El little jack russell It is a very popular breed in places like Australia, the United Kingdom, and even the United States. It is a small and compact dog, strong and with personality, which has emerged from the terrier breed. Without a doubt it is a great specimen to have in a home, but also to carry out various jobs or sports.
El Jack Russell Terrier is a small dog but with a lot of personality and character. It stands out for its great intelligence and its strong and compact appearance. It was a dog created for hunting, but today it has become the faithful friend of many families who enjoy its pleasant company.
Dog history
The Jack Russell takes its name from its creator, the reverend John Jack Russell, born in the XNUMXth century in Darmouth, England. This reverend became interested in terriers and bought a dog with these characteristics, limiting himself later to trying to improve the breed in terms of its hunting skills, which was what really interested him. The problem in this case arose from the fact that a physical standard of the breed was not created, so it was difficult to identify which were really the dogs that were classified within it.
The funny thing about this dog is that its development took place in Australia, where they were very interested in the race. It is not known when it arrived in this country but in the 1972th century all attempts were made to improve the breed. In 2000 the Jack Russell Terrier Club of Australia was created. Due to the divergences in the aspect of the breed, it would not be until the year XNUMX that the FCI would recognize the breed standard internationally. However, today there are still some differences between the clubs dedicated to these breeds in different countries.
Physical characteristics
The Jack Russell is a small dog, with a height that can reach 35 cm. His weight does not usually exceed 10 kilos. Their life expectancy is long, from twelve to fourteen years, as is the case with small dogs. His body is robust, because it is longer and more compact than tall. Its head is medium, balanced with the body, wide snout, with semi-pricked ears. His eyes are almond-shaped and dark in tone.
The vast majority of the fur is white, at least 51%, although it usually has spots of brown, black or tan tones. Their hair can have variations, with dogs with short and stiff hair and others with longer and smoother fur. The coat can be classified as smooth, hard and semi-hard.
Dog character
The character of this dog is one of the most remarkable things about him. It is a hunting dog that has been trained for generations to be strong and use a lot of energy. This makes it a very energetic dog, which endures exercise and training sessions with ease. This hunting instinct also makes him alert and prone to playing games like catching the ball or finding things to exercise his skills.
The Jack Russell is a curious and intelligent dog. If he trains with him since he was little, we will have a very smart dog that will quickly understand the orders. It is quite independent but a dog that has been worked with will be faithful and disciplined.
It must be taken into account that in general this breed tends to dig holes in the garden by your search instinct. In addition, the dog can be somewhat barking and if it is left for many hours it may only cause some damage at home.
This type of dog they must be socialized from a very young age. Their high energy and hunting instincts can make them aggressive towards other animals or overly energetic. That is why it is very important that they deal with other dogs and animals so that they get used to them. If so, we will have a playful, strong, lively and very cheerful dog.
Jack Russell care
The coat of the Jack Russell will need different care depending on the type of hair we are talking about. If the coat is smooth, we will simply have to brush weekly with a normal brush. On the other hand, if we are faced with hard hair, we must make a technique like that of stripping, which consists of removing by hand the fur that falls during the molt.
Una good nutrition and regular check-ups at the vet they are always recommended in the care of any dog. Although these animals may have a reputation for being very tough and strong, they are not exempt from suffering from diseases or being weakened by some cause. In addition, it must be taken into account that they spend a lot of energy, so their diet must give them enough proteins, vitamins, fats and carbohydrates.
To achieve a balanced dog it is essential that the Jack Russell do physical exercise. These dogs will need a daily dose of exercise to be calmer. If they don't expend their energy they may start to break or bite things. Hunting dogs that do not do any work of this type usually have the problem that they have too much energy that they must channel, that is why we must play sports with this dog.
Dog health
The Jack Russell is a dog with a great reputation for having bomb-proof health, which is quite true. However, we must always be vigilant because it is also a breed with some diseases that may be common or present in only some specimens. The cerebral ataxia affecting the nervous system it is hereditary but not very common. It is a dog that can also have hearing and vision problems, such as displacement of the lens.
Why live with a Jack Russell
The Jack Russell dog is very popular with families with children because it is a small but strong dog that does not need special care. It is usually very healthy and it is also a dog that will always have energy to play with the little ones at home. It can adapt well to life in the city, in apartments and flats.