Jack Russell Terrier
| Jack Russell Terrier | |||||||||||||
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| Common nicknames | Jack Russell JRT Jack | ||||||||||||
| Origin | England | ||||||||||||
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| Dog (domestic dog) | |||||||||||||
The Jack Russell Terrier is a breed of small dog with a white coat that can be smooth, rough, or "wire-haired". It was bred in England for fox hunting.[1] It can also be used as a work dog.
History
[change | change source]The Jack Russell terrier was originally bred in England by the Reverend John Russell, starting around 1819.[2] He enjoyed fox hunting and bred the Jack Russell for this activity.[3]
He was successful. Jack Russells are excellent at fox hunting. They are fast runners and are sturdier than the standard terrier. Their sense of smell is so strong that Jack Russells can even smell foxes when they go underground.[3]
Variations
[change | change source]As with other domesticated animals, there are numerous variations.
Selective breeding
[change | change source]See the main article: Selective breeding
The Jack Russell terrier was bred specifically for fox hunting.[1] Humans have also selectively bred them for other characteristics, like height, to produce Jack Russells of different sizes.
Working dogs come in different sizes to make them better at different jobs. For example, taller terriers were historically used for hunting foxes, while smaller ones were used for hunting rabbits and rodents.
Parson Jack Russells
[change | change source]Different kennel clubs have different regulations about naming breeds. Some dog clubs differentiate "Parson Jack Russell Terriers" (which are over 12 inches at the shoulders), and "Jack Russell Terriers" (which are under 12 inches in height).
Other clubs do not make this distinction, because they are broadly the same type of dog.[4] Today, the only difference is leg length.[4]
References
[change | change source]- 1 2 "Jack Russell Terrier Club of Great Britain. Breed history". Archived from the original on 2014-12-21. Retrieved 2014-12-30.
- ↑ Nicholas, Anna Katherine (2001). Jack Russell Terriers. Neptune City, NJ: TFH Publications. p. 4. ISBN 0-7938-2379-X.
Parson Jack was born in 1795.
- 1 2 "Jack Russell Terrier Club of Great Britain. Breed history". Archived from the original on 2014-12-21. Retrieved 2014-12-30.
- 1 2 "Jane Dogs. Fox Terriers and Jack Russells". Archived from the original on 2015-01-05. Retrieved 2014-12-30.
Other websites
[change | change source]- Jack Russell Terrier Clubs
- Other websites
- A Pictorial History of Working Terriers
- Terrier Work Basics
- Jack Russell Rescue Australia, the only Jack Russell Terrier Rescue group in Australia
- Jack Russell Terrier Pictures & Info Archived 2009-03-05 at the Wayback Machine
- Jack Russell Training and Raising Information Archived 2009-10-28 at the Wayback Machine