Jack Russell Terrier Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Care & More

The Jack Russell Terrier is one of the most popular breeds to own as a pet because they are super energetic, love to play, and have a funny personality. Active families especially enjoy these terriers because they are active, love to dig, and will run alongside people.

Breed Overview

Of course, this high-energy and stubborn breed isn’t right for everyone. If you don’t have a fenced-in yard or don’t look forward to doing rigorous activity with your dog, you probably want to go with a more easygoing and relaxed pup.

Nevertheless, Jack Russell Terriers make great pets for many families. To find out if they’re right for you, keep reading!

Jack Russell Terrier Characteristics

Jack Russell Terrier Puppies

Since Jack Russell Terriers are so popular, it’s not too difficult to find one. We recommend heading over to a rescue or adoption center to see if any are available. Jack Russell Terrier puppies may not be available at a center near you, but there is no harm in looking. If you want a show-quality dog, though, it’s best to go to a breeder.

Ultimately, it is up to you to decide where to get your Jack Russell Terrier. Remember to be as responsible and ethical as you can be during the adoption or purchasing process.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Jack Russell Terrier

Jack Russell Terriers are loved for their intelligence and high energy. These small but active dogs fit in great with families because they love to play. In fact, they often become depressed when they are left outside or away from humans for too long.

They often make great family pets for slightly older children because of their loving but fun nature. However, they are not ideal for families that already have other pets in the home because Jack Russell Terriers are known to be aggressive to other animals.

Training is a must with this breed. Due to their willful nature, these dogs can get into real mischief. Although they are intelligent, training can be difficult because they are stubborn. If you are a first-time dog owner, you might want to go to a dog training school to get tips for getting your Jack Russell Terrier under control.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

Jack Russell Terriers are often selected as dogs for families with slightly older children. Since these dogs are so energetic, they love to play with the family. Exercise caution if your children are young. This breed can accidentally scrape or nibble without meaning any harm.

Make sure your child is old enough to know how to behave around a dog and play with such an energetic little beast. Most elementary school-aged kids are mature enough to handle Jack Russell Terriers, but it is up to you to determine if your child is ready for one of these energetic dogs.

If you are welcoming a Jack Russell Terrier into your home, early socialization and training are a must. Since these dogs can be so unruly, training can help them become more acclimated to indoor living and people. If you have an active lifestyle or a fenced-in yard, they will fit in perfectly with your family. Unfortunately, underground electric fences aren’t enough to hold these dogs because they are so eager and ready to run.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

One of the major downsides to owning a Jack Russell Terrier is that these dogs do not get along well with other animals. Originally bred as hunting dogs, these terriers are prone to chasing cats, squirrels, and other small animals.

They don’t particularly get along well with other canines either. Whenever these dogs see others, they are likely to start barking and growling loudly. It is possible for a Jack Russell Terrier to get along with other canines, but socialization must start from an early age.

For these reasons, Jack Russell Terriers are best in homes without other pets. If you want to get another dog, it’s best to get them at the same time. Doing so ensures early socialization and often leads to bonding between the two dogs.

Things to Know When Owning a Jack Russell Terrier

Although Jack Russell Terriers aren’t particularly sickly or large, they still require a lot of attention and care. They are energetic and need a lot of exercise and training as a result. If you do not have the time, resources, or willingness to train this unruly dog, you will want to go with a different breed that is more relaxed and easygoing.

Fortunately, Jack Russell Terriers aren’t particularly demanding when it comes to food, grooming, and health. So, there are some upsides to owning this breed over others. Nevertheless, they are not great for the faint of heart.

It is important to note that Jack Russell Terriers make terrible outside dogs. If you want a pet that can be kept outdoors, you need to get a breed that is more comfortable with a solitary life. Jack Russell Terriers must be kept indoors where they are happiest with their family. That said, you need a large fenced-in yard for your dog to burn off some energy safely.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Since Jack Russell Terriers are so small, you don’t have to feed them a lot of food. The average-sized adult Jack Russell needs between 1.25 and 1.75 cups of dry dog food a day. We recommend dividing this food into two meals.

Whenever you go to pick out dog food for your Jack Russell Terrier, select a food that is specific to your dog’s age, size, and activity level. This ensures that the food you select nourishes your pet’s unique body and needs.

Provide your Jack Russell Terrier with constant access to water. Since these dogs are so active, you might find yourself needing to refill their water bowl more than you might expect.

Exercise 🐕

One of the most difficult parts of owning a Jack Russell is their extensive exercise requirements. Since these dogs were bred for hunting purposes, they have a lot of energy, and they love to run. Jack Russell Terriers need at least 35 to 45 minutes of exercise every day. More than that, this exercise time needs to be rigorous.

