The origin of the Jack Russell Terrier breed, the standard of the exterior, the character of the dog, the description of health, care and training, interesting facts. Price when buying a puppy. The Jack Russell Terrier is a completely uniquely human-friendly dog with an unusually noble lovable character and an unexpectedly tough profession. Yes, no matter how amazing it may be, but such a small cute dog with an attentive smart look "works" as the main hunting "bouncer", fearlessly breaking into the hole of an angry badger or a sly fox. And he does it with truly knightly valor and nobility, in a gentlemanly manner, trying not to seriously injure his rival being driven out.
However, these days "Jack Russells" are less and less involved in such "fun", more and more often settling in the hearts of their owners as a noble home knight-protector, a wonderful-hearted friend and tirelessly energetic companion.
The history of the origin of the Jack Russell Terrier breed
The history of the Jack Russell Terrier breed is closely related to Great Britain. It is there, in the remote from the capital of the county of Devonshire, located in the south-west of England, and it originates. The name of the breed is directly related to the name of its creator, which happens not so often, but let's start in order.
The beginning of the 19th century in Europe was marked by the rapid development of industry, the widespread introduction of new technologies and scientific methods of management. The new trend of the times was not spared by the agriculture of Great Britain: farmers actively used new methods of developing arable land and crop rotation, and in animal husbandry - exclusively driven grazing. The massive appearance of all kinds of hedges throughout the country practically brought to naught the horse hunting-deer baiting, so beloved by the British since ancient times. Hunters urgently had to rebuild their preferences, switching to baiting foxes and badgers in burrows. This type of hunting quickly acquired a massive national character. But there were few dogs able to fully cope with this task. Therefore, catchers often had to use several different breed dogs at once. As a rule, a pack of Foxhound hounds drove the fox into a hole, and from there it was driven out by a specially trained dog - a terrier.
In those days, the town of Dartmouth in Devonshire was home to an English priest named John (Jack) Russell, Vicar of Swimbridge, a passionate dog lover and a fan of baiting, who was an excellent horseback rider, but also all forced to go exclusively to burrow hunting. It was the Reverend Jack Russell who brought in 1819 to Dartmouth from Oxford the terrier bitch unusual for these places in exterior, which received the nickname Trump. The description of the color of this dog, which was the progenitor of all the current Jack Russells, has survived: "… the color is white, only there were dark patches above each eye and ear, and there was a spot of the same color over the root of the tail, the size of a one-penny coin." Looking ahead, I must say that later Jack Russell was interested in terriers of exclusively white color, or those who had dark spots on the head and at the base of the tail (which had a practical meaning, helping to distinguish a dog running out of a hole from a fox).
Terrier Trump (which in English means "trump card") was really a "trump lady", slender, proportionally folded, with short coarse hair and cropped ears, resembling a fox in size. The dog had excellent working qualities, was persistent and moderately aggressive when working in a burrow, tried not to inflict physical damage and injury on the expelled animal.
This representative was the basis for the selection of a new breed of terriers, all the secrets of which have remained a secret. Jack Russell, who has lived for almost ninety years, was very proud of his terriers, repeatedly saying that his dogs "never tasted the taste of blood." And this is really so, modern Jack Russell Terriers are distinguished by truly "gentlemanly" behavior, which is not typical for the general mass of sometimes very inadequately "biting" terriers.
In 1875 Jack Russell co-founded the English Fox Terrier Club. He also actively participated in the development of the first standard for his terrier dog (then also called the fox terrier). Russell's line of terriers had excellent working qualities and was very popular with English hunters.
After the death of the founder of the breed in 1883, the successors of his business repeatedly crossed Russell's Fox Terriers with other breeds, seeking to improve working qualities and exterior. It is believed that individual breeders even practiced crossbreeding with Bull and Terriers (a breed bred from the English Bulldog and Old English Terrier) to improve fighting qualities. Particular attention was paid to the courage and fearlessness of the dog (in those years, these qualities were often used not only for hunting, but also for dog fights).
