About the Jack Russell
History
Jack Russell Terriers are a type, or strain of working terrier; they are not pure bred in the sense that they have a broad genetic make-up, a broad standard and do not breed true to type. The broad standard, varied background based on years of restricted inbreeding and wide outcrossing, and great variety of size and type, are the major characteristics that make this strain of terrier known as a Jack Russell such a unique, versatile working terrier. They take their name from the Reverend John Russell (1795-1883), who bred one of the finest strains of working fox terriers in Devonshire, England in the mid-to-late 1800's. Rev Russell, apart from his church duties, had a passion for fox hunting and the breeding of fox hunting dogs. His first terrier, the immortal Trump (acquired in 1819) is said to be the foundation of John Russell's strain of working terriers. (It should be noted that there were other strains of Jack Russell type working dogs.)
Everything about the Jack Russell has fox hunting in mind....colouring, conformation, character and intelligence. The body is compact, of totally balanced proportions, the shoulders clean, the legs straight and most importantly, a small chest(easily spannable by average size hands at the widest part behind the shoulders) The Jack Russell must also be totally flexible, allowing him to manoeuver underground. This conformation allows the terrier to follow his quarry down narrow earths; in all respects, the fox is a good model for the Jack Russell---where the fox can go, so must the terrier. Although originally bred for fox hunting, the Jack Russell is a versatile working terrier to a variety of quarry including red and grey fox, raccoon, woodchuck and opossum.
Character
The Jack Russell is a happy, bold energetic dog, extremely loyal,and bred for intelligence. Their greatest attribute is their working ability, closely followed by their excellent qualities as a companion. A Jack Russell can be equally content bolting a fox or sleeping on your living room sofa,or equally adept at killing a sock in the living room or a rat in the barn. Their funny antics will continually amuse you, their intelligence seems to know no bounds, and their affectionate nature is at times overwhelming. Their unique personality is capturing the hearts or many,but it must be noted that they are not a dog for everyone. City or apartment living, or a confined or sedate lifestyle, most often does not meet the needs of a Jack Russell. Those interested in the breed must understand that these little dogs need a extraordinary amount of human attention,outdoor activity, exercise, discipline and an understanding and acceptance of their hunting nature. They have been known to train their owners more often than not.
While adaptable to a variety of environments, it must be remembered that first and foremost they are bred to be hunting dogs. They can be very aggressive with other dogs, and infect more than two should never be kept together unattended. There have been many instances of terriers being hurt, and even killed, by their fellow terriers; even young pups over the age of eight weeks must be carefully monitored. It is imperative that prospective owners understand this part or the terrier's nature, and that special facilities and handling are absolutely necessary when owning two or more Jack Russells. It has been said the the courage of the Jack Russell is never in doubt; surely a true statement, as they have often been known to take on an adversary twice (or more) their size. They require firm,consistent, responsible handling; they are very intelligent, determined, and bold (sometimes to the point of abandon, which could be fatal.)
While outdoor activity and exercise is essential, the Jack Russell should never be permitted to roam unattended, even in the most remote country setting. The Jack Russell is, above all a hunting dog---and will go to ground at every given opportunity, to any quarry---they are afraid of nothing. Many Jack Russell has been known to stay in an active earth for days, and even weeks,without food or water because of the strong instinct bred into them to stay with their quarry. It can be a very frightening experience to lose your terrier and an impossible situation to the untrained owner inexperienced in earthwork; the result could be tragic.
The Jack Russell can make a terrific family pet, and gets along well with well-behaved children. One of the Jack Russell's most surprising qualities is a gentle and kindly nature. He is usually friendly with small children, provided the child understands how to properly handle the terrier. The few instances of bad temper can nearly always be traced to the fault of the owner, who provided no early corrective training, or actually encouraged a display of aggressiveness. Having the natural assertive terrier characteristics, however, the Jack Russell will not put up with abusive behaviour from a child. This should be carefully considered, particularly with children below the age of 6.
The Jack Russell has been a popular breed in England for many years, and is now attracting a variety of followers with varied interests in this country and other countries around the world. The JRTCA (and JRTCC)strongly encourages all those interested in the breed to thoroughly study all aspects of the Jack Russell, its special characteristics and needs, and to make a careful evaluation of whether this unique little dog will fit into your lifestyle. The Jack Russell is a very special breed;it has been kept sound, functional, intelligent, and relatively unchanged because of responsible people who have cared about its heritage. The major goal and purpose of the JRTCA(and JRTCC) is to maintain the Jack Russell as the wonderful working terrier it has been for more than 100 years. The real future of the Jack Russell, however, depends on all the owner and breeders, who will hopefully share the JRTCA's (and JRTCC's) dedication to preserving the Jack Russell Terrier as the sound working breed it has been for many generations yet to come.
*taken from "The Jack Russell Terrier Club of America", membership booklet