Jack Russell Terriers:

A Big Dog in a Small Package

My first response on reading that the hyperactive little bundle of canine energy, the Jack Russell terrier (JR), was making its debut at the prestigious Westminster Dow Show this year was, "Debut?! How could this little dog with an oversized ego have failed to push his way onto center stage at the biggest annual dog event in the country?"

The furry little dynamos have grabbed more than their fair share of the limelight on stage and screen, starring on TV's "Frasier" and "Wishbone" and in "My Dog Skip," "The Mask," and (costarring) "Beethoven" on the silver screen, not to mention their extensive commercial work. Jack Russell people - a breed of dog lovers as tenaciously loyal as the dogs they love - have long resisted AKC (American Kennel Club) approval of these feisty working-class dogs, and for good reason. An AKC-recognized breed must conform to established physical standards, and other breeds who once earned a living hunting or herding (collies, Golden retreivers, and standard poodles, for example) have lost some of their prized professional skills as they began to be bred more for appearance.* But the JR is a nonconformist and much more than a pretty face. He is still a serious working dog and wants to stay that way.

Of course, their intelligence, cute appearance, outgoing personalities and attention-demanding habits make them hard to keep under cover. In fact, they're already one of the most popular dogs around, and too much popularity has led all too many canine breeds down the path of genetic disorders from overbreeding - another reason JR people have resisted official pure-breed status.

These high-energy charmers may show up wherever they can find an audience to entertain, but if you think you know what living with a Jack Russell terrier is like from watching "Wishbone" or Eddie on "Frasier," you don't know Jack. Even experienced dog owners can be overwhelmed by their demanding personalities. To give fair warning to anyone thinking about adopting a JR, the American Jack Russell Terrier Club web site offers a worst-case scenario of life with a JR. If you can read through this extensive list (slightly modified below) without being totally discouraged, a Jack Russell may be the dog for you. As you'll see from multiple-JR owner and enthusiast Michelle Garayalde's success story, the prognosis for Jack Russell ownership isn't totally hopeless.

Jack Russell Cons

Jack Russells . . .

• Are first and foremost hunting dogs. The traits and skills that make them excellent hunting dogs (i.e., digging, barking, aggressive nature, ability to follow scent) can become bad habits that cause people to give them up.
• Are bred to go underground, following scent to locate and bark at quarry. If they don't have an outlet for their natural instincts, they will invent new and fun jobs for themselves, like being guardian of the world and their possessions and family, chasing cars, hunting birds, bugs or leaves, or endlessly digging in the soil.
• Are big dogs in little bodies. They have the same need (or more!) for exercise as a much larger dog... and the mentality to match - they think they are at least 150 pounds, and are fearless, often challenging other dogs three times their size.
• Are often aggressive with other dogs. Same-sex aggression and aggression toward other breeds is common. It is strongly recommended that no more than two Jack Russells (of opposite sex only) ever be permitted to stay together unattended.
• Are NOT a non-shedding breed! All coat types shed! Smooth coats shed the most, dropping hair continuously year round. Rough coats require manual shedding a few times a year.
• Require firm, consistent discipline. They are extremely intelligent, continue to test their limits throughout their life. More often than not, they train their owners before the owner knows what has happened! This ability can include displays of aggressive behavior. Their assertive nature must be understood and handled properly!
• Can become very possessive of their owner, a favorite member of the family or of what they consider to be their personal property - if allowed to do so, to the point of showing aggressive protective behavior that must be controlled from an early age.
• Are commonly known to harass, injure or kill other small pets, such as cats, birds, rabbits, mice, rats, because of their strong natural hunting instinct. Raising a puppy with a cat does not guarantee the cat's life-long safety!
• Remain active well into their 15-year-plus life span; their need for activity and desire to hunt continues for their entire lifetime. Untrained, unsupervised dogs rarely reach their life expectancy.
• Require at least basic obedience training. Even well-trained dogs will be tempted to chase something interesting, or disappear into a hole while you are not looking. Off-lead is always a dangerous situation for a Jack Russell unless in a safe environment with experienced JR owners.
• Absolutely need a securely fenced yard! JRs will roam due to their hunting instincts even if left in an unsecured for a few minutes! Many JRs have been killed by cars while in pursuit of a squirrel or cat. They can also dig under, climb or jump over fences; can climb trees and any height chain link fencing.
• Can be very destructive if left unattended and unemployed! Most behavioral problems are due to a lack of companionship, discipline, activity and exercise.
• Are country dogs. When made to live in a city or suburban-type environment, their needs and instincts do not change. Your lifestyle must be adjusted to meet their needs; they must have jobs to perform - an outlet for their considerable energy and intelligence. They need a great deal of exercise and outdoor activity, and are usually too loud for high-density living. They need room to run; leash walking does not satisfy their boundless energy. MANY rescues come from apartments, condos, or homes where the owners work away from the home.
• Will NOT TOLERATE even unintended mistreatment from a child or put up with typical child handling such as pulling of ears or tails or "sharing" of the dog's bones, food, or toys. They are very assertive and demanding, and never still.
• Jump all over whoever will allow it and are not recommended for households with children under 6 years old.
• Are NOT as they are portrayed in the movies or TV. Those dogs are professionally trained and handled, and are obedient only for VERY short periods.
• Require long-term commitment to obedience, exercise and entertainment.

Jack Russell Pros: A Success Story

You can't always believe the horror stories you hear about Jack Russell personality problems. Just ask Michelle Garayalde of northern Idaho, who was warned that Teddy - Jack Russell terrier she wanted to adopt to keep her first JR, Jill, company - was "unadoptable."

The list of problem behaviors included biting his former family's toddler, humane society handlers, rescuers, and his current foster parents. Michelle was instructed never to "roll him onto his back, look in his mouth, look him in the eye, or let him anywhere near children."

When Michelle arrived at the foster home to pick up Teddy, he immediately took to Jill, and the two were playing and wrestling within minutes. All through the ride home they snuggled together in Jill's special high-rider car seat.

When they arrived home, husband, Daniel, immediately fell in love with the lively new family member, but there was one problem. . . Teddy hated his name! Whenever anyone called, "Teddy," he gave out a disgusted little snort and refused to respond. Searching for a new name, Michelle and Daniel came up with "Oscar" as in "Oscar Meyer" since his slightly elongated body made him look a bit like a weiner dog. He loved the new name right away!

As for the children, Oscar soon demonstrated there was no need for concern. He quickly became the undisputed "King of the Neighborhood" and adored playing with all the kids, swimming with developmentally disabled adults at the lake, and visiting the local schools as a "show-and-tell dog."

Kids show up at the doorstep everyday asking if Oscar can come out and play, and he has never been the slightest bit aggressive with them.

If the rescue workers, foster family and others had given up on this "unadoptable" dog, Michelle writes, Oscar "would have missed out on a great life, and worse yet, we would have missed out on him!"

Are You Ready for JR?

A Jack Russell is a lot of dog. His debut at the sedate Westminster Show is bound to shake things up a bit. And if your life could use a little shakeup, too, adopting a Jack Russell or two into your family might be just the thing. There are, unfortunately, plenty of adoptables like Oscar waiting - impatiently, no doubt - in foster homes, rescue groups, and shelters for the right person to come along. Maybe it's you.

Visit the American Jack Russel Terrier web site for information on rescue groups in your area, or visit your local shelter, before consulting a breeder.

*Disclaimer: I am not a JR owner, only an admirer, and this article is merely the opinions and views of a dog-loving layperson.

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