Jack Russell - It’s Time You Let The Dogs Out!

by John Wanstall

Are you giving your new terrier dog a good deal? And it’s the Jack Russell, the New Year present to the family, that I am talking about.

Your Jack is a bright, intelligent dog, who loves good company and above all, lots of exercise. The breed, although small in stature, is stout-hearted and is happy to run the whole day.

Unfortunately, Jack – a status symbol with many dog-loving owners – is not the ideal dog to keep enclosed in an apartment or house, unless the owner is willing to take him on a really long daily trot; by this I mean a country walk where the animal is allowed to run freely.

Jack Russell is Not a Lapdog

Jack is one large ball of energy.

However, I wonder how many have taught their little dogs to walk, to heel and obey simple commends.

I fear that when the kids and mum and dad have become disenchanted with walking their new terrier up to five times a day. The job will be handed over to the poor maid or dog walker, already burdened with running the household.

This is the start of the slippery slope.

Without the exercise regime I have talked about, you can end up with a rather sick, plump, and unhappy dog on your hands.

Jack will put on weight, and as the fatty tissue begins to accumulate around his heart, he will become sick and may even die.

The new Jack, now pent up, will slowly but surely become a nuisance with his continual yapping, as he is locked up.

I know of some owners who have taken their poor Jack to the vet for the nastiest cut of them all, hoping that this will calm the animal down.

Have you noticed how many people give their Jack a quick walk followed by a prolonged trip in a bicycle basket along the beach path or parks?

That is quiet the cruelest action I have ever witnessed. Jack is not a lap dog but a little terrier bred for a life of action.

Jack Russell is a Hunting breed

Many years of careful cross breeding went into the early Jack Russells, thanks to the promoter of the breed – the Reverend John (Jack) Russell, who was born in 1795 in Dartmouth, Devon, England.

The vicar was an experienced horseman and huntsman.

He became passionately involved in the breeding and selection of the Jack Russell.

The vicar was looking for a working dog small enough to dig out otters, badgers, and foxes from their lairs.

Jack’s qualities – fearless, happy, alert, confident, intelligent – make him a sturdy dog, vigorous companion, ready to meet the world on a moment’s notice.

Now, dear dog lovers, let me tell you some of the breed problems.

Unless he is appropriately trained and exercised, your Jack can be subverted into wanton destructiveness.

While adaptable to a variety of environments, he is first and foremost bred to be a hunting dog, enjoying the great outside.

As appealing as he can be, Jack is not the ideal pet for everyone.

He has his share of terrier aggression towards other dogs and is deadly towards animals he considers to be prey.

Cats, hamsters, gerbils, and other household pets can be in jeopardy if the dog is not supervised or confined.

This militant streak makes it difficult to keep a Jack Russell in a home with other dogs. Jack can be a terrific family pet, and excellent watchdog. He has a gentle and kindly nature with people and is usually friendly with small children – if they are well behaved. He will not put up with poking.

Exercise your Jack Russell

Like most terriers, Jack is a digger and a barker; if not given enough opportunity to indulge these inclinations outside, he may dig holes in the furniture and back at everything that moves.

Owners often find that they are unprepared for the care required for this feisty terrier. Many may not understand the nature of the breed and their desire to hunt.

I first became acquainted with the Jack Russell as a young teenager earning extra pocket money by working on the family farm.

Our Jack, we called him Peter, was much happier living in our largest hay barn with our two sheep dogs, than the kitchen.

Peter was a wonderful ratting dog. In those days, the rat population would attempt to consume most of our hen’s eggs.

However, after Peter had decimated the plague of rats, we were a very happy family.

When Peter first arrived the two sheep dogs felt they ruled the roost, but Peter’s tiny sharp white teeth quickly made sure the tow other dogs kept their distance.

So dog lover, do be kind to the little chap and give your lovely Jack as much exercise as possible. He will love you all the more for it.