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The Jack Russell Terrier ( hereby abbreviated as JRT ) is a breed of hunting dog. It works for its living by hunting and will persist with its prey until it is called off by its handler or owner. The JRT is very intelligent and courageous. It uses its intelligence in hunting to predict the path of the fox. It works with the hounds and is used to their companionship. It is not bred to kill the fox but rather to find the fox and stay with it. Its voice is deep enough to frighten the fox. It is confident of self-protection with its strong jaws. It has the guts to come face-to-face with the fox and stay with it until the handler arrives.
In the modern environment where hunting is no longer a necessity for the JRT, it will look for ways to satisfy its hunting instincts. It may do this by picking a fight with a bigger dog. The JRT is a cranky dog because it can't get along with other dogs. The JRT will not even make friends with its own kind.
When you care for a JRT, don't leave it alone in your house when you're out. It will bark and make plenty of noise, thus causing disturbance to your neighbors. It dislikes being confined within an enclosed space. Due to its high level of intelligence, it feels bored easily and will make a mess out of your home if left unleashed. Or it will urinate and soil your floor as a show of its impatience and annoyance with you. It feels that its solitary confinement is a punishment. A JRT isn't a house dog and shouldn't be kept inside an apartment either.
The JRT sheds its coat regularly and needs your help at brushing to remove the dead hairs. You need to trim its coat if it becomes too long. Clipping nails and dental hygiene is a must for every dog.
A JRT requires more exercise than other breeds of dogs. If it lacks sufficient exercise, it will think of things to do and destroy your home or garden. Small pets are not safe with a JRT. Once it is left alone with a small animal, it will hunt it down. Don't be deceived by its manners whenever you're around. As soon as you're out of sight, the JRT will make fair game out of any bird, cat, rodent or smaller pet.
A JRT needs plenty of fresh water due to its heavy exercise routine. It is compulsory to leash your JRT as it is prompted to give chase to any animal and also endanger its own safety by dashing across the roads in pursuit.
Small kids should not be left alone with a JRT as this dog will defend itself if provoked by the child. The JRT may even treat small kids as their pets!
The JRT breed has hereditary defects like eye and hip problems. Some common diseases are epilepsy, skin conditions and genetic deafness. Before buying a JRT puppy, check out the breeder and the pup's parents. It is good to spay or neuter your JRT to avoid the increase of strays. Train and socialize your puppy from the start to cultivate good habits. It will repay you by being a good pet.
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