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Jack Russell Terrier

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1. General Description of the Jack Russell Terrier

   A note to the reader: We are aware of the ongoing conflict between those who would like to see the Parson and Jack Russell Terrier recognized as separate breeds and those who would not. The AKC changed the recognized name of the breed from Jack Russell Terrier to Parson Russell Terrier in 2003, much to the dismay of fanciers of the working Jack Russell Terrier. The rest of this article will use the name Jack Russell Terrier simply because that is the name with which most people are familiar; we take no stance on the Jack/Parson issue, and do not endorse one form of recognition over any other. Please do not email us on this subject.
   
   The Jack Russell Terrier is a handsome and well balanced dog designed to keep pace with horses during a fox hunt and to fit into tight spaces in pursuit of its quarry. The skull is flat with moderate stop, and is topped with small v-shaped ears that drop forward toward the eyes. Eyes are dark and almond shaped, conveying an expression of sharp intelligence. Jaws are powerful and meet in a scissors bite. The body is clean and athletically muscular, ending in a high-set, gaily carried and docked tail. Feet are compact, round and catlike. The Jack Russell Terrier’s coat is either broken or smooth; in either case, the outer coat is harsh, dense and close. Coloring is white on most of the body, with black, tan, and/or brown markings.

2. Jack Russell Terrier Temperament

   The Jack Russell is a classic terrier, with energy and playfulness to spare. Jacks are inherently curious and busy, and make a point of being in the middle of everything all the time. This dog is always up for a game or adventure, and is an unequalled playmate for child and adult alike. The dog also has a fantastic sense of humor, and is sure to keep your family in stitches with its crazy antics and spunky attitude. Jack Russell Terriers love children and are more friendly toward strangers than most terriers; Jacks may be aggressive with other dogs and are notorious for chasing small pets (especially cats).

3. Caring for a Jack Russell Terrier

   The Jack Russell Terrier needs abundant physical and mental exercise every day, or it will drive you mad with its digging and unspent energy. A long walk is a great way to burn some calories, but an intense game is even better. Be careful when letting your Jack Russell Terrier off leash in areas where other dogs are present, as some can be dog aggressive; also keep an eye on this dog at all times, because it will sometimes dig itself into a hole and disappear from sight. The Jack Russell Terrier is fairly weather resistant, but it should live inside with its family. Caring for the smooth coat requires occasional brushing, while the broken coat variety will need occasional hand stripping. The Jack Russell Terrier lives a long time and is rarely ill, though lens luxation and patellar luxation are sometimes seen in the breed.

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We include the following list of misspellings so our internal search tools can send you to the right place. People often misspell Jack (Parson) Russell Terrier as Parsen Russel Terrier, Parson Rusell Terrier, or Parson Russell Tarrier.