Jack Russell Terrier is a born hunter, inclined to the security service, who until recently was the darling of English farmers for his ability to find the beast and drive it out of the hole. Today, more and more often, dogs of this breed, one of the representatives of which brilliantly played in the world-famous film "Mask", are found as an apartment resident, hotly loved by children.

Breed description

The miniature and bold Jack Russell Terrier, known among dog breeders for more than a century, is distinguished by a strong-willed disposition, courage and excellent hunter instincts. The appearance of the dog can be misleading: compactness does not affect the speed and endurance of the terrier in any way, the aim of its breeding was the ability to withstand prolonged loads (running through the forests for game in any weather).

Strong affection of the breed representatives to the owner in the absence of education can be a serious problem, bordering even on the danger. Do not forget that, despite the identification of the Jack Russell Terrier with the good-natured companion in the film Mask, after which the breed’s popularity peaked, a dog without proper physical activity and active games can turn into an evil and uncontrollable animal.

Origin history

The roots of the breed go back to England when hunting was carried out using foxhounds that drove prey and burrow terriers. Over time, the hunters faced the task of getting a small but powerful dog that would climb into holes, withstand multi-kilometer runs in any weather conditions, and have a light color that did not allow it to be confused with a fox.

The English priest Jack Russell, an enthusiastic hunter, was the first to solve the problem of breeding a new breed. However, his persistent dogs could not boast of an attractive exterior. Crossing continued even after his death, but success in this direction was not achieved.

The situation changed only after the representatives of the breed got on the Australian continent, where the breeders were not interested in the working qualities of the dogs. Work on improving the exterior took several decades, until in 2001 the IFC Commission officially recognized the breed called Jack Russell Terrier.

The nature and behavior of Jack Russell Terriers

In the person of the representative of the Jack Russell Terrier breed, the future owner will find a brave defender, a smart and cheerful companion who knows how to cheer up even on the most inclement days. But all this is possible only with proper education.

An Jack Jack Russell Terrier dog can be very harmful and even uncontrollable.

The direct purpose of the pet is to be a hunter. If the owner does not walk with him for a long time and train in the fresh air, then boredom can make the terrier entertain itself on its own, chasing cats or cars. The wrong approach to learning or its complete absence can cause big problems not only for the owner, but also for everyone around.

Breed standard and puppy selection

Physiological features that Jack Russell Terriers must comply with:

  • The skull is flat.
  • Muzzle - narrowed to the mouth, and has a pronounced transition to the forehead.
  • Nose - black lobe.
  • Jaws are strong with a regular scissor bite.
  • The trunk is a rectangular body with a shortened, strong lower back and deep chest.
  • The limbs are smooth and muscular.
  • Ears - both hanging and erect.
  • Tail - docked at the discretion of the owner.
  • Color - white with red or black spots.
  • Wool - can be of three types: stiff, smooth with a break and intermediate.
  • Growth - 25-30 cm.
  • Weight - 5-6 kg.

How to choose a puppy

Choosing a future pet is a responsible matter, in which it is worth considering several important rules:

  1. The nursery where it is planned to buy a puppy should specialize in growing this particular breed.
  2. Even before buying an animal, it is worth exploring the features of the breed, weighing the pros and cons.
  3. Inspection of the dog and observation of behavior is important: healthy puppies of the Jack Russell Terrier should be active, friendly, sociable and have no discharge from the eyes and nose.

Features of keeping the dog jack russell terrier

Keeping a jack russell terrier in an apartment is quite simple. An important component is walking, which should be regular. If the owner takes the dog with him for a run, then two walks with a duration of half an hour will be enough for her. In the case of leisurely walks in the park, the time spent by the four-legged companion on the street should be increased.

With a deficit of physical activity, the dog can be very irritating, which will negatively affect his mental state.

Determining the place of rest when a puppy appears in the house is also an important event. The lounger should be located in a room with no drafts. Nearby should be put a variety of toys: bones, balls, tweeters and others.

Care, health and feeding

Jack Russell Terrier, giving a sea of ​​positive and love, in turn, needs attention and care from the owner.

Hair care

The dog needs to be combed out weekly with a special brush, which will help to collect as many hairs that have fallen out, including dead skin particles. Due to this frequency of the procedure, the house can be kept clean, minimizing the amount of hair. Trimming is systematically recommended.

Bathing

The Jack Russell Terrier's coat is coated with a special grease that repels dirt. Flushing it is not recommended. Therefore, water procedures with shampoos are carried out as needed. After walking, it is enough to wash the paws and wipe the contaminated parts of the body with napkins.

Important! The girl must definitely take a bath after estrus.

Eye and ear care

Every week you should wipe your pet’s eyes with cotton pads with a special lotion. The same requirements apply to the ears. You should not wait for the moment when a lot of sulfur accumulates in the ears, and the dog begins to comb them fiercely. A careless attitude can lead to the development of acute otitis media.

Dental care

Like all small breeds, the Jack Russell Terrier often suffers from stone formation, especially when eating natural food. For prevention, you should brush your dog’s teeth every week and bite the bones. In advanced cases, you must immediately contact your veterinarian.

Food

Jack Russell Terrier is rather picky about food. He can eat ready-made premium dry food or natural food, which should include 75% of animal products and 25% of fiber sources (fruits and vegetables). To maintain the shape of an adult dog, it is enough to eat twice a day.

Disease

In order for the pet to live a long and happy life, it is necessary to visit the veterinarian regularly with it, where the dog will receive the appropriate vaccinations according to the vaccination calendar.

However, there are a number of diseases common for this breed, for which there is no vaccine:

  • Lens luxation is a displacement of a genetic nature, which manifests itself in the age group from 3 to 8 years. As a rule, it is treated with a medication, although there are cases when surgery is inevitable.
  • The displacement of the patella is often the hereditary lameness of the mother does not appear in the offspring. However, if the pet began to limp, then you should immediately consult a specialist. Surgery is indispensable.
  • Perthes disease is a disease in which the hip head is affected. If a puppy has a limp and joint pain at the age of six months, do not postpone a visit to a veterinary clinic.

Parenting and training

Jack Russell Terrier is a tireless companion of a sports and gambler who, in any situation, will give preference to active pastime. From the age of 6 months, you can closely begin to train your pet, teaching him various teams, while not forgetting about the encouragement in the form of a favorite treat.

In order for the educational process to bear fruit, the owner must remember the main rule - consistency and rigor. From the first days, the Jack Russell Terrier must understand who the leader in his new pack is. Also, do not forget about the safety of the pet: during classes, if the territory is not protected by a fence, it is impossible to let the dog off the leash with a pronounced instinct for the hunter.

Pros and cons of the breed

Like other breeds, the Jack Russell Terrier has its advantages and disadvantages.

Among the advantages stand out:

  • sharp mind;
  • fast learner;
  • unpretentious in care and feeding;
  • An excellent company for active people and hunters.

The main disadvantages:

  • stubbornness, because of which beginners often do not cope with dog training;
  • intense molting;
  • poor tolerance of loneliness.

How much is Jack Russell Terrier

The price of puppies is:

  • $ 250-500 for puppies of the Pet class;
  • up to $ 1000 for a show baby.

The big difference in cost is associated with:

  1. nursery rating;
  2. pedigree of the puppy;
  3. exterior;
  4. the quality of feed and the availability of veterinary care;
  5. the floor.

Jack Russell Terrier is an excellent choice for active people who lead a sporty lifestyle, make daily long runs in the park, regardless of the weather. And if the future owner is fond of hunting, then this bold and faithful dog is for him.

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