In addition to the 30 to 45 minutes of heavy exercise, provide your Jack Russell Terrier with outside play time throughout the day. This will keep them entertained and out of mischief.

Whenever your pup is playing outside, make sure to keep an eye on them. This breed has been known to bolt up trees, climb under fences, and do anything they can to leave their outside area. Watching your Jack Russell Terrier ensures that the dog is safe inside your yard.

Training 🎾

Another difficult part of owning a Jack Russell Terrier is that they need intense training. This breed is intelligent, which means they can pick up on commands and tricks quickly. The trick is getting them to listen.

Since these dogs are so unruly, they often have a mind of their own and have trouble listening to their owners, even if they understand what is expected of them. You will want to use positive motivation, such as food, play, and praise, to get your dog to listen.

The worst thing you can do during the training period is to be negative or harsh when trying to train your Jack Russell Terrier. These dogs notoriously become even more stubborn than they already are if you force harsh corrections on them. So, positive reinforcement is a must.

At the same time, make sure you are straightforward, clear, and consistent when training your Jack Russell Terrier. Being stern is not the same thing as being harsh. It’s important to find a balance between sternness and positive reinforcement to get your dog to listen to you.

Grooming ✂️

Jack Russell Terriers can have two different coat types: broken or smooth. For both, the coat has two layers and a coarse texture. The color will be white, white with black or tan, or tricolor.

No matter what coat type your Jack Russell Terrier has, you need to brush it out once a week. If you do this regularly, you likely won’t need to give your dog a bath. Rough coats need to be stripped once or twice a year.

The only other guaranteed grooming requirement is dental hygiene. Brush your dog’s teeth a couple of times a week. If you want to really protect your dog’s oral health, brush their teeth daily. It’s best to get your Jack Russell Terrier used to a toothbrush as soon as possible.

You might need to trim your Jack Russell Terrier’s nails too, but this is not necessary for all. If you can hear your dog’s claws clicking on hard floor, they need to be trimmed. Since this breed loves to dig, their front paws may not ever need to be trimmed.

Health and Conditions 🏥

The Jack Russell Terrier is considered a healthy breed. Due to their small size, they are prone to certain diseases found in nearly all small dogs. That said, selecting a Jack Russell Terrier from a reputable breeder increases the health of your dog dramatically.

Male vs. Female

There isn’t much difference between a female and male Jack Russell Terrier. Both are active and need a lot of attention.

The main difference between males and females is their size. Females will be slightly smaller, but male Jack Russell Terriers aren’t that large either. If you are looking for a smaller dog, the female Jack Russell Terrier will probably be ideal for you.

Additionally, female Jack Russell Terriers tend to be slightly calmer than their male counterparts, but they are still active and need a lot of exercise.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Jack Russell Terrier

1. Jack Russells were developed in the mid-1800s.

Even though the Jack Russell Terrier is one of the most popular dogs today, they only date back to the mid-1800s. During this time, Parson John Russell developed these dogs in southern England. They are named after this man.

2. Jack Russell Terriers are terrific hunting dogs.

Parson John Russell originally developed the Jack Russell Terrier as a working dog. More specifically, they were bred for hunting foxes. How it worked is that the terrier would chase the fox from their den so they could chase the fox to be hunted.

By the 1930s, the Jack Russell Terrier had become one of the most popular dogs for hunting. In the United States, they were especially popular, and several breed clubs sprung up as a result.

Today’s Jack Russell Terriers aren’t often used as hunting dogs, but they still retain a lot of their hunting instincts. As a result, they are often energetic and eager to chase smaller animals around.

3. Their name was changed in 2000.

Although most people know these dogs under the name of Jack Russell Terrier, the dog was renamed in 2000 to the Parson Russell Terrier. The dog is still named after the original breeder.

The reason for this name change is technical. The Jack Russell Terrier Club of America acts as an independent registry, and it views this breed completely as a hunting dog. In comparison, the Jack Russell Terrier Association of America wanted to be recognized by the American Kennel Club, which it was in 2000.

So, the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America and the Jack Russell Terrier Association of America would not get confused, the American Kennel Club renamed the dog the Parson Russell Terrier. There is no difference between a Jack Russell Terrier and a Parson Russell Terrier.

Final Thoughts

The Jack Russell Terrier is a great breed if you are looking for a small and active addition to your home. Be ready to exercise your dog quite a bit and spend a lot of time in training. Due to their high energy and stubbornness, you are in for a ride.

Before getting a Jack Russell Terrier, make sure to fence in your backyard. An electric fence will do you no good with this breed. If you are not able to provide the exercise or attention that your Jack Russell needs, we recommend looking for relaxed dogs that are more content chilling out on the couch.

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Featured Image Credit: Reddogs, Shutterstock