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The Jack Russell is a happy, bold, energetic dog; they are extremely loyal, intelligent, and assertive. Their greatest attribute is their working ability, closely followed by their excellent qualities as a companion. Unlike some modern breeds, Jack Russells have one type, hunting. Hunting ability is bred into them. It is their nature. The unique personality of this feisty terrier is rapidly gaining popularity, but they are not a dog for everyone, especially first time dog owners. While adaptable to to a variety of environments, they are first and foremost bred to hunt.
These dogs come in three different coat types; smooth (recessive), broken (intermediate), and rough (coarse, longer straight hair, dominant over smooth). All coats shed, smooth coats shed the most. They are adaptable to most climates, and usually handle the cold fine, although some dogs will need a dog blanket or sweater if under 40 deg. Fahrenheit. The color of the coat must be at least 51% white, or all white. Black and/or tan markings are allowed. Height can be between 10" and 15", with a proportionate body length. For showing purposes, terriers are classified in two groups, 10" to 12 1/2", and over 12 1/2" and up to 15". Dogs should appear compact and balanced, always in solid, hard condition. Jack Russells have a short, upright tail, about 4" long. The tail is cropped shortly after birth, and front dewclaws are removed.
Jack Russell Terriers are a type, or strain, of working terrier; they are not purebred in the sense that they have a broad genetic make-up, a broad standard, and do not breed true to type. You will see different "types" of JRTs, from long-bodied, short, crooked legs to a more proportioned length of body and longer legs. This is a result of having been bred strictly for hunting since their beginning in the early 1800's, and their preservation as a working breed since.
The Jack Russell takes its name from the Reverend John Russell who bred one of the finest strains of terriers for working fox in Devonshire, England in the mid-to-late 1800's. Rev. Russell (1795-1883), apart from his church activities, had a passion for fox hunting and the breeding of fox hunting dogs; he is also said to be a rather flamboyant character, probably accounting for his strain of terrier's notability and the name of our terrier today.
John Russell maintained his strain of fox terriers bred strictly for working, and the terrier we know of today as the Jack Russell is much the same as the pre-1900's fox terrier. The Jack Russell has survived the changes that have occured in the modern-day Fox Terrier because it has been preserved by working terrier enthusiasts in England for more than 100 years. It is the foremost goal of the JRTCA that the Jack Russell continues in that tradition.
