The
Jack Russell terrier is a small
terrier that has its origins in
fox hunting. It is principally white-bodied smooth, rough or broken-coated which is commonly confused with the
Parson Russell terrier (the
American Kennel Club (AKC) and affiliate variant) and the
Russell terrier (a shorter legged, stockier variety) with the term "Jack Russell" commonly misapplied to other small white terriers. The Jack Russell is a broad type, with a size range of 10–15 inches (25–38 cm), the Parson Russell is limited only to a middle range with a standard size of 12–14 inches (30–36 cm), while the Russell terrier is smaller at 8–12 inches (20–30 cm), however each breed has different physical proportions according to the standards of their breed clubs.
Originating in the early 19th century from dogs bred and used by
Reverend John Russell, it has similar origins to the modern
Fox terrier. The Jack Russell is an energetic breed which relies on a high level of exercise and stimulation, and is relatively free from serious health complaints. It has gone through several changes over the years, through different use and breed standards set by kennel clubs. Recognition for the breed by kennel clubs has been opposed by the breed's parent societies – which resulted in the breeding and recognition of the
Parson Russell terrier. Jack Russells have appeared many times in film, television and print with several historical dogs of note.
Description
Jack Russell terriers come in a variety of coat types, and with a range of markings.
Due to their working nature, Jack Russell terriers remain much as they were some 200 years ago.
[33] They are sturdy, tough, and tenacious, measuring between 10–15 inches (25–38 cm) at the
withers,
[34] and weigh 14–18 pounds (6.4–8.2 kg).
[15] The body length must be in proportion to the height, and the dog should present a compact, balanced image. Predominantly white in coloration (more than 51%) with black and/or tan markings,
[34] they exhibit either a smooth, rough or a combination of both which is known as a broken coat. A broken-coated dog may have longer hair on the tail or face than that which is seen on a smooth-coated dog.
[35] The skin can sometimes show a pattern of small black or brown spots, referred to as "ticking" that do not carry through to the outer coat.
[15] All coat types should be dense double coats that are neither silky (in the case of smooth coats) nor woolly (in the case of rough coats).
[15]
The head should be of moderate width at the ears, narrowing to the eyes, and slightly flat between the ears. There should be a defined but not overpronounced stop at the end of the muzzle where it meets the head, and a black nose. The jaw should be powerful and well boned with a scissor bite and straight teeth. The eyes are almond shaped and dark colored, and should be full of life and intelligence. Small V-shaped ears of moderate thickness are carried forward on the head.
[15] When the dog is alert, the tip of the V should not extend past the outer corner of the eyes. The tail is set high and in the past was docked to approximately five inches in order to provide a sufficient hand-hold for gripping the terrier.
[15]
The Jack Russell should always appear balanced and alert.
[34] As it is primarily a working terrier, its most important physical characteristic is its chest size, which must not be so large that it prevents the dog from entering and working in burrows.
[15] The
red fox is the traditional
quarry of the Jack Russell terrier, so the working Jack Russell must be small enough to pursue it. Red foxes vary in size, but across the world they average from 13–17 pounds (5.9–7.7 kg) in weight and have an average chest size of 12–14 inches (30–36 cm) at the widest part.
[36]
Health
Trump, 2002 USDAA National/World Agility Champion – 12" division.
The breed has a reputation for being healthy with a long lifespan. Breeders have protected the gene pool, and direct in-line breeding has been prevented. Jack Russells can live anywhere from between 13 to 16 years on average given proper care.
[43] However certain lines have been noted for having specific health concerns, and therefore could occur in any line or generation because of
recessive genes. These issues can include hereditary
cataracts,
ectopia lentis,
congenital deafness,
patellar luxation,
ataxia,
myasthenia gravis,
Legg–Calvé–Perthes syndrome and
von Willebrand disease.
[43]
Being a hunt-driven dog, the Jack Russell will usually pursue most creatures that it encounters. This includes the
skunk, and the breed is prone to skunk toxic shock syndrome.
[54] The chemical in the skunk spray is absorbed by the dog and causes the
red blood cells to explode, which can occasionally lead to fatal
anemia and
kidney failure. If sprayed underground, it can also cause chemical burning of the cornea. Treatments are available to flush the toxin out of the dog's system.
[55]
Eye disorders
Lens luxation, also known as ectopia lentis is the most common hereditary disorder in Jack Russell terriers. Even so, this condition is not a common occurrence in the breed. Most frequently appearing in dogs between the ages of 3 and 8 years old, it is where the lens in one or both eyes becomes displaced. There are two types, posterior luxation (where the lens slips to the back of the eye) and anterior luxation (where the lens slips forward). Posterior luxation is the less severe of the two types, as the eye can appear normal although the dog's eyesight will be affected. In anterior luxation, the lens can slip forward and rub against the
cornea, damaging it. Anterior luxation also has a high probability of causing
glaucoma which can lead to partial or complete blindness. Treatment is available and may include both medical and surgical options. Secondary lens luxation is caused by trauma to the eye, and is not hereditary.
