Jack Russell Terrier

Reverend John Russell (1795-1883) was passionate about fox hunting and dog breeding. He obtained his first terrier in 1819, named "Trump"; it is believed to be the source of his terrier line. Tracing foxes in galleries requires fine and tenacious dogs. The Reverend Russell selected suitable subjects, both in terms of physique and character. He performed many crosses with other utility terrier breeds with solid or mixed coats. Over a few decades, he gave rise to the line that bears his name. John Russell ensured he preserved the original character of his Fox Terrier line: breeding was exclusively aimed at hunting. The terrier we know today, like the Jack Russell Terrier, presents strong similarities with the Fox Terrier before 1900. In 1873, John Russell was one of the founding members of the English Kennel Club. In 1874, he was an official judge for the recognition of the first Fox Terrier recognized by the Kennel Club. He always refrained from presenting his own dogs, the Russell Terriers, for recognition. Beauty trials encouraged breeders to move away from functional characteristics in favor of aesthetics. In 1898, Francis Barraud's canvas, titled His Master's Voice, immortalizes the famous Jack Russell Nipper. The English Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1990 and published an interim standard under the name of "Parson Jack Russell Terrier". The standard favors large sizes while the majority of European, Australian, and American dogs are small. The International Cynological Federation (FCI), to which Great Britain does not belong, accepts the English standard, including small sizes. This interim standard lasts 11 years. It then becomes obsolete: it gives ideal heights of 33 and 35 cm, but accepts small dogs up to 26 cm. The Jack Russell Terrier, measuring 25 to 30 cm at the withers, is distinguished from the Parson Russell Terrier, measuring 31 to 40 cm.

The Jack Russell is a proud, bold and energetic dog. Faithful and intelligent, its first quality is its capacity for work, followed by qualities of companion, affectionate and friendly. Its independent character can give you a hard time. It gets along well with children who know how to behave with it. City life, apartment living, or a peaceful setting is little suited to the Jack Russell's natural inclinations. These dogs adapt to any environment, but they were raised as hunting dogs. They need physical exertion and exploration, movement and human companionship. They require physical exercise, opportunities to display their intelligence and human contact.

In Jack Russell breeding, the characteristics sought all refer to fox hunting: its color, its constitution, its character and its intelligence. The body is compact, proportioned, with well-formed shoulders, straight legs, and a tight chest (which should be easily grasped in two hands of normal size, on the widest part, behind the shoulders). The Jack Russell must have great flexibility, to have freedom of movement underground and to track its prey in the narrowest galleries.

This terrier is easy to maintain. The smooth hair that falls each month should be removed with a rubber brush (it loses its hair throughout the year in very large quantities). The hard-haired type should be plucked from time to time. Its coat is semi-waterproof, easy to clean in case of rain or mud. It is not recommended to wash it often.