Jack Russell Terrier

The Jack Russell Terrier is a small, sturdy, rugged terrier that is principally white with black, brown or tan markings. Dogs stand about 25-38 cm (10-15 in) at the withers and weigh around 6-8 kg (14-18 lb). The body is compact and balanced, with a black nose, almond-shaped dark eyes and small V-shaped ears carried forward.

The coat can be smooth, rough or a mix of the two known as broken. A broken coat may have longer hair on the tail or face than a smooth coat.

Since the Second World War, Jack Russell Terriers have increasingly been kept as family and companion dogs. They are also still used as working terriers, and they take part in dog sports such as flyball and agility.

The breed began with the Reverend John "Jack" Russell, a hunting parson born in 1795, who bred fox-hunting terriers in North Devon in the early nineteenth century. In 1819 he bought a small white and tan terrier called Trump, who became the basis of his breeding programme. A mostly white dog was wanted because it was hard to tell a dark dog from the fox it was chasing. The dogs trace back to the now extinct English White Terrier, and the breed has origins similar to the Fox Terrier.

Russell wanted a terrier with stamina and courage to bolt foxes from their burrows, with enough drive to do so without harming the fox. By the 1850s the dogs were recognised as a distinct breed. Russell died in 1883, and the modern type descends from dogs of that period which kept the old style.

After the Second World War the need for hunting dogs fell sharply, and Jack Russell Terriers were increasingly kept as family and companion dogs. Several breed clubs appeared in the UK in the 1970s. The Kennel Club recognised a related breed in 1990, later named the Parson Russell Terrier. The Jack Russell Terrier remains a distinct and different breed from it.

Jack Russell Terriers are energetic dogs that rely on a high level of exercise and stimulation. They tend to be extremely intelligent, athletic, fearless and vocal.

Their high energy and drive suit them to dog sports such as flyball and agility. They can be stubborn at times, and can be aggressive towards other animals and people if not properly socialised.

In UK studies, Jack Russell Terriers have shown long lifespans. A 2022 study found an average life expectancy of 12 years and 9 months, higher than any other breed in that study. A 2024 UK study found 13.3 years, compared with 12 years for crossbreeds.

Known inherited or breed-linked conditions include patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps), Legg-Calve-Perthes disease of the hip, primary lens luxation of the eye, and a form of inherited ataxia sometimes with seizures. Severe combined immunodeficiency has been reported but is rare. Deafness and mast cell tumours are also mentioned as problems for some.

Some skin conditions occur, including black hair follicular dysplasia and a severe type of ichthyosis. A UK study found the breed predisposed to steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis, being 6.91 times more likely to get it than other breeds.

This is general awareness only, not veterinary advice. Always consult a vet about your pet's health.

How long do Jack Russell Terriers live?

UK studies found an average life expectancy of about 12 years 9 months in one study and 13.3 years in another. That is longer than the figures for crossbreeds and purebreds overall.

How big do Jack Russell Terriers get?

They stand about 25-38 cm (10-15 in) at the withers and weigh around 6-8 kg (14-18 lb). They are small but sturdy and compact.

Are Jack Russell Terriers good family dogs?

They have been increasingly kept as family and companion dogs since the Second World War. They are intelligent, athletic and high in energy, though they can be stubborn and may be aggressive if not properly socialised.

Do Jack Russell Terriers bark a lot?

They tend to be vocal dogs. Their working background also made them determined and fearless.

Is a Jack Russell the same as a Parson Russell Terrier?

No. They share a common origin and are similar, but they are distinct breeds. The Parson Russell can have a longer head, larger chest and bigger body, and has a narrower height standard.

A Jack Russell named Bothie became the first dog to travel to both the North and South Poles, on the Transglobe Expedition in 1982.

Nipper, a dog of Jack Russell type born in 1884, inspired the painting that became the HMV logo.

Chalky, chef Rick Stein's terrier, often upstaged his owner on TV and even had two real ales named after him.

A Jack Russell named George was awarded the PDSA Gold Medal in 2009 for protecting children from an attack, and a Jack Russell named Patron has helped locate explosives in Ukraine.