The Jack Russell Terrier is a small, intelligent, sociable, active, agile and fast working terrier. Created by Reverend Russell for fox hunting, determined with game, he is also today an excellent companion dog.

Average life: 13–16 years

Weight: 6.4 - 8.2 kg (Adult)

Height: 25 - 38 cm (Adult, At the withers)

Origin: England

Temperament: obstinate, brave, intelligent, energetic, athletic, vocal

Colors: White, White and Black, White and Hazelnut

It is said that the jack russell terrier appeared in the late 1800s in the County of Devon in England. In fact, Reverend John Russell was looking for a small hunting dog that he could carry inside the saddlebags of his horse and bring it down only when the larger dogs had found the lair of the wild animal to hunt. At that point he could take advantage of the small size of the JRT and let him enter the den to let the fox or the turn rate go out. For this reason, the color of the JRT must be predominantly white, so as not to match it with the coat of the prey. It is said that the reverend fell in love with the small and rough dog of the village milkman, from whom he managed to have it donated. From that moment John Russell (called Jack for friends) officially began the selection of the splendid breed to which we arrived today. The Jack Russell is a dog that easily adjusts to apartment life but needs outdoor space for daily activities. He does not like to be alone and shows a great affection for the family. If well socialized, he is able to adequately address himself to strangers and other dogs. He is in good general health. He loves to always be in "adherence" with his owner in moments of relaxation.

According to FCI standard No. 345, the Jack Russell terrier is a lively and active dog, confident and intelligent. Overall it is longer than high (rectangular): the ideal height measured at the withers is between 25 and 30 cm, the height-weight ratio is around 5 to 1 (one kg for every five cm in height, therefore a 25 cm dog should weigh about 5 kg) and the chest circumference, measured behind the elbows, should be between 40 and 43 cm.

The hair must be waterproof and can be of three types: smooth, rough (so-called "wire") or broken (broken). The white color must be predominant. The spots can be black and / or brown. If the three colors are present, while the predominant white remains, the specimen is called tricolor.

The tail must be erected during the activity and can remain hanging at rest.

The eyes, small and dark, are almond-shaped and with black-pigmented eyelid rhymes.

The ears must be hanging or button.

The truffle must be black and the lips are tight and black pigmented.

Fashion and word of mouth have created false myths regarding the characteristics of Jack Russell, the most common being the distinction between short and long paws and the definition of the fur. There is no distinction between short paw and long paw, the Jack is one and its height is defined in the standard.

The hair is of the three types described above and there are no other varieties.

Born for fox hunting, Jack Russell is used in various disciplines. They range from the den to wild boar hunting, from agility dog ​​to disc dog. The activity is very important for this type of dog with a lively character often called tireless. If well managed it is a balanced dog, suitable for living with children and the elderly in the family and does not disdain the company of other dogs. He is a courageous, cheerful, sociable and playful dog. He is a great hunter and an excellent guard dog. The Jack Russell is a hardy breed that needs no special care. He has a strong temperament and consequently needs a firm education to avoid that, as a nice brat he is, he makes fun of orders and rules.

John Russell began work on creating his ideal terrier (a small dog capable of sneaking into the burrows but fast enough to keep up with larger dogs).

The progenitor was a dog named Trump; the story goes that Russell, walking, crossed a milkman with a small and splendid terrier with whom he fell in love managing to become its new master. Thanks to his skills starting from Trump and crossing different breeds, including the Beagle and the Bulldog, he gave birth to the Jack Russell Terrier.

The success of the Jack Russell Terrier in his home country is also due to the fact that these small, but very determined, were also very skilled mouse hunters. Subsequently, thanks to his very nice character he also had considerable success as a pet.

This terrier is often confused with the Parson Russell Terrier (taller and more square in construction): the two breeds have common origins, but are today quite distinct and characterized by specific standards.

The Jack Russel Terrier is a very active dog, which needs to make a lot of movement also to vent its exuberance a little. He is tireless, he adapts very well to living with his family. It does not give problems with children, with whom it is very reliable and with which it loves to play, nor with the elderly or with other dogs.

He is a dog who becomes very fond of his owner but who also needs a person who knows how to train him firmly and consistently, so that he understands his place. He has a great sense of humor and this must be taken into account if you are thinking of adopting one.