One of the last crosses of the Jack Russell terrier was a cross with a Lakeland terrier in order to obtain an animal with a more balanced temperament and improved coarse coat (however, true fans of the breed believe that such a crossing only harmed the purity of the species). In this form, Russell's terrier dog existed for several decades. Only after the end of the Second World War, dog breeders again turned their attention to dexterous white terriers.
By the beginning of the 70s of the XX century, the type of Jack Russell Terrier was finally formed and officially registered in Great Britain under the name of the founder of the breed.
In 1976, the first American Jack Russell Terrier Club (JRTCA) was formed in the United States. In 1991, a similar club was created in Australia. It was the Australian fans of the breed who made every effort to ensure that the official registration of the "Jack Russells" (albeit only on a temporary list) in the Federation of Cynological International (FCI) took place. It happened on June 4, 2001.
Purpose and use of Jack Russell Terriers
Jack Russell is a gambling and brave hunter, indispensable for hunting a wide variety of burrowing animals: badger, raccoon, fox, otter, water rat and others. In addition, he is an excellent rat-catcher, and a destroyer of moles and mice.
With a keen hearing, wonderful sense of smell, excellent eyesight and a sonorous voice, combined with outstanding discipline and attentiveness, he is quite suitable for sentry and sentry duty. As such, it is often used by English farmers.
And also, this is a wonderful pet, active and playful, adoring its owners and friendly to other animals living in the house.
Recently, "Jack Russells" can be seen more and more often at competitions in agility (Agility - dogs overcoming various obstacles without mistakes in understanding with the owner) and flyball (Flyball - the task of an athlete dog is to catch and bring to the owner as much as possible more balls thrown out of a special machine).
Jack Russell Terrier exterior standard
The Jack Russell Terrier is a very active cute burrowing terrier, as evidenced by its small size. Growth at the withers of the largest specimen of "Jack Russells" reaches 30 centimeters (ideal size for a dog - 25-30 centimeters). Body weight does not exceed 6 kg (according to the standard, it is considered ideal when 1 kg of weight corresponds to 5 centimeters of height).
- Head elongated, with a moderately wide and rather flat skull. The occipital protuberance is developed. The stop (forehead-muzzle transition) is well defined, but not clearly expressed. The muzzle is elongated, not wide, wide, longer than the skull. The nasal bridge is narrow and elongated. The nose is black. The lips have a clear black pigmentation, fit tightly to the jaws, dry, without obvious flecks. The jaws are very powerful. The dental formula is complete (42 teeth). The teeth are white, strong, with a strong grip. Scissor bite, tight.
- Eyes beautiful almond-shaped or oval-shaped, small, with a medium-wide set. The edges of the eyelids are pigmented in black. Eye color: from dark chestnut to hazel to dark brown. The eyes are very expressive, with a direct, penetrating gaze.
- Ears medium set, triangular, proportional to the size of the head, hanging on cartilage, very mobile.
- Neck of medium length, strong, with a marked nape.
- Torso the Jack Russell Terrier has a rectangular format, strong, distinctly muscular, lean. The chest is not wide, deep, well developed. The back is of medium length, strong with a short, strong loin. The back line is straight. The croup is strong and short.
- Tail set on high, of medium length, moderately thick. The tail is often docked at the level of 2-3 vertebrae. In the uncropped version, the tail process can be straight or saber-shaped, which the dog holds vertically upward (sometimes with a slight bend towards the back).
- Limbs straight, strong, well balanced with the body. The dog has strong bones and well-developed muscles. Feet are oval, compact, with tight toes.
- Wool short, tight-fitting to the body of the animal, should be smooth, broken (broken) or stiff to the touch. Must be weather and weather resistant.
- Color. The main color of the coat is white. On a white main background, black or red (from the lightest shade to dark chestnut color) spots are located. A simultaneous combination of black spots on the body and red “marks” on the head and ears, the presence of a red “mask” and red muzzle is possible. All possible options for the location of the "tags" are strictly defined by the standards.
Jack Russell Terrier personality
By their nature, "Jack Russells" resemble small fearless and noble knights, selflessly loyal to their owners, capable of the most decisive actions in protecting the owner or their territory.
