Jack Russell Terriers

TENACIOUS BUT TINY HUNTERS

TEXT: COURTENEY FERREIRA

Known for their small stature but big personality, the Jack Russell Terrier is a petite but solid breed.

These dogs stand about 30-35 cm tall and weigh around 6-8kg, but don’t let their size fool you; they have seemingly endless energy and stamina!

HISTORY

Originating in England in the mid to late 1800s, they were bred in response to a need for a dog smaller than the foxhounds to hunt foxes. A pastor named John Russell saw the need for a small terrier that could follow the fox into the ground and started a selective breeding program aimed at developing a bold and athletic dog.

Unfortunately, there is little documentation of this breeding program, but the most likely conclusion is that the Jack Russell originated from selectively breeding white terriers (now extinct) with English foxhounds.

The Jack Russell’s popularity skyrocketed from here, as they were able to keep up with the horses on a chase and had tenacity which made them successful at hunting other animals like raccoons and other smaller game. Their trademark was their prey drive and agility, and their ability to flush the fox from its hiding places was unmatched.

Fox hunting is not something we do in South Africa but the Jack Russell is still a firm favourite among horse owners and you will often find them in tow at equestrian shows or on the farm as they make for great rat catchers!

TYPES

The Jack Russell Terrier has two coat types, smooth and broken or rough. Both are double coats with a rough texture. The broken or rough coat is slightly longer and dogs have a bit of a beard and eyebrows. Their coats can be white, white with black or tan markings or tri-colour. Grooming is straightforward as they only need to be brushed weekly to remove dead and loose hair, with broken or rough coats needing to be stripped twice yearly.

HEALTH

Jack Russell’s are generally healthy and hardy little dogs but can suffer from a handful of health problems such as patella luxation (slipping of the kneecaps), deafness, skin allergies and Legg Calve Perthes disease which is a congenital orthopaedic disorder that causes degeneration of the hip joint. When looking to acquire a pup from a reputable breeder, always enquire as to whether any health tests have been performed on the parents.

SUITABILITY

Though they may be small, they have major exercise needs and are not your average lap dog. They thrive on structure and routine. If you are unable to commit to them in terms of exercise and mental stimulation as well as training, then you will have to deal with the barking, chasing and holedigging in your garden as a result!

In terms of personality, they are extremely loyal little companions and older children can find them to be a happy and affectionate playmate.

SUMMARY

In essence, if you want a dog who has boundless energy, is highly trainable but also very independent and determined, then these fearless little terriers are for you.