🧠 Temperament
Jack Russells are feisty, fearless, and intensely curious. They live at full speed and approach every situation with an enthusiasm bordering on recklessness. They are highly intelligent but stubbornly independent, training requires patience, consistency, and a firm but positive hand. They can be aggressive toward other dogs, especially of the same sex, and their high prey drive makes them unsafe around cats and small animals in most cases. They are better suited to older children who can respect their boundaries.
🏥 Health considerations
Jack Russells are a hardy, healthy breed with fewer genetic conditions than many pedigree dogs. Known issues include Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (a hip joint condition in small breeds), patellar luxation, hereditary ataxia (in some lines), and deafness (in dogs with excessive white colouring). They are long-lived, 14–16 years is common with good care.
🏃 Exercise needs
Jack Russells need 1–1.5 hours of vigorous exercise daily, which is extraordinary for their size. They excel at earthdog trials, agility, flyball, and fetch. Mental stimulation through training and puzzle toys is equally important, a bored JRT will excavate your garden.
✂️ Grooming
All three coat varieties are low maintenance. Smooth coats need weekly brushing. Rough and broken coats benefit from hand-stripping twice yearly. All shed minimally compared to many breeds.
🍽️ Feeding your Jack Russell Terrier
A 6.5 kg Jack Russell needs approximately 180–240 kcal per day. Despite their energy, they are small dogs and need relatively little food. However, they will overeat given the chance.