Jack Russell Terriers are courageous and assertive, dynamic and agile. They have a strong hunting instinct, which in ordinary life is able to drive them to no one knows where in search of adventure. That is why they are considered dogs prone to escapes and adventures, requiring special control while walking. However, an affectionate attitude, timely obedience training and early socialization of the animal can completely exclude such actions.
Representatives of the breed are very energetic, adore outdoor games, running after a ball and grabbing objects. They feel great and confident among other dogs, while hunting or at agility and flyball competitions.
They are friendly and not prone to aggression, they get along well with children and take part in their fun with pleasure. They also behave appropriately with other pets. Well, except for rodents, of course, but this is already a professional cost.
"Jackie" are active and inquisitive dogs with an innate intelligence and tact. As pets, they are always wonderful and loved by everyone, they have an affectionate and loyal character.
Jack Russell Terrier health
The health of these dogs is quite robust, with good immunity and resistance to infections. However, there are several diseases that are fairly common in this breed. There is a predisposition to dysplasia of the hip and elbow joints, cases of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (pathology of the femoral head) have been reported.
Also, veterinarians have recorded cases of the birth of Jack Russell puppies with congenital deafness and collie eye syndrome (underdevelopment of the choroid).
The life span of these beautiful animals reaches 13-16 years, and sometimes even more.
Jack Russell Terrier Care Tips
Jack Russell is quite unpretentious in leaving. The coat of individuals of this breed was originally created sufficiently tough and dense so that the owner-hunter did not have to spend a lot of time on caring for the dog. Therefore, the fur of Jack Russell Terriers does not require any specific care, basic grooming with a stiff brush is quite enough no more than once or twice a week.
It is necessary to bathe the animal as it gets dirty. Bathing itself never arouses protest in the dog, the terrier loves water and bathes with pleasure. Terrier teeth should be brushed occasionally (at least once every two weeks) with a bone cleanser, a meat-flavored dog toothpaste, and a soft toothbrush. Occasionally it is necessary to trim the nails (preferably with a special nail clipper).
Particular attention should be paid to the nutrition and walking of an energetic pet. Walking should allow the terrier to actively move, play and run, and communicate with other dogs. Nutrition, however, should be well balanced in composition, saturated with minerals and vitamins, high-calorie enough to compensate for the energy consumption of such an active pet.
Features of training and education of the Jack Russell Terrier
Jack Russells are very intelligent and easy to train. Despite the fact that they look like German jagdterriers (probably having one of the most obstinate and difficult characters), in training they are much more controllable. These dogs are disciplined and attentive, not prone to manifestations of inadequate aggressiveness, much more restrained and obedient than other terrier breeds. Dog handlers have practically no complaints about them. The upbringing and socialization of Jack Russells always goes without any problems. Nevertheless, for better and more effective education of these dogs, it is advisable to turn to the services of a professional, especially if you want to use a dog for burrowing hunting.
Interesting facts about the Jack Russell Terrier
Jack Russell Terriers hold a wide variety of world records. For example, the British dog Russell Terrier named Vampire (Vampire) became the 1977 record holder for the destruction of rats. In a year, he managed to exterminate a whole ton of these rodents.
Jack Russells have incredible jumping ability, which makes them one of the most jumping dogs in the world. The maximum jump height exceeds the dog's own height by five times, which means that an animal with a height at the withers equal to 30 centimeters can jump to a height of one and a half meters.
Also, a representative of this breed terrier Boti became the first dog to make the most difficult transition from the North Pole to the South Pole (Transglobal Expedition) in 1979-1982 together with the famous British traveler, explorer and writer Sir Ranulph Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes. One can only guess how many impressions this heroic dog received, overcoming the endless ice plains, as well as during the meeting with the Arctic wolves described in the expedition's diary.
Price when buying a Jack Russell Terrier puppy
Russell Terriers have ceased to be an overseas curiosity in Russia since the mid-90s of the XX century. And nowadays there are breeding nurseries of this breed in almost all regions of the country, which fully meets the demand for Jack Russell Terrier puppies. For this reason, the price range is quite large, from 20,000 to 50,000 rubles.
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