Jack Russell Terrier – a tireless worker. Also known a Jacks and JRT’s, Jack Russell Terriers are an energetic breed that rely on a high level of exercise and stimulation. They originated from dogs bred and used by the Rev. John Russell in the early 19th century, from whom the breed takes its name.
The Jack Russell Terrier has similar origins to the modern Fox Terrier. Jack Russell’s make great household pets with their long age expectancy and their intelligence and energy but they need a lot of exercise. The Jack Russell terrier has a very strong desire to work and can master tricks easily.
Jack’s love to participate in canine agility and obedience courses. They were bred to hunt and use this skill when given a job or activity.
They are most happy when they are given a job to do.
Jack Russell’s are very prey driven and are known to dig, bark and be vocal. Aggression towards other dogs can be an issue. They are strong willed and require an owner that can be firm and consistent. They are very fun pets, and love to cuddle after they have proper exercise. JRT’s are generally a healthy breed but are known to have knee, and eye issues as well as deafness.
The Russell Terrier’s high energy level makes them a great dog for an active family that loves to be outdoors. They have almost limitless amounts of energy.
They come in multiple different types of coats including the smooth coat, broken coat, or rough coat. They all shed a decent amount, but these dogs don’t require frequent grooming.
While Jack Russells make great family pets, it’s their popularity and high prices that make them an attractive business model for unscrupulous dog breeders. They are sold online by USDA commercial dog breeders, online puppy broker websites, and backyard breeders otherwise known as puppy mills.
It is for this reason that our Puppy Mill Watchdog monitors and reports on Jack Russell Terrier breeders and other online puppy sellers as well as puppy broker websites.
Read the story about four rescued breeding dogs.
Please do your research before you buy a Jack Russell Terrier puppy — If you can’t meet the mother dog and see where she and all of the breeders dogs live, find a new breeder. Video chats, videos and photos do not take the place of seeing in person.
About the Breed: Jack Russell Terrier
Jack Russell Terriers have an overall body length of around 18-21.5 inches and can be 11-12 inches high. Jack Russell’s usually weighs 13-18 pounds.
Age Expectancy: 13-16 years.
Temperament: Intelligent, energetic, clownish.
Coat: Smooth, broken, and rough coated. All shed.
Color: White, white and tan, black and white.
Grooming: Regular brushing, minimal grooming.
Training: It is suggested to start positive training your Jack Russell Terrier at an early age.
Vet Care: Regular vet care is essential for the health and well-being of your Jack Russell Terrier.
Types of Jack Russell Terriers
FAQ’s About Buying Jack Russell Terrier Puppies Online
When buying a Jack Russell Terrier puppy, you want to make sure it was born in a loving clean environment. The puppy should have an overall healthy look to him. Make sure his eyes are bright, he is clean and happy. Look at his body language make sure his tail is up and wagging. Is his posture good? Does he hold his head up, is he curious? Does he run up to you or is he afraid to approach you?
Buying a puppy from a picture is risky, always meet your new puppy in person before you buy him. These are all clues to his overall health and mental state. You want a happy well adjusted puppy and unless you meet them in person, you have no way of knowing.
There are many risks to buying a Jack Russell Terrier puppy online. Just because two purebred dogs are crossed does not mean they best traits of both parents are seen in the offspring. Since your Jack Russell will live for 13-16 years it is important to see firsthand where it was born. Make sure your breeder is not a puppy mill. Never have the puppy shipped to you.
Always pick your Jack Russell Terrier puppy up in person, meet the mother dog, see her mental and physical condition. She should be clean, happy and well adjusted. If the breeder won’t let you meet the mother and see where she lives we recommend finding another breeder. No excuses. Reputable breeders have nothing to hide. Video chats, videos and photos do not take the place of seeing in person.
It is not safe to buy any puppy online. It is not safe to have a Jack Russell Terrier puppy shipped to you by plane, delivered by nanny and never meet the breeder halfway or in a parking lot. If you are not able to pick up the puppy in person, meet the mother dog and where she and all of the breeder’s dogs live, you might be supporting a puppy mill.
Over 1 million puppy mill puppies are sold online each year and it is in your best interest to make sure your new puppy is not coming from one of these bad breeders. It is in your best interest to get a healthy, happy well bred puppy and to not support cruelty of any kind.
It takes time to find a new puppy and that is ok. The pup will be a part of your family for 14 plus years so it’s important to find a healthy well-bred puppy. It’s ok to do your research online but never take a breeder’s word for it. Since Jack Russell Terriers are purebreds, go to The American Russell Terrier Club to find a breeder that is a member of their clubs. These breeders breed by a code of ethics. They breed to improve the breed..
Always meet the mother dog, see her mental and physical condition and where she lives before you buy a puppy. See where and how she and all the breeding dogs live. Photos videos and video chats do not take the place of seeing in person.
If they have excuses why you can’t come…walk away!
A puppy mill is any dog breeder who puts profit over the health and well-being of the breeding dogs and puppies produced. These bad breeders come is all sizes, Some could have ten to twenty dogs, while larger breeders could have hundreds of breeding dogs. Puppy mills are legal too!
The cruelty is tremendous. Puppy mills keep the mother and father dogs pregnant and sell the puppies. The breeding dogs never leave, they are forced to breed twice a year or at every heat cycle and they are usually kept in wire cages, many times stacked in dark pole barns. Yes, this is legal and how most USDA dog breeders keep their breeding dogs.
The breeding dogs are not groomed, they are not given opportunity to exercise nor do they know the touch of a loving hand. They are not given veterinary care and most are living and breeding with painful health and mental conditions. Imagine living with urinary tract infections, ear infections, rotten teeth, infected eyes, tumors, infected mammary glands and sore feet from standing on wire cage floors — that never get addressed.
It is important to know that any breeder can be a puppy mill. It’s hard to imagine the breeder you are talking or texting with could be a puppy mill. If the breeder has excuses why they won’t let you come to see where and how the breeding dogs live, if you are not able to meet the mother dog in person, we suggest you find another breeder. Video chats, videos and photos do not take the place of seeing in person.