Poil : smooth, rough or “wire”. Predominantly white, with black or tan markings.

Size (height at withers) : from 25 cm to 30 cm.

Weight : 5-6 kg (1 kg per 5 cm high at the withers, according to the Fédération Cynologique Internationale).

Classification FCI : N°345.

The Jack Russell terrier bears the name of the creator of the breed, the Reverend John Russell known as “Jack” Russell who did not cease throughout his life, in the XNUMXth century, to develop the best Fox Terriers to indulge in to his second passion after God, hunting with hounds. He has patiently crossed and selected for several decades dogs capable of hunting small game (especially foxes) into their burrows, in addition to hounds. Two varieties emerged from this selection: the Parson Russell Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier, the former being higher on legs than the latter.

The Jack Russell is above all a hunting dog, an excellent hunting dog. He is intelligent, lively, active, even hyperactive. He gives free rein to his instincts: following tracks, chasing cars, digging again and again, barking … The Jack Russell is likely to prey on other pets in the house as well as on humans. he was not properly socialized. In addition, this little dog believes himself to be big, he is courageous and does not hesitate to challenge and attack large dogs.

The Jack Russell has a life expectancy that can be considered long compared to many other breeds. Indeed, in the absence of disease, it can live on average fifteen years and some individuals even reach the age of 20 years.

Dislocation of the lens and cataracts: these two eye pathologies are congenital and correlated in Jack Russell. (1) Dislocation of the lens occurs on average between 3 and 6 years of age and is noticed in a reddened eye, clouding of the lens and tremor of the iris. It is very painful for the dog and in the absence of prompt surgery it can lead to glaucoma and blindness. The Jack Russell is one of the few breeds for which a genetic screening test is available to detect carriers of the mutation. Cataracts are also characterized by total or partial clouding of the lens, causing total or partial loss of vision.

Deafness: a study showed that this pathology would be less frequent than initially reported (the prevalence of unilateral and bilateral deafness was 3,5% and 0,50% respectively), that it would be inherited from the parents and that it could be correlated with the white color of the animal’s coat and therefore with pigmentation genes. (2)

Patella dislocation: it can cause damage to ligaments, bones and cartilage in the joint. Bichons, Bassets, Terriers, Pugs…, are also predisposed to this pathology whose hereditary character is demonstrated (but which can also be secondary to a trauma).

Ataxia: this nervous system disorder causes difficulty in coordinating movements and impairs the animal’s ability to move. The Jack Russell terrier and the Parson Russell terrier are predisposed to cerebellar ataxia, which is characterized by neurological damage to the cerebellum. It appears between 2 and 9 months and its impact on the dog’s quality of life is such that it quickly leads to euthanasia. (3)

The Jack Russell also has predispositions for myasthenia gravis, Legg-Perthes-Calvé disease and Von Willebrand disease.

The occupations of this hunting dog are viewed negatively by many owners who should not have purchased such a dog. It is a fact, many burrows end up in shelters, abandoned. His education requires firmness and consistency, because he is an intelligent animal who constantly tests his limits … and those of others. In short, a Jack Russell is extremely demanding and should be reserved for a passionate master.