The
JRT has been bred as a hunting dog, first and foremost.
They are bold, intelligent and energetic and need consistent
training and supervision in any environment. Many terriers
are given up by their owners because they do not fit into
sedentary lives, or environments with cats or even small
children.
JRT's
love to run, dig, play and all types of intense physical
activity. They need a job to keep them occupied. Author
Catherine Romaine Brown descrbes the JRT as being "locked
in overdrive between naps." One woman wrote that her
JR "would think nothing of charging a wounded rhinocerous."
A JR can jump, climb and dig under fences that are lower
than six to seven feet high. JR's often fit well into an
active lifestyle.
Do
not adopt a JRT until you fully understand their requirements
for a happy and healthy relationship. We receive 60 to 75
terriers a year in Northern California from homes that no
longer want them for a variety of reasons, many of the stories
are heartbreaking.
Jack
Russell Terriers do shed. They come in 3 coat types: smooth,
broken and rough. Smooth coats have lots of fine hair and
of all the coat types they tend to shed the most.
The
biggest cause of death in JR's is being hit by cars. People
who have had this tragedy will often write letters to other
JRT owners in the membership begging them to keep their
dogs on leash at all times when they are not otherwise controlled
or confined. Leash and obedience training is essential to
having a well socialized dog.
Apartments
are rarely adequate for this breed. Inactive lifestyles
or long work hours are not recommended for these dogs. Small
children can be at risk with Jack Russell's and need to
be surpervised at all times. Cats and other small pets are
at risk because JR's are hunting dogs. Jack Russell's can
be rowdy, friendly or agressive with other dogs. JR's are
often referred to as a big dog in a little package.
Life
with a Jack Russell changes things forever. They can form
strong bonds and learn very quickly, given consistant direction
and constant attention. They will create trouble if they
become bored or are ignored in a backyard or left in a house
alone all day. If you are selected as the dog's favorite
person, be prepared to be followed constantly.
If
you are interested in the Jack Russell Terrier here are
some references:
Jack
Russell Terrier University
communications