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Buying or Adopting a Jack Russell Terrier

By Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Behavioral Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books

Jack Russell Terrier

Interested in the Jack Russell Terrier? Read each post on this page. Make sure the breed is right for you (and that YOU are right for the breed). Decide on sex and age. Then begin the exciting adventure of finding and evaluating breeders and rescue groups and selecting the right Jack Russell. Don't be in a hurry!



Don't set your sights on the Jack Russell Terrier until you read my advice in these posts.

Obedience instructor and author Michele Welton Should You Even Get a Dog? Are You Sure?
Important – I've been helping people choose and find dogs for nearly 40 years, and honestly, some people who decide to get a dog are making a big mistake... [read more]

Purebred dogs The Truth About Purebred Dogs
Pros and cons... (most people don't know about the cons)

Crossbred dogs The Truth About Crossbred Dogs
Pros and cons... (don't get taken by breeder hype)

Mixed breed dogs The Truth About Mixed Breed Dogs
Pros and cons... (are mixes inferior to purebreds and crosses?)

Is a Jack Russell Terrier the right breed for you?

Obedience instructor and author Michele Welton Jack Russell Terrier Review
I'll tell you what's good about 'em, and what's bad about 'em... most honest review you'll ever find

puppy

Dog Breed Traits – Which Traits Are Right For You?

In this brand new series, I'll help you decide which dog breed traits would best suit you and your family, your home and yard, and your lifestyle, so you can choose the best dog breed for your family.

Are YOU the right owner for a Jack Russell Terrier?

Can you provide what this breed needs?

  • Someone home most of the day
  • Fenced yard (6-8 feet high, not an electronic/underground fence)
  • No young children in the household
  • No dogs of the same sex in the household
  • Ample exercise after maturity – enough ongoing exercise that your Jack Russell Terrier stays slim and is tired enough to sleep contentedly and not get into mischief
  • "Mental exercise" – interesting activities that keep the mind stimulated, such as a challenging dog sport (agility, rally obedience, musical freestyle, tracking, flyball, earthdog); challenging dog toys; a homemade obstacle course; tricks and games such as Musical Toys and Hide 'n Seek; instructions in my training book, Teach Your Dog 100 English Words
  • Trimming/clipping ("rough" coat type) – every few months
  • An indoor lifestyle, except for exercise and bathroom breaks
  • A meat-heavy diet, either homemade or commercial – meat is expensive, so people with less money should opt for a small dog
  • An owner with enough money to treat the health problems Jack Russell Terriers are prone to (pet health insurance can really help here!)
  • An owner who is okay with constant shedding (especially the "smooth" coat type)
  • Commitment to provide thorough socialization – introducing your Jack Russell Terrier to lots of people and other animals, diligently correcting any signs of misbehavior or aggression
  • Commitment to establish the right Leader-Follower relationship with your Jack Russell, teaching him to listen to you and do what you say

Which sex? What age?

Symbols for male and female Male Dogs vs. Female Dogs
Which one makes a better pet?

Girl hugging a dog Puppies vs. Adult Dogs
Should you get a young puppy, an older puppy, or an adult dog?

Where can you buy or adopt a Jack Russell Terrier?

Jack Russell Terriers are very common in the United States. But you might get confused when you try to acquire this breed, because it turns out that there isn't just one breed – there are actually three. And they're a little different from each other.

The most common one is called the Jack Russell Terrier. These dogs are registered with the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America (JRTCA). They're supposed to have a squarish build – the length of their body is about equal to their height at the shoulder. But some have short legs and a longish body.

Then there is the Parson Russell Terrier, which is registered with the American Kennel Club. The AKC had to choose a different name because the JRTCA owned the name Jack Russell and wouldn't allow the AKC to use it. So the AKC chose Parson Russell. These dogs are also supposed to be square in build.

Finally, there is the Russell Terrier, which is also registered with the American Kennel Club, but does not have the squarish build. Instead it has a structural deformity called chondrodysplasia, which dwarfs their legs and makes their length longer than their height.

On my website, I use the original name, Jack Russell Terrier, to apply to all three breeds.

Adopting From Dog Rescue Organizations
Jack Russell Terriers are frequently available from Dog Rescue groups. Jack Russells may be turned into Rescue because they need much more exercise and interesting activities than the owner can handle. Or they might be too active or "intense" or dominant or aggressive toward other animals.

Owners often give up their Jack Russell Terrier when it becomes apparent that, despite its small size, the dog is too much for them to handle. You would need to provide these dogs with the exercise, training, and socialization that they are lacking.

Other Jack Russell Terriers are given up simply because of changed family circumstances, and these dogs may have no behavior problems at all.

Adopting From Public Animal Shelters and Humane Societies
Jack Russell Terriers can be found here, although shelter personnel may mislabel any short-coated bicolored or tricolored terrier as a Jack Russell, even when it's not.

Buying From a Dog Breeder
You can buy a Jack Russell Terrier from a show breeder, who breeds their dogs to match a detailed standard of appearance for the dog show ring.

Or you can buy a Jack Russell Terrier from a performance breeder, who emphasizes an even more energetic temperament and strong "prey (chasing) drives" for participating in performance sports like dog agility, rally obedience, musical freestyle, flyball, frisbee, and earthdog events.

Some breeders are a combination of show/performance, though how they prioritize those two goals can vary greatly.

You can also buy a Jack Russell Terrier from people who "just breed pets" or "just had one litter." But should you? Be sure to read the article to learn more about these people.

Here's one difference between a responsible breeder and an irresponsible breeder – BOTH PARENTS of a Jack Russell Terrier puppy should have:

  • a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America's CAER (Companion Animal Eye Registry) – dated within the past year – certifying the dog to be free of eye diseases
  • a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) certifying the dog to have normal knees

If a seller can't show you those certificates, the puppies are higher risk for health problems. You might choose to accept that risk. But then you need to be willing (and able) to pay a couple thousand bucks for future surgeries and lifelong meds if your Jack Russell Terrier ends up with cataracts and crippled knee joints.

Puppy in a pet shop window Pet Shop Puppies: Buying a Puppy From a Pet Store
Jack Russell Terriers are often found in pet shops. I have plenty to say about buying a puppy from a pet shop!

Which puppy?

Symbols for male and female Choosing the Right Jack Russell Terrier Puppy
How to test the temperament and personality of Jack Russell Terrier puppies and pick the best puppy in a litter.

Girl hugging a dog AKC Registered Puppies: Are AKC Papers Important?
Should you buy only an AKC registered Jack Russell Terrier puppy? Do AKC papers and pedigrees really matter?

Michele Welton with BuffyAbout the author: Michele Welton has over 40 years of experience as a Dog Trainer, Dog Breed Consultant, and founder of three Dog Training Centers. An expert researcher and author of 15 books about dogs, she loves helping people choose, train, and care for their dogs.

My best-selling books – now available  FREE  on my website


book coverRespect Training For Puppies: 30 seconds to a calm, polite, well-behaved puppy is for puppies 2 to 18 months old. Your puppy will learn the 21 skills that all family dogs need to know. Click here to read for free.
book coverTeach Your Dog 100 English Words is a unique Vocabulary and Respect Training Program that will teach your adult dog to listen to you and do what you say. Click here to read for free.
book cover11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy helps your dog live a longer, healthier life. Get my honest advice about all 11 Things before you bring home your new puppy, because some mistakes with early health care cannot be undone. Click here to read for free.