Lively and tenacious, it's easy to see why the Jack Russell Terrier was popular as a hunting companion in the Victorian era. Despite its diminutive size, this breed is fearless and curious, with an insatiable appetite for adventure. Jack Russell Terriers make loyal pets, but their endless energy and confidence means they can get into mischief if bored.
Facts & advice
Jack Russell
An inquisitive and high-spirited companion always looking out for an adventure
Vital stats
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| Size: | Small |
| Coat: | Smooth coat or wire haired |
| Exercise | 1 hour a day |
| Life span: | 12+ years |
| Breed group: | Terrier |
| Temperament: | Affectionate, curious, energetic, intelligent |
Jack Russell temperament & personality
Jack Russells are small, smart and, in true Terrier style, often like to make themselves heard.
- With their feisty personalities, they aren't always suited to homes with young children or small pets but their loyal and energetic personalities do make them a popular family pet.
- The breed can usually be socialised to get along with your cat, but they have a high prey drive and may struggle to hold back from chasing wildlife they spot on your walks.
- Jack Russells’ fearless and curious natures also mean they have a tendency to wander off, so good recall training is especially important.
- Despite being part of the independent Terrier breed group, Jack Russells are more prone to separation anxiety than other dogs in this group and will be happiest in households where someone will be around for most of the day.
- Like other Terrier breeds, Jack Russells can be very vocal and are prone to barking, especially at other dogs. Good socialisation from a young age is key and it’s a good idea to take your Jack Russell puppy to training classes to introduce them to other dogs early on.
Jack Russell training & exercise
Originally bred as a hunting dog, a Jack Russell's character is defined by stamina and determination.
Training tips
- Good lead and recall training is essential for adventure-loving Jack Russells to keep them safe when out and about.
- Jack Russells are confident and headstrong, so need a firm but fair trainer to keep them in check. Use plenty of positive reinforcement to let your pup know there’s something in it for them.
- With intelligence and energy to spare, Jack Russells will love learning tricks for some extra mental stimulation.
- Jack Russells are a vocal breed and excessive barking can be a common behavioural problem. Good training, plenty of exercise and early socialisation should keep this in check.
Keeping them happy
- Keeping your Jack Russell occupied and active is key to having a happy dog. Jack Russells are good dogs for people who are happy to devote at least an hour a day to substantial, play-filled walks.
Exercise
- Despite their small size, Jack Russells are energetic dogs who need at least an hour’s exercise every day.
- You should also allow your Jack Russell to run around in a secure outside space between walks to stretch their legs and satisfy their inquisitive spirit.
Game ideas
- Re-channel your Jack Russell’s high prey drive into a game of “fetch” which will allow them to satisfy their instinctive desire to chase.
Common Jack Russell health conditions
Like all breeds, JRTs are prone to certain health conditions. In this section, you’ll find important information about the most common health problems we see in Jack Russell Terriers, including Pancreatitis and Cushing’s disease. Always remember if you’re buying a puppy, you can increase your chances of having a happy and healthy dog by buying from a reputable Jack Russell breeder.
Cruciate ligament disease is something we see frequently in Jack Russell Terriers. The cruciate ligaments are found inside the knee joint and hold it stable. Cruciate ligament disease means that this ligament slowly frays and gets weaker and can get worse over time. Treatment for cruciate ligament disease usually is surgery to help stabilise the knee joint. However, like all dogs they can also develop arthritis from this condition, and long-term treatment is often required to keep them active.
Cushing's disease occurs when an excessive amount of cortisol (or 'steroid') builds up in a dog's body. This can happen naturally or as a side-effect of the long-term use of corticosteroid medication. Either way, the ongoing increase of this hormone leads to a significant disruption in normal metabolism. Cushing's can be managed and controlled using medication, allowing the dog to continue to live a normal life.
Gum disease is the most common oral health problem facing dogs. Canine gum disease begins when food, bacteria and minerals accumulate along the gum line, leading to the build-up of a brown scale known as tartar. This leads to irritation and infection which in turn erodes the gumline and the ligament that holds the teeth into their sockets. This bacteria can enter the bloodstream and pass around your dog’s body, damaging vital organs like their kidneys and liver. The only way to prevent gum disease in dogs is to brush their teeth regularly and see your vet for professional dental cleans.
The skin is the largest organ of a dog's body and a number of disorders can affect it. Like other dogs, Jack Russells can suffer from allergies that lead to dermatitis (skin inflammation). Allergies can be caused by many different items, including things that are inhaled (such as pollen or dust mites), items that are eaten (for example, wheat), items that the dog comes into contact with (for example, washing powders), or bites from parasites such as fleas. As allergies cannot be cured, treatment may be required for life, but is usually effective enough to ensure that the dog can enjoy a happy, normal life.
