
8. You want a dog for your young children.
9. You work all day, but think a small dog like a Jack Russell Terrier will do fine being at home alone all day while you are gone.
10. You don’t know much about the breed but are sure you want one because they are so cute.
But Eddie on Frasier and Wishbone on PBS are obedient.Why wouldn’t my Jack Russell be?
Because you most likely don’t have several hours a day to spend training and exercising your Jack Russell, nor do you have the expertise of a professional trainer. Also, these dogs might be well behaved while they are on TV, but their time in front of the camera is limited. The rest of the day, they are running around and being typical Jack Russell Terriers.
Why can’t my Jack Russell be a companion for my pet cat, rabbit or bird?
Your Jack Russell doesn’t see himself as a companion to small animals. He sees himself as hunter who was put on this earth to kill such creatures. Jacks are relentless when it comes to hunting, and view small animals as something to hunt, not play with. Your terrier will take one look at your rabbit or bird and begin trying to figure out how he can get to the animal to kill it. He may not attack your cat right away, but in time he will likely decide that kitty is prey too. At the very least, your Jack Russell will harass your small pets. At the worst, he will kill them. This is especially true of small rodents like hamsters, mice, rats, gerbils and guinea pigs.Never, ever
expose a Jack Russell to these kinds of pets. Tragedy is sure to result.
Why shouldn’t I get a Jack Russell as companion for my other small dog?
Generally speaking, Jack Russells don’t really like other dogs. They view them as competition for food and attention. In the worst case scenario, the Jack Russell will decide to act on the notion that he’d prefer to be an only dog and will start fighting with your other dog to get him or her to submit. The fighting will escalate to the point of sure disaster, especially if the other dog is likely to fight back rather than be submissive and kowtow to the Jack Russell’s every whim.
Most terriers don’t get along with other dogs, but Jack Russells are particularly disagreeable in this regard. It doesn’t matter how big the other dog is, either. Even though Jack Russells are small, they see themselves as large and often bully other dogs, both large and small.
In situations where a small dog does not back down quickly enough from a Jack Russell, that dog’s life is in danger. Jack Russells have been known to kill small dogs, even dogs they have lived with for years.
Why aren’t Jack Russells a good dog to hang out and watch TV with you?
Jack Russells have way too much energy to be couch potatoes. The only way a Jack Russell might be content to sit and watch TV with you is if it’s nighttime and you spent the entire day making him run by throwing a ball to him for hours on end, or taking him along on a very long bike ride. Or if you live on a farm and your terrier has been outside hunting, climbing
and digging all day, he might be willing to crash out on the couch in the evening. But these are the only scenarios where you’ll have a Jack Russell behave in couch potato mode. More likely, you can expect your Jack Russell to be running around the house getting into trouble while you are trying to relax in front of the television.
The Jack Russell is a small dog, so wouldn’t it be an easy dog to handle?
No. The Jack Russell’s small size is deceptive. The Jack Russell is a big dog in a small body and has more energy and tenacity than most large breeds. Think of the Jack Russell as the Tasmanian Devil in the Bugs Bunny cartoons. Taz is small, but he’s like a tornado. That is the Jack Russell Terrier.
Some people think that they can bully a small dog into behaving simply because that dog is smaller than they are. Jack Russells are surprisingly strong for their size, and can get nasty if they are treated roughly. Jack Russells won’t hesitate to bite to defend themselves if someone is trying to push them around.
Why isn’t the Jack Russell a good choice for a first dog?
Because Jack Russells are aggressive in nature, extremely active and hard to train. Most people who have never had a dog before are completely overwhelmed by a Jack Russell Terrier. If you are looking for a first-time dog, you are better off with a breed like the Labrador Retriever or the Golden Retriever. If you want a small dog who is easy to handle, try a Toy Poodle or Pomeranian.Trying to tackle a Jack Russell Terrier as your first dog is likely to make you give up dogs forever.
Why can’t I teach my Jack Russell all kinds of tricks even though I’m not an experienced dog trainer?
Jack Russells are difficult to train. They don’t listen well, and have their own ideas about what they should be doing with their time. In order to overcome this, you need experience and knowledge as a dog trainer. It takes plenty of creativity as a trainer to get a Jack’s attention and keep it, and to convince a Jack Russell that he should listen to anything you say at all.
Why isn’t the Jack Russell Terrier a good dog for young children?
Jack Russells don’t put up with the kind of treatment young kids typically dish out. Small children often pull tails, tug on ears and step on paws, without realizing they are hurting the dog. Many dogs, like Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers, will tolerate this kind of behavior
because they sense that the small humans who are tormenting them are simply younger versions of adult humans and don’t really know what they are doing. Jack Russells don’t see it that way, however. Jacks don’t care how old the small human is and don’t seem to recognize the innocence of a child. They simply will not put up with tail pulling and ear pinching and all the other things that small children do to dogs. They have no qualms about biting a small child to get the point of “leave me alone” across.
