Once, the name Jack Russell Terrier was used to describe a wide variety of small, predominantly white terriers.  Recently a more formal recognition has been given to the Jack Russell and its close relative, the Parson Russell Terrier.




Jack Russells are small terriers, and are the shorter of the two Russell breeds, standing between 10-12 inches and weighing about 9-15 pounds.  They are slightly longer than they are tall, drop ears, and their tails are customarily docked in the United States.  There are three coat types, dense, rough, and broken.  The rough coat is long and wiry, while the smooth coat is short and flat.  Broken coats are a length in between rough and smooth.  Jack Russell Terriers are white with brown, black, or tan markings.


The history of the Jack Russell Terrier begins in England, with Reverend John Russell from Devon.  He was a 19th century parson that carried a passion for fox hunting and developed a strain of terriers that were mostly white he used on hunts.  The original dogs had long enough legs to keep up with horses, but were still small enough to burrow and bolt foxes.  Later the breed was further developed in Australia and commonly used as ratters.  In time they would split into the two types, differing by longer and shorter legs.  The naming of the two breeds has been debated among kennel and breed clubs, and still causes confusion.  Most consider the longer legged version as the Parsons Russell Terrier and the shorter as the Jack Russell Terrier, however the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes the shorter as simply the Russell Terrier.


Jack Russell Terriers are a happy, devoted, and fearless breed.  They love playing with toys and being around humans, preferably as the center of attention.  Although highly intelligent, they can be difficult to train.  Some individuals can be dog aggressive, and they do best with children only if they have been raised around them.  Jack Russell Terriers can become restless and destructive if left alone for too long and not given enough exercise.


The average lifespan of a Jack Russell Terrier is 13-14 years, or longer.  They have suffered from little inbreeding, and are generally a healthy breed.  Some have joint problems, hereditary cataracts, and congenital deafness.

Jack Russell Terriers can adapt to apartment life as long as they have plenty of exercise.  They need to be taken on daily walks and should have adequate mental stimulation.  This breed excels at dog sports.

The coat of a Jack Russell requires very little care.  The rough and broken coats may need to be occasionally stripped, especially if shown.