The Jack Russell terrier size can vary from ten inches to fifteen inches tall at the highest part of the back. The color should be predominately white with splashes of tan, black, or brown. The breed is known for its compact but powerful body. This dog is full of energy and ready to go before you are. Be prepared to play with your Jack Russell terrier because while playing you are catering to its need to hunt, which is what they were bred to do.
The Jack Russell terrier came into existence in the 1800's when Parson Jack Russell began to breed terriers to hunt for fox. His passion to create the perfect fox hunting dog brought about the breed that we are familiar with today. Since then, other Fox Terriers have been bred and created, but Parson Jack Russell's breed stays true to what he developed due to the Jack Russell Terrier Club's efforts.
The Jack Russell Terrier Club runs competitions to ensure that the breed's hunting skills do not deteriorate with time. They also provide an excellent opportunity for Jack Russell Terrier companions to get together and share their love and enthusiasm for the breed.
The JRTC judges the following:
Conformation: As with any other dog show, the winner is the dog that meets the breed standard the closest. Also judged are movement and temperament. The judges are seeking the best representative of the breed.
Racing: One of the most thrilling events is watching the dogs in action. Starting out from a starting box, the muzzled dogs (for safety) chase after a lure that leads through a hole in a straw bale stack. First one to follow the lure through wins.
Go-to-Ground: This event represents a hunting scenario. The dog must make its way through a series of twists and turns to reach the end of the tunnel where it must mark (by whatever signal it was taught by the owner) its prey. The terrier that travels the tunnel, finds, and marks its prey the fastest is the winner.
Agility: This test is an obstacle course that challenges the dog's agility. The course can consist of jumps, tunnels, balance, and negotiating various objects.
Obedience: This is a test of both the dog and their handler. The handler is instructed to give various commands to the dog and the judges determine how obedient the dog is and how quickly it responds to the commands.
The addition of a Jack Russell terrier to your life can be full of fun, laughter, and play. But as with all dogs, it is very important to show your dog who is boss so that he does not end up becoming a "little Napoleon". Once the Jack Russell feels that they have the rule of the roost, they will take charge and start to command you. It is best to keep your terrier in its place by maintaining the proper order of command in your household.
Originally bred in the 19th century by Parson Jack Russell, an avid hunter, selected traits that would assist him in hunting. Working dogs, Jack Russell Terriers were bred to be fearless and feisty to flush out prey from the forest, particular foxes. As a working dog, Jack Russell Terriers tend to have an athletic build and boundless energy. Jack Russell Terriers are very intelligent, but also willful and stubborn, which can make them extremely difficult to train without consistency.
As a hunting and working dog, Jack Russell Terriers do have the hunting instinct in them and have been know to consider smaller household pets prey. However, this does not mean that they cannot be good family pets. Jack Russell Terriers are usually very good with children and gentle with them if they understand how to approach dogs. Jack Russell Terriers live 15 years or more. They grow to an average 10 to 12 inches in height and 14 to 18 pounds in weight. Jack Russell Terriers have several different types of coats of the shorthaired variety (some are smooth, some are not) but all are easy to maintain with regular brushing.
Jack Russell Terriers are suited for all kinds of living, but do need to be exercised regularly, at least once a day, due to their seemingly boundless energy. Without regular opportunities to exercise and play, they will become bored and begin to bark at everything and become destructive. If a Jack Russell Terrier must be left alone for an extended period of time without the opportunity to exercise, it is recommended that they be crated until it is possible to let them exercise.
Jack Russell Terriers are fearless and will run off without thinking. A fenced in area is a must for a Jack Russell Terrier, but the fence needs to be deep enough as they are diggers, and tall enough to not jump over. An average sized Jack Russell Terrier can jump five feet quite easily. There are some health concerns with the breed. Some Jack Russell Terriers are prone to dislocation of the kneecaps, inherited eye diseases, deafness, Legg Perthes - a disease of the hip joints, and cataracts. Currently, there is some dispute about the breed and breed standards. The AKC does not officially recognize the Jack Russell Terrier, considered a working dog. It only officially recognizes the Parson Russell Terrier.
There is a website that has great information on Jack Russell Terriers and most other breeds of dogs. It has details that pertain to a dog breeds health, grooming, living conditions, best food choices and more, the website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, and can be found at this url:
http://www.dogandcatfacts.com
By Robert W. Benjamin
Copyright ? 2007
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