Because, if you are lucky, you may find a sweet, cuddly and obedient Jack Russell but a small earthquake that nibbles your feet and ankles and that will have a great time not to obey you and be chased can also happen to you.

The Jack Russell Terrier is a dog that does not usually have health problems and does not even require special attention regarding nutrition. Its small size makes it suitable for apartment living but if you also have a garden it is better. Otherwise you will have to become great sportsmen with these scoundrel.

Do you have a spinning top? Here The Jack Russell Terrier looks like a top. It is a super active, cheerful, joyful, cuddly, lively, attentive, tireless dog and it would be fair to say whoever has the most. One thing is certain, it is really difficult to get bored with this animal.

Is it a dog for everyone? A little yes and a little no. Surely he is not a dog for lazy people because he needs to do a lot of movement, so as to vent all his exuberance. It is a dog that still has a dominant temperament (not in an aggressive sense, of course), has a nice, determined and determined temper and therefore needs a master who knows how to train him firmly and consistently.

It is not difficult to train him but it is necessary that he understands well what is allowed and what is not. If you leave it to its nature without training, you run the risk of one disaster after another. Here these are the only reasons why it is not a dog suitable for everyone. They can be overcome with a little goodwill and determination.

For everything else, he is a truly wonderful dog. Jack Russell is very suitable for family living (if you also have a garden it would be the best), with children and the elderly and also gets along well with other dogs.

Now, let's talk about your relationship with children. We can absolutely say that our friend Jack Russell is really a great friend of children, he loves playing with them and super reliable.

Are Jack Russell Terriers all sweet and cuddly, you ask yourself? We say yes, but we also say that he is a dog with a strong sense of humor and sometimes he can become a real little devil.

So it is good to be aware of the fact that there are Jack Russell Terriers who are of infinite sweetness, who love pampering, who run at the first call of the master and then, there are the devils who bite hands and feet, which rather than obey recall they have a great time running away for the pleasure of being chased.

Remember, however, that the Jack Russell Terrier, even though he has also become a companion dog today, has, first of all, the nature and instinct of a hunting dog.

A Jack Russell puppy can cost on average between € 800 and € 1,500 if he has "noble" parents and is a boy: it is a high price, precisely from breeding, but it can also be purchased from private individuals.

But be careful of the documentation (it must be all there!), Especially as regards the dog's health history. In Italy it is a particularly widespread breed: there are several breeding farms around the boot, from personal experience all very reliable.

If there is a dog born to be an actor, this is the Jack Russell Terrier. There are numerous appearances in films and advertisements, but not only. Here are some of the most famous:

The dog Milo from the film The Mask - From zero to myth with Jim Carrey
The dogs of the Italian Melinda apple spots are Jack Russell Terriers
In the film Babe a cute Jack Russell Terrier named Flealick goes to town, who has wheels on his hind legs and helps him to move.
In the film Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Ron Weasley's patronus is a Jack Russel Terrier.
The autobiographical novel by Giuseppe Pederiali Love according to Nula has a Jack Russell Terrier as its protagonist and the whole novel is seen through the eyes of the protagonist dog.
A talking Jack Russell Terrier is the protagonist of the television series Wishbone, the dog of dreams.
The dog from the Australian film Accident is a Jack Russell Terrier.
Jack Russell are also the dogs of the spots of Original Marines, Fastweb
The dog in the TV series Predators of the Golden Idol is a Jack Russell Terrier.
In the film Superman III a Jack Russell Terrier is the dog of Lana Lang's son.

The personality traits of the Jack Russell Terrier must be well thought out, because this breed is not suitable for everyone. The energetic Jack Russell needs a lot of motorbike, he is vocal and, due to his instinct for hunting, he has the desire to explore, with a consequent tendency to move away from the owner.

Given the personality of Jack Russell, this dog is not suitable for everyone. His hunter instinct cannot be canceled with training. This dog instinctively sees the house cat or hamster as prey. Some specimens may be able to get along with other pets if raised together since puppies, but a potential owner must ponder these problems in advance.

The Jack Russell Terrier has to move around a lot, so a house with a large walled garden is right for you. Having the desire to explore and hunt, he often goes away; many were trapped for days in burrows and underground tunnels. If kept indoors, a good brisk walk is a must.

Jack Russell also likes to hike or participate in long carry-over competitions. This breed is not suitable for those who want a peaceful dog who lies on the sofa all day.