The pancreas is a fragile organ that lies between the liver and the small intestine. Jack Russells can be prone to a condition called pancreatitis, which means 'inflammation of the pancreas'. It occurs when the digestive enzymes within the pancreas start attacking it. There are mild and severe forms of the condition. Treatment for the mild form revolves around supportive care and avoiding highly fatty foods in the longer term. The severe form can require more intensive treatment, such as IV drips and various medicines, to restore good health.
Jack Russell grooming
Jack Russell Terriers can have rough or smooth coats, or a mixture of the two. The rough-coated variety are referred to by some dog lovers as 'long-haired Jack Russells'.
- JRTs shed hair heavily and require brushing at least once a week, especially during the moulting seasons. You may want to invest in a good quality vacuum.
- Much like the Border Terrier, Jack Russells with wiry coats may need hand stripping to remove dead hair. It might be worth visiting a professional groomer to find out if this is necessary.
- Their teeth will need to be checked regularly and will require daily brushing to prevent gum disease, which is a common health issue in Jack Russells. It’s a good idea to introduce this as a part of your puppy’s routine early, as it’ll help familiarise them with the process
Find out more dog grooming tips to help your pet stay in the best condition.
Jack Russell nutrition
Jack Russell Terriers vary in size, but they're generally small dogs and rarely grow bigger than 38cm in height. So, maintaining a controlled diet with the right amount of exercise is important to ensure they stay fit and healthy.
- Vets recommend feeding a high-quality, breed-appropriate food twice a day and sticking to the portion guidelines found on the back of pet food packaging.
- JRTs are usually full of energy which means they don't tend to gain weight easily.
What to know before you buy or rehome a Jack Russell
Considering buying or rehoming a Jack Russell Terrier? Before you find a puppy or adopt, here are a few important things to remember.
- Even though some JRTs have short and smooth coats they are prone to shedding, so may not be the best choice for people with allergies.
- As they are full of energy and love to chase you will need to ensure you have a secure garden, to ensure they don’t wander off.
- Jack Russell Terriers were originally bred as hunting dogs so they are extremely energetic and active. You’ll need to ensure that adult dogs have at least 1 hour of exercise per day, plus mental stimulation. They can become rowdy and very vocal due to lack of exercise and boredom.
- Like all dogs you will need to ensure they are well-socialised as puppies and trained. This will help your Jack Russell get along well with you and others, including other dogs. They do tend to be less tolerant around younger children, which makes them better suited to families with older children.
- It’s important to get your JRT puppy from a reputable breeder so you can meet the puppy’s mum and check she has the temperament you’re looking for. ‘Lucy’s Law’ dictates that new puppies or kittens must be bought directly from a breeder or adopted from rescue. Third party sellers are illegal.
Jack Russell frequently asked questions
Jack Russells can come in a range of coat varieties – smooth, rough or broken (a mix between the two). The type of coat your Jack Russell has will determine exactly how much they shed, but generally the breed is thought of as a moderate to heavy shedding breed. There’s nothing you can do to stop your pet from shedding, but regular brushing and trips to the groomer will help to remove loose fur and keep your Jack Russell’s coat in tip-top condition.
Jack Russells are fun-loving, loyal companions and are a continually popular choice as family pets. However, these vocal dogs can have a feisty side to their personality and may not be the best choice for families with younger children. As with any breed, children and dogs should never be left alone together and playtime should be supervised to make sure everyone is safe and happy.
Jack Russells have endless energy and need at least 1 hour of daily exercise, as well as plenty of playtime! True to their terrier nature, Jack Russells are active, curious dogs who love to explore. This means that they need plenty of exercise as well as mental stimulation to keep them happy, despite their small size.
Whilst intelligent and quick to learn, Jack Russells are independent and can be headstrong at times. This means training can be a challenge when compared with some other breeds. Jack Russells will respond well to clear and consistent training, and like to know what’s in it for them! For this reason, positive reinforcement methods will work well with your Jack Russell.
Jack Russells are always on the go and retain their lively natures well into their senior years. These dogs need plenty of mental stimulation and physical exercise throughout their life to keep excessive energy and behavioural problems at bay.
Due to their independent spirit, Jack Russells can be left alone for a little longer than some other dogs. However, this breed is more susceptible to separation anxiety than other Terrier breeds and it’s best to only leave them alone for a few hours at a time. To help your dog tolerate being left alone, it’s worth proactively spending some time working with your dog to gradually adjust them to being left alone for longer periods. If you do have to leave your Jack Russell alone for a while, make sure they have plenty of toys and games to keep them busy and consider having someone check in on them.
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Jack Russell insurance considerations
JRTs can sometimes suffer from cruciate ligament disease and may be prone skin allergies. As some of these conditions are lifelong, it’s important that when choosing dog insurance, that you check for any limits in your cover and understand how long conditions will be covered for.
We always offer these things as standard:
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy & pet therapies
Along with physiotherapy, which is covered within the Vet Bills benefit, we also cover Pet Therapies like herbal medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture. You can also claim for hydrotherapy, up to £500 per illness/injury in dogs and cats (no additional limit for rabbits).
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