Jack Russell Terrier

Coat & Grooming: Jack Russell Terriers are either smooth- or broken-coated. No matter what, they all have a double coat with a rough texture. The smooth coat is shorter and a little less unruly. You need to perform regular brushing to maintain a healthy coat for your Jack Russell Terrier. If your Jack Russell Terrier has a broken coat, you’ll need to strip it once a year to promote good health. Other than caring for the coat, you don’t need to do much else to groom your pet. Keep their teeth clean with brushing or dental products for dogs. Trim the nails so they don’t click on a hard floor. If you can hear your dog across the house, the nails are too long.

Coat length: Short
Grooming: Occasional

Shedding: Jack Russell Terriers can shed a lot, especially compared to other small dogs and even other terriers. They will shed year-round with extra activity as the seasons change. Unfortunately, those little white hairs tend to show up clearly on anything with dark coloration. Excessive shedding may be a sign of poor health, but Jack Russell Terriers shed a lot even when they are perfectly healthy.

Training: Jack Russell Terriers are smart and adaptable dogs. While they are usually friendly to every human, they can be aggressive with other dogs and small children who play rough. Make sure to invest some time and money into obedience or you’ll suffer the consequences later in the life of your dog. Jack Russell Terriers love routine and the challenge of training, but keep your sessions short to keep their attention up during your lessons.

Barking: Jack Russell Terriers have a sharp, loud bark that often comes in bunches. They are vocal and happy to announce the presence of strangers, cars, and squirrels on your property. Jack Russell Terriers usually need a lot of exercise and stimulation to avoid bad behavior like excessive barking.

Make sure you get out and run around your Jack Russell Terrier for at least an hour or two each day. They really suffer when they aren’t getting enough activity, and this problem will often manifest itself in barking, aggressiveness, and destroying your things while you’re away.

Temperament & Behavior: Jack Russell Terriers haven’t traveled too far from their roots as a working dog for hunting. They are hyperactive and full of energy even after a day full of running around. They are fearless and athletic animals bred for the fast pursuit of badgers and foxes. Jack Russell Terriers are susceptible to moodiness and bad behavior if they are left alone and ignored for too long.

Since they are so full of energy, smart, and athletic, Jack Russell Terriers are perfect for dog agility circuits and obedience competitions. They perform well given the right training and opportunities to strut their stuff. With the right amount of exercise and proper training early in life, Jack Russell Terriers make pleasant companions. Otherwise, watch out for their rambunctious and hyperactive ways.

Behavior with Kids: Unfortunately, many families have had to return their Jack Russell Terriers after bad experiences. They can do fine as family pets, but they are a poor choice for households with small children. Jack Russell Terriers have been known to nip at anyone who invades their space or plays too rough. Always supervise children around your dog, especially young ones or any that don’t know how to handle being around your dog.

Protection: The Jack Russell Terrier makes an excellent alarm system. They are vocal and alert to the sounds of approaching strangers. Some dogs are much more protective than others, but overall the breed is hard to ignore when they hear something that perks up their ears.

Life Span: On average, Jack Russell Terriers live to be about 10 to 15 years old

Inherited Health Issues: Whenever you’re considering buying a puppy, you should always consider the genetic diseases that the particular breed you’re interested in is predisposed to. Talk with prospective breeders to determine if they routinely test their breeding pairs for genetic disease, and remove any dogs who might pass on undesirable traits from their breeding programs. These conditions may include, but are not limited to, the following: dermatophytosis (ringworm), Myasthenia gravis and lens luxation.

Preventive Care: Because Jack Russell Terriers are high-energy dogs, it’s important to make sure that they get sufficient exercise everyday. This can reduce the likelihood of behavioral problems, which can be difficult to sort out once they start.

Keep your Jack Russell Terrier lean and he’ll avoid many of the problems that plague overweight dogs, especially skeletal problems. Work with your veterinarian to determine his ideal weight, along with a “dose” of food that will keep him at that level.

Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids in the form of fish oils is a good way to keep joints and skin healthy. Purchase a good quality product that is manufactured for pets and follow label dosing.

Daily Consumption: Average daily consumption for an adult Jack Russell is 1/2 - 3/4 cups

Energy Level: Frisky, energetic breed that is always ready for action

Exercise: Jack Russell Terriers need a ton of exercise. If you have a big property with tons of space for your Jack Russell Terrier to run around, this dog can make a great companion for your family. If you plan to keep your dog cooped up all day, be prepared for a disaster area when you get home. Jack Russell Terriers love to chase things and do anything that reminds them of a foxhunt.

Climate: Jack Russell Terriers were working dogs for a cold early-morning hunt in the English countryside. They are hearty and do fine outside until the thermometer drops too low. If you live in a place with cold winters, invest in a good coat and some winter boots for your dog. They do well in hot climates too, but always keep an eye out for uncontrollable panting and other signs of heatstroke.

Living space: Jack Russell Terriers are full of energy and need a huge amount of exercise to avoid behavioral problems. Don’t be surprised if you call it quits long before you dog, so you’ll need a place to let them tire themselves out. Don’t confine a Jack Russell Terrier to a small apartment unless you’re ready to spend hours outside getting the proper exercise for your dog.