Can I leave a Jack Russell Terrier alone at all?
Only if you have him confined to a secure crate, and then not for more than a few hours a day. Plus, you can only do this if you have given the Jack Russell several hours of hard, interactive exercise before you leave.
You will have to exercise the heck out of him when you come back, too, since he’ll be raring to go once you let him out of that crate.
Can’t I just leave the Jack Russell outside while I’m not home?
Not unless you want your garden destroyed, your lawn furniture eaten, holes dug under your fence and angry neighbors who have been listening to loud barking for hours on end. Also, if you don’t have a secure fence, your Jack Russell will quickly find a way to escape, whether that is over it, under it or around it.
Why shouldn’t I get a Jack Russell because they are cute? Isn’t that a good reason to get a breed?
It’s tempting to get a dog because it’s cute, but that’s never a good reason alone to pick a breed. The way a dog looks is only a small part of who that dog is. Personality of the breed should be your uppermost concern if you want to live a happy life with your dog.
Jack Russells may look cute, but they are high-maintenance dogs who are difficult to train and manage. They might look like stuffed toys, but their appearance truly belies their personalities. They are tough, tenacious little dogs who are very difficult to handle.
What are 10 bad reasons to want a Jack Russell Terrier?
What are 10 good reasons to want a Jack Russell Terrier?
1. You live on a ranch or a farm and want a dog who will thrive in that kind of environment.
2. You want a dog who will keep rodents, birds and other small animals off your property.
3. You want an intelligent, active dog to compete in dog activities.
4. You want an energetic dog for companionship for outdoor activities.
5. You want an active, entertaining dog with a sense of humor.
6. You have trained dogs in the past, and are looking for a much greater challenge.
7. You want an active dog who will be good around horses.
8. You have a very active outdoor lifestyle and want a dog who can keep up with you.
9. You want an active dog with a cheerful demeanor.
10. You want an affectionate, happy, active dog with plenty of energy and enthusiasm for life.
Why are Jack Russells best suited to life on a ranch or a farm?
There is always something to do on a ranch or farm and plenty of space to run. Jack Russells amuse themselves in such rural environments by hunting for rodents, catching flies, climbing on haystacks, following horses around, tormenting barn cats and stalking cowbirds. They also like
to run after other dogs, chase anything that runs past, follow people around and attack moving farm equipment.
This is the kind of constant stimulation the Jack Russell needs to keep him from getting bored.
Why is wanting to get rid of rodents, birds and other small animals a good reason to have a Jack Russell?
Jack Russells live to hunt, and will work tirelessly to capture, kill or chase away any small creature that wanders onto your property. If their prey is underground, they will dig furiously until they unearth the hapless creature.
If they can catch a bird, they will, by stalking it like a cat and then running and leaping into the air to catch it. Even when not successful at actually catching birds, Jack Russells do a great job of chasing birds away. Birds quickly learn that any farm or ranch harboring a Jack Russell is not
a safe place to be. In fact, just about any animal quickly learns this. Mice and rats will still appear at facilities that have feed and grain stored in sheds and barns, but they will make themselves scarce if there is a Jack Russell Terrier on guard.
Why are Jack Russells good for competing in dog activities?
Speed sports like flyball and agility are perfect for Jack Russells because of the breed’s limitless energy and profound drive to perform. Jacks have the nonstop energy and the urge to run and participate in activities that are needed for canine dog sports. It takes a high-energy dog to be successful at these kinds of sports, and Jack Russells are never short on energy or the
desire to use it.
Why do Jack Russells make good companions for outdoor activities?
Jack Russells never get tired—never. You can hike all day with your Jack Russell and he’ll still be up for a game of ball when you get home. You can go camping, and your Jack Russell will try to help you set up your tent. If you go jogging, your Jack will run alongside you tirelessly, and probably pressure you to go even faster. Boating on a lake is another activity enjoyed
by Jack Russells, who have no qualms about leaping in to the water to retrieve a tennis ball. Jacks also make great biking companions, and can run alongside a bicycle for miles without getting tired.
Why are Jack Russells so entertaining?
They are natural clowns and are truly fun-loving dogs, up for any kind of activity. They also have funny quirks that can make you laugh. Some of the antics typical of Jack Russells are licking walls, sleeping with all four feet in the air, and tearing around the house, dashing up and over furniture like a maniac, for no apparent reason.
There is something comical about the Jack Russell personality that many people can appreciate. The dog who plays Eddie on Frasier is a good example of this. The human actors on the show often play straight man to Eddie’s comic antics. One of the reasons Eddie is so funny is because
he is a Jack Russell Terrier. His attitude and demeanor lend itself to uproarious laughter.
Why are Jack Russells good dogs for someone who has trained dogs in the past and is looking for a challenge?
