Jack Russell Facts
The history of the Jack Russell terrier
Jack Russell terriers are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world, they are ranked in the top 10 most popular dog breeds in the UK.
They are great at agility, pest control, and being a pest around the house.
They follow you everywhere and must be involved in everything, especially if it involves digging!
They also hold the record for the longest living dog in the UK, reaching ages of up to 23.
The Jack Russell was named after Reverend John Russell who first created the breed from a white-coated Fox Terrier.
Jack Russells first appearing in the UK during the 1800s. Then the breed was further developed in Australia and America resulting in the Russell Terrier and Parson Terrier.
Jack Russells were bred to be a working dog. Originally used to bolt foxes from their dens during hunts. They are still highly skilled hunters, even just with a tennis ball!
After WW2, the need for Jack Russell Terriers as hunting dogs fell, but they became more popular as pets.
They were bred with Corgis, Chihuahuas and other smaller breeds of terrier. The offspring of these crosses became known as “Puddin’ Dogs” or “Shortie Jacks”.
Tail docking Jack Russells was common to avoid them getting caught or broken down rabbit holes. But it is now banned in the UK.
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Facts about Jack Russell terriers
JRT, Russells, Jacks. Whatever you call them, we think this small breed of dog is the paw-fect companion!
Quick Facts about Jack Russells
Average Lifespan: 13 – 16 years
Pedigree Breed? Yes since 2016
Average Height: 25 – 30 cm
Average Weight: 6.4 – 8.2 kg
Popular posts
How to train a Jack Russell terrier
Are Jack Russell Terriers easy to train? Well yes and no. The good news is that they are very smart little dogs that are eager to please. Plus they will do literally anything for a treat!
Training a Jack Russell can be challenging though, they are strong-willed and it can sometimes seem like they are ignoring you on purpose. What does “no” mean anyway?!
The Jack Russell feeding guide UK
Want to know the best food for a Jack Russell terrier? There are a lot of options to choose from when it comes to feeding a Jack Russell.
Here we break down the pros and cons of each, and let you in on our favourite Jack Russell food in the UK.
How to stop a Jack Russell barking
Jack Russells can be mischievous, loud and sometimes downright inappropriate! But that’s why we love them, right?
But why do Jack Russells bark so much? It might be a sign of a nervous, bored or over-excited dog.
Pros and Cons of owning a Jack Russell Terrier
If you’re asking yourself “Should I get a Jack Russell Terrier?” consider these facts about Jack Russells to see if they’re the right dog breed for you.
Advantages of owning a Jack Russell
- Small, affectionate and loyal.
- Great around children of all ages if socialised properly.
- Great for pest control.
- Lively companions who love the outdoors.
- Highly intelligent.
- Extremely playful throughout their lives.
- Their high energy and drive make them ideally suited to agility.
Cons of owning a Jack Russells
- They do not like to be left alone.
- They can get destructive or yappy if bored.
- They need a lot of attention, exercise and set rules.
- Their hunting instinct is very strong.
- Jack Russells bark excessively if not properly trained.
- Broken and wire coat Jack Russells shed fur quite heavily throughout the year.
- They can become aggressive towards other dogs, particularly of the same sex, if not trained.
Famous Jack Russells
The Jack Russells charm and intelligence have made them quite well known over the years.
From great explorers to starring roles here’s a roundup of some of the most memorable JR’s.
Nipper the perhaps the first famous Jack Russell, born in 1884. He was the inspiration for the painting Dog looking at and listening to a Phonograph, later renamed to His Master’s Voice. But it’s probably better known for it’s later use as the HMV logo.
A Jack Russell named Bothy made history in 1982 as part of the Transglobe Expedition. Owned by explorer Ranulph Fiennes, he became the first dog to travel to both the north and south poles. An impressive ‘tale’.
Father and son team Moose and Enzo played Eddie in the long-running sitcom Fraser. Perhaps best known for the famous Jack-Russell-stares that unnerve the radio psychiatrist. They received more fan mail than any other character on the show.
In the Mask starring Jim Carey the real star was Max. The Jack Russell Terrier played the role of Milo (after which one of our own JRs is named!) who is one of Stanley Ipkiss’s only friends in the 1994 U.S film.
