The Jack Russell (JRT) is a breed of dog that is widely misunderstood. Because of the appearances of the breed on TV and in movies, many people have an unrealistic idea of what these dogs are really like. This article aims to set some of the facts straight.
About Jack Russells
JRTs are small dogs, typically mostly white. They also tend to have coloring around the face, back and tail - either tan, black, or both. There are also JRTs which are predominantly black or tan, although these would not be identified as true Jack Russells according to the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America breed standard.
Origins of the Breed
The JRT takes its name from its original breeder, the Parson John (nicknamed Jack) Russell. It's one of very few breeds to be named after the original breeder.
Russell was known as the "sporting parson," due to his love for fox hunting. He bred these terriers in order to be earth working dogs, chasing foxes down into their undergrounds dens and then chasing them out again for the hunters to catch. The word terrier comes from the Latin "terra" meaning "earth."
The Parson needed a dog who was small and strong. He needed a dog who could dig, and bark loud enough to be found from the bottom of a fox hole. He needed a dog that was mainly white so it would be easily spotted against green grass or brown dirt. And so the JRT came into being.
The origins of these dogs as hunters explain a lot of their breed characteristics and personality traits. They are independent and strong willed, as they often had to work without the hunter nearby to give commands. They're highly energetic and can develop aggression problems if not trained properly - they had to be fierce enough to face a fox in enclosed quarters.
Becoming a Pet
The JRT's cuteness and intelligence meant it was destined to become a popular household pet. This trend was helped by the appearance of some famous JRTs on screen, such as Eddie on the hit TV show Frasier, and the movie My Dog Skip starring Frankie Muniz.
Unfortunately, the real dog - the hunter - often doesn't meet the expectations of owners brought up on TV. That's why so many Jacs end up at rescues and shelters, when their owners suddenly can't handle the reality of the JRT.
The Parson Russell
There's a lot of confusion surrounding the difference between the Parson Russell Terrier and the JRT. Many people think they are the same breed - many also claim strongly that they're completely different. In actual fact, the two types of dogs are very similar from a genetic standpoint. The difference is that JRTs are meant to be working dogs, whereas Parsons are show dogs and can be registered under the AKC. That's why Parsons have longer legs and look a little different - they have been bred for showing, not for chasing foxes down holes. JRTs, on the other hand, are bred for "function over form."
Training Jack Russells
Many owners have tried to discipline and train JRTs by dominant means, and despaired. Because of the character traits that have been bred into them, JRTs don't respond well to harsh treatment - in fact, it only creates resentment towards the trainer, making the dog stubborn and even more difficult to train. JRT training requires a breed-specific approach.
Exercise
Despite being quite small, JRTs are extremely energetic. Without proper exercise, they can become very problem to problem behaviors like digging and chewing. To avoid this, owners ought to take their JRTs on a long walk every day, for a minimum of half an hour - preferably more.