Because Jack Russells are difficult to train. They are not like Golden Retrievers, Poodles or Collies, breeds who were bred to pay close attention to their handlers for direction in their work. Instead, Jacks have short attention spans and need a lot of motivation, like a special food or a
favorite toy, to stay focused. Even then they can be hard to train because of their very independent nature. They have their own ideas about how things should go, and rarely see the point of listening to what a human has to say, especially if it makes no sense to them.
Why are Jack Russells good around horses?
Jack Russells love horses, especially when those horses are moving. Jacks like to follow horses around the stable and on the trail.They seem to enjoy the company of equines, and horses seem to like them.
Another reason Jack Russells do so well around horses is that stables provide a lot of stimulation for these busy terriers, who always need something to do. Stables have rodents for hunting, and wide open areas to run. People who own horses tend to like Jack Russells because of the breed’s
toughness and limitless energy. A Jack Russell can follow a horse for miles on a trail ride without getting tired.
The Jack Russell’s affinity for horses may also be genetic. Jack Russells were bred in part to run with foxhunters, who hunt on horseback. Being around horses seems to come naturally to their terriers. It could be that a love for horses is in their genes.
Why are Jack Russells good for people with active lifestyles?
People who hike, camp, fish, jog and bike ride on a frequent basis have the kind of lifestyle that best suits the tireless Jack Russell. The breed does best with these kinds of owners because the dog always has something to do and a way to burn energy. Likewise, people with active lifestyles really enjoy being with Jack Russell Terriers. Jacks can always keep up no matter how fast you are going or for how long you’ve been moving. Active people do not have to baby these dogs, and can be sure that their Jack Russell will be up for just about any outdoor activity they can come up with.
Why do Jack Russells have a cheerful demeanor?
They were simply bred to be that way. Jack Russells are cheerful, happy dogs, always looking for the next bit of fun. In fact, their pursuit of a good time can get them into trouble if they don’t have enough to do. They will make their own fun, which might include digging up the backyard or chewing up the coffee table. Or chasing the cat, jumping up on the kitchen table and eating the turkey that is defrosting, tearing a hole through the closed doggy door to get outside and excavating a tunnel under the backyard fence and into the neighbor’s yard, and so on.
Do Jack Russell Terriers make good apartment dogs?
Absolutely not. Many people think that because Jack Russells are small, they will do well in an apartment. The truth of the matter is that although they are small, they have too much energy to be confined to a small apartment, especially if there is no yard where they can play and be exercised.
A typical Jack Russell Terrier will literally climb the walls of an apartment and go stir crazy. He is likely to start barking incessantly, destroying your furniture, knocking things off shelves and tables ( Jack Russells are good jumpers), tearing the curtains off the windows and worse.
Do Jack Russell Terriers make good dogs for a home in the suburbs?
Not usually, unless you have a lot of time to spend exercising the dog. A lot. This means a few hours a day of hard exercise, like jogging and ball playing, to tire out a Jack. Don’t think leaving the dog out in the backyard alone counts as exercise. You have to actively exercise him to make sure he is exerting himself and that his mind is stimulated. Since most people with jobs don’t have that kind of time to devote to exercising a dog, it’s not a good idea to have a Jack Russell in the suburbs.
If you try to make this work but don’t give the dog enough exercise, he will likely tear up your garden, eat the garden hose, rip potted plants out of their pots, bark all day and worse.
How long do Jack Russells live?
Jack Russells often live to be 16 years old, and stay active right up until the end of their lives. One Jack Russell living in California is 17 years old, and her owners claim she has as much energy as she had when she was a puppy.
How long do Jack Russells stay puppies?
Some people say that Jack Russells never grow up! They remain active and full of energy long after they reach adulthood, which is two years of age. The primary difference between an adult Jack and a puppy of the breed is that adult Jack Russells have honed their hunting skills and have become more assertive and sometimes even more aggressive.
How active are Jack Russell Terriers?
They are extremely active, possibly more so than any other breed of dog. They never stop moving, are always looking for something to do, and are constantly on the hunt. In fact, Jack Russells are so active and aggressive about finding prey, they often drive their owners crazy and kill or injure other pets. Jacks who don’t have an outlet for all their energy often become destructive and will dig up the yard, chew up furniture and bark incessantly.
Jack Russells are the canine equivalent of the Energizer Bunny. They keep going and going and going. A Jack Russell may eventually crash on the couch at the end of the day, but that is only if he has spent that day hunting, running outdoors, chasing balls and generally moving nonstop
almost the entire time.
The activity level of the average Jack Russell Terrier is about 10 times that of the average Labrador Retriever, for example. Labs like to run and have fun, but eventually they do sack out on the living room floor. A Jack Russell has to work long and hard before he will have the urge to lie down and sleep for an extended period of time.
Labs also like to take time out to smell the roses. They will kick back and sit at their owner’s sides, watching a sunset or gazing at the birds flying overhead. Jack Russells, on the other hand, are hard pressed to sit still for very long. They aren’t fans of watching sunsets, and would just as soon catch and eat the birds flying overhead instead of gazing at them.
