History
The Jack Russell Terrier was initially bred by the Reverend Jack Russell. The Reverend was very interested in fox hunting and saw the need for a small terrier to be used to flush a fox that had gone to ground. In 1814 he acquired a terrier bitch named Trump from the local milkman and she became his foundation bitch.
These first Jack Russells were quite tall dogs (35 cm) but over the years the bred has changed and we now have two distinct breeds. The Parson Jack Russell which measures between 33-35 cm and the Jack Russell Terrier 25-30 cm..
The Jack Russell Terrier is a great little hunting dog and will tackle anything from a fox to a mouse. He spends a great deal of his time investigating his surroundings and when taken for a walk in the country will hunt for hours. He is an extremely intelligent dog that is beginning to be seen in the obedience ring as well as competing in agility trials.
Although only recognised as a pure bred dog in 1991, Jack Russells are competing most successfully in the show ring.
There are three coat varieties; a smooth coat, a broken coat and a rough coat. The only acceptable colourations are white with tan or tri-colour markings.
Temperament
They are friendly, outgoing dogs and there should be no nastiness in their nature at all. They love to play with children and will spend hours playing ball and chasing things around the garden. He travels well and, if taught early, will ride happily in the car, watching the world go by and be ready to join in any activity at the end of the trip. He is adaptable, friendly, extroverted and a joy to own. They make ideal house dogs but are equally at home as an outside dog and are always ready to join the family in any pastime.
Purchasing a puppy
To purchase a puppy there are basic rules to follow. It is most important to find a reliable breeder where the mother can be seen. Her behaviour will give you an insight into the temperament of the puppies. If she is happy and friendly her puppies should be also. The breeder may also have the father of the litter and again assess his behaviour. Also make sure that the surroundings where the puppies have been raised are clean and that mum herself looks healthy.
No puppy should be sold under 8 weeks of age and should have had its first vaccinations. The breeder should provide you with a vaccination certificate, signed by a Veterinarian, and also the puppy should have been wormed on a regular basis since birth. A healthy puppy is plump but not pot-bellied. The skin should be soft and pliable with no bare patches of dry scurfy look. The eyes are bright and no discharge should be evident and the puppy smells fresh.
