Jack Russell Terrier
A small, rectangular working terrier full of energy and drive, happiest with plenty to do.
At a glance
- Size
- Small
- Height at the withers
- 25–30 cm
- Weight
- 5–6 kg
- Life expectancy
- 13–16 years
- Exercise
- 60–120 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Smooth, Rough, short
- Colours
- White, Black, Tan, Tricolour
- Bred for
- Terrier work, Companionship
- Country of origin
- United Kingdom
- FCI
- Group 3, no. 345 · Terriers
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 4/5 – High |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with other dogs | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with cats | 2/5 – Low |
| Open to strangers | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Energy | 5/5 – Very high |
| Playfulness | 5/5 – Very high |
| Needs mental stimulation | 5/5 – Very high |
| Easy to train | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Prey drive | 5/5 – Very high |
| Watchful and protective | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Barking | 4/5 – High |
| Shedding | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Grooming effort | 2/5 – Low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 2/5 – Low |
| Suits apartment living | 2/5 – Low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 3/5 – Moderate |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- are active and like being outdoors
- want a small dog for sports or long walks
- enjoy a dog with a big personality
Think twice if you …
- want a calm, quiet dog
- have small pets at home
- can't secure your garden well
Care
Temperament
Jack Russells are lively, alert and fearless, with a strong hunting instinct. They bond closely with their people and can be bossy with other dogs.
Exercise
Plan on at least an hour a day of walks, running and games. They love ball games, agility, flyball and scent work.
Grooming
Smooth, broken and rough coats all need a weekly brush; rough and broken coats may be hand-stripped occasionally. They shed more than their size suggests.
Training
Very clever but easily bored. Use short, rewarding sessions, plenty of variety and a lot of recall practice in safe areas.
Health
Primary lens luxation, patellar luxation, deafness and inherited ataxias occur in the breed. Ask the breeder for eye, knee, hearing and DNA results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Eye examination
- Hearing (BAER)
- Kneecaps (patella)
DNA tests
- PLL
- SCA
- LOA
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Jack Russell Terrier traces back to the fox-working terriers associated with the Reverend John Russell in 19th-century England. The shorter-legged, slightly longer type was developed further in Australia, and the FCI lists England as its country of origin and Australia as its country of development.
Jack Russells are bright, tough and endlessly busy. They are great company for active people but can be a handful in a quiet home: they dig, bark, chase and test boundaries. A secure garden, daily exercise and lots of mental work make the difference between a fun companion and a frustrated one.
Did you know?
In FCI terms the Jack Russell was developed in Australia, where the breed's first official standard was drawn up before international recognition.