[56] The condition appears in a number of terrier breeds as well as the
Border collie,
Brittany and
Cardigan Welsh corgi.
[57]
Cataracts can affect any breed of dog, and is the same condition as seen in humans. Here the lens of the eye hardens and is characterized by cloudiness in the eye.
[57][58] Cataracts will blur the dog's vision and can lead to permanent blindness if left untreated. While considered mainly a hereditary disease, it can also be caused by
diabetes, old age, radiation, eye injury or exposure to high temperatures.
[58]
Musculoskeletal conditions
Patellar luxation, also known as luxating patella, is a hereditary disorder affecting the knees. It is where the
kneecap slips off the groove on which it normally sits. The effects can be temporary with the dog running while holding its hind leg in the air before running on it again once the kneecap slipped back into place as if nothing has happened. Dogs can have a problem with both rear knees, and complications can include
arthritis or torn knee ligaments. Severe cases can require surgery.
[59]
Legg–Calvé–Perthes syndrome, also called Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head, is where the ball section of the
femur in the hip joint deteriorates following interruption of the blood flow and is the same condition as in
humans.
[60] In dogs, this causes lameness of the hind-legs, the thigh muscles to atrophy and pain in the joint.
[61] It usually occurs between 6–12 months of age and has been documented in a variety of other terrier breeds including the
Border terrier,
Lakeland terrier and
Wheaten terrier.
[60]
Well-known Jack Russell terriers
Nipper was a dog born in 1884 who was thought to be a dog of the Jack Russell terrier type.
[62] He was the inspiration for the painting
Dog looking at and listening to a Phonograph, later renamed to
His Master's Voice. The painting was used by a variety of music related companies including
The Gramophone Company and
EMI. Today it remains in use incorporated into the logo for
HMV in UK and Europe.
[63]
A Jack Russell named Bothy made history in 1982 as part of the
Transglobe Expedition. Owned by explorers
Ranulph and
Ginny Fiennes, he became the first dog to travel to both the
north and
south poles.
[64][65] This feat is unlikely to be repeated, as all dogs have been banned from
Antarctica by the
Antarctic Treaty nations since 1994, due to fears that they could transmit diseases to the native
seal population.
[66] Ranulph Fiennes and
Charles Burton actually made the trip to the north pole by powered sledges before signalling to the base camp that they had arrived. To celebrate their achievement, a plane was sent out to take the two men
champagne, along with Bothy.
[67]
On April 29, 2007, a Jack Russell named
George saved five children at a carnival in New Zealand from an attack by two
pit bulls. He was reported to have charged at them and held them at bay long enough for the children to get away. Killed by the pit bulls, he was posthumously awarded the
PDSA Gold Medal in 2009, the animal equivalent of the
George Cross. A statue has been erected in
Manaia,
New Zealand in his memory.
[68] A former US Marine also donated to George's owner a
Purple Heart award he had received for service in
Vietnam.
[69]
On screen and in literature
A rough-coated Jack Russell terrier puppy
In the UK, one of the more recognisable canine stars was restaurateur and chef
Rick Stein's irrepressible terrier
Chalky,
[70] who frequently upstaged his owner on his various cookery series.
[71] He was unique in having his own line of merchandise, including plushes, tea towels, art prints, art paw prints and two
real ales -
Chalky's Bite and
Chalky's Bark,
[72] which won gold in the Quality Drink Awards 2009.
[73] Chalky was given a
BBC obituary when he died in 2007.
[74]
Father
Moose and son
Enzo played the role of Eddie on the long-running TV sitcom
Frasier.
[70] Eddie belonged to lead character Frasier's father Martin, and constantly "stole the show" with his deadpan antics, receiving more fan mail than any other Frasier character.
[75] Moose and Enzo also starred as Skip in the 2000 film
My Dog Skip.
Wishbone, from the television show of the same name which aired from 1995 to 2001 in the United States, was a Jack Russell terrier.
[76] Wishbone's real name was
Willowall Soccer, and was chosen from over a hundred other dogs vying for the part.
[17]
Actor Gene Hackman's pet in the 1995 movie
Crimson Tide was a smooth-coated Jack Russell terrier named "Bear".
[77] Max, a Jack Russell terrier, played the role of Milo who is one of Stanley Ipkiss's only friends in the 1994 U.S film
The Mask starring
Jim Carrey.
[78] Max also played the female dog Audrey in the 2000 film
Mr. Accident.
[70] In the 2009 movie
Hotel for Dogs, Friday, one of the main characters is a Jack Russell, played by the dog actor Cosmo.
[79] Cosmo went on to appear in the films
Paul Blart: Mall Cop and
Beginners.
[80]
Jack Russell: Dog Detective is a series of children's books by authors Darrell and Sally Odgers, and published by
Scholastic.
[81] It is about the adventures of a Jack Russell terrier named Jack Russell and his gang of friends including Jill Russell, Lord "Red" Setter and Foxie Terrier.
[82]
by